Getting Started Guide

Here's an easy step-by-step guide to taking academic credit courses at a distance through OSU Extended Campus. We recommend printing this page for future reference.

Explore your opportunities

OSU Extended Campus offers Online and Distance Degree programs, along with online courses and programs designed for professional development as well as personal enrichment. Explore our website and our Planning Your Degree page to see what options are available to help you meet your educational and career goals. Stay connected to Ecampus by subscribing to the Extended Campus newsletter, E-News.

Make a connection with Extended Campus

Whether you're seeking your degree or just taking a class, you'll find it beneficial to talk with us as early as possible. Find out how easy it is to connect with our Student Services Center, no matter where you live. To get answers to your questions, be put in touch with an adviser, receive the latest information on courses and degrees, or be added to our mailing list, you can:

• Email us from our Contact Us page
• Call 800-667-1465 or 541-737-9204
• Visit us at our main Corvallis office in The Valley Library

Apply for admission

If you are not seeking your degree or certificate or just taking one of our online courses to possibly apply to a degree at another institution, simply apply for non-degree enrollment status before you register. Call our office at 800-667-1465 or 541-737-9204 and we'll connect you with the Admissions Office, or go to OSU Admissions to apply online.

If you are a degree-seeking student (including certificates and minors), you will need to be formally admitted to the university. Please go to OSU Admissions to apply online. For more information about admissions, visit the Ecampus Apply for Admission page or call the OSU Office of Admissions at 800-291-4192.

Information for Newly Admitted Students

Once you have been admitted to OSU as a degree seeking student, there are initial fees that will be required:

Advance Tuition Deposit (ATD)

Fall Term Only: Payment for your Advance Tuition Deposit is required of all degree-seeking students. This will allow you to register for fall term classes. After May 1, 2012 your deposit is nonrefundable. For all other terms, the ATD is refundable up to three weeks before the start of the term.

If you are a transfer student, paying your ATD will trigger a transcript evaluation by the Office of Admissions.

For Degree Partnership Program (DPP) Students: Payment for your Advance Tuition Deposit is required once you have been admitted. Your status will remain active provided you enroll in a class at OSU within the next 10 terms. The deposit will be applied to your OSU account in the term of registration.

For more information on the ATD and how to submit your payment, visit Advance Tuition Deposit.

Set up your ONID (OSU Network Identification)

This account is required for you to access Blackboard, and provides you with your university email address. Your ONID email is your official OSU email, billing notification and all other OSU communications will be sent there. Be sure to check it regularly.

Before you can set up your ONID, you are required to change your GAP (General Access Pin) from the default (your birthday in MMDDYY form) to a different 6-digit number. Be sure to read the Helpdesk's ONID Getting Started page for complete details. Then go to ONID Sign Up to sign up for your ONID. Note: OSU ID Cards are optional for distance students. If you plan on using higher education facilities throughout the nation, or wish to receive student discounts, it could be beneficial to have one. The ID Center will mail non-photo ID cards to admitted OSU students - visit the ID Center's website for more information.

Complete the Ecampus Online Orientation

Newly admitted degree-seeking undergraduates must complete the Ecampus Online Orientation before scheduling an advising session. After viewing the online orientation, your responses to the orientation review will be forwarded to your adviser, in preparation for your advising meeting.

Discuss your course choices with Ecampus and your major adviser

You can find a list of available courses on our online schedule of classes. Notice that most courses provide a sample syllabus for your information, linked from the course listing in the Schedule of Classes. 

If you are a degree-seeking student you will need to discuss the options with your major adviser. Your adviser will make sure that you are staying on track for graduation. If you need help or just want to know some interesting courses to take, please contact our Student Services Center at 800-667-1465.

Register for courses

Registration for all OSU courses is now available online. For first-time students, we encourage you to read further instructions on our registration page or through our Online Orientation. You may also want to visit our step-by-step Register Online Now page.

For a direct link into OSU's registration system, go to OSU Student Online Services. You can get a preview of different online teaching methods with our Ecampus Course Demo.

Understand Ecampus Tuition and Fees

Ecampus courses are the same price for Oregon residents, Non-residents, and international students. For the most current rates and breakdown of fees, visit tuition and fees. Ecampus also offers a need-based grant for deserving Oregon State University students who are admitted and enrolled in a part-time or full-time program of study offered through Extended Campus. Federal and state financial aid is also available for degree-seeking students admitted to the university. Visit Ecampus financial aid for more information.

Obtain your course materials

Your course syllabus, which can be found online each term, should list all materials you will need to complete your course. Be sure to get all materials, such as textbooks and videos, before the term starts. Visit the OSU Bookstore website in order to receive your required texts in time.
Course material information is outlined under each course listing in our schedule of classes.

Starting your course

To get started on your OSU Extended Campus course(s), see the section of Enrollment & Services that will help guide you through four easy steps to starting your course. In order to be prepared for your course, be sure to check your computer for required applications to hear, see and read materials for your online courses. Keep up with University dates and deadlines with the Ecampus academic calendar.  

Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. Learn more about the new Department of Education regulations.

Contact your instructor

During the first few days of your course, you should contact your instructor through the class website located on Blackboard (my.oregonstate.edu). If your course is independent study, you should contact your instructor during the first week of the course using the contact information on the syllabi posted on our schedule of classes. Current Ecampus students emphasize that making contact with your instructors is beneficial to your learning experience.  

Give us your feedback

Once you have completed your course, please complete and return the evaluation sent to you at the end of the term. You can email additional comments to us on our Contact Us page. We're eager to know about your distance education experience so we can be responsive to your needs!

Back to Enrollment and Services.