BA Political Science at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Are you interested in elections, international affairs or political economy? Do you want to learn more about the values and institutions that govern the United States and other countries? Do you want to acquire leadership and citizenship skills? If so, political science may be a great fit for you. Political science students shape the future, tackle real-life problems by analyzing the politics behind them, and develop the leadership skills and knowledge necessary to effectively shape public policy and create change.

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

What you will study

Students in the BA in political science have the opportunity to specialize in one of the following areas: - American politics - Comparative politics - International relations - Political theory - Democracy and law - Political identities and allegiances - Political economy and development - Cooperation, conflict and violence - Inequality and justice - Political leadership and reform - Political analysis The BS degree provides rigorous training in social scientific methodology and equips students to study and produce empirical research about politics. For the most up-to-date information about program requirements, visit polisci.osu.edu.

Career pathways

Graduates of the political science program receive a degree from a nationally-ranked department in a discipline that is well known for instilling strong critical reasoning, research and writing skills.

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 political science 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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