45.101: Graduate Study for Employees

1. Overview

   This policy encourages all Ohio university employees (other than senior administrators) to apply for admission to graduate study, while avoiding conflicts of interest.

   Policy 40.015 establishes the benefits and limitations when employees take Ohio university courses. Bargaining unit employees should refer to their contract for information about educational benefits. All employees, except senior administrators (president, provost, vice presidents, associate provosts, and deans) are eligible to apply for admission to a graduate program or to non-degree status. The assistant dean of the graduate college and the graduate council will review all applications for potential conflict of interest. If the graduate council determines that a conflict exists, the employee shall not be admitted to the graduate program. It is the responsibility of the assistant dean of the graduate college to see that this review takes place at the earliest possible date.

2. Process

   Full-time employees may not receive a graduate stipend. See policy 40.015 for the limitations on course load. Course loads taken during breaks in regular employment, however, such as summers for nine-month faculty, will be limited only by graduate catalog regulations. (The graduate catalog and policy 20.102 address residency requirements.)

   If a student who is currently in a graduate degree program is offered an administrative appointment, classified staff position, or bargaining unit position, the situation shall be reviewed by the assistant dean of the graduate college and the graduate council at the earliest possible date. The graduate council shall determine whether conflict of interest or unfair competition would result from dual status as a student and as an employee, which might affect academic performance and evaluation. If the graduate council determines that such conflict would exist, they shall inform the student that they may not continue in their graduate program if they accept the appointment.

Forms, References, and History

1. Forms

   There are no forms that are specific to this policy.

2. References

   The following items are relevant to this policy:

   1. Policy 20.102, "Residency Determination for Admission and Reclassification."
   2. Policy 40.015, "Educational Benefits for Ohio University Employees."

3. History

   Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site.

   Prior versions of this policy were approved on:

   1. June 1, 2026 (Non-substantive updates)
   2. September 17, 2021 (Non-substantive update. Classified Senate removed as Reviewer due to the establishment of the AFSCME 3200 Contract) 
   3. October 1, 2002
   4. June 7, 1993
   5. April 21, 1986
   6. August 10, 1982
   7. January 21, 1975
   8. October 1, 1969