Microcredentials and CertificatesOnline

Oregon State’s microcredentials are high-quality educational opportunities that can help advance your career with less time and financial commitment than a formalized degree or certificate program.

All Oregon State microcredentials consist of at least three courses and 8 credits. At least one of the courses that make up the microcredential must be taken online through OSU Ecampus. Microcredential offerings follow Oregon State’s quarterly term calendar. Learn more.

Microcredentials are available to nondegree-seeking students, undergraduates, graduates, nontraditional students and working professionals. With the exception of graduate-level microcredentials which require a bachelor’s degree, it’s not necessary to have a college degree in order to apply, but some microcredential courses have prerequisites.

Anyone enrolled in an Oregon State bachelor's degree program can enroll in any Ecampus online undergraduate certificate. You may also pursue some of OSU's undergraduate certificates as a first-year, transfer or postbaccalaureate student.

Generally, students who want to enroll in a graduate certificate should already hold a four-year baccalaureate degree and have earned a cumulative 3.00 GPA or better in the process. Full admission details and minimum academic requirements for graduate programs are determined by the OSU Graduate School.

Microcredentials — You can apply to Oregon State as a nondegree student if you are not currently enrolled at OSU. A nonrefundable fee ($30 for undergraduate applicants; $35 for graduate applicants) is due when you submit your application. Find more details about the online learning experience for Oregon State’s nondegree students.

Undergraduate certificates — If you are currently enrolled in an Oregon State bachelor’s degree program, talk to your academic advisor about enrolling in a certificate program. They will submit a request through the Office of the Registrar. If you are a first-year, transfer or postbaccalaureate student, you can find information on how to apply on the Ecampus website.

Graduate certificates — You can find application and admissions details on the website of the specific graduate certificate program(s) you’re interested in.

All Oregon State Ecampus students have access to the same support resources. The OSU Ecampus student services team is here to support you, and you can tap into resources such as free online tutoring, OSU’s Disability Access Services, OSU Libraries and Canvas support.

Students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate certificate programs also can work directly with an academic advisor or a faculty advisor.

After completing the microcredential requirements, you’ll receive a digital badge that demonstrates evidence of your discipline-specific knowledge to employers. OSU’s Office of the Registrar will upload your information to Credly, the world's largest digital credential network, within three weeks of completing your final class.

The badge can be placed on your résumé, social media platforms, and job-hosting sites.

If you’re interested in pursuing a microcredential online, please submit this form. Note: You must complete at least one of the microcredential courses after having been accepted into the microcredential and at least one course that makes up the microcredential must be taken online through OSU Ecampus.

If you want to pursue an undergraduate certificate program, talk to an academic advisor within the certificate program you are interested in pursuing. They will submit a request on your behalf through the Office of the Registrar.