Navigating Diploma Requirements at Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University (OSU) provides a multitude of academic paths for students seeking higher education. This article elucidates the undergraduate and graduate diploma requirements at OSU, providing a comprehensive overview for prospective and current students.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

OSU structures its undergraduate degree requirements to provide both a broad general education and a focused specialization within a chosen field.

Matriculation and Degree Requirements

A student's matriculation date, which is associated with their first term after high school graduation as an admitted student in an accredited institution of higher education, is a crucial factor in determining degree requirements. Generally, students adhere to the degree requirements in effect during their matriculation year. While the curriculum may undergo revisions, students are typically held responsible for the degree requirements at the time of matriculation, provided that these changes do not increase the required semester credit hours or delay graduation. However, students have the option to adopt newer degree requirements established since their matriculation. The time limit for completing a given undergraduate degree program is six years.

General Education Requirements

In accordance with State Regents policy, every OSU undergraduate degree incorporates a 40-credit-hour general education core. This core is designed to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge across various disciplines. Degree requirements may exceed this minimum. Courses that fulfill general education requirements are identified in the student information system and the Courses section of the Catalog.

When HIST 1483 (H) or HIST 1493 (DH) are used to meet the American History requirement, they cannot also be used for H general education credit hours. A minimum of 15 hours of the requirements below should be unspecified on degree plans. Courses with N designation. An additional 4-10 hours of general education are required to meet the total 40 credit hour minimum.

OSU degree plans are designed to allow maximum flexibility within general education areas Q, H, S, N, L, D, and G, so students may select a Cowboy Compass trail leading to a certificate to fulfill these requirements. A minimum of 15 credit hours in these general education areas should be unspecified on a degree plan. An additional 4-10 hours of general education courses are required to meet the total 40 credit hour minimum. If courses used to meet the D and G requirements do not carry other general education designations, only 4 additional hours will be required.

Substitution of general education courses is allowed when background for the major demands greater depth in an area in which a general education requirement is stated. Only in the Quantitative Thought and Logical Reasoning (Q) and Reasoning in the Natural Sciences (N) areas is substitution of the more advanced lower-division course permitted. Such a substitution requires the recommendation of the student’s academic advisor and dean and the approval of the Office of Academic Affairs. For students who earn an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from another college or university within the Oklahoma State System, the lower-division general education requirement of the baccalaureate degree shall be the responsibility of the institution awarding the associate degree, providing the general education requirements specified by the State Regents are met.

English Composition Requirement

The University mandates a minimum of six semester credit hours in English composition for a baccalaureate degree. The standard sequence comprises ENGL 1113 Composition I and ENGL 1213 Composition II. Qualified students may substitute ENGL 1123 International Freshman Composition I or ENGL 1313 Critical Analysis and Writing I for ENGL 1113 Composition I. Students who earn an "A" or "B" in ENGL 1113 Composition I (or ENGL 1123 International Freshman Composition I or ENGL 1313 Critical Analysis and Writing I) or who earn three semester credit hours in English composition through credit by exam, and who have the consent of their college, may substitute ENGL 3323 Technical Writing for ENGL 1213 Composition II. Students who qualify may substitute ENGL 1223 International Freshman Composition II or ENGL 1413 Critical Analysis and Writing II for ENGL 1213 Composition II.

Course Substitutions and Waivers

A course substitution involves replacing a required course on a degree plan with another course that fulfills the content and/or spirit of the requirement. A course waiver, on the other hand, excuses a student from completing a required course because they have already fulfilled the content requirement through other courses or academic experiences. A course waiver does not award credit hours and does not reduce the total semester credit hours required for the degree or other degree-related requirements. A maximum of six semester credit hours may be waived, and waivers are granted only in special circumstances. Required courses in English, American history, and American government cannot be waived. Waivers must be approved by the student’s advisor, the head of the student’s major department, and the dean of the college.

Declaring a Major and Graduation

Students are encouraged to select a specific major no later than the end of their sophomore year. Students on probation or not making satisfactory progress toward a degree may change majors only with the approval of the dean of the college in which they wish to pursue a different degree. Degrees are conferred only on specific commencement dates. If a student completes degree requirements after a commencement date, the degree will be granted at the next scheduled commencement after the student files a graduation application.

Graduate Diploma Requirements

Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM)

The NREM department has specific requirements for graduate programs. A plan of study must be submitted through the online application (planofstudy.okstate.edu). Research hours are a component (NREM 5000). The advisory committee conducts examinations, as detailed in the NREM Graduate Student Handbook.

Doctoral Program

Enrollment in the doctoral program requires an online plan of study application (planofstudy.okstate.edu). A committee member must be from outside the department. The doctoral program includes both written and oral exams conducted by the advisory committee. Post-candidacy enrollment is required of all students, culminating in a public presentation.

Enrollment Status

Undergraduate students enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours (six or more during the summer session) are classified as "full-time" students. A graduate student holding a 0.50 FTE Graduate Teaching/Research Associate/Assistant (GTA or GRA) appointment is considered full-time if enrolled in a minimum of six hours during the fall or spring semester and two hours during the summer semester. Any FTE appointment less than 0.50 requires nine hours of enrollment for the fall or spring semester and three hours of enrollment for the summer semester for full-time status. Doctoral students who have completed the requirements for admission to doctoral candidacy and had their “Admission to Doctoral Candidacy” form approved by the Graduate College may enroll for a minimum of at least two credit hours during any term and be considered full-time. This post-candidacy reduced enrollment option applies to all qualified graduate students, including GTAs, GRAs, international students and veterans receiving VA benefits. Students who are enrolled but not meeting the definition of full-time students are classified as "part-time." Undergraduate students are classified as "half-time" if they are enrolled in six hours in a regular semester (or three hours in a summer session).

Time Limitations

All requirements for a master's degree must have been awarded within 7 years of completion of all degree requirements.

Additional Academic Regulations

Admission Standards

Policies and procedures governing the admission of new freshmen are detailed in another section of the Catalog. To help insure that students possess the skills necessary to be successful in college, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education require students to obtain a 19 ACT subject area score(s) in science reasoning, mathematics, and English to enroll in course work in the respective subject area(s). Students must score 19 or higher in reading to enroll in courses that require extensive reading. Students scoring below 19 will be required to remediate in the discipline area (UNIV courses with course numbers beginning with 0) or undergo additional testing to determine the level of readiness for college level work. Students must pass developmental courses within the first 24 hours attempted or have all subsequent enrollments restricted to developmental courses until the deficiencies are removed. Policies and procedures governing the admission of transfer students are detailed in another section of the Catalog. Admission to certain programs as approved by the University may be restricted. As a condition of admission to undergraduate study at OSU, all persons for whom English is a second language shall be required to present evidence of English proficiency.

Academic Standing and Probation

Students not under academic suspension from the University are judged to be making satisfactory progress toward their educational objectives. They are eligible to enroll in any of the undergraduate colleges except as may be restricted. Undergraduate students must meet the GPA requirements below to be in good academic standing. Any student not maintaining an overall GPA as indicated above will be placed on probation for one semester. First year students (30 or fewer credit hours, as defined by OSRHE policy) with an overall GPA of 1.70 to less than 2.00 will be placed on academic notice. See Academic Regulation 6.4: Grade-Point Average Calculations for a description of overall and current term GPA calculations. These calculations are made three times per year, to coincide with the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters, and the collective summer term. Grades submitted after these calculations are carried forward to the next calculation. A student on probation will be suspended when he or she earns a current term (semester) GPA of less than a 2.00 in regularly-graded course work not including physical education activity (leisure) or developmental courses, and the overall grade-point average falls below the following.

Suspension and Readmission

A student who has been suspended from the University for academic reasons may not be readmitted until one regular semester (fall or spring) has elapsed (unless the faculty appeals committee grants immediate reinstatement). Students who wish to appeal suspension status should inquire about procedures and deadlines from their advisor or the Office of Academic Affairs. Students who were concurrently enrolled in another college or university during the semester may appeal the suspension by submitting an official transcript from the institution. Readmission after one regular semester (fall or spring) has elapsed will be considered on the merits of the individual case. Suspended students can be readmitted only one time. A student with 90 or more hours in a specified degree program who has been academically suspended may enroll, at the discretion of the institution, in up to 15 additional credit hours in a further attempt to achieve the requirements for retention. During these 15 hours of enrollment, the student must achieve a minimum 2.00 current term (semester) GPA at the end of each term or must raise the overall (retention) GPA to 2.00 or above to avoid suspension. This senior suspension exception must be approved by the Director of Student Academic Services or Associate Dean for Instruction in the student's college in the form of a letter to the Registrar. A student suspended from OSU at the end of the spring semester may continue in the summer semester at OSU if this spring suspension was the student's first suspension. The student must complete a minimum of six hours and must achieve a 2.00 current term (summer semester) GPA, or raise the overall (retention/graduation) GPA to the OSRHE standard, in order to continue in the subsequent fall semester. The student should contact his or her dean's office for additional information and restrictions. An undergraduate student who has attended OSU but was not enrolled during the immediate past semester (except the summer session) must submit an updated Application for Admission and current application fee. A student who has enrolled in another college or university since last attending OSU must submit a transcript from each school.

Enrollment Cancellation and Withdrawal

Enrollment cancellation occurs when a student drops all classes before classes begin, that is, before the applicable semester or session begins. Student requests to cancel enrollment must be received by the Office of the Registrar before the first day of classes for the term. Enrollment changes, such as cancelling enrollment or withdrawing from the University are the responsibility of the student. Withdrawing from the University occurs when a student drops all classes after classes begin, that is, after the applicable semester or session begins. The withdrawal process is initiated with the student’s academic advisor or in the student’s academic student services office. International students must also consult with International Students and Scholars (ISS) before dropping courses or withdrawing for the semester. General cancellation and withdrawal periods are provided in the table below. The Academic Calendar provides specific dates for each term. Exceptions to these deadlines may be considered by petition due to documented extraordinary circumstances and committee approval. Summer courses, intersession courses, and other courses that do not extend through the entire 16-week semester follow proportionate cancellation/withdrawal/refund periods.

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