BA Arabic at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

The Arabic major is offered by the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and includes courses in the language, literature and culture of the Arab world. Offered at: Columbus.

Faculty: Arts and Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Students studying Arabic progress from an elementary working knowledge of the language toward oral and written proficiency. Once students have mastered the unique writing system of the language, they are gradually introduced to basic patterns of speech and grammar. The rich body of Arabic literature is first studied in English translation; as students progress in the major and develop their language skills, they continue their readings in Arabic. Core prerequisite courses for the Arabic major include Arabic 1101 through 1103. These courses do not apply toward the major.

Career pathways

Arabic is applicable in a variety of settings in the United States and abroad. Mastery of Arabic allows students to consider careers in such fields as education, government, international trade, banking, print or electronic media, or tourism.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the Arts and Sciences college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. On admission to the university, students can declare a major in Arabic within the College of Arts and Sciences. Interested students should contact the coordinating advisor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and in Arts and Sciences Advising.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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