BA Romance Studies at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Many students arrive at Ohio State with a desire to learn languages, and many already have a background in one or more Romance languages (Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian) or Latin. This major is designed for students who are interested in developing skills in three Romance languages or Latin, as well as the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of intercultural competence, which are essential for succeeding in today's interconnected and diverse world. Note that Romance Studies majors often have time in their schedule to complete a second major or one to two minors.

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

What you will study

The Romance studies major requires between 41 and 48 credits. This does not count the prerequisites for the primary and secondary language. However, note that the 1000-level language course prerequisite hours for the primary or secondary language count for the open option general education requirement. In addition, many students test out of any number of elementary-level language courses. Students must choose one primary field, one secondary field and one tertiary field, each in a different language, and take one required course taught in English in the junior or senior year. See below for specific requirements.

Career pathways

Multilingualism is a valued asset on the job market. Foreign language abilities are applicable in a variety of settings in the United States and abroad. The mastery of one or more languages allows students to consider careers in government, business, banking and finance, journalism, print and electronic media, foreign correspondence, the trade and tourism industries, and education.

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 Romance studies within the College of Arts and Sciences. In order to test out of language and accelerate the time to degree, students should take a placement test if they have taken a Romance language in high school or have language skills from living in a country in which a Romance language is spoken.

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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