Academic Planning

Earning Credits & How Your Degree Works

Parts of your B.S. Degree

Total Credits: Most majors required at least 180 credits to earn a degree. Forest Engineering requires 192 and the double-degree in Forest-Civil Engineering requires at least 237 credits.

Types of Courses:

Major Requirements: These classes are related specifically to your major.
Baccalaureate Core: Also known as “Bacc Core” – these are the general education requirements that all OSU students are required to complete, regardless of major. The Bacc Core totals 48 credits, and some requirements can be fulfilled by classes you take for your major.
Option Requirements: Most COF majors require an option – an area where you specialize your major. Classes for your option are separate from major requirements. Options typically require 34-59 credits
Electives: Electives are classes that do not fulfill a Bacc Core, Major, or Option requirement. Electives count toward your total credits, and allow you to explore additional interest areas. If you have credit from a previous institution or a previous major that isn't fulfilling a major, option, or Bacc Core requirement, it will still count in your electives.

Work Experience

Students majoring in Forest Engineering; Forest-Civil Engineering; Forestry; Renewable Materials; and Tourism, Recreation & Adventure Leadership must complete six months of work experience related to their degree prior to graduation. Natural Resources majors do not have a work experience requirement but are encouraged to seek out internship and work experiences. Experience can be paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time, volunteer or in a hired position.

One month of work = 150 hours

Six months of work = 900 hours

COF Employment Opportunities & Job Shadowing

Documenting and Submitting your Work Experience

Pro-School

The professional programs in Forestry, Forest Engineering, and Forest-Civil Engineering require admission to the junior year based on completion of the required pre-professional coursework with satisfactory grades. The Pro-School application should be completed in the spring of your sophomore year.

Transferring Credits

If you’re interested in transferring to OSU, check out our Transfer Guides. They will help you determine which Community College courses match College of Forestry degree requirements. The Transfer Guides are great tools, but it is always best to connect with your COF Academic Advisor when planning your transfer credits.

College of Forestry Transfer Guides - what classes transfer to fulfill requirements in College of Forestry degrees

OSU Transfer Credit Central - what credits transfer to OSU in general

Degree Partnership Program - DPP allows students to be jointly admitted and concurrently enrolled at OSU and community colleges in Oregon and Hawaii.

Degree Offerings

We offer six undergraduate majors and four undergraduate minors.

COF Majors

Forestry (Corvallis campus) | Program Overview | Advising Guide & Sample Course Plans

Forest Engineering (Corvallis campus) | Program Overview | Advising Guide & Sample Course Plans

Forest-Civil Engineering (Corvallis campus) | Program Overview | Advising Guide & Sample Course Plans

Natural Resources (Corvallis campus, Cascades Campus, Ecampus) | Program Overview | Advising Guide & Sample Course Plans

Wood Innovation for Sustainability (Corvallis campus) | Program Overview | Advising Guide & Sample Course Plans

Tourism, Recreation & Adventure Leadership (Corvallis campus, Cascades Campus) | Program Overview | Advising Guide & Sample Course Plans

COF Minors

Forestry (Corvallis campus)

Natural Resources (Corvallis campus, Cascades campus, Ecampus)

Tourism, Recreation & Adventure Leadership (Cascades campus)

Wood Innovation for Sustainability (Corvallis campus)

Wood Product Sales (Corvallis campus)

Next Steps

Orientation: New students need orientation before their first term

Registration: Tools to research and plan your courses