Graduate Enrollment for Ohio University Employees
Ohio University supports employee participation in graduate education while ensuring that academic and employment responsibilities remain separate and free from conflicts of interest.
Admission Required Before Registration
Employees must be admitted to a graduate program or approved for non-degree status through Ohio University's standard graduate admissions process before registering for graduate courses.
Employment with the university does not grant automatic eligibility to enroll in graduate coursework. All employees must apply, be reviewed for eligibility and potential conflicts of interest, and receive admission before registering for courses.
Eligibility
Most Ohio University employees are eligible to apply for admission to a graduate program or non-degree status through the standard graduate admissions process.
Senior administrators (President, Provost, Vice Presidents, Associate Provosts, Deans) are not eligible to apply.
What You Should Know Before Applying
Conflict of Interest Review
Before admission can be offered, employee applications are reviewed to ensure that dual employee/student status does not create or suggest:
- Conflicts of Interest
- Unfair competition
- Situations that could affect academic performance or evaluation
Conflict of Interest Restrictions
Employees may not enroll in a terminal degree program if they:
- Supervise faculty within the program, or
- Have decision-making authority over financial resources of the program or the unit housing the program
Educational Benefits Are Separate
Admission to a graduate program does not automatically activate educational benefits. Employees seeking educational benefits must complete the required Human Resources process separately. Educational Benefits | Ohio University
Course Load Expectations
Employees remain employees first.
Education benefits policies limit enrollment during periods of employment and generally do not permit active faculty and staff to be simultaneously enrolled as full-time students.
Graduate Assistantships
Benefit-eligible employees are not eligible to receive a graduate assistantship.
Application and Review Process
Step 1: Apply to Graduate Program
Submit a standard graduate admission application through the Graduate College.
Step 2: Academic Program Review
The graduate program evaluates the application and, when appropriate, recommends admission.
Step 3: Conflict of Interest Review (Graduate Council)
The Graduate College initiates conflict review in coordination with Graduate Council.
Step 4: Graduate Council Determination
Graduate Council evaluates whether an actual or perceived conflict exists and whether it can be appropriately mitigated.
Important: Applicants may not be admitted if an unresolved conflict of interest exists.
Step 5: Request Educational Benefits
Following admission, employees seeking tuition benefits must complete the required Human Resources procedures: Educational Benefits | Ohio University
Additional Information for Faculty
Faculty members at or above the rank of Instructor may not earn a master's or doctoral degree from a graduate program in which they
- Hold membership
- Teach courses
- Serve on graduate committees
- Exercise supervisory responsibilities that may create actual or perceived conflicts of interest
Terminal Degree Requirement
Faculty members pursuing a terminal degree must enroll in a program outside the college in which they are employed.
Questions or Appeals
Questions regarding eligibility or potential conflicts should be discussed with the Graduate College before applying.
- Appeals are handled through established Faculty Grievance Committee procedures
Employee Application Deadlines
Because Graduate Council conducts Conflict of Interest Reviews only once each month, employee application deadlines may be earlier than the standard program deadlines.
These deadlines allow sufficient time for:
- Application review
- Conflict of interest review
- Admission processing
- Enrollment preparation
| Entry Term | Employee Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | Degree: July 15 Non-Degree/Certificate: August 1 |
| Spring | Degree: November 15 Non-Degree/Certificate: December 1 |
| Summer- Full or Summer I | April 1 |
| Summer II | June 1 |
Important: Graduate Council meets monthly during the fall and spring semesters. During the summer recess, temporary or provisional admission may be granted to allow registration when a full conflict review cannot be completed.