BA History of Art at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

History of art is a constantly evolving discipline devoted to the study of visual arts throughout history and across the globe. Ohio State’s Department of History of Art is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the country, offering a wide array of courses in the history and criticism of art, architecture and the decorative arts, video, cinema, and film. Courses at the 2000 and 3000 levels introduce students to the major monuments of world art and the fundamental principles of art historical investigation and interpretation.

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

What you will study

The History of Art major requires 39 credit hours (13 courses) in art history. The core curriculum is composed of four courses (12 credit hours): - a writing seminar (HA4001) - a course in art historical theory and methodology (HA4010) - a senior capstone research seminar (HA4016) - either a course in artistic materials and techniques (HA4005) or a studio course taken in the Department of Art. In addition to these core courses, nine additional courses are required.

Career pathways

Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history of art may expect to find employment in a wide variety of cultural and arts organizations, such as publishing firms, art galleries, libraries and museums. Many graduates also use their skills in critical writing, thinking and research to enter fields such as non-profit management, education, journalism and marketing.

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. Upon admission to the university, students can declare a major in history of art within the College of Arts and Sciences.

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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