BA Islamic Studies at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Islam is the faith of approximately a billion people, and Islamic culture extends in time from the seventh century to the present and in space from Spain to the Philippines, from the Volga to the Zambezi. The Islamic studies program allows students to combine relevant courses from a number of fields—history, history of art, philosophy, near eastern languages and cultures, international studies, and others—with work in Islamic languages and literatures.

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

What you will study

Students who major in Islamic studies are required to complete a program in language, history, basic research, culture and allied courses. Students plan their major programs in consultation with their faculty advisors to meet their individual needs and to assure a coherent educational program. Courses are chosen from a language with a very large proportion of Muslim speakers and a rich Islamic literary tradition (Arabic, Persian or Turkish). Core courses include the study of an Islamic language through the 1103 level (these do not apply to the major) and at least two courses beyond the 1103 level.

Career pathways

Islamic studies offers students a unique approach to all the major disciplines within the humanities. As a part of the arts and humanities and, hence, of the liberal arts, Islamic studies seeks to prepare students for further study in the humanities as well as prepare them for employment in state and local government, religious organizations, social agencies, teaching, business, and the arts.

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 Islamic studies within the College of Arts and Sciences. Interested students should contact the undergraduate advisor for 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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