College of Arts and Sciences

About College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences is a primary academic division of The Ohio State University, located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. Established in 2010 through the merger of five previously independent colleges—the Colleges of the Arts, Biological Sciences, Humanities, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences—it serves as the intellectual core of the university. The college functions as the largest unit within the university, overseeing a broad spectrum of disciplines that provide the foundational education for the institution's undergraduate and graduate student populations.

The academic structure of the college encompasses 38 departments and schools, covering the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Key departments include biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, economics, political science, history, English, and various foreign language programs. Additionally, the college hosts numerous interdisciplinary centers and institutes that facilitate collaborative research across these fields. These departments offer a comprehensive array of degree programs, including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, as well as various professional and certificate programs.

Facilities associated with the College of Arts and Sciences are spread across the main Ohio State University campus in Columbus. These include specialized laboratories for scientific research, performance venues such as the Wexner Center for the Arts and various recital halls, and dedicated classroom buildings for humanities and social science instruction. The college also manages several museums and galleries, including the Orton Geological Museum and the Historic Costume & Textiles Collection, which serve as both teaching resources and repositories for academic study. Students and faculty utilize these physical assets to conduct field research, stage artistic productions, and engage in laboratory experiments.

As an integral part of The Ohio State University, the College of Arts and Sciences operates under the university’s institutional accreditation granted by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This accreditation ensures that the college meets established standards for academic quality, faculty qualifications, and student support services. The college adheres to the university-wide governance structure, participating in the development of general education curricula that apply to the broader student body, thereby ensuring that students across all majors receive a consistent academic foundation.

The academic strengths of the college are characterized by its research output and its role in the university’s land-grant mission. Faculty members are engaged in funded research projects spanning basic and applied sciences, clinical studies, and cultural analysis. The college emphasizes the integration of research into the classroom, providing undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in faculty-led investigations. This research-intensive environment supports the university's commitment to advancing knowledge in areas such as climate change, data analytics, public health, and social equity, which are addressed through the college’s various departments and collaborative research centers.

Beyond its core disciplinary departments, the college administers the general education program for the entire Ohio State University undergraduate population. This program requires students to complete coursework in writing, mathematics, data analysis, natural sciences, social sciences, and the arts and humanities. By managing this curriculum, the College of Arts and Sciences plays a central role in the degree requirements for students enrolled in professional colleges across the university, including engineering, business, and education. This structure facilitates interdisciplinary study and allows students to pursue dual majors or minors that cross traditional academic boundaries.

The college maintains a focus on student advising, career services, and academic support to facilitate degree completion and post-graduation transitions. Dedicated advising offices assist students with course selection, degree planning, and the navigation of academic policies. Furthermore, the college coordinates internship programs and research fellowships that connect students with community partners, government agencies, and private sector organizations. These initiatives are designed to align academic training with the professional requirements of various industries, providing practical experience that complements the theoretical knowledge gained through coursework.

In its current operation, the College of Arts and Sciences functions as a comprehensive academic hub that integrates teaching, research, and service. Its size and diversity allow for a wide range of academic pathways, from the study of ancient languages to the development of cutting-edge materials science. The college continues to adapt its curriculum and research focus in response to evolving societal needs, maintaining its position as the central academic entity within the institutional framework of The Ohio State University. Through its ongoing commitment to structured inquiry and broad-based education, the college fulfills its role in the university's mission of knowledge dissemination and scholarly advancement.