This page is updated each year as we approach summer orientation programs, so students are encouraged to check back after May 1 for final placement test information.
Some of the most common questions new students have are about placement tests. At Ohio University there are a few placement requirements of which you should be made aware. All placement tests must be complete before attending BSO. Placements are not exemptions. Each placement test is designed to identify the course in which a student should begin. A placement does not exempt a student from a required course.
Below you will find a list of which majors need to take which placement tests. There are tests for Chemistry , Language , Computer Science , and Music Theory .
Honors Tutorial College
Honors Tutorial College tutorial degree studentscan find their placement test information on the HTC website . However, students in the OHIO Honors Programshould follow the guidelines below and not those on the HTC website.
Math
Placement in math is based on your ACT/SAT scores and/or high school GPA. Your assigned placement level is based on data about how Ohio University students succeed in our math courses. Your advisor will help you select an appropriate course during your BSO program based on this placement level. More information about the placement levels and frequently asked questions can be found at the link below.
Language
Students at Ohio University have many opportunities to study languages and placement options exist for those languages. Students who would like to begin with a new language do not need to take a placement test but should register for the beginning course (E.g.: 1110) during their orientation program.
Students who have prior experience or speaking ability must take a Language Placement Exam prior to registering for language courses.
By Program/Major
This list assumes you are not transferring credit to Ohio University for a course in that subject area. If you are transferring in credit, or if you have any questions, please check with an academic advisor about placement. Majors are identified as follows:
- Required- Students must take the test before BSO.
- Encouraged- Your advisors strongly encourage you to take this placement before BSO.
- Optional- If you are planning to take a course in this subject area, then you may want to take the placement test before participating in BSO.
- Not on the List - You do not need to take this placement test.
| Major | College | Required | Encouraged | Optional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Accounting
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Advanced Computing
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | - |
|
African American Studies
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Anthropology
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Anthropology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Applied Nutrition
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | - | - |
|
Applied Plant Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Chemistry |
|
Art History
|
Honors Tutorial College | Language (See Note Above) | - | - |
|
Art History
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Astrophysics
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | - |
|
Aviation Flight
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Aviation Management
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Biological Sciences
|
Honors Tutorial College | HTC Chemistry | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Biological Sciences—Biological Sciences
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Cellular and Molecular Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Environmental Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Human Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Prephysical Therapy
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Preprofessional Program
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Biological Sciences—Wildlife and Conservation Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Broadcast Meteorology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Business Administration
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Business Analytics
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Business Economics
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Business Prelaw
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Chemical Engineering
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Chemistry
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Chemistry
|
Honors Tutorial College | HTC Chemistry | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Chemistry
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Chemistry—Biochemistry
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Chemistry—Environmental
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Chemistry—Predentistry
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Chemistry—Premedicine
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Chemistry—Prepharmacy
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Child and Family Studies
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | - | - |
|
Civil Engineering
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Classical Civilization
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Classical Languages
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Classics and World Religions
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Communication
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Communication Studies
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Communication Studies
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Communication Studies
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Community and Public Health
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | - | - |
|
Computer Science
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry , Computer Science | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Criminal Justice
|
University College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Customer Service Leadership
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Dance
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Dance Tutorial
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Music Theory , Language (See Note Above) |
|
Dance—Performance and Choreography
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Early Childhood and Elementary Education
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Earth/Space Science
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Economics
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Economics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Economics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Electrical Engineering
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | Computer Science |
|
Electrical Engineering with Computer Engineering Track
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry , Computer Science | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Energy Engineering
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Engineering Physics
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Chemistry |
|
Engineering Technology and Management
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
English
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
English—Creative Writing
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
English—Literature, Culture & Writing
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Entrepreneurship
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Environmental and Plant Biology
|
Honors Tutorial College | HTC Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL3 | - |
|
Environmental and Plant Biology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Environmental Health Science
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Environmental Science and Sustainability
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Chemistry , Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Environmental Studies
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Exercise Physiology
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | Chemistry | - | - |
|
Exploratory (Undecided) Engineering Students
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | Computer Science |
|
Family and Consumer Sciences Education—Teaching
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Field Ecology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Chemistry |
|
Film
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Film Tutorial
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Finance
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Forensic Chemistry
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
French Education
|
Patton College of Education | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
French
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
General Business
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
General Theater
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Geography
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL2 | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Geography - Environmental Geography
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Chemistry , Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geography - Environmental Prelaw
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geography - Geographic Information Science
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Computer Science |
|
Geography - Globalization and Development
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geography - Meteorology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Chemistry , Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geography - Urban Planning and Sustainability
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geography
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geography
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geological Sciences
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Chemistry , Language (See Note Above) |
|
Geological Sciences - B.S.
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Chemistry , Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Geological Sciences - B.A.
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Chemistry |
|
Geological Sciences—Environmental Water Resources
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Chemistry , Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Global Studies—Africa
|
Center for International Studies | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Global Studies—Asia
|
Center for International Studies | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Global Studies—Europe
|
Center for International Studies | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Global Studies—Latin America
|
Center for International Studies | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Global Studies—War and Peace
|
Center for International Studies | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Graphic Design
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Health and Physical Education
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Health Services Administration
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences (HSLS)
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | - |
|
Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences (HSLS)
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | Language (See Note Above) |
|
History
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
History
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
History—Prelaw
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Hospitality Management
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Human Services
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Industrial and Systems Engineering, ECT
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | Chemistry |
|
Information & Telecommunication Systems
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Information and Telecommunication Systems
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Instrumental Performance
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Instrumental Performance - Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Integrated Language Arts
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Integrated Mathematics
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Integrated Science
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Integrated Social Studies
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Interdisciplinary Arts
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Interior Architecture
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
International Business
|
College of Business | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Journalism Carr Van Anda Program
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Journalism
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Journalism News and Information
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Journalism Strategic Communication
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Life Science
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Linguistics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Management Information Systems
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Marketing
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Mathematics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Computer Science |
|
Mathematics
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Mathematics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Computer Science |
|
Mathematics—Actuarial Science
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Computer Science |
|
Mathematics—Applied
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Computer Science |
|
Mathematics—Mathematical Statistics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | Computer Science |
|
Mechanical Engineering
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Media Arts and Studies
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Media Arts and Studies—Animation
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Media Arts and Studies—Media and Social Change
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Media Arts and Studies—Media Arts Production
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Media Arts and Studies—Music Production and Recording Industry
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Microbiology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Middle Childhood Language Arts and Mathematics
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Middle Childhood Language Arts and Science
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Middle Childhood Language Arts and Social Studies
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Middle Childhood Mathematics and Science
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Middle Childhood Mathematics and Social Studies
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Middle Childhood Science and Social Studies
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Mild to Moderate Educational Needs
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Moderate to Intensive Educational Needs
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Music Composition
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Music Education Major: Choral Emphasis
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Music Education Major: Instrumental Emphasis
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Music
|
Honors Tutorial College | Music Theory | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Music
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Music Therapy
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Nursing
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | - | - |
|
Nutrition Science
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | Chemistry | - | - |
|
Organ
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Outdoor Recreation and Education
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Philosophy
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Philosophy
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Philosophy—Prelaw
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Philosophy—Pretheology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Physical Activity and Sport Coaching
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Physical Science—Chemistry
|
Patton College of Education | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Physical Science—Physics and Chemistry
|
Patton College of Education | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Physical Science—Physics
|
Patton College of Education | Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Physics Astrophysics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Physics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Physics
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | - |
|
Physics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Physics/Meteorology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Physics—Applied Physics
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Piano
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Piano Pedagogy
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Playwriting
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Political Science
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Political Science
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Political Science—Prelaw
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Production Design and Technology
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Psychology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Psychology Prephysical Therapy
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Chemistry | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Recreation Management
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Restaurant, Hotel and Tourism
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Retail and Fashion Merchandising
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Social Work
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL2, Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Social Work
|
College of Health Sciences and Professions | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Sociology
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Sociology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Sociology—Criminology
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Sociology—Prelaw
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Spanish Education
|
Patton College of Education | Language (See Note Above) | - | - |
|
Spanish
|
College of Arts and Sciences | Language (See Note Above) | - | - |
|
Specialized Studies
|
University College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Sport and Lifestyle Studies
|
Patton College of Education | - | - | - |
|
Sport Management
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Stage Management
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Strategic Leadership and Management
|
College of Business | - | - | - |
|
Studio Art
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Studio Art
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Studio Art - Art Therapy Concentration
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Technical and Applied Studies
|
University College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Technical Operations Management
|
Russ College of Engineering and Technology | - | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher | - |
|
Theater
|
Honors Tutorial College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Theater
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Theater Performance—Acting or Musical Theater Tracks
|
College of Fine Arts | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Translational Health—Applied Health
|
Honors Tutorial College | HTC Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL2 | - |
|
Translational Health—Exercise Physiology
|
Honors Tutorial College | HTC Chemistry | Recommended Math Placement Level of PL2 | - |
|
Undecided—Arts and Sciences
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Undecided—University College
|
University College | - | - | Language (See Note Above) |
|
Undecided—University College (Intending Engineering)
|
University College | Chemistry | - | Computer Science |
|
Undecided—University College (Intending Business)
|
University College | - | - | - |
|
Virtual Reality and Game Development
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Visual Communication—Commercial Photography
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Visual Communication—Information Graphics/Publication Design
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Visual Communication—Multimedia
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Visual Communication—Photojournalism
|
Scripps College of Communication | - | - | - |
|
Voice
|
College of Fine Arts | Music Theory | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |
|
World Religions
|
College of Arts and Sciences | - | Language (See Note Above) | - |