BA Theatre at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Through a liberal arts curriculum, the theatre program at Ohio State prepares students as self-reliant theatre makers with rich understandings of the role of performance in contemporary society. Offered at: Columbus.

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

What you will study

Theatre students at Ohio State pursue a broad-based liberal arts degree in which they can focus on the aspects of theatre and performance studies that they are most passionate about. The theatre program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre and designed for students who want to create, study, teach and work in the performing arts industry, and for those generally interested a liberal arts education.

Career pathways

The basic skills of theatre making are broadly applicable to a variety of careers. Theatre graduates are practiced interpersonal communicators, project managers, writers, team leaders, and public speakers. Graduates are prepared for careers in the performing arts industry and beyond, as well as for graduate study.

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. The theatre program does not require an audition. On admission to the university, students may declare a major in theatre. Each student is then assigned a faculty advisor from the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts.

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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