Supporting success for life
The College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The arts and sciences provide extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The college’s rich breadth and depth of knowledge help students and researchers develop the critical thinking and adaptability that support success across a lifetime.
Leadership, BA
Guided by Ohio State’s motto, “Education for Citizenship,” the leadership major in the College of Arts and Sciences prepares students to lead with integrity and purpose in their chosen profession. The program includes 12 credit hours of core leadership coursework, followed by a choice of specialization in the areas of politics and law, business and markets, military and security studies, social justice, science and innovation (with thematic pathways that focus on urban leadership as well as the arts, health, and sports).
This interdisciplinary major blends academic learning with practical leadership development to meet the evolving needs of our communities.
“‘Education for citizenship,’ this is what we do,” said Scott Levi, chair of the Department of History. “The major lives in that mission. Ohio State is a land-grant university, dedicated to serving the interests of the citizens of Ohio. We are taking students from across Ohio, giving them the opportunity to get a great education at an affordable price. And now they can maximize their opportunity to rise into leadership roles wherever they come from, and wherever their career takes them.”
What can you do with this degree?
The leadership major immerses students in the core principles of leadership while also providing them with a broad interdisciplinary grounding in the liberal arts. Arts and Sciences students will pursue leadership roles in an array of careers spanning many different professional environments, including areas such as politics, law, business, military, security systems, civil rights, sciences and innovation.
Experiential Media Design, BSD
In response to the evolution of design practices and the escalating demand for interactive designers, The Ohio State University Department of Design created the experiential media design major (XMD). Designed for the next generation of creative leaders, the new major prepares students to thrive in the fast-evolving worlds of interactive entertainment and gaming.
“Experiential media design weaves technology, space and story into multisensory experiences that spark wonder and human connection.”
-Maria Palazzi, XMD coordinator
The XMD program empowers students to imagine and create human-centered experiences that connect, inspire, and engage. Blending storytelling, design principles, and a wide range of media forms, students design meaningful experiences across digital, physical, and hybrid spaces. Through playful experimentation and thoughtful design, students transform ideas into compelling experiences — giving life to stories in museums, public spaces, and wherever audiences gather.
“There are currently no design programs in our region that offer this specialized professional path. We are committed to enhancing our graduates’ attractiveness to prospective employers, both regionally and nationally,” said Fabienne Münch, chair of the Department of Design.
This new major draws on the strengths of the department’s successful existing undergraduate design programs and offers students a comprehensive first-year design foundation course, which equips them with essential skills and the foundational tools needed across all design disciplines.
What can you do with this degree?
In the Experiential Media Design program, students will be the masterminds behind experiences that transcend boundaries, using the latest in emerging and immersive technologies — from virtual reality and augmented reality to interactive installations and dynamic storytelling. Graduates are equipped to thrive in industries such as gaming, immersive media production, exhibitions and interactive entertainment.