We offer “direct-admit” programs, meaning students with either a Bachelors or a Master’s degree may apply to be directly admitted into the Ph.D. program. We offer no terminal Master’s program, but students who enter without an MA and who fulfill all the requirements of the first two years of their PhD program will earn an MA degree on their way to the doctorate.
Admission of students to the Ph.D. programs in French and Francophone Studies or Italian Studies is the dual responsibility of the Graduate School and the Departmental Graduate Studies Committee in accordance with the rules of the Graduate School. Applicants must apply online at the Graduate Admissions website. Students are normally admitted to our Ph.D. programs beginning Autumn semester.
Deadlines
The application deadline students who wish to be considered for a Fellowship: November 30
The application deadline students who wish to be considered for a Graduate Teaching Associateship: January 30
Applications received after this date may still be considered for Graduate Teaching Associateships if funding remains, but students are advised to submit their application as early as possible after this deadline if it cannot be met.
The application deadlines for students not requesting funding:
June 1 for international students
July 29 for U.S. students
Applications are evaluated as soon as all required components are received and the file is complete. Since some components, such as transcripts and letters of recommendation, may take time to be sent out after requested, students should plan well ahead of deadlines.
Admission Requirements
1. A baccalaureate or professional degree (or equivalent foreign credential) from an accredited college or university, earned by the expected date of entry into your graduate program.
2. A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the last degree earned. (How to calculate your GPA.)
3. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required only of applicants (domestic or international) whose Grade Point Average from all previous higher-education institutions, when converted to the American 4 point scale by the Graduate School, is lower than 3.0.
4. Proof of English language proficiency is required for international applicants and those who have held the status of U.S. permanent resident for less than one year from the first day of the first term of enrollment. Minimum required scores:
TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based, 550 on the paper-based
IELTS: 7.0
Applicants who are citizens of or who have received a bachelor's degree (or higher) from one of these English-speaking countries are exempt: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.
Required Documents
For questions regarding completing your application, visit Graduate and Professional Admissions FAQ.
1. Online Application
2. Statement of intent (1 to 2 pages)
3. Curriculum vitae or resume (1 to 2 pages)
4. Two academic writing sample: one in English and another in French (for the French and Francophone program) or Italian (for the Italian program). These documents should be combined and uploaded as a single file.
5. Three letters of recommendation. Recommenders will be automatically contacted with a link to submit their letters when you submit your application. If you email or mail the letters, they must be accompanied by the Graduate School Reference Form.
6. Official transcripts for each college or university attended. Guidelines for submitting transcripts.
7. Students who wish to be considered for a Graduate Teaching Associateship should complete the GTA Application Form and upload it via the Document Uploader. The department’s Graduate Studies Committee will nominate top applicants for a University Fellowship (there is no separate application).
8. Proof of English Proficiency. To be considered “official,” scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Ohio State. Learn more: English Proficiency Requirement
9. If required, GRE Scores must be sent electronically from the testing agency.
After Admission
Once you are admitted, complete the items on this checklist to officially enroll in the program.
Graduate Administration
Department Chair
Prof. Sarah-Grace Heller
Director of Graduate Studies
Prof. Benjamin Hoffmann
Graduate Program Coordinator
Matthew C. Lang
[pdf] - Some links on this page are to .pdf files. If you need these files in a more accessible format, please contact The Department of French and Italian. PDF files require the use of Adobe Acrobat Reader software to open them. If you do not have Reader, you may use the following link to Adobe to download it for free at: Adobe Acrobat Reader.