Academic Credit
Students should first be aware that while college credit may be earned for OCS programs and the grades earned while off campus will appear on the Kenyon transcript, GRADES EARNED THROUGH OCS WILL NOT COUNT TOWARDS THE STUDENT'S OVERALL GPA (this does not apply to the Kenyon Exeter, Rome, or Belize programs). Academic credit is earned on an OCS program only when your application has been approved, when you participate in a faculty-approved program, when you have carefully planned your course of study with a faculty advisor and the Director or Assistant Director, Center for Global Engagement, and when you have followed the correct procedures for applying to an OCS program. Students who fail to follow College procedures regarding OCS, or who withdraw from Kenyon in order to circumvent existing College regulations regarding such study, will not receive credit for coursework completed off campus.
The Committee on Academic Standards is responsible for approval of institutions and programs for which Kenyon departments may recommend credit for OCS.
Because "credits" are defined differently by different institutions, no attempt is made here to specify the number of Kenyon units you will receive for each course. Kenyon units will be granted on a pro-rata basis as indicated by the transcript received. However, Kenyon department chairs may wish to indicate the maximum units they are approving for any or all courses listed on the Course Approval Form. In general, 1 unit is granted by Kenyon for 8 semester-hours or 12 quarter-hours of credit earned. "Contact hours" normally are not considered for this purpose.
All courses and credit allotments will be reviewed by the registrar. Any exceptions to this formula must have the Registar's approval prior to program participation.
Requirements for Credit
Additional criteria for receiving academic credit for OCS include the following:- Enrolling in a full courseload as defined by the program, but at least the equivalent of 16 semester hours (= two Kenyon units) or 32 hours for an academic year (= four Kenyon units).
- Obtaining approval of all OCS courses by appropriate Kenyon departmental chairs for any courses in your major and for independent studies, and by the registrar for all other courses.
- Achieving a grade of C- or better in all OCS courses. (A grade of D will appear on your transcript but will earn no credit.)
- Enrolling in the language of the host country.
- Enrolling in at least two departments at all times, where possible.
- Arranging for a transcript of OCS coursework to be sent to Kenyon's registrar.
OCS Credits and Your Kenyon GPA
A transcript of your courses and grades must be sent by the host institution to Kenyon's registrar. Grades received for OCS will appear on your Kenyon transcript but will not be computed as part of your Kenyon GPA. You must take every course for a grade. You may not register for pass/fail while on an OCS program. (An OCS transcript is not attached permanently to your Kenyon transcript. Programs should be contacted for additional copies.)
Exception--Kenyon-Exeter, Rome, and Belize Programs
Students will have letter grades for work done off campus whenever the course is taught and graded by a member of the Kenyon faculty, and the course is given credit in the department where the member is appointed. These grades will factor into the student's GPA at Kenyon.