Have you completed courses at a community college or a university? You probably have transfer credits that could count toward a bachelor’s degree. You may also have credits from Advanced Placement testing, military service or accelerated learning programs.
If you do, you’re not alone. In the 2023-24 academic year, 43.1 million students in the United States had some college credits without a degree.
Here’s what to know about college credit transfer and how to turn your past education into a future bachelor’s degree earned online from Oregon State University Ecampus.
Start with an estimate
Oregon State accepts up to 130 quarter transfer credits (or 90 semester credits) toward a bachelor’s degree. Oregon State’s transcript reader tool can provide an estimate of how many credits may transfer.
Enter information about the coursework you’ve completed and the OSU degree you want to pursue, and the tool will provide an estimate of which transfer credits are eligible and where they could be applied.
This tool uses data other students have entered to provide quick responses. It’s a helpful starting point as you plan for your education, but the results are only estimates. An official transcript evaluation happens during the admission process.
If you don’t see your credits listed, don’t worry. Your school or course may not have been entered by other students previously, but that doesn’t mean your credits won’t transfer.
How to transfer credits from one college to another
At Oregon State University, we believe in making your path to a degree smooth. Our new Core Education program makes it even easier to transfer credits to OSU, as course numbers closely match across institutions.
To officially transfer coursework credits to Oregon State, do this:
- Apply to Oregon State.
- Contact all of the schools you’ve attended and ask for official transcripts. If you can’t get them right away, you can apply with unofficial transcripts. However, you’ll need the official versions when you’re admitted.
- Send your transcripts from your school to Oregon State, or have your school send these documents for you.
- Ask questions, if needed. You can contact the OSU Ecampus enrollment services team at ecampus@oregonstate.edu or call 800-667-1465 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT.
Oregon State is on a quarter-term system, but we accept transfer credits from semester-term courses. See our converter tool for estimates of how your credits might transfer.
What other kinds of credit can I transfer?
Most transfer credits come from accredited institutions of higher education, but you may also have credits from these sources:
- The military: Oregon State grants up to 45 credit hours for military education. The Office of the Registrar can help you understand your benefits and how to use them.
- Testing: Advanced Placement exams and the College-Level Examination Program could result in credit, depending on your grade.
- Certificates: Students with official General Certificate of Education scores may be granted credits for passing grades.
- Accelerated learning: Students who completed coursework during high school may have credits that can transfer.
See all of Oregon State’s credit policies and understand where your transfer credits may come from and how to provide them during enrollment.
Do all students use this process?
Many students use the transfer process, but some don’t.
Students participating in the Degree Partnership Program are enrolled in both an OSU-partner community college and Oregon State at the same time. These students have a slightly different transfer process, as their schools send their transcripts automatically at the end of each term. They won’t need to go through the transfer process we’ve outlined here.
Similarly, if you’re an international student, your transfer process will start with OSU’s International Admissions team. You may have credits that you can transfer, but they’re processed slightly differently. The International Admissions team can advise you and help you understand what to do next.
How to ensure a smooth college credit transfer process
Stay on track by gathering the right paperwork from your previously attended institutions, submitting application materials within an appropriate timeframe and staying in touch with OSU’s Office of Admissions.
If you have any questions, just reach out to the OSU Ecampus enrollment services team at ecampus@oregonstate.edu! We’re here to help.
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