This school appears in our ranking 20 Most Affordable Master's in Agriculture Online Degree Programs 2018.
The Ohio State University (OSU), often referred to as simply Ohio State, is a large public university located in Columbus Ohio. Established as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, the school was developed in 1870 as a land-grant university and the ninth university in the state. At the time of its establishment, Ohio State offered different agricultural and mechanical programs, but Governor (later, President) Rutherford B. Hayes played a part in growing the school into a comprehensive university. In 1978, the Ohio General Assembly changed the name of the school to The Ohio State University. The school now boasts the third-largest university campus in the nation. Along with its 1,764-acre main campus, Ohio State operates regional campuses in Wooster, Newark, Marion, Mansfield, and Lima. As of August 2017, Ohio State had awarded more than 747,200 degrees. Former students and alumni have gone on to established careers in entertainment, sports, education, medicine, science, business, and government. U.S. News & World Report ranked Ohio State the 16th-best public university in the U.S. in 2016.
Ohio State University Accreditation Details
Since 1913, The Ohio State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation is both a process and a designation. As a process, accreditation demonstrates an ongoing commitment to external peer review and self-study. These assessments affirm that a particular university is meeting quality standards and can be expected to do so in the future. As a designation, accreditation serves as public recognition that an institution has met these accepted standards of quality. The peer-review process evaluates institutions based on five factors: integrity, mission statement, quality of teaching and learning, improvement of teaching and learning, and the school's resources, planning, and institutional effectiveness. In addition to earning regional, or institutional, accreditation, a number of programs offered by Ohio State have been recognized and are fully accredited by the accrediting body responsible for degree programs in their respective fields.
Ohio State University Application Requirements
The exact application requirements for admission into an online master's program at The Ohio State University will depend on the specific degree a student wishes to pursue. However, there are certain application requirements that apply to most graduate programs. These include the submission of a completed application, payment of a nonrefundable application fee, and the submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Other required documents include three letters of recommendation from people acquainted with the applicant's professional performance, scholastic ability, and academic program as well as a statement of purpose that outlines the applicant's professional and educational objectives and goals. Master's degree-seeking students must also submit a resume or curriculum vitae if they wish to be considered for a fellowship. International students must provide proof of English proficiency. Depending on the program, a sample of written work, portfolio, audition, and/or GRE and/or GMAT scores may also be required.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition varies by the program as well as the number of credits in which a student is enrolled. Regardless of whether someone is an out-of-state or in-state student, all U.S. graduate students and residents enrolled in the distance education courses at The Ohio State University pay in-state tuition rates. Non-residents will pay an additional $105 distance fee per term, and Ohio residents will pay an additional $100 per term. All students will be required to pay any program-specific fees. Site-based fees such as the COTA bus service and the recreational fee do not apply to online learners. Tuition costs an average of $700 per credit hour. Students may complete the FAFSA to determine whether they are eligible to receive funding to help offset the cost of their degree. A financial aid package for an online graduate student may include one or more types of aid such as grants, scholarships, private loans, or federal loans.
Online Degrees Available
The Ohio State University offers a number of online master's degrees in various fields such as plant health, nursing, education, bioethics, engineering, healthcare, agriculture, dental hygiene, pharmacology, social work, and business. All online degrees are available fully online, although some may require students to meet on-campus to meet residency or internship requirements.
Master of Science in Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing offered through the College of Nursing prepares students for nursing in a variety of clinical settings ranging from governmental agencies and managed care organizations to businesses, hospitals, clinics, and private practices. The degree is ranked second on U.S. News & World Report's list of best online nursing graduate programs. Graduates will acquire skills, values, and knowledge through evidence-based practice, clinical experience, and coursework. Students may choose from four specializations in the online format, and each track prepares students to sit for specialty certification. These tracks include Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Students will take coursework in areas such as advanced health assessment, health promotion and disease prevention, and quality improvement in advanced nursing care.
Master of Social Work
Ohio State offers a Master of Social Work degree through its College of Social Work. The program is ranked ninth among public universities by U.S. News & World Report, and it is designed to prepare students to be social work leaders, ready to address global, national, and regional issues. The curriculum ensures that students have the competencies to successfully practice in a range of fields such as child and youth services, substance abuse, and mental health. Students will be equipped with the ability to intervene through policy reform, community change, advocacy, administrative practice, and direct services. Ohio State offers an Advanced Standing Alternative Program (ASAP) as well as a traditional MSW, and both are available fully online. Students who have earned a bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) within the last five years are eligible for the ASAP program, whereas the traditional MSW program is available for students with a bachelor's degree in any discipline. Students earning either degree from The Ohio State University can expect to take coursework in areas such as child and youth services, mental health and substance abuse, social work practice, and professional development.