Placement Testing

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 students can find their placement test information on the HTC website. However, students in the OHIO Honors Program should 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.
MajorCollegeRequiredEncouragedOptional
AccountingCollege of Business---
Advanced ComputingHonors Tutorial College---
African American StudiesCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
AnthropologyHonors Tutorial College-Language (See Note Above)-
AnthropologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Applied NutritionCollege of Health Sciences and Professions---
Applied Plant BiologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Chemistry
Art HistoryHonors Tutorial CollegeLanguage (See Note Above)--
Art HistoryCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
AstrophysicsHonors Tutorial College---
Aviation FlightRuss College of Engineering and Technology-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher -
Aviation ManagementRuss College of Engineering and Technology-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Biological SciencesHonors Tutorial CollegeHTC Chemistry-Language (See Note Above)
Biological Sciences—Biological SciencesCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Cellular and Molecular BiologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Environmental BiologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Human BiologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Marine, Freshwater, and Environmental BiologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Prephysical TherapyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Preprofessional ProgramCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Biological Sciences—Wildlife and Conservation BiologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Broadcast MeteorologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Business AdministrationHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Business AnalyticsCollege of Business---
Business EconomicsCollege of Business---
Business PrelawCollege of Business---
Chemical EngineeringRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
ChemistryCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
ChemistryHonors Tutorial CollegeHTC Chemistry-Language (See Note Above)
ChemistryCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Chemistry—BiochemistryCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Chemistry—EnvironmentalCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Chemistry—PredentistryCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Chemistry—PremedicineCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Chemistry—PrepharmacyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Child and Family StudiesCollege of Health Sciences and Professions---
Civil EngineeringRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Classical CivilizationCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Classical LanguagesCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Classics and World ReligionsHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
CommunicationScripps College of Communication---
Communication StudiesScripps College of Communication---
Communication StudiesHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Communication StudiesScripps College of Communication---
Community and Public HealthCollege of Health Sciences and Professions---
Computer ScienceRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistry, Computer ScienceRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Criminal JusticeUniversity College--Language (See Note Above)
Customer Service LeadershipPatton College of Education---
DanceCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Dance TutorialHonors Tutorial College--Music Theory,  Language (See Note Above)
Dance—Performance and ChoreographyCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Early Childhood and Elementary EducationPatton College of Education---
Earth/Space SciencePatton College of Education---
EconomicsHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
EconomicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
EconomicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Electrical EngineeringRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or HigherComputer Science
Electrical Engineering with Computer Engineering TrackRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistry, Computer ScienceRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Energy EngineeringRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Engineering PhysicsHonors Tutorial College--Chemistry
Engineering Technology and ManagementRuss College of Engineering and Technology-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
EnglishHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
English—Creative WritingCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
English—Literature, Culture & WritingCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
EntrepreneurshipCollege of Business---
Environmental and Plant BiologyHonors Tutorial CollegeHTC ChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL3-
Environmental and Plant BiologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Environmental Health ScienceCollege of Health Sciences and Professions-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Environmental Science and SustainabilityCollege of Arts and Sciences-Chemistry, Language (See Note Above)-
Environmental StudiesHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Exercise PhysiologyCollege of Health Sciences and ProfessionsChemistry--
Exploratory (Undecided) Engineering StudentsRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or HigherComputer Science
Family and Consumer Sciences Education—TeachingPatton College of Education---
Field EcologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Chemistry
FilmCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Film TutorialHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
FinanceCollege of Business---
Forensic ChemistryCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
French EducationPatton College of Education-Language (See Note Above)-
FrenchCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
General BusinessCollege of Business---
General TheaterHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
GeographyHonors Tutorial College-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL2Language (See Note Above)
Geography - Environmental GeographyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Chemistry, Language (See Note Above)-
Geography - Environmental PrelawCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Geography - Geographic Information ScienceCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Computer Science
Geography - Globalization and DevelopmentCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Geography - MeteorologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Chemistry, Language (See Note Above)-
Geography - Urban Planning and SustainabilityCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
GeographyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
GeographyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Geological SciencesHonors 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 ResourcesCollege of Arts and Sciences-Chemistry, Language (See Note Above)-
Global Studies—AfricaCenter for International Studies-Language (See Note Above)-
Global Studies—AsiaCenter for International Studies-Language (See Note Above)-
Global Studies—EuropeCenter for International Studies-Language (See Note Above)-
Global Studies—Latin AmericaCenter for International Studies-Language (See Note Above)-
Global Studies—War and PeaceCenter for International Studies-Language (See Note Above)-
Graphic DesignCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Health and Physical EducationPatton College of Education---
Health Services AdministrationCollege 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 HigherLanguage (See Note Above)
HistoryHonors Tutorial College-Language (See Note Above)-
HistoryCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
History—PrelawCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Hospitality ManagementPatton College of Education---
Human ServicesPatton College of Education---
Industrial and Systems Engineering, ECTRuss College of Engineering and Technology-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or HigherChemistry
Information & Telecommunication SystemsScripps College of Communication---
Information and Telecommunication SystemsScripps College of Communication---
Instrumental PerformanceCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Instrumental Performance - Contemporary Music and Digital InstrumentsCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Integrated Language ArtsPatton College of Education---
Integrated MathematicsPatton College of Education---
Integrated SciencePatton College of Education---
Integrated Social StudiesPatton College of Education---
Interdisciplinary ArtsCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Interior ArchitectureCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
International BusinessCollege of Business-Language (See Note Above)-
Journalism Carr Van Anda ProgramScripps College of Communication--Language (See Note Above)
JournalismHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Journalism News and InformationScripps College of Communication--Language (See Note Above)
Journalism Strategic CommunicationScripps College of Communication--Language (See Note Above)
Life SciencePatton College of Education---
LinguisticsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Management Information SystemsCollege of Business---
MarketingCollege of Business---
MathematicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Computer Science
MathematicsHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
MathematicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Computer Science
Mathematics—Actuarial ScienceCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Computer Science
Mathematics—AppliedCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Computer Science
Mathematics—Mathematical StatisticsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)Computer Science
Mechanical EngineeringRuss College of Engineering and TechnologyChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
Media Arts and StudiesHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Media Arts and Studies—AnimationScripps College of Communication---
Media Arts and Studies—Media and Social ChangeScripps College of Communication---
Media Arts and Studies—Media Arts ProductionScripps College of Communication---
Media Arts and Studies—Music Production and Recording IndustryScripps College of Communication---
MicrobiologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Middle Childhood Language Arts and MathematicsPatton College of Education---
Middle Childhood Language Arts and SciencePatton College of Education---
Middle Childhood Language Arts and Social StudiesPatton College of Education---
Middle Childhood Mathematics and SciencePatton College of Education---
Middle Childhood Mathematics and Social StudiesPatton College of Education---
Middle Childhood Science and Social StudiesPatton College of Education---
Mild to Moderate Educational NeedsPatton College of Education---
Moderate to Intensive Educational NeedsPatton College of Education---
Music CompositionCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Music Education Major: Choral EmphasisCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Music Education Major: Instrumental EmphasisCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
MusicHonors Tutorial CollegeMusic Theory-Language (See Note Above)
MusicCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Music TherapyCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
NursingCollege of Health Sciences and Professions---
Nutrition ScienceCollege of Health Sciences and ProfessionsChemistry--
OrganCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Outdoor Recreation and EducationPatton College of Education---
PhilosophyHonors Tutorial College-Language (See Note Above)-
PhilosophyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Philosophy—PrelawCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Philosophy—PretheologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Physical Activity and Sport CoachingPatton College of Education---
Physical Science—ChemistryPatton College of EducationChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher -
Physical Science—Physics and ChemistryPatton College of EducationChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher -
Physical Science—PhysicsPatton College of EducationChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher -
Physics AstrophysicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
PhysicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
PhysicsHonors Tutorial College---
PhysicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Physics/MeteorologyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Physics—Applied PhysicsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
PianoCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Piano PedagogyCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
PlaywritingCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Political ScienceHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Political ScienceCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Political Science—PrelawCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Production Design and TechnologyCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
PsychologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Psychology Prephysical TherapyCollege of Arts and SciencesChemistryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Recreation ManagementPatton College of Education---
Restaurant, Hotel and TourismPatton College of Education---
Retail and Fashion MerchandisingPatton College of Education---
Social WorkHonors Tutorial College-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL2, Language (See Note Above)-
Social WorkCollege of Health Sciences and Professions--Language (See Note Above)
SociologyHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
SociologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Sociology—CriminologyCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Sociology—PrelawCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Spanish EducationPatton College of EducationLanguage (See Note Above)--
SpanishCollege of Arts and SciencesLanguage (See Note Above)--
Specialized StudiesUniversity College--Language (See Note Above)
Sport and Lifestyle StudiesPatton College of Education---
Sport ManagementCollege of Business---
Stage ManagementCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Strategic Leadership and ManagementCollege of Business---
Studio ArtHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Studio ArtHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
Studio ArtCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Studio ArtCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Studio Art - Art Therapy ConcentrationCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Technical and Applied StudiesUniversity College--Language (See Note Above)
Technical Operations ManagementRuss College of Engineering and Technology-Recommended Math Placement Level of PL 2 or Higher-
TheaterHonors Tutorial College--Language (See Note Above)
TheaterCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Theater Performance—Acting or Musical Theater TracksCollege of Fine Arts-Language (See Note Above)-
Translational Health—Applied HealthHonors Tutorial CollegeHTC ChemistryRecommended Math Placement Level of PL2-
Undecided—Arts and SciencesCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
Undecided—University CollegeUniversity College--Language (See Note Above)
Undecided—University College (Intending Engineering)University CollegeChemistry-Computer Science
Undecided—University College (Intending Business)University College---
Virtual Reality and Game DevelopmentScripps College of Communication---
Visual Communication—Commercial PhotographyScripps College of Communication---
Visual Communication—Information Graphics/Publication DesignScripps College of Communication---
Visual Communication—MultimediaScripps College of Communication---
Visual Communication—PhotojournalismScripps College of Communication---
VoiceCollege of Fine ArtsMusic TheoryLanguage (See Note Above)-
Women's, Gender and Sexuality StudiesCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-
World ReligionsCollege of Arts and Sciences-Language (See Note Above)-