Oregon State University offers admission to applicants whose records demonstrate the highest potential for graduate study and promise for substantial contribution to both their academic professions and to a diverse, global society. The university fosters an environment that welcomes inclusiveness.
Admission decisions are based on many factors, such as the quality of the applicant’s prior academic degree and record of accomplishment, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation from professors or others familiar with the applicant’s academic work, performance in aptitude and achievement tests, relevant work experience, preparation in the proposed field of study, and the connection of the applicant’s academic goals with the faculty’s research interests.
The following minimum entrance requirements guide the university and its graduate programs in the consideration of applicants for graduate admission:
A four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent), a professional degree (such as BPharm, BVsc, MBBS, MD, DVM, DPharm, etc.), or an appropriate U.S./Canadian alternative degree, from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree or any subsequent graduate degree from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, plus all work completed thereafter.*
A four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent), a professional degree, or an appropriate U.S./Canadian alternative degree, from an regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, and a 45-quarter credit equivalent graduate degree from a regionally accredited (US) or recognized (International) college or university, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent graduate degree.
If the applicant has completed his or her baccalaureate degree in a country that is a signatory of the Bologna Declaration, then:
A Bologna compliant baccalaureate degree at a recognized college or university of at least three years duration, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the degree, plus all subsequent graded course work.
For other three-year bachelor degree holders:
A non-Bologna compliant baccalaureate degree of at least three years duration from a recognized college or university, and a 45-quarter credit equivalent graduate degree from a recognized college or university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on the most recent graduate degree.
International applicants may search for specific academic requirements by country. Additional requirements for Financial Documentation and English Language Proficiency will also apply.
*The graduate program may choose to calculate the GPA on the last 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits [last two years on an international record]) of graded undergraduate work on the most recent baccalaureate degree, plus all work completed thereafter, as the basis for admission.
Applicants not meeting minimum requirements still may be considered for admission with the support of their academic program, plus review and approval by the University Graduate Admissions Committee. For these applicants, decisions may rely more heavily on non-cognitive criteria. However, the university encourages applicants whose overall cumulative undergraduate GPA of less than an equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale to take the GRE.
Applicants whose baccalaureate degrees are awarded by an institution that issues non-graded transcripts will be considered for admission with the support of the program’s written evaluation of the quality of the applicant’s transcript record.
Satisfaction of minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee admission, since the number of qualified applicants far exceeds the number of places available. As a consequence, many well-qualified applicants may not be accommodated.
Please note that academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to the university. The university may evaluate a person's behavior and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards of academic and professional conduct expected at the university. An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions.
Applicants who disclose that they are ineligible to enroll at any college or university that they attended within the last seven years for student conduct reasons will be automatically declined admission at OSU. Applicants who disclose that the reason for their ineligibility is for academic reasons will be admitted only if they meet OSU’s minimum academic requirements. All applicants who are denied admission have the right to appeal that decision, and appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Certificate Program Applicants: Minimum GPA for admission to only graduate certificate programs is set by the departments that supervise the certificates. Applicants requesting admission to only graduate certificate programs should contact their academic program to learn about minimum GPA and other admission requirements.
Appeals for applicants denied admission to Oregon State University due to an applicant’s inability to re-enroll at a previous institution because of a student conduct issue may be submitted directly to Patrick McBrien, Director of Recruitment and Admissions, at [email protected]. Appeals must include a personal statement explaining the events leading to the disciplinary action, the resulting sanction issued by the prior institution, and a written release allowing OSU to contact the prior institution regarding the applicant’s disciplinary history. Appeals must also include a reflection paper describing what the applicant has learned as a result of the underlying incident, and any additional mitigating circumstances the applicant would like to be considered. Failure to submit all of these materials will result in the appeal being denied.