BA Psychology at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Psychology is the study of the biological, cognitive, emotional and social processes related to human and animal behavior. Using scientific methods to study, explain and predict behavior, psychologists explore such questions as how the brain learns and stores information; what triggers our biological rhythms, aggression and personality characteristics; how human relationships develop; what leads to judgment and decision making; how society deals with mental illness and behavioral disorders; and the psychological impact of activities such as work and sports.

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

What you will study

The psychology major consists of 36 credit hours of psychology courses and a prerequisite course, Introduction to Psychology. Course work for the psychology major includes: - Data Analysis in Psychology - Research Methods in Psychology - A core course from each of four areas: brain and behavior, cognitive psychology, clinical and development psychology, and social psychology In addition, students must take at least two advanced courses. Students completing a BS degree must also take Quantitative and Statistical Methods in Psychology, and an advanced research course (Cognitive Psychology Laboratory or Social Psychology Laboratory).

Career pathways

A strong liberal arts education with a major in psychology will prepare students for entry into many career fields and graduate/professional programs. The following are some of the fields that graduates with bachelor’s degrees in psychology have entered: administration and management, business and industry, casework, child care, employment interviewing, gerontology, health services, marketing and.

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 psychology within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students may choose to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.

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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