The time it takes to earn a degree varies from student to student. Let a plan of action be your guide while you’re here. We know choosing classes can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help and offer counseling and sample plans to guide you.

The following will help keep you on track to meet your graduation goals:

The time it takes students to earn a degree varies. Here are some things to consider:

  • Are you working full-time or part-time?
  • Did you take time off school to complete a really cool internship?
  • Will you study abroad more than once?
  • What if you are in the military and get activated?

We'll help you create an individual plan that meets your needs, no matter what your circumstances are.

Sample Four Year Plans

Agribusiness and Applied Economics

Agricultural Communication

Agricultural Systems Management

AgriScience Education

Animal Sciences

Community Leadership

Construction Systems Management

Culinary Science

Entomology

Environmental Science

Environmental Policy & Decision Making

Food, Agricultural & Biological Engineering

Food Business Management

Food Science & Technology

Forestry, Fisheries, & Wildlife

Meat Science

Natural Resources Management

Plant Health Management

Plant Pathology

Professional Golf Management

Sustainable Plant Systems

Meet with Your Advisor

Our college provides you with several advisors to help you plan your degree and resolve academic issues.

  • Your faculty advisor teaches classes in your major
  • Your coordinating advisor serves as a backup to your faculty advisor
  • The college counselor and assistant dean of academic affairs are also willing to guide you when needed

Although your advisors may contact you throughout your time here, they ultimately rely on you to schedule appointments them.

Degree Audit Review

If you want to see your academic history at Ohio State, you can run a degree audit at any time. This document will outline all the classes you've taken and your grades in them.

It is a good idea for you to share this audit with your family periodically to show the progress you've made.

Many students also check this audit to make sure it truly reflects their progress. Please discuss any degree problems with your advisors.

To run a degree audit visit the registrar's website.

The Survey Course (FAES 1100)

The survey class you'll take during your first semester at Ohio State is important to your academic success. In this class you will:

  • Learn about the unique purpose of our college.
  • Begin planning your academic career.
  • Connect with your academic advisor.
  • Contact academic and professional resources.

Number of Credit Hours

The number of classes you take each semester will affect your progress toward earning your degree. On average, you must take 14-16 credit hours per quarter to graduate in four years.
Students who aim to meet the following are typically successful in meeting the four-year mark.

  • Earn 30 credit hours at the end of the first year
  • Completed 60 hours at the end of the second year
  • Earn 90 hours by the end of the third year

This will allow you some flexibility for your senior year.

Specific Courses

There are two types of benchmarks that we identify with regard to courses.

  • First, the 30 first year hours, the 60 second year hourly total, and the 90 third year total must include courses that count toward the degree. 
  • Some basic guidelines and suggestions to consider:
  1. Complete your math and English requirements by the end of your first year.
  2. Complete at least three sciences by the end of your second year.
  3. Declare your minor by the end of your second year.
  4. Complete your internship by the end of the summer after your third year.

Your Commitment

We want you to be committed to studying what interests you most. Even if that means changing your major more than once.

We're supportive of students looking to explore different majors. After all, we want you to prepare yourself for the real world—and let you study what intrigues you.

However, please know that changing majors too many times may impact how long it takes you to earn a degee.

Performance

We expect students to use their talents to the fullest. All of our students are capable of completing undergraduate degrees. But ability must be combined with commitment and enthusiasm to succeed in the way we hope they do.