BS Forensic Anthropology at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Forensic anthropology is the application of anatomy, biological anthropology and osteology to aid in the recovery, analysis and identification of human remains within medical and legal contexts. This specialized field is an applied area of biological anthropology, combining the science, methods and technologies of biological anthropology with archaeology, the study of fossilization, and other related fields such as forensic pathology, dental anthropology, medical anthropology and biomedical engineering. Offered at: Columbus.

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

What you will study

The forensic anthropology major, leading to a BS, requires successful completion of 43 credit hours, which is comprised of 33 major hours, plus an additional 10 hours of pre-requisite course work.

Career pathways

Traditionally, forensic anthropologists worked in academic institutions and consulted for medical examiners or coroners. Today, many forensic anthropology positions are associated with the federal government and local coroner’s offices.

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 declare an interest in forensic anthropology within the College of Arts and Sciences. Interested students can then contact an undergraduate advisor for anthropology with questions.

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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