BA Civics, Law and Leadership at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Civics, Law and Leadership grounds students in the ideas, texts and traditions that have shaped American civic life and law. Students use this grounding to: Address problems and perspectives they haven't encountered before Learn how ordinary citizens and legal experts have worked side by side to build and reshape the nation's institutions Develop capacities that distinguish effective civic leaders: Thinking critically across disciplines Communicating complex ideas clearly Engaging unfamiliar arguments on their strongest terms before reaching their own conclusions This.

Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

The curriculum for the Civics, Law and Leadership (CIVICLL) program requires students to complete a minimum of 33 credit hours of courses. Students begin with 2 foundational courses that introduce them to the key ideas and historical debates that shape American civic life, law, and leadership (6 hours). They then select at least one course in each of three categories: American civic life, constitutionalism and leadership. This breadth familiarizes students with intermediate level concepts and the many institutions, ideas and practices that have shaped the American experience and leadership of it.

Career pathways

In the age of AI, employers are paying a premium for graduates who have high-level social and communication skills and sound ethical judgement. Graduates with the ability to think constructively, navigate different perspectives and think across disciplinary divides are also competitive.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Students can declare a major in Civics, Law and Leadership when applying to Ohio State. Scholarships The Chase Center provides competitive student scholarships for students pursuing the CIVICLL major or minor.

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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