The main OSU degree components are (note: every degree is unique):

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Component 1. Oregon State University Baccalaureate Core (also known as Bacc Core)

• OSU's general education requirements
• emphasizes critical thinking, writing, world cultures, appreciation of differences, the arts, sciences, literature, lifelong fitness, and global awareness in 15 course categories
• 250 courses are available to meet core requirements
• must complete a total of 48 credits plus a Writing Intensive Course (WIC) of at least 3 credits.
• some majors will specify which classes you need within the Bacc Core.

 Component 2. Major Specific Requirements

• OSU students must choose a major
• major requirements typically consist of 80-120 credits
• students must satisfy all the requirements of their major department and major college

Upper-Division Requirements (300 and 400 level credits)

• At least 60 of 180 credits must be upper-division courses: minimum 60 (exclusive of upper-division physical education activity courses)

 Component 3. Elective Credits

• often times, major and bacc. core requirements do not equal 180 credits
• student must, therefore, take a certain amount of elective credits
• the exact amount of elective credits a student needs depends on the courses students choose to complete their major and bacc. core requirements.

Your OSU academic advisor will help you understand all of these components once you are a student!

OSU undergraduate degrees are at least 180 credits, which is equivalent to 120 semester credits.  The undergraduate baccalaureate degree includes:

general education curriculum,

• 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 college, school, program, or departmental requirements.  Students may complete a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or an Honors version of each of these baccalaureate degrees. 

The main OSU degree components are (note: every degree is unique):

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Component 1. Oregon State University General Education 

• OSU's general education requirements
• Baccalaureate Core (for students who are admitted to OSU Spring 2024 or earlier)
  • emphasizes critical thinking, writing, world cultures, appreciation of differences, the arts, sciences, literature, lifelong fitness, and global awareness in 15 course categories
  • 250 courses are available to meet core requirements
  • must complete a total of 48 credits plus a Writing Intensive Course (WIC) of at least 3 credits.
  • some majors will specify which classes you need within the Bacc Core.
• Core Education (for students who are admitted to OSU Summer 2025 or later)
  • Alongside their major, Core Education prepares students to be adaptive, proactive members of society who are ready to take on any challenge, solve any problem, advance in their chosen career and help build a better world.
  • must complete a total of 42 credits plus a Writing Intensive Course (WIC).

 Component 2. Major Specific Requirements

• OSU students must choose a major: major requirements typically consist of 80-120 credits
• students must satisfy all the requirements of their major department and major college
• Upper-Division Requirements (300 and 400 level credits): At least 60 of 180 credits must be upper-division courses (exclusive of upper-division physical education activity courses)

Component 3. Minor or Elective Credits and College Core

• Minor or Elective Credits
  • Often, major and general education requirements do not equal 180 credits. Students must, therefore, take a certain amount of elective credits to reach minimum credits for graduation.
  • The exact amount of elective credits a student needs depends on the courses students choose to complete their major and bacc. core requirements.
• College Core
  • Depending on your academic major or college, you may be required to complete additional requirements that are separate from your major and general education requirements.

Your OSU academic advisor will help you understand all of these components once you are a student!