Placement Testing

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.

Math Placement

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.

Language Placement

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
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts - Language (See Note Above) -
Dance Tutorial
Honors Tutorial College - - Music Theory Language (See Note Above)
Dance—Performance and Choreography
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Instrumental Performance - Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts - Language (See Note Above) -
Interior Architecture
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Music Education Major: Choral Emphasis
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Music Education Major: Instrumental Emphasis
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Music
Honors Tutorial College Music Theory - Language (See Note Above)
Music
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Music Therapy
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Piano Pedagogy
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Music Theory Language (See Note Above) -
Playwriting
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts - Language (See Note Above) -
Studio Art - Art Therapy Concentration
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts - Language (See Note Above) -
Theater Performance—Acting or Musical Theater Tracks
Chaddock + Morrow 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
Chaddock + Morrow 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) -
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