Admissions and Application Requirements
We offer “direct-admit” programs, meaning students with either a Bachelor's or a Master’s degree may apply to be directly admitted into the PhD program. Students who enter without an MA and who fulfill all the requirements of the first two years of their PhD program may earn an MA degree on their way to the doctorate.
Admission of students to the PhD 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 and Professional Admissions website. Students are normally admitted to our PhD programs beginning Autumn semester.
Fee waivers must be requested through the Graduate & Professional Admissions website.
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: 19 on each section of the paper-based TOEFL; 79 on the Internet-based or TOEFL Internet-based Home Edition; 550 on the paper-based
- IELTS: 7.0
- Duolingo: 120 or higher
- Note: The Duolingo test cannot be used to exempt an admitted student from the English placement exam or the Oral Proficiency Assessment for Graduate Teaching Associates.
Applicants who are citizens of, or who have received a Bachelor’s degree or higher by the time of matriculation from, one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Dominica, England, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Liberia, Montserrat, Netherland Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Ireland, Northern Mariana Islands, Pitcairn Island, Puerto Rico, Republic of Ireland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Scotland, Singapore, Tokelau, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, Virgin Islands (U.S and British), and Wales.
For questions regarding completing your application, visit Graduate and Professional Admissions FAQ. Do not send any application materials to the Department or faculty directly. All materials should be submitted through the Document Uploader in your Graduate and Professional Admissions portal.
1. Online application - fee waivers must be requested through the Graduate and Professional Admissions website.
2. Statement of intent in English (1 to 2 pages) - this document should clearly outline your research interests and how they align with our Department's research clusters.
3. Curriculum vitae or resume (1 to 2 pages)
4. Two academic writing samples: one in English and another in French (for the French and Francophone Studies program) or Italian (for the Italian Studies program). These documents should be combined and uploaded as a single PDF file in your Graduate & Professional Admissions Document Uploader.
5. Three letters of recommendation. Recommenders will contacted automatically 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 and be sent to the Graduate & Professional Admissions Office directly.
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. The Department’s Graduate Studies Committee will nominate top applicants for competitive University Fellowships (there is no separate application). Submitting this form does not guarantee funding.
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.
The application deadline students who wish to be considered for a Fellowship: December 5, 2025
The application deadline students who wish to be considered for a Graduate Teaching Associateship: January 30, 2026
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 31 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.
Once you are admitted, complete the items on this checklist to officially enroll in the program. More information regarding Department onboarding will be sent to you directly from the Academic Programs Manager and Business Operations Manager. It is crucial for all admitted students to complete onboarding tasks in a timely matter so they may start on time. All admitted students should be prepared to begin in the first week of August and attend the Language Instruction Training Workshop hosted by the Center for Languages, Literatures, & Cultures prior to beginning their programs.
Department Chair
Director of Graduate Studies
Professor Jonathan Combs-Schilling
Graduate Programs Manager
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These are sample plans for our French & Italian graduate programs. Every student is different and should work with the Director of Graduate Studies, Academic Programs Manager, and their faculty advisor to craft their progression and advising plans.