After Admission

Become familiar with Ohio State resources needed to be a successful student along with steps to enroll in courses.

Step 1: Activate your Ohio State username

This step is only for new students who don’t already have their Ohio State username and password. Once your identity is created, you will receive an email from the university. At that time, follow the directions below to set up your account.

To activate your Ohio State username:

  1. Visit my.osu.edu
  2. Select the Activate Now button
  3. Follow the instructions to activate your Ohio State Username (last name.#)

BuckeyePass

You also need to set up BuckeyePass, a multifactor authentication service you will use to log in to many Ohio State services. One is My Buckeye Link, the secure site where you will enroll in courses. To set up BuckeyePass:

  1. Visit BuckeyePass.osu.edu
  2. Click the Register/Manage Devices button
  3. Follow the instructions to finish setting up BuckeyePass

For more detailed instructions and help with BuckeyePass, visit the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation's Duo page.

Step 2: Log in to your BuckeyeMail account

BuckeyeMail

BuckeyeMail (lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu) is your official university email account. As an Extended Education student at Ohio State, you will receive important and time-sensitive business communications from the university, such as your enrollment registration window notification and communications from your instructors and advisors. 

Microsoft 365

Your BuckeyeMail also gives you access to Microsoft 365, which Ohio State students are eligible to use for free. Your Microsoft 365 ID is your full BuckeyeMail address and the password you chose when you activated your Ohio State username. For directions on how to download Microsoft 365, visit the Administrative Resource Center's Microsoft 365 page.

Step 3: Search for courses

There are two online methods you may use to find the course(s) you want to take at Ohio State.

 

On this website, you can use a more intuitive approach to finding classes. With the large amount to choose from, you can use the filters to find the right class for you. 

  1. Go to classes.osu.edu
  2. Select the campus at which you would like to take classes using the drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner or using the filter in the right-hand sidebar.
  3. Determine the keywords you will use to search for classes (golf, history, creative writing, etc.)
  4. Search using your keywords, and filter your search by using the side bar to determine the term, campus, subject, academic career, program, component, class tribute, catalog number, time and instruction mode
  5. If you would like to take an online course, select the Distance Learning option under Instruction Mode
  6. Find the course(s) you are interested in and select Check Availability to see if there are spots still available
  7. For future reference, you may wish to record all information about the course(s) you would like to take, including subject, course number, class number and instructor name

This method will let you focus your search for courses and go through the Ohio State Course Catalog. Because of the large amount of course options available, be sure you use keywords and filters to find exactly what you’re looking for.

  1. Go to buckeyelink.osu.edu
  2. In the Search Buckeye Link window type class search
  3. In Results found for “class search” click on Class Search (SIS)
  4. Select the term, campus, subject, course career and select the arrow next to Additional Search Criteria to display more search options such as keywords
  5. To specifically search for online courses (if you would like to take an online course), select the arrow next to Additional Search Criteria to display more search options and select the Distance Learning option under Mode of Instruction
  6. Find the course(s) you are interested in and check if there are spots available by confirming there is a green circle under Status
  7. Carefully review each section of a class listing. A brief description, course fees, digital book fees, and specific information about class meetings may be listed. It is your responsibility to know if you must pay any fees for a class.
  8. For future reference, you may wish to record all information about the course(s) you would like to take, including subject, course number, class number, and instructor name. 

Step 4: Review your Buckeye Link To Do List

Your To-Do List in Buckeye Link houses items or actions that you must complete. Leaving items or actions on this list incomplete can result in a hold on your account, which prevents you from enrolling in classes. Visit the Administrative Resource Center for more information on holds and how to view your To-Do List.

Vaccinations: Ohio State may require proof of vaccinations when taking courses on campus. If you see vaccinations on your To-Do List and have questions, contact Student Health Services at vaccination@osu.edu or 614-292-0118.

Step 5: Enroll in courses

All enrollment and registration tasks are completed through My Buckeye Link. For enrollment and registration information, refer to the Registrar.

To enroll in courses:

  1. Go to Buckeye Link
  2. Select My Buckeye Link under Essential Tasks
  3. Log in with your Ohio State username and password
  4. Select Add a Class under Academics
  5. Select the appropriate semester for enrollment
  6. Enter the Class Number and select Enter
  7. Once added select Proceed to Step 2 of 3
  8. Confirm course information and select Finish Enrolling if correct
  9. Review completed course enrollment and repeat as necessary

Verify Course Prerequisites (Transfer Credits)

Extended Education students do not receive transfer credit in My Buckeye Link, so they must work with an academic advisor to enroll in classes that require a prerequisite or instructor/department permission. You may obtain enrollment permission using the Course Enrollment Permission form or written enrollment permission from the instructor via email (which you may forward to your advisor). Once your enrollment appointment begins, send your signed permission form to your advisor. Your advisor will add the course to your class schedule.

Make sure you meet all prerequisite requirements for your class before enrolling. If you have met the prerequisites with coursework completed at another institution, please consult with your academic advisor to ensure they will meet the requirements for your course at Ohio State.

Note for Continuing Status, Non-Degree Students

If you have received a bachelor’s degree from another institution, please inform the admission counselor or your advisor of the institution’s name, major or area studied (and minor, if applicable), and the date you received your degree. This information will be used to set your future enrollment rank status.

Note for Visiting Students Enrolling in Math Courses

Visiting students interested in taking a math course will find procedures for prerequisite verification on the Department of Mathematics Visiting Students page. The Visiting Student Prerequisite Verification Form will require an Advising Report to be attached. To generate the Advising Report, log in to My Buckeye Link and select Generate Advising Report beneath Academics. Save the report, as you will need to attach the report and an unofficial transcript with the Verification Form.

Step 6: Pay tuition and fees

Students must pay tuition, all fees and prior term balances one week before the first day of classes. This includes the first installment of the Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP) if you choose to enroll in the plan. Extended Education students will be held to all university and Registrar deadlines for course additions, drops and fee payment as well as the possibility of owed fees being sent to Collections. Refer to the Bursar for more information on making payments online, by mail or in installments.

Pay Tuition and Fees

For specific information on tuition and fees, review the Registrar’s Tuition and Fee Tables and select the current fee table labeled Fees for All Other Undergraduate Students.