Earning Credits & How Your Degree Works

Earning your B.S. degree

Total Credits: Most majors require at least 180 credits to earn a degree. The Forest-Civil Engineering double degree requires at least 228 total credits. Be sure to check the advising guides for detailed information about course and credit requirements specific to your major and year of admission. 

Types of Courses:

  • Major Requirements: These classes are related specifically to your major.
  • General Education Requirements: OSU’s general education requirements must be completed by all students, regardless of major. Based on your year of admission you will complete these requirements either in the Baccalaureate Core (admitted through Spring 2025), or Core Education (admitted Summer 2025 or later).  In both Bacc Core and Core Education 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 General Education requirement, 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 is not fulfilling a degree requirement, it may still count in your electives.

Work experience

Students majoring in Forest Engineering; Forest-Civil Engineering; Forestry; and Wood Innovation for Sustainability must complete six months of work experience related to their degree prior to graduation. Natural Resources and Tourism, Recreation & Adventure Leadership 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 

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 are 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.

Degree offerings

We offer six undergraduate majors and five undergraduate minors.