DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Go to Registrar's General FAQ
The Questions
What is DARS?
Where will I find the specific information pertaining to my degree program requirements?
What do all the symbols on my DARS report mean?
How do I get a DARS report?
Should I still consult with my advisor?
Can DARS help me if I am thinking about switching majors?
What if I feel something is wrong with my DARS report?
What does a sample DARS requirement look like?
The Answers
What is DARS?
DARS is an acronym for a program called the Degree Audit Reporting System. DARS analyzes the degree requirements for your major according to the catalog year in which you entered Ohio University. DARS reports are the printed results of this analysis. The DARS report displays the courses from which you may select in order to complete degree requirements and shows how the courses you have already taken apply toward those requirements. The DARS report provides you an exact "snapshot" of where you stand relative to graduation. Knowing how your DARS report is structured will make the report easier to understand.
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Where will I find the specific information pertaining to my degree program requirements?
Your DARS report begins with a section that displays personal information. This section includes information such as high school rank, ACT/SAT scores, and catalog year of entry. Next are the General Graduation Requirements, which include total hours needed to graduate and minimum GPA required. The University General Education Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III Requirements follow. The Tier requirements are followed by specific college requirements; these are different for each college within the university. The specific requirements for your major will be found after your college requirements. The Free Electives section lists any courses taken that do not meet any specific requirement. Finally, there is a complete record of all classes taken at Ohio University listed by academic year (this is much like an informal transcript).
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What do all the symbols on my DARS report mean?
The last section on your DARS report is the legend. It contains important symbols needed to understand your DARS report. Following is a list of the most common symbols that appear on a DARS report.
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RG Grade | This grade appears next to classes in which you are currently enrolled but which you have not yet completed. |
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RP Grade | This grade appears next to classes in which you are currently enrolled using the pass/fail grading option but which you have not yet completed. |
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PG Grade | This grade appears next to classes for which you are registered in a future quarter. |
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PP Grade | This grade appears next to classes for which you are registered in a future quarter using the pass/fail grading option. |
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T Grade | This grade appears next to Ohio University equivalent classes that have been transferred from another institution. |
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U Grade | This grade appears next to transfer coursework that has been accepted by Ohio University but has yet to be equated to Ohio University coursework. |
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- | If a specific sub-requirement has not been completed, a minus sign will appear next to it. |
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+ | If a specific sub-requirement has been completed, a plus sign will appear next to it. |
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NO | If a requirement has not yet been completed, the word "NO" will appear next to it. |
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OK | If a requirement has been completed, the word "OK" will appear next to it. |
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* in course | If a requirement is stated as (SELECT FROM: HIST****) it means that any History course will fulfill the requirement. |
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>L | Indicates a course whose credit has been deducted because it was taken out of sequence when taking the proper sequence was required or it exceeded limits based on earning credit in similar courses. |
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>R | Indicates a course that has been repeated for credit. |
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>X | Indicates a course that has been retaken and replaced by a later completion of the same course. No credit hour swill show by the course with >X. The grade for the last completion will be the one that counts in the GPA. |
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How do I get a DARS report?
Your DARS Report is available online from the University Registrar's Website < http://www.ohio.edu/registrar/darsonline.cfm >. A printed version of your DARS Report is produced quarterly and will be available during the advising period from the appropriate advisor or office (see schedule of classes to determine procedures followed by your college). Also, you may obtain an up-to-date printed copy at other times from the student services office in your college or regional campus.
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Should I still consult with my advisor?
YES! While your DARS report tells you which requirements to complete, your advisor can give you academic counseling to help you make informed choices as well as offer you career advice that will help you after graduation.
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Can DARS help me if I am thinking about switching majors?
If you are thinking about changing your major, you may request a "What if" DARS report either from the student services office of the college that offers the major you are considering or from your regional campus student services office. This report will help you determine how courses already completed will apply to the new major as well as what additional courses are needed to complete that program.
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What if I feel something is wrong with my DARS report?
If you feel that DARS is not correctly analyzing certain requirements, you should consult an advisor from the student services office of your college or regional campus student services office.
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What does a DARS requirement look like?
The following is a sample of a requirement section of a DARS report:
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Myke Welch revised this page on April 6, 2005. Please e-mail comments or suggestions to registrar@ohiou.edu
