International Baccalaureate (IB)
Options for: High school students
The IB program is designed to educate students from a global perspective. Students who successfully complete courses in six core subject areas earn an IB diploma. Students who do not complete all six requirements can earn an IB certificate. More information about the IB program is available at ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme.
Ohio State currently awards credit for IB scores of 4 or higher that are achieved in the higher level (HL) programs and approved by the department. No credit is awarded for standard level (SL) scores for students prior to the Autumn 2026 semester.
Credit you can earn (2025 and earlier)
Below are the current course equivalencies for OSU students with higher level (HL) International Baccalaureate scores.
| IB Exam Subject | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic A1 | 4+ | Arabic 2702 (3) |
| American History | 4+ |
History 1151 (3); History Special (3) |
| Biology | 4+ |
Biology 1113 (4); Biology 1114 (4) |
| Chemistry | 4+ | Chemistry 1210 (5) |
| Economics | 4+ |
Economics 2001.01 (3); Economics 2002.01 (3) |
| English A: Language and Literature | 4+ |
English 1110.01 (3); English 1167H (3) |
| English A: Literature | 4+ |
English 1110.01 (3); English 2220 (3) |
| Film | 4+ | English 2263 (3) |
| French A: Language and Literature | 6+ |
French 1102.01 (4); French 1103.01 (4) |
| French A: Literature | 6+ |
French 1102.01 (4); French 1103.01 (4) |
| French B | 6+ |
French 1102.01 (4); French 1103.01 (4) |
| Global Politics | 4+ | Political Science 1200 (3) |
| Geography | 4+ | Geography 2400 (3) |
| History of Europe | 4+ |
History 3253 (3); History Special (3) |
| History of Asia/Oceana | 4+ |
History 2650 (3); History Special (3) |
| Math (2020 and earlier) | 4 or 5 | Math 1151 (5) |
| Math (2020 and earlier) | 6 or 7 |
Math 1151 (5); contact the Math Advising Office regarding credit for Math 1152 (5) |
| Philosophy | 4+ | Philosophy 1100 (3) |
| Physics | 4+ |
Physics 1200 (5); Physics 1201 (5) |
| Psychology | 4+ | Psychology 1100 (3) |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | 4+ | Anthropology 2202 (3) |
| Spanish A: Language and Literature | 5 |
Spanish 1101 (4); Spanish 1102 (4) |
| Spanish A: Language and Literature OR Spanish A: Literature OR Spanish B | 6 or 7 |
Spanish 1101 (4); Spanish 1102 (4); Spanish 1103 (4) |
| World History | 4+ |
History 2650 (3); History Special (3) |
IB Credit Policy Update
Starting in Autumn 2026, incoming Ohio State students who score at least a 5 on a Standard Level IB exam or a 4 on a Higher Level exam will receive guaranteed college credit. This policy is not retroactive and applies only to scores sent from students first enrolling in Autumn 2026 or later. More details on IB assessments, credit awards, and the statewide policy are available on the Ohio Department of Higher Education IB website.
Below are the updated credit equivalents for incoming students.
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGLISH A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
ENGL 1110.01 (3) |
| ENGLISH A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
ENGL 1110.01 (3); ENGL 1167H (3) |
| ENGLISH A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
ENGL 1110.01 (3) |
| ENGLISH A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
ENGL 1110.01 (3); ENGL 2275 (3) |
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARABIC A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| ARABIC A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| ARABIC A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| ARABIC A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| BOSNIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
BCS 1101 (4); BCS 1102 (4) |
| BOSNIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
BCS 1101 (4); BCS 1102 (4) |
| CHINESE A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CROATIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
BCS 1101 (4); BCS 1102 (4) |
| CROATIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
BCS 1101 (4); BCS 1102 (4) |
| CZECH A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
CZECH 1101 (4); CZECH 1102 (4) |
| CZECH A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
CZECH 1101 (4); CZECH 1102 (4) |
| FRENCH A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| FRENCH A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| FRENCH A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| FRENCH A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| HEBREW A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
HEBREW 1101.01 (4); HEBREW 1102.01 (4) |
| HEBREW A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
HEBREW 1101.01 (4); HEBREW 1102.01 (4) |
| HINDI A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
HINDI 1101 (4); HINDI 1102 (4) |
| HINDI A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
HINDI 1101 (4); HINDI 1102 (4) |
| ITALIAN A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| ITALIAN A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| ITALIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| ITALIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| KOREAN A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
KOREAN 1101.01 (4); KOREAN 1102.01 (4) |
| KOREAN A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
KOREAN 1101.01 (4); KOREAN 1102.01 (4) |
| KOREAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
KOREAN 1101.01 (4); KOREAN 1102.01 (4) |
| KOREAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
KOREAN 1101.01 (4); KOREAN 1102.01 (4) |
| MODERN GREEK A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
MDRNGRK 1101 (4); MDRNGRK 1102 (4) |
| MODERN GREEK A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
MDRNGRK 1101 (4); MDRNGRK 1102 (4) |
| MODERN GREEK A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
MDRNGRK 1101 (4); MDRNGRK 1102 (4) |
| MODERN GREEK A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
MDRNGRK 1101 (4); MDRNGRK 1102 (4) |
| PERSIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
PERSIAN 1101 (4); PERSIAN 1102 (4) |
| PERSIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
PERSIAN 1101 (4); PERSIAN 1102 (4) |
| POLISH A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
POLISH 1101 (4); POLISH 1102 (4) |
| POLISH A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
POLISH 1101 (4); POLISH 1102 (4) |
| PORTUGUESE A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
PORTGSE 1101.01 (4); PORTGSE 1102.01 (4) |
| PORTUGUESE A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
PORTGSE 1101.01 (4); PORTGSE 1102.01 (4) |
| PORTUGUESE A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
PORTGSE 1101.01 (4); PORTGSE 1102.01 (4) |
| PORTUGUESE A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
PORTGSE 1101.01 (4); PORTGSE 1102.01 (4) |
| ROMANIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
ROMANIA 1101 (4); ROMANIA 1102 (4) |
| ROMANIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
ROMANIA 1101 (4); ROMANIA 1102 (4) |
| RUSSIAN A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| RUSSIAN A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| RUSSIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| RUSSIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| SERBIAN A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
BCS 1101 (4); BCS 1102 (4) |
| SERBIAN A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
BCS 1101 (4); BCS 1102 (4) |
| SOMALI A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
SOMALI 1101.01 (4); SOMALI 1102.01 (4) |
| SPANISH A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SPANISH A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SPANISH A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SPANISH A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH A: Language and Literature | SL | 5+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH A: Language and Literature | HL | 4+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH A: Literature | SL | 5+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH A: Literature | HL | 4+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARABIC AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| ARABIC B | SL | 5+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| ARABIC B | HL | 4+ |
ARABIC 1101.01 (4); ARABIC 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE B - Cantonese | SL | 5+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE B - Cantonese | HL | 4+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE B - Mandarin | SL | 5+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| CHINESE B - Mandarin | HL | 4+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| Classic Greek and Roman Studies | SL | 5+ |
GREEK 1101 (4); GREEK 1102 (4) |
| Classic Greek | SL | 5+ |
GREEK 1101 (4); GREEK 1102 (4) |
| Classic Greek | HL | 4+ |
GREEK 1101 (4); GREEK 1102 (4) |
| FRENCH AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| FRENCH B | SL | 5+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| FRENCH B | HL | 4+ |
FRENCH 1101.01 (4); FRENCH 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN B | SL | 5+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| GERMAN B | HL | 4+ |
GERMAN 1101.01 (4); GERMAN 1102.01 (4) |
| HEBREW B | SL | 5+ |
HEBREW 1101.01 (4); HEBREW 1102.01 (4) |
| HINDI B | SL | 5+ |
HINDI 1101 (4); HINDI 1102 (4) |
| HINDI B | HL | 4+ |
HINDI 1101 (4); HINDI 1102 (4) |
| ITALIAN AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| ITALIAN B | SL | 5+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| ITALIAN B | HL | 4+ |
ITALIAN 1101.01 (4); ITALIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE B | SL | 5+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| JAPANESE B | HL | 4+ |
JAPANSE 1101.01 (4); JAPANSE 1102.01 (4) |
| KOREAN B | SL | 5+ |
KOREAN 1101.01 (4); KOREAN 1102.01 (4) |
| KOREAN B | HL | 4+ |
KOREAN 1101.01 (4); KOREAN 1102.01 (4) |
| LATIN | SL | 5+ |
LATIN 1101.01 (4); LATIN 1102.01 (4) |
| LATIN | HL | 4+ |
LATIN 1101.01 (4); LATIN 1102.01 (4) |
| MANDARIN AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
CHINESE 1101.01 (4); CHINESE 1102.01 (4) |
| PORTUGUESE B | SL | 5+ |
PORTGSE 1101.01 (4); PORTGSE 1102.01 (4) |
| PORTUGUESE B | HL | 4+ |
PORTGSE 1101.01 (4); PORTGSE 1102.01 (4) |
| RUSSIAN AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| RUSSIAN B | SL | 5+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| RUSSIAN B | HL | 4+ |
RUSSIAN 1101.01 (4); RUSSIAN 1102.01 (4) |
| SPANISH AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SPANISH B | SL | 5+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SPANISH B | HL | 4+ |
SPANISH 1101 (4); SPANISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH AB Initio | SL | 5+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH B | SL | 5+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| SWEDISH B | HL | 4+ |
SWEDISH 1101 (4); SWEDISH 1102 (4) |
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Management | SL | 5+ |
BUSADM SPL Credit (3) |
| Business Management | HL | 4+ |
BUSADM SPL Credit (6) |
| Digital Society | SL | TBD |
Evaluation Expected |
| Digital Society | HL | TBD |
Evaluation Expected |
| Economics | SL | 5+ |
ECON SPL Credit (3) |
| Economics | HL | 4+ |
ECON 2001.01 (3); ECON 2002.01 (3) |
| Global Politics | SL | 5+ |
POLITSC 1200 (3) |
| Global Politics | HL | 4+ |
POLITSC 1200 (3); POLITSC SPL (3) |
| Global Politics |
For Higher Level scores, only POLITSC 1200 can apply toward a student’s General Education requirements. |
||
| History | SL | 5+ |
HISTORY 1682 (3); HISTORY SPL Credit (3) |
| History: Africa and Middle East | HL | 4+ |
HISTORY 2302 (3); HISTORY SPL Credit (3) |
| History: Americas | HL | 4+ |
HISTORY 1151 (3); HISTORY SPL Credit (3) |
| History: Asia and Oceania | HL | 4+ |
HISTORY 2650 (3); HISTORY SPL Credit (3) |
| History: Europe | HL | 4+ |
HISTORY 3253 (3); HISTORY SPL Credit (3) |
| Philosophy | SL | 5+ |
PHILOS 1100 (3) |
| Philosophy | HL | 4 |
PHILOS 1100 (3) |
| Philosophy | HL | 5+ |
PHILOS 1100 (3); PHILOS SPL credit (3) |
| Philosophy |
Students who are interested in pursuing a major or minor in Philosophy should consult with the Department’s Director of Undergraduate Studies to develop a plan that complements their past experience. |
||
| Psychology | SL | 5+ |
PSYCH 1100 (3) |
| Psychology | HL | 4+ |
PSYCH 1100 (3); PSYCH 1300 (1) |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | SL | 5+ |
ANTHROP 2202 (3) |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology | HL | 4+ |
ANTHROP 2202 (3); ANTHROP SPL Credit (3) |
| World Religions | SL | 5+ |
Evaluation Expected |
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | SL | 5+ |
BIOLOGY 1101 (3) |
| Biology | HL | 4+ |
BIOLOGY 1113 (3); BIOLOGY 1114 (3) |
| Chemistry | SL | 5+ |
CHEM SPL Credit (4) |
| Chemistry | HL | 4+ |
CHEM 1210 (5) |
| Computer Science | SL | 5 |
CSE 1211 (3) |
| Computer Science | SL | 6+ |
CSE 1211 (3); CSE 1223 (3) |
| Computer Science | HL | 4 |
CSE 1211 (3) |
| Computer Science | HL | 5 |
CSE 1211 (3); CSE 1223 (3) |
| Computer Science | HL | 6+ |
CSE 1211 (3); CSE 1223 (3); CSE 2123 (3) |
| Computer Science |
Contact the Computer Science Undergraduate Advising Office if the programming language used for instruction in your course was C++ or Python. |
||
| Design Technology | SL | 5+ |
DESIGN 2700 (3) |
| Design Technology | HL | 4+ |
DESIGN 2700 (3); DESIGN SPL Credit (3) |
| Geography | SL | 5+ |
GEOG 2100 (3) |
| Geography | HL | 4+ |
GEOG 2100 (3) |
| Physics | SL | 5+ |
PHYSICS 1200 (5) |
| Physics | HL | 4+ |
PHYSICS 1200 (5); PHYSICS 1201 (5) |
| Sports Exercise and Health Science | SL | 5+ |
KNSFHP SPL Credit (3) |
| Sports Exercise and Health Science | HL | 4+ |
KNSFHP SPL Credit (6) |
| Environmental Systems and Societies | SL | 5+ |
ENR 2100 (3); ENR 2101 (1) |
| Environmental Systems and Societies | HL | TBD |
Starting 2026 - Evaluation Expected |
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches | SL | 5+ |
MATH 1130 (4) |
| Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches | HL | 4+ |
MATH 1148 (4); MATH 1149 (3) |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation | SL | 5+ |
MATH 1116 (3) |
| Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation | HL | 4+ |
MATH 1116 (3); STAT 1450.01 (3) |
| IB Exam Subject | Level | Score | Courses (credit hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dance | SL | 5+ |
DANCE SPL Credit (3) |
| Dance | HL | 4+ |
DANCE SPL Credit (6) |
| Film | SL | 5 |
FILMSTD 2270.01 (3) |
| Film | SL | 6-7 |
FILMSTD 2270.01 (3); THEATRE 2341H (3) |
| Film | SL |
FILMSTD 2270.01 can be turned to FILMSTD 2271 for film studies majors |
|
| Film | HL | 4-5 |
FILMSTD 4640 (3); THEATRE 2341H (3) |
| Film | HL | 6-7 |
FILMSTD 4640 (3); THEATRE 5321 (3) |
| Music | SL | 5+ |
MUSIC SPL Credit (3) |
| Music | HL | 4+ |
MUSIC SPL Credit (6) |
| Theatre | SL | 5 |
THEATRE 2100 (3) |
| Theatre | SL | 6-7 |
THEATRE 2100H (3) |
| Theatre | HL | 4-5 |
THEATRE 2100 (3); THEATRE SPL Credit (3) |
| Theatre | HL | 6-7 |
THEATRE 2100H (3); THEATRE SPL Credit (3) |
| Visual Arts | SL | 5+ |
ART 2300 (3) |
| Visual Arts | HL | 4 |
ART 2300 (3) |
| Visual Arts | HL | 5+ |
ART 2300 (3); ART SPL Credit (3) |
Steps to get your scores sent and credit posted
To earn credit for IB scores, request to have your official score report sent to recipient code "Ohio State University—All Campuses."
Go to Buckeye Link to view your credits, advising report and degree audit. For help, contact your academic advisor.
Timeline
Ohio State receives and posts scores electronically; scores are typically posted the same day as received. Scores for incoming students sent to Ohio State on exam day are usually processed by July 10. Scores sent after exam day are generally processed within three weeks from the request date.
If your orientation program is before IB scores will be processed, your academic advisor will help you estimate what credits you might earn. Your academic advisor will give you the best advice on which courses to register for based on your IB experience, your major and other factors.
Math placement - for IB Math taken 2020 or earlier
Students who earn math credits based on a qualifying score in IB Math (from 2020 or earlier) are not required to take the math placement test. However, taking the placement test will not place you into a lower math course. Therefore, it is advised that all new students take the online assessment prior to orientation so you can register for a math course during orientation.
Tests from prior years
Credit is awarded based on the term of admission, not the date Ohio State receives your score report. Contact the Testing Center for information from prior years.
Credits not posted
First, verify that Ohio State University is listed as a score recipient on your account. If not, request to have you official score report sent to Ohio State. If Ohio State is listed as a recipient institution, verify the accuracy of your information. If items are incomplete or inaccurate, your record may need to be updated — call the Testing Center at 614-292-2241. If Ohio State is listed as a recipient institution and all demographic information appears correct, bring the original copy of your IB Student Transcript the Testing Center for processing.