Don’t let college math get in the way of earning your degree online from Oregon State University
Math isn’t everyone’s favorite subject. In fact, for many, math is the reason they’re hesitant to pursue their educational dreams.
“I was nervous taking college math before I enrolled at Oregon State University,” said Erin Traub, who earned a bachelor’s degree online in psychology. “It wasn’t nearly as scary as I thought it would be.”
Traub was surprised by how much support is available to online students, and you may be, too. Whether you took your most recent math class last summer or a decade ago, Oregon State makes sure you’re set up for success in college math.
Answers to frequently asked questions about math at Oregon State
1. How do I figure out the math requirements for the degree(s) I’m considering?
All undergraduate degree programs at Oregon State require the completion of Core Education, which includes math courses. Some degree programs require more math courses beyond Core Ed.
At Oregon State Ecampus, we’ve built a handy degree comparison tool to help you evaluate programs side by side while you determine which path is right for you. You can compare online undergraduate degrees to get an overview of program requirements (including math), internship requirements and more.
From there, you’ll also find links to each degree’s curriculum and required courses in OSU’s academic catalog.
2. How do I know I’ll pass the math classes I need for my degree?
Oregon State, like many colleges and universities, uses a platform called ALEKS. ALEKS is a placement assessment helps you pinpoint exactly which math course you should start with.
The ALEKS assessment is conducted online and takes about 90 minutes to complete. Then, you’ll receive a score that correlates to which math class you should enroll in first at Oregon State.
Don’t worry. Your score won’t count against you. Oregon State uses the ALEKS assessment, your AP or IB scores and your prior college math credits to recommend a starting math course. Your advisor will look at all of this information and help you start in the class that’s right for your current skill set. If that means beginning at an earlier level of math before advancing to your required courses, know that you’ll be working toward long-term success.
“I am very glad I placed low in ALEKS. I don’t think I would have been as successful as I was in the later math classes had I not had refresher courses,” said Annmarie Floyd, an Ecampus online student who earned a degree in marketing.
3. How do I know if I’m ready for college math? What if I haven’t taken math in years?
Oregon State offers math coursework online that starts with elementary algebra, so don’t let the fact that it’s a university-level course deter you from taking on the challenge. You’re up for it.
One bonus of the ALEKS assessment is that you’ll be able to understand where you stand before you enroll in classes. If you want to brush up on your math skills before you take the ALEKS exam, check out resources like Kahn Academy or Paul’s Online Math Notes.
4. What happens if I don’t get the ALEKS score I wanted?
Your ALEKS score doesn’t override your prior college credits. If you transfer your credits to Oregon State, you can start with the next class you’re eligible for. However, you might consider improving your score first, just to ensure you’re in the best position before class starts.
ALEKS can help through learning modules. After your exam, you’ll get a personalized list of mathematical topics to study on the platform.
Finding success as an OSU student
Once you start your first term learning online, Oregon State Ecampus has support in place for you, no matter which math class you enroll in. Your instructors want you to succeed, and they’ll work hard to ensure you feel confident in your skills, through every part of your course. You can also reach out to your peers to form study groups and gain support.
Traub said, “My math instructor created a discussion board that gave extra credit for asking and answering questions, so the whole class was super active and really worked to help each other understand the material.”
Beyond your instructors and classmates, Ecampus students have access to free online tutoring through Brainfuse and virtual tutoring through OSU’s Mathematics and Statistics Learning Center.
And if you are looking to improve your study skills and set yourself up for success in your online learning journey, you can connect with Ecampus success coaching. Still have questions? Connect with an Ecampus student ambassador or our enrollment services team via email, phone, live chat or scheduled call.
