The top 5 questions people ask about online learning

What do future Oregon State students ask most often?

At Oregon State University Ecampus, we don’t pretend to have all the answers. We don’t know why donuts taste like happiness or why the dentist asks you open-ended questions with both of their hands in your mouth.

But when it comes to questions about online learning, we’ve got things pretty well covered.

We answer countless questions from prospective students all over the world. The Ecampus enrollment services team is your No. 1 resource for information about Oregon State’s online programs, navigating the application process, how to get started and more.

There’s also the Ask Ecampus knowledge base, which contains answers to hundreds of frequently asked questions regarding Ecampus services and programs. It’s accessible 24/7 and provides helpful information on a wide range of topics.

So, which question-and-answer pairs do prospective students search most frequently inside Ask Ecampus? Here are the top five.

1. How does a quarter term compare to a semester term?

Some institutions, like Oregon State, are on a quarter-based academic calendar. This means we offer four terms of instruction each year: summer, fall, winter and spring. Other schools go by semesters, which are broken into two terms.

At OSU, fall, winter and spring terms are 10 weeks each, with finals occurring during the last week. The length of summer term courses varies from one week to 11 weeks.

Please consult with your home institution if you plan to transfer credits to confirm that courses you take online at Oregon State will meet your program requirements.

 

2. Can I earn a degree, certificate or microcredential completely online?

One word: Yes. OSU Ecampus delivers 100+ degrees, programs and microcredentials online — that’s our thing. We also deliver a number of programs in a hybrid format that blends online learning activities and coursework with regularly scheduled in-person classroom meetings.

In addition to online coursework, some online programs or courses may require you to:

• Take proctored exams in your local area
• Visit a local library or bookstore to find a book or other resource
• Conduct field work for a course assignment
• Pursue a program-related internship in your area
• Enroll in a site-based laboratory class

So whether you live in Oregon, Oklahoma or Okinawa, you can earn your Oregon State credential at a distance.

3. Do I need a student ID card?

Oregon State ID cards are optional for Ecampus students. You can request a non-photo ID card to be mailed to you by contacting the OSU ID Center once you register for classes.

If you plan to take courses at the OSU Portland Center, you must acquire a student ID.

4. How long does it take to get a bachelor’s degree?

Students taking a full-time course load for three quarters per year can complete a bachelor’s degree in four years. The average Ecampus student takes two classes per term, and it therefore takes longer to complete degree requirements. Each bachelor’s program requires students to complete a minimum of 180 credits.

You can browse OSU’s online undergraduate degrees to learn more about major requirements for specific programs.

5. How many credits may I transfer into OSU from a two-year college?

Oregon State accepts up to 135 lower-division transfer credits toward a baccalaureate degree. All transfer credit work must be completed at an institutionally accredited school.

Transferable credits may apply to your OSU curriculum and will be determined once you are admitted and have gone through the necessary steps. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 800-291-4192 or osuadmit@oregonstate.edu.

 

Have more questions about online learning? Chat with our enrollment services team today!

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January 23, 2024 Tyler Hansen