This form is used to officially declare a graduate minor or graduate interdisciplinary specialization (GIS). This form must be submitted and approved by the program by the Application to Graduate deadline, even if courses are still in progress.
See Graduate School Handbook Section 8.4 for full policy and the Graduate School Calendar for applicable submission deadlines.
Important Notes
Students should consult with their advisor about pursuing a minor or GIS and how best to incorporate it into their program of study.
Graduate Minors
- A graduate minor requires at least 10 hours of graduate-level coursework across three or more courses outside of the student’s home program.
- Each course must be completed with a grade of "B" or better, or "S."
Graduate Interdisciplinary Specializations
- A graduate interdisciplinary specialization (GIS) requires at least 10 hours of graduate-level coursework across three or more courses, and 9 of those hours must be outside the student’s home program.
- Each course must be completed with a grade of "B" or better, or "S."
Submission Instructions
Step 1: Log in to gradforms.osu.edu and go to your Enrollment page.
- Select "Forms" → "Enrollment."
Step 2: Click "Create New +" next to " Minors & Interdisciplinary Specializations."
- Alternatively, click on "Minors & Interdisciplinary Specializations," which directs you to a new page. Click on "+ Create Minors & Interdisciplinary Specializations Form."
Step 3: Complete the form by entering:
- Graduate Level
- e.g., Doctoral or Master’s Non-thesis
- Graduation Plan
- Your current academic program
- Select one: Either "Minor" or "Interdisciplinary Specialization"
- Courses
- e.g., STAT, 6450 – Applied Regression Analysis (3 credit hours)
- Advisor
- Search your advisor by last name
Step 4: Review all information carefully before clicking "Submit."
- Once submitted, you cannot edit the form. If changes are needed, leave a comment on the form.
- To leave a comment, go to "Forms" → "Enrollment" → "Minors & Interdisciplinary Specializations."
Find your form, click "View" → "Comments."
* Comments are visible to both the student and faculty/staff. The Graduate School is not notified when a comment is posted but can still view all comments.
- If you are not ready to submit, click "Save" to keep your draft.
- To return to a Draft:
Go to "Forms" → "Enrollment" → "Minors & Interdisciplinary Specializations".
* You can use this same pathway to check the status of your form after submission.
Find your Draft, click "View", then select "Review and Submit."
Approval Workflow
- Once submitted, the form is sent to the graduate studies chair and program coordinator for "Initial Review."
- After one representative approves or denies the form, it is routed to the Graduate School for "Grad School Review."
- If "Approved," the student's record is updated to reflect the designation and the form is marked "Complete."
GRADFORMS Support
GRADFORMS Help Page
Alternatively, you can reach out to:
The Ohio State University Graduate School
250 University Hall, 230 N Oval Mall, Columbus OH 43210
Phone: 614-292-6031 | Fax: 614-292-3656
Graduation Services Email: Grad-SchoolGraduationServices@osu.edu
Registration Services Email: Grad-SchoolRegistrationServices@osu.edu