Special Academic Opportunities
Depending on the degree and major you decide to pursue, it may be possible to enrich your academic program by completing a second major, a minor, or a special program. Some of these opportunities are listed below.
- Honors Programs
- Combined Curricula
Some students wish to pursue two degrees, through two different colleges. It is important to recognize that these programs often take more than four years to complete because you need to meet the degree requirements for two different majors and two different colleges. If you are interested in pursuing this option, meet with an Exploration Counselor to see if we have a program in the areas in which you are interested. Keep in mind that the colleges you are interested in may be competitive and you must meet admissions requirements for each college.
- Personalized Study Program
If you cannot find a particular Ohio State major that suits your academic and career goals, you can speak with an academic counselor about doing a Personalized Study Program (PSP.) With the approval of a faculty advisor and an Arts and Sciences Dean, you can create a special major to focus on your particular goals.
- Minors
- Go to the Minors List for information on the 80+ minors offered and the courses required to complete these minors.
- To get specific curricular information about a particular minor, see the advisor in that department.
- Preparation for Graduate Study
Students planning to pursue graduate study should consult early and often with faculty in the discipline of their major. Academic success in a rigorous major and exposure to research are essential qualifications for admission to competitive graduate programs. Students hoping to compete successfully for such programs, as well as for graduate scholarships and fellowships, should begin early in their undergraduate careers to cultivate faculty with whom they will work. Frequent consultation with faculty will connect you with intellectual mentors, and participation in research will help you to identify and define your own research interests. Such immersion in a discipline is critical preparation for the focus on research central to graduate study. Exploration advisors will help you choose your academic direction in a timely fashion so that you can meet these objectives.
- Pre-Professional Programs
Exploration Counselors can help you to work on pre-professional requirements (such as pre-law or pre-health) while you are deciding upon your undergraduate path. Once you have declared your undergraduate major, advisors will be available to assist you in applying to professional programs.
Students who are interested in pursing pre-law, pre-health, or pre-education as an area of interest in addition to their undergraduate major speak with a pre-professional advisor for more information. - Exploration Multicultural Program
Ohio State recognizes the importance and richness of a diverse campus and a diverse global economy. We want all of our students to feel at home on our campus. And we want all of our students to have every opportunity to fulfill their academic potential. Ohio State students can choose from more than 170 major areas of study, hundreds of student activities and organizations, and a variety of living environments. At Ohio State, diversity means choice, opportunity, and a learning environment that cultivates respect.
The Exploration Multicultural Program provides specialized programming and academic advising to students enrolled in the Exploration Program. The goal of academic advising is to assist students in developing educational plans consistent with academic, career, and life goals and to provide students with the information and skills needed to pursue those goals. Our advisors assist students in the following ways:
- guide students through the university's educational requirements
- assist students in scheduling the most appropriate courses and planning a degree
- introduce students to pertinent resources
- promote leadership and campus involvement
- assist in career development
- assist students with the timely completion of their degrees
- help students find ways to make their educational experience personally relevant
For more information, contact Rashea Hamilton, Academic Counselor & Diversity Coordinator.
