Navigating the Quarter System at Oregon State University: A Comprehensive Guide
Oregon State University (OSU) operates on a quarter system, a structure that differs significantly from the semester system used by many other institutions. Understanding the nuances of this system is crucial for both prospective and current students, especially those transferring from or to semester-based schools. This article provides a detailed overview of OSU's quarter system, its implications for credit transfer, and available resources for students.
Understanding the Quarter System at OSU
Unlike the semester system, which typically consists of two 15-week terms per academic year, OSU utilizes a quarter system. This means the academic year is divided into four 10-week quarters: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer, with an additional week designated for final exams. Most students typically attend the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. The academic year commences in late September and concludes in early June. The summer term offers different sessions for classes including accelerated course formats.
Quarter Credits vs. Semester Credits
A key difference between the two systems lies in the credit values assigned to courses. Semesters are 15 weeks in length and semester credits are worth 1.5 quarter credits. A 3 semester credit class is equivalent to 4.5 quarter credits. Consequently, a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree at a semester-based institution usually requires 120 semester hours, while a similar degree at OSU, operating on the quarter system, requires 180 quarter credits. This difference arises because 120 semester hours multiplied by 1.5 equals 180 quarter credits (120 semester hours X 1.5 = 180 quarter credits).
Transferring Credits to OSU
OSU provides multiple pathways for students to transfer credits from other institutions. These pathways are designed to ensure a smooth transition and proper recognition of prior academic work.
Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) Degree
Completion of an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree (AAOT) ensures completion of all lower division Foundational Core requirements and junior standing for registration. However, it may be more efficient to use the Core Education list, or work towards completion of a Core Transfer Map (CTM), rather than completing the full AAOT.
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Associate of Science Oregon Transfer (ASOT) Degrees
The Associate of Science Oregon Transfer Degree- Business (ASOT- B) or the Associate of Science Oregon Transfer Degree- Computer Science (ASOT- CS) ensures completion of all lower division Foundational Core (Core Education) requirements and junior standing for registration purposes. The ASOT- Business or ASOT- CS degree may include up to 12 approved professional-technical credits as electives. An Associate of Science (AS) degree awarded from Linn-Benton Community College after March 2001 ensures completion of all lower division Foundational Core (Core Education) requirements at OSU.
Other Associate Degrees
Students may also pursue an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree.
Core Transfer Maps (CTM)
The Core Transfer Maps guide students in course selection and support pursuit of a future degree in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or non-STEM (general) field. These maps are great starting points for students selecting courses but they are NOT complete first-year course plans. They do meet all Foundational Core (Core Education) Requirements except for our Difference, Power, and Oppression: Foundations course requirement.
Major Transfer Maps (MTM)
A Major Transfer Map is a course plan for a major that, when completed, will allow students to transfer credits from any Oregon community college to any Oregon public university and count all of the credits identified on the MTM toward a bachelor’s degree in that specific major. Not all MTMs are available at all Oregon Community Colleges. If interested, please check with your community college about the availability of the Major Transfer Maps at your college. Oregon State University accepts all Major Transfer Maps that are available.
Oregon Transfer Module (OTM)
The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) is a group of general education courses equal to about one year of college (three academic quarters). It’s designed to help students transfer credits more smoothly between Oregon colleges and universities. The OTM can be a useful starting point for students who haven’t chosen a major yet, who change majors early on, or who take college-level courses in high school. For students completing only the OTM, transfer courses that satisfy OTM requirements will be evaluated and applied to OSU degrees on a course-by-course basis. Upon transfer, students will be required to complete additional course work in general education.
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Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
OSU accepts the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) to satisfy the Foundational Core (general education) requirements and junior standing for registration purposes. Students interested in the IGETC path to transfer are strongly advised to see an academic advisor prior to enrollment. OSU accepts three California Programs: IGETC, Cal-GETC, and the CSU GE Breadth (Fall 21-Sum 25) or CSU GE (Fall 25+).
Direct Transfer Associate (DTA) Degree
The Direct Transfer Associate (DTA) degree awarded by regionally accredited community colleges in Washington will allow junior standing for registration purposes and fulfill all lower division requirements in OSU's Foundational Core except for our Difference, Power, and Oppression: Foundations course requirement. More information on how this degree is articulated at OSU can be found here.
Degree Partnership Program (DPP)
The Degree Partnership Program (DPP) allows undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree to be dually enrolled at both Oregon State University and any of our community college partner schools. Just take classes at your partner school while having an active student status at OSU which comes with many benefits.
Core Education Requirements
All OSU degree-seeking undergraduate students must complete the Core Education requirements, which is 42 to 48 credits, alongside their major requirements. For students starting in Summer 2025 and after, there are a variety of options available for completing the Core Education requirements online. For students admitted to OSU for Spring 2025 and prior, the Baccalaureate Core (bacc core) is the initial series of 51 credits required for OSU degrees. The bacc core foundation is being replaced by Core Education requirements in Summer 2025. Read our information for transfer students.
Converting Credits Between Systems
To accurately determine how credits will transfer, it's essential to understand the conversion rates between semester and quarter systems. OSU is on a quarter-term system. When transferring in coursework from a semester system multiply the number of credits by 1.5 to see how many quarter credits will be transferred (3 semester hours x 1.5 = 4.5 quarter credit hours). If you are planning to transfer OSU credits out to a semester system multiply the number of quarter credits by .67 to find out how many credits will transfer (4 quarter credit hours x .67 = 2.68 semester hours). This is a rough estimate and each university may be slightly different.
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Graduate Programs
Information on Oregon State University's graduate programs and admissions procedures is provided by the Office of Graduate Education.
Application Process
Once you feel you have gathered all the necessary information and have all required application materials, you can apply to Oregon State. Below you will find important dates for each upcoming term including registration dates, finals and dates to add or drop classes. Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. Summer term offers different sessions for classes including accelerated course formats. Ecampus recommends that degree-seeking students apply for admission 8-10 weeks before the term of attendance begins. Once you are accepted, you will need to set up your ONID to register for class. The Getting Started Guide offers step-by-step instruction.
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