Graduate Admissions Requirements

Oregon State University offers admission to applicants whose records demonstrate the highest potential for graduate study and promise for substantial contribution to both their academic professions and to a diverse, global society. The university fosters an environment that welcomes inclusiveness.

Admission decisions are based on many factors, such as the quality of the applicant’s prior academic degree and record of accomplishment, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant’s academic work, performance in aptitude and achievement tests, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study, and the connection of the applicant’s academic goals with the faculty’s research interests.

Admission Requirements

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and
• A combined GPA of 3.00 on the last 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits) of graded undergraduate work on the first baccalaureate degree, plus all work completed thereafter. Minimum GPA for admission to only graduate certificate programs is set by the departments that supervise the certificates. Applicants requesting admission to only graduate certificate programs should contact their academic program to learn about minimum GPA and other admission requirements.

• A four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a 45-quarter credit hour graduate degree from an accredited university.

For Fall 2009 admission or later, if the student has completed his or her baccalaureate degree in a country that is a signatory of the Bologna Declaration, then

• A Bologna-compliant baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration with a B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) in the last two years, plus all subsequent graded course work;

• A baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration with a two-year (equivalent to 45-quarter credits) graduate degree.

Applicants who meet these requirements and apply for admission prior to Fall 2009 may be considered on an individual basis if supported for admission by their intended academic program.

Minimum entrance requirements for international students are listed under International Student Requirements below.

Students not meeting minimum requirements still may be considered for admission with the support of their academic program, plus review and approval by the University Graduate Admissions Committee. For these applicants, decisions may rely more heavily on noncognitive criteria. However, the university encourages applicants whose overall undergraduate GPA on the last 90 credits is less than 3.00 (4.00=A) to take the GRE.

Students whose baccalaureate degrees are awarded by an institution that issues non-graded transcripts will be considered for admission with the support of the program’s written evaluation of the quality of the student’s transcript record.

Satisfaction of minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of places available. As a consequence, many well-qualified applicants may not be accommodated.

International Student Requirements

• The equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree of at least four years duration with a B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) in the last two years, plus all subsequent graded course work;

• A four-year equivalent baccalaureate degree with a two-year equivalent graduate degree. Minimum GPA for admission to only graduate certificate programs is set by the departments that supervise the certificates. Applicants requesting admission to only graduate certificate programs should contact their academic programs to learn about minimum GPA and other admission requirements.

For Fall 2009 admission or later, if the student has completed his or her baccalaureate degree in a country that is a signatory of the Bologna Declaration, then

• A Bologna-compliant baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration with a B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) in the last two years, plus all subsequent graded course work;

OR:

• A baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration with a two-year (equivalent to 45-credits) graduate degree.

Applicants who meet these requirements and apply for admission prior to Fall 2009 may be considered on an individual basis if supported for admission by their intended academic program.

All international graduate applicants must meet the following additional requirements:

• English language proficiency demonstrated by a TOEFL minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test). Graduate applicants must meet both the following subtest and total scores if Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) scores are submitted:

Reading: Minimum 18
Listening: Minimum 18
Speaking: Minimum 18
Writing: Minimum 18
Total Score: Minimum 80

Please note that OSU requires graduate applicants to meet or exceed all five scores to be eligible for full admission. A minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS may be used as an alternative to the TOEFL test. Scores must be no more than two years old at the time of the applicant’s first term of registration.

AND:

• Documentation of sufficient financial resources to attend Oregon State University as a graduate student.

The English language proficiency requirement is waived for international students who have completed a bachelor’s or advanced degree at a U.S. university.

University conditional admission of international students presenting TOEFL scores of at least 500 (paper-based test) or 173 (computer-based test) may be granted if the applicant is otherwise fully admissible. Graduate applicants who score below the minimum on one or more iBT subtests but meet the minimum overall iBT score requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Conditional admission is an option for applicants who meet all other admission requirements and achieve a minimum total Internet-based TOEFL score of 61. Conditional admission based on English language proficiency may be granted to applicants seeking admission to a graduate degree program. Conditional admission based on English language proficiency may not be granted to students seeking admission to only a graduate certificate program. Conditional admission for degree-seeking students requires:

• on-campus testing of English language proficiency prior to enrollment, and
• compliance with the subsequently specified plan for English and academic course work during each quarter until such time as the student qualifies for regular admission.

Individual graduate programs may require additional documents such as GRE and GMAT test results or higher English and academic standards. For detailed information, refer to the Web site for Graduate Admissions (http://oregonstate.edu/admissions/graduate.php) and individual graduate programs Web sites.

Application Process

The applicant’s proposed academic program will examine the material submitted to determine the adequacy of scholastic background and to decide whether departmental facilities are adequate for the expressed aims of the student. Upon the positive recommendation of the academic program, the Graduate School will determine whether the minimum university requirements for admission have been met and, subsequently, will provide to the applicant formal notification as to the action taken.

An applicant must submit all application materials at one time to the Graduate School, unless a program specifies differently. Applicants are encouraged to contact their academic program(s) of interest to determine whether additional admission materials are required beyond those listed below. Applicants seeking admission only to a graduate certificate program must provide items a., b., and c. below to the Graduate School Office and contact their academic programs to determine what other program-specific materials may be required for admission to the graduate certificate program. Most applicants submit the following materials in one packet to the Graduate School:

1. Original and one copy of the paper application form or one electronic version of the graduate application. MAIS applicants must submit an original and four copies of the paper application form or apply online. 
2. $55 check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to Oregon State University for the nonrefundable application fee. Effective July 1, 2009, the nonrefundable application fee will increase to $60. Applying online requires payment by credit card.
3. Two photocopies of all transcripts (grade slips/reports, computer printouts, internal transcripts are not acceptable) of previous academic work, undergraduate and graduate. All photocopies submitted must be made from official documents. MAIS applicants must submit five copies of all transcripts. International applicants must provide a certified English translation of academic transcripts.

   Transcripts must show:

   • the last 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits), of graded course work in the first baccalaureate degree; and
   • all course work completed after the first baccalaureate degree.

   If admitted, two official transcripts from the above institutions must be received by the Graduate School prior to the student’s first term of registration for a graduate degree program or a graduate certificate program.

4. Two copies of the applicant’s statement of objectives and particular field of interest. MAIS applicants must submit five copies of the statement of objectives. If applying electronically, this will be automatically forwarded to the academic program. Applicants applying only to graduate certificate programs do not need to meet this institutional requirement, but are encouraged to consult with their programs to determine whether this or other materials are required.
5. Three letters of professional reference in sealed envelopes addressed to the proposed graduate program are required of all applicants applying for admission to a graduate degree program. If you have a master’s degree, you should include a letter from your major professor. Reference letters should be written on official letterhead. MAIS applicants must submit four copies of each of their three letters of professional reference. Applicants applying only to graduate certificate programs do not need to meet this institutional requirement, but are encouraged to consult with their academic program to determine whether this or other materials are required.
6. Certain graduate programs require the GRE of all applicants. Address inquiries regarding GRE requirements to your proposed academic program. The College of Business requires the GMAT.
   International applicants must also send the following documents with their application materials:
7. Two photocopies of the applicant’s TOEFL score. MAIS applicants must submit five photocopies of their TOEFL score. If admitted, the official TOEFL score must be received by the Graduate School prior to the start of the student’s first term of enrollment.
8. Financial certificate with supporting documentation, demonstrating sufficient financial resources for the desired academic program.

Application Deadlines

Department Deadlines

In the absence of earlier program deadlines, the following university deadlines exist:

Students Within the U.S.

International Students Outside and Within the U.S.

Summer Session Admission

Admission Status

Advanced-Degree Students

1. Regularly Admitted Graduate Students. These students have been accepted by the university and by a major program to work toward an advanced degree.
2. Conditionally Admitted Graduate Students. Students who have not met the formal admission requirements but whose accomplishments have convinced the University Graduate Admissions Committee and their major program that they have potential for success as advanced degree candidates may be conditionally admitted as follows:
   1. Students from nonaccredited institutions must complete at least one term of satisfactory work at Oregon State, after which they may be admitted with full standing in the Graduate School.
   2. Students whose preparation does not warrant full admission to the Graduate School but who may prove acceptable later must satisfactorily complete specified conditions to demonstrate their ability to carry out graduate-level work.
   3. International students who otherwise have met all formal admission requirements but whose TOEFL score is in the range of 500 to 549 (paper-based test) or 173 to 212 (computer-based test) may be conditionally admitted. Conditional admission based on English language proficiency may not be granted to students seeking admission to only a graduate certificate program. Students who score below the minimum on one or more iBT subtests but meet the minimum overall iBT score requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Those who meet all other admission requirements and achieve a minimum total iBT score of 61 may be considered for conditional admission.
3. Provisionally Admitted Graduate Students. Students who have met all of the university standards for formal admission but whose academic program or major department may have placed additional restrictions upon their admission may be provisionally admitted. These restrictions may include certain prerequisite courses that must be completed, completion of the GRE or GMAT, submission of additional reference letters or scores, etc.

Provisionally admitted students cannot take the final exam for their degree until they have satisfied their provisions and have been reclassified as regular graduate students.

Credit for graduate courses that students have completed acceptably while registered as conditional or provisional students may count toward the residence requirement for advanced degrees.

If students fail to satisfactorily complete their conditions or provisions, they will be dismissed from the Graduate School.

Graduate Certificate Students

Nondegree-Seeking Graduate Students

Reclassification of Postbaccalaureate Students, Nondegree-Seeking Students, and Graduate Certificate Students

If the student would have been eligible for graduate admission at the time of entering as a postbaccalaureate, nondegree-seeking graduate, or graduate certificate student, the student is eligible for admission consideration at any time but must submit an application for admission to the appropriate level to begin the process.

If the student, prior to entering as a postbaccalaureate, nondegree-seeking graduate, or graduate certificate student had been denied graduate admission or would have been ineligible for graduate admission, as determined a posteriori by the University Graduate Admissions Committee, the postbaccalaureate, nondegree-seeking graduate, or graduate certificate student must complete option A or option B below and reapply or reactivate an application for admission to graduate-level study:

1. complete 24 credits of courses each with a grade of "B" (3.00) or better, or
2. complete sufficient credits to bring the cumulative grade point average (that for the last 90 credits of undergraduate work plus that for courses taken as part of the 24-credit rule) to 3.00 or better before being eligible to apply for graduate admission.

These courses will normally be regular graduate courses relevant to the specific field, except that seminars and other blanket number graduate courses may not be used. Upper-division undergraduate courses are acceptable, provided that they eliminate specific deficiencies in requirements for entry into an identified graduate program. Lower-division undergraduate courses may not be used. All courses should be carefully selected in consultation with an academic advisor from the graduate field into which the student desires admission.

Completion of either 2(a) or 2(b) above does not guarantee graduate admission. Reclassification decisions employ the same procedures and requirements as those for admission. Postbaccalaureate, nondegree-seeking graduate, and graduate certificate students who seek reclassification must be acceptable to the program in which they plan to major. The university does not have the capacity to accommodate all who meet the minimum requirements for regular graduate student status; when selecting among students who meet minimum requirements, the university treats students requesting reclassification the same as those applying for admission as regular graduate students.

A postbaccalaureate or nondegree-seeking graduate student may use graduate credit earned in this status toward an advanced degree or graduate certificate if the student is later reclassified as a regular graduate student. This credit cannot be used to satisfy residence requirements for an advanced degree. A graduate certificate student may use graduate credit earned in this status toward an advanced degree if the student is later reclassified as a regular graduate student. In either case, the amount of usable credit will depend on the size of the individual student’s program (e.g., a maximum of 15 graduate credits could be used on a 45-credit master’s program or a maximum of 6 graduate credits may be applied toward an 18-credit graduate certificate.) See section entitled "Transfer Credit" for complete details.

Students should initiate all requests for reclassification at the Graduate School.

Second OSU Master's Degree

1. Credits used to satisfy the residency requirements of one master’s degree may not be used to satisfy the residency requirements of another master’s degree.
   
2. Students who earn two master’s degrees at Oregon State University must complete all degree requirements for each degree. This requires filing separate programs of study forms for each degree, filing separate commencement applications for each degree, completing separate projects or theses for each degree, filing separate "Request for Final Oral Examination" forms for each degree, and passing final oral examinations for each degree.
   
3. Such credit will be granted only for graded course work earned at Oregon State University and completed with a grade of "B" or higher.

Pursuit of the Second PhD

The Graduate Dean will determine whether or not a student may be admitted for the second PhD. The dean may seek the advice of the Graduate Council in the deliberation of these cases.

Re-Enrollment

A graduate student who takes an unauthorized break in registration by failing to maintain continuous enrollment or by failing to obtain Regular or Planned Leave of Absence will relinquish his/her graduate standing in the university. Students who wish to have their graduate standing reinstated will be required to file an Application for Graduate Readmission, pay the readmission fee, and register for 3 graduate credits for each term of unauthorized break in registration. Effective July 1, 2009, the readmission fee will increase to $60.