Earning a Degree at Oregon State University

Registrar’s Office
B102 Kerr Admin. Bldg.
Corvallis, OR 97331-2130
541-737-4048
E-mail: registrars@oregonstate.edu 
Web site: http://oregonstate.edu/registrar/

Administration

Kent Kuo, Registrar, 737-4048
Nancy Laurence, Associate Registrar, 737-0604
Tom Watts, Associate Registrar, 737-4048
Amy Flint, Assistant Registrar, 737-4048

University Degree Requirements

Students with questions about baccalaureate degree requirements are encouraged to contact their advisor. Students needing assistance in selecting a major or selecting an advisor may wish to call or stop by the college office.

The Baccalaureate Experience

OSU will develop curricula based on sound disciplinary knowledge and input from practitioners. Students acquire skills and knowledge for a lifetime of learning, and will be involved in scholarly and creative pursuits.

The baccalaureate degree includes:

• the baccalaureate core
• an in-depth study in at least one major; and
• individual elective courses.

Minors are available in many areas and are required in certain programs. Students should check departmental requirements.

The Baccalaureate Core (Bacc Core) Curriculum represents what the OSU faculty believes is the foundation for students' further understanding of the modern world. Informed by natural and social sciences, arts, and humanities, the Bacc Core requires students to think critically and creatively, and to synthesize ideas and information when evaluating major societal issues. Importantly, the Bacc Core promotes understanding of interrelationships among disciplines in order to increase students' capacities as ethical citizens of an ever-changing world.

The Baccalaureate Core

The Baccalaureate Core Committee determines which courses will satisfy each of the requirements above. WIC courses will be reviewed by the Writing Advisory Board. The core is governed by the following rules: (1) No more than two courses from any one department may be used by a student to satisfy the Perspectives category of the core. (2) No single course may be used by a student to satisfy more than one subject area of the core even though some courses have been approved in more than one area. (3) Both Synthesis courses may not be taken in the same department.

Defining characteristics of baccalaureate core courses are available at http://oregonstate.edu/ap/curriculum/baccore.html.

The purpose of the writing intensive requirement is to insure that each graduate is prepared to write in the discourse, conventions, and genres of his or her major field.

A student completing requirements for two majors including double degrees as well as dual majors (one degree with two majors) may request that one WIC course satisfy the WIC requirement for graduation in both majors. This opportunity is available if and only if:

1. The discourse, written conventions, and genres of the two majors are closely related, and
2. The substitution of a WIC course from one major for that in another major is approved in writing by the chairs or heads of both departments involved and the approval is placed in the student’s academic file.

Students and advisors should be aware that in some cases, the WIC course in a major is an integral part of the degree and substitution may not be appropriate. The final decision rests with the department chair or head.

Baccalaureate Core Requirements

Skills Courses (lower division except WIC) (15)

No single course may be used by a student to satisfy more than one area of the core even though some courses are approved for more than one area.
Fitness (3)
Mathematics: MTH 105, *Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics, or higher level mathematics (3)
Writing I (3)
Writing II (3)
Writing III/Speech (3)

Perspective Courses (lower and upper division) (24)

No more than two courses from any one department may be used to satisfy the Perspectives area of the core.

Biological Science (including lab) (4)
Physical Science (including lab) (4)
Plus choice of additional physical or biological science (including lab) (4)

Take a minimum of one course in each of the following areas:

Cultural Diversity (3)
Literature and the Arts (3)
Social Processes and Institutions (3)
Western Culture (3)

Difference, Power, and Discrimination Courses (3)

Synthesis Courses (upper division) (6)

Both synthesis courses may not be taken in the same department.
Contemporary Global Issues (3)
Science, Technology, and Society (3)

WIC (Writing Intensive Course, upper division, included in credits for major) (3)

Total (48) + WIC (3) = 51

Approved Baccalaureate Core Courses

Major Program

Students must satisfy all the requirements of their major department and major college. The dean's certification of fulfillment of all requirements of the major college is required.

Upper-Division Courses

Practicum Courses and Internships

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Total Credits

Academic Standing

Academic Residence Requirement

1. A minimum of 45 of the last 75 credits must be completed while the student is in academic residence at OSU. "Academic Residence" is defined as OSU courses taken as a degree-seeking student of OSU or courses through one of the following approved special programs: Professional degree programs which require that the student enroll in another institution while finishing the bachelor’s degree at OSU or an international study program sponsored by the Oregon University System.
2. A minimum of 15 upper-division credits used to meet the preceding residency requirement (#1 above) must be taken in each of the student’s majors.
3. Credits earned by special examination for credit (AR 23) are not considered in academic residence.

Other Graduation Requirements

BA Degree Requirements

Concurrent Baccalaureate Degrees

Students must:

1. Meet the institutional, college, and departmental requirements of the curricula represented by the degrees;
2. Complete for each additional degree a minimum of 32 credits more than the requirements of the curriculum requiring the least number of credits;
3. Complete each additional 32 credits in residence.

Subsequent Baccalaureate Degrees

Students with a baccalaureate degree(s) from an accredited institution other than Oregon State University may be granted a baccalaureate degree from OSU upon satisfying the college and departmental requirements of the curriculum represented by the degree. Such a student also may obtain concurrent degrees from Oregon State University by satisfying the requirements for concurrent degrees.

A student seeking a concurrent or subsequent baccalaureate degree(s) also must satisfy the university's residence requirements.

Subsequent Credentials: Minors, Certificates, Options, and Majors

Requirements for Certificates

Requirements for Advanced Degrees

Applying for Bachelor's Degree and Graduation

Students should consult with their advisor to check progress toward graduation requirements. Progress will be based on the formally declared major, minors, options, degree, and other applicable requirements. Prior to submitting an application for graduation the student is responsible for verifying that all of the aforementioned components of their declared program(s) are accurate and complete. Applications are submitted via Student Online Services to the Office of the Registrar. They may be filed up to three terms before the expected graduation term so progress can be monitored each term. However, applications must be submitted no later than the end of the second week of the term in which the student plans to complete degree requirements. The Registrar’s Office checks for total credits, academic residency, total upper-division credits and grade point average.

Once the application has been filed, the Office of the Registrar will audit and return two copies to the college each term—one for the advisor and one for the student. Audits are normally available three (3) weeks after the start of the term.

Students who wish to change graduation dates or program information after the first application must cancel their existing application for graduation and file an new application in accordance with the stated deadline.

Additionally, please be aware that all corresponding transcripts are sealed, meaning the academic record cannot be altered, by the Office of the Registrar 90 days after the conferral of a degree. This ensures that the academic course work that reflects the components that substantiated the awarding of the degree is accurately and permanently recorded.

Degrees With Distinction

These distinctions are noted on diplomas.

Re-Enrolling Students

Transfer Students

Transfer Credits