Bachelor's Degree Requirements

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To earn a University of Oregon bachelor’s degree, students must satisfy the following requirements.

University Requirements

Credits

The bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of education, bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of landscape architecture, bachelor of music, and bachelor of music in music education degrees require a total of 180 credits with passing grades. The bachelor of interior architecture requires a total of 225 credits, and the bachelor of architecture requires a total of 231 credits.

Concurrent Degrees

Concurrent degrees are awarded under the following conditions:

  1. The second degree may be offered by the same school or college
  2. The student completes the departmental requirements for each major
  3. The student completes the core education requirements (formerly the general-education requirements) for each degree
  4. The student completes a minimum of 36 credits at the UO beyond those required for the degree that has the highest credit requirement
  5. The student applies for the first degree on DuckWeb and submits a request to the Office of the Registrar for the second degree
     

Students are able to receive concurrent degrees from the same college or school when one of the majors is restricted to one degree.

Academic Major

All bachelor’s degrees must be awarded with a major. Minimum requirements are 36 credits in the major, including 24 in upper-division work. Specific requirements are listed under individual departments.

A student may be awarded a bachelor’s degree with more than one major by completing the general university degree requirements for the designated majors and degree and all requirements in each major as specified by the major departments, schools, or colleges.

Declaring a Major (First-Time, Full-Time Freshman Students)
  1. Undergraduates who matriculated into the UO as first-time, full-time freshmen, should declare a major by the end of the fourth week of their sixth term of enrollment (typically spring term of the second year at Oregon)
  2. Students who have not declared a major by the end of the fourth week of the sixth term of enrollment will need to see an advisor and receive a personal identification number (PIN) before they can register for the next term’s classes. Advisors can either assist students in choosing a major or grant an exception and help students develop a plan to declare a major
Declaring a Major (Transfer Students)
  1. Transfer students should declare a major by the end of the fourth week of the third term of enrollment at Oregon
  2. Transfer students who have not declared a major by the end of the fourth week of the third term of enrollment at the UO will need to see an advisor and receive a PIN before they can register for the next term’s classes. Advisors can either assist students in choosing a major or grant an exception and help students develop a plan to declare a major

Academic Minor

Unless specified by a particular department, a minor is not required for a bachelor’s degree. Students choosing to complete a minor must earn a minimum of 24 credits, including 12 in upper-division work. Minor requirements, including residency, are listed under department headings. A minor may be awarded only at the time a bachelor’s degree is conferred.

Upper-Division Work

A minimum of 62 credits in upper-division courses (300 level or higher) are required.

Residency

After completing 120 of the 180 required credits, 165 of the 225 required credits, or 171 of the 231 required credits, each student must complete at least 45 credits of UO courses in residence at the university.

Total Credits of A, B, C, D, P*

Students must earn 168 transfer or University of Oregon credits with grades of A, B, C, D, or P*. Credits earned in courses offered only pass/no pass use the P* designation.

UO Credits of A, B, C, D

A minimum of 45 credits graded A, B, C, or D must be earned at the University of Oregon. Courses required in the major and designated in the class schedule as pass/no pass (P/N) only may be counted toward the 45-credit requirement only if the 168-credit requirement has been satisfied.

Satisfactory Work

Graduation from the university requires a minimum UO cumulative grade point average of 2.00.

Written English

Two courses (Composition I (WR 121Z) and either Composition II (WR 122Z) or College Composition III (WR 123) or equivalents) passed with grades of C– or better or P are required for all undergraduate degrees. For placement, prerequisites, or exemption, see policies in the English section of this catalog.

Requirements for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science

Students must choose to graduate with a specific degree and major (for example, bachelor of arts with a major in chemistry or bachelor of science with a major in chemistry). See degrees listed in the Undergraduate Programs section of this catalog.

Bachelor of Arts Requirements

The bachelor of arts (BA) degree requires proficiency in a second language. The second-language requirement may be met in one of the following ways:

  1. Completion of at least the third term, second year of a second-language course taught in the language, with a grade of C– or better or P
  2. Satisfactory completion of an examination administered by the appropriate language department, showing language proficiency equivalent to that attained at the end of two years of college study
  3. For students whose native language is not English: provide a final official high school transcript to the Office of the Registrar as evidence of formal training in the native language and completion of Composition I (WR 121Z) and either Composition II (WR 122Z) or College Composition III (WR 123) with grades of C– or better or P.  Students who graduate from a US high school are not eligible to receive the BA Language waiver.
  4. Students may fulfill the UO second-language requirement by taking the all three courses in the year-long sequence in Old English (ENG 428, ENG 429, ENG 430) and by achieving a B- or higher in ENG 430. The sequence must be taken in order, since ENG 428 is a prerequisite for ENG 429, which is a prerequisite for ENG 430.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

The bachelor of science (BS) degree requires proficiency in mathematics or computer science or a combination of the two. The requirement may be satisfied in one of the following ways, depending on the student’s experience in mathematics. Courses must be completed with grades of C– or better or P.

  1. Students with a limited background in mathematics can complete the requirement with any of the combinations of three courses listed below. Inquire with your advisor for other possible combinations.
    Option 1
    Select three of the following:12
    MATH 105Z
    		Math in Society
    MATH 106
    		University Mathematics II
    MATH 107
    		University Mathematics III
    MATH 111Z
    		Precalculus I: Functions
    STAT 243Z
    		Elementary Statistics I
    CS 111
    		Introduction to Web Programming
    CS 122
    		Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving
    Option 2*
    MATH 211Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics I4
    MATH 212Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics II4
    MATH 213Fundamentals of Elementary Mathematics III4
    *Recommended for Educational Foundations majors only
  2. Students who placed above the Precalculus I: Functions (MATH 111Z) level on the mathematics placement test may complete MATH 112Z or MATH 241 and one of the following:
    MATH 105ZMath in Society4
    MATH 106University Mathematics II4
    MATH 107University Mathematics III4
    STAT 243ZElementary Statistics I4
    CS 111Introduction to Web Programming4
    CS 122Introduction to Programming and Problem Solving4
    *A student can satisfy this requirement by taking both MATH 112Z and MATH 241.
  3. Students who have Precalculus I: Functions (MATH 111Z) skills and an additional prerequisite course or appropriate skills may complete the requirement with one course chosen from the following:
    MATH 231Elements of Discrete Mathematics I4
    MATH 242Calculus for Business and Social Science II4
    MATH 246Calculus for the Biological Sciences I4
    MATH 251Calculus I4
    MATH 261Calculus with Theory I4
    MATH 281Several-Variable Calculus I4
    CS 210Computer Science I4

Areas of Inquiry Requirements

To promote educational breadth, bachelor’s degree candidates are required to complete work in each of three areas representing comprehensive fields of knowledge: arts and letters, social science, and science. Approved area-satisfying courses must be at least 3 credits each.

The current list of area-satisfying courses are listed in the Core Education Courses section of this catalog.

"Double-Dipping" Restriction

Students may not use courses that fulfill the second-language requirement for the bachelor of arts degree to fulfill the arts and letters area requirement. Courses used to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics or in computer science or in a combination of the two for the bachelor of science degree may not also be used to fulfill the science area requirement.

Areas of Inquiry Requirements for Specific Degrees

  1. Bachelor of Arts or Science. Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits—15 of those credits in approved area-satisfying courses in each of three general-education areas: arts and letters, social science, and science. Each area must include coursework in two different subject codes. No more than three courses with the same subject code may be used to fulfill the 45-credit requirement. MUS and MUJ are considered as one subject code; MATH and STAT are considered as one subject code.
  2. Bachelor of Architecture, Education, Fine Arts, Interior Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Music, or Music in Music Education. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits—12 of those credits in approved area-satisfying courses in each of three general-education area: arts and letters, social science, and science. Each area must include coursework in two different subject codes. No more than three courses with the same subject code may be used to fulfill the total 36-credit requirement. MUS and MUJ are considered as one subject code; MATH and STAT are considered as one subject code.

Cultural Literacy Requirements

United States: Difference, Inequality and Agency

These courses develop students’ analytical and reflective capacities to help them understand and ethically engage with the ongoing (cultural, economic, political, social, etc.) power imbalances that have shaped and continue to shape the United States. In addition to considering the scholarship, cultural production, perspectives, and voices from members of historically marginalized communities, students in DIA courses: 

  • Inquire into intersecting aspects of identity such as race, gender, gender identity, sexuality, socioeconomic status, indigeneity, national origin, religion, or ability;
  • Analyze uses of power to marginalize on the basis of identity, as well as the assertions of agency, resistance, and resilience by marginalized groups; and
  • Examine historical and contemporary structures, forms of knowledge, cultural practices, or ideologies that perpetuate or change the distribution of power in society. 

and undertake one or more of the following: 

  • Reflect on one's own multiple social identifications and on how they are formed and located in relation to power.
  • Practice respectful listening and ethical dialogue around deeply felt or controversial issues. 

Global Perspectives

These courses foster a student's encounter with and critical reflection upon cultures, identities, and ways of being in global contexts beyond the United States. Students will consider substantial scholarship, cultural production, perspectives, and voices from members of communities under study, as sources permit. Global Perspectives courses, students will do one or more of the following: 

  • Engage texts, literature, art, testimonies, practices, or other cultural products that reflect systems of meaning or beliefs beyond the U.S. context;
  • Analyze power relations involving different nations, peoples, and identity groups or world regions;
  • Examine hierarchy, marginality, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexuality, nationality, or ability (or some combination of these).

and undertake one or more of the following: 

  • Discuss possibly unfamiliar topics using critical vocabulary and concepts.
  • Practice respectful listening and civil dialogue around controversial issues.

Study-abroad programs that are ten weeks or longer automatically satisfy this requirement. Programs between five and nine weeks in duration may qualify if specific criteria are met. Contact Global Education Oregon for further information.

Bachelor’s degree candidates must complete one course in each of the two categories listed above; a minimum of 6 credits in approved courses must be earned.

The current list of courses that satisfy these requirements are listed in the Core Education Courses section of this catalog.

General Limitations

  1. A total maximum of 124 credits may be transferred from domestic, regionally accredited junior or community colleges and from international junior or technical colleges. Of the total maximum of 124 credits, only 90 credits may be transferred from an international junior or technical college.
  2. A maximum of 48 credits in law, medicine, pharmacy, chiropractic medicine, dentistry, technology, or any combination may be used toward fulfilling total credit hours for the BA or BS degree.
  3. A maximum of 24 credits may be used toward fulfilling total credits in the following areas with not more than 12 credits in any one area:
    1. Lower-division professional-technical courses;
    2. Physical education activity, military science activity (e.g., MIL 131 and 331), and dance activity (DANC) courses, except for dance activity courses for majors in dance;
    3. Music lessons (in subject MUP), except for majors in music;

    4. Applied and/or experiential courses, academic support skills courses, nonacademic field experience courses, or career and professional development courses.

  4. For music majors, a maximum of 24 credits in music lessons (in subject code MUP), may count toward requirements for the BA or BS degree.
  5. For dance majors, a maximum of 36 credits of DANC may count toward requirements for the BA or BS degree.
  6. University of Oregon academic records are sealed thirty days after the official conferral date of a degree. After this date, changes to majors and minors, addition of departmental honors, removal of incompletes, grade changes, or other changes to an academic record cannot be made.
  7. When the University awards credits for Advanced Placement Program (AP), International Baccalaureate Program (IB), Cambridge Examination Program, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and credit by examination (course challenge), these credits are counted toward the satisfaction of bachelor’s degree requirements--except residency and the 45 UO credits graded A,B,C,D. When the university grants credit for AP, IB, Cambridge, and CLEP examinations, pass (P*) credit is granted. 
  8. For limitations related to repeated courses please refer to UO Policy on Repeatable and Non-repeatable Undergraduate Courses. 
  9. Students may not receive credit for any course assessed as having substantially similar content as a course for which they have already received credit. 
  10. Students may not receive credit for courses beneath their assessed competency level. Competency level can be assessed by various means such as placement scores, faculty/departmental assessment, etc. 
  11. Student may not receive credit for courses that are designated by the department as regressive prerequisites for courses in which they are currently enrolled or have already received credit. 
  12. Students must have degree-seeking status in order to earn an undergraduate major, minor or certificate; undergraduate majors, minors and certificates must be completed at the time the degree is awarded.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

A student who has been awarded a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may earn an additional bachelor’s degree at the University of Oregon. The student must satisfactorily complete all departmental, school, or college requirements for the second degree. Of these requirements, the following must be completed after the prior degree has been awarded:

  1. The student must complete an additional 36 credits at the university as a formally admitted student if the prior bachelor’s degree was awarded by the University of Oregon, or an additional 45 credits at the university if the prior bachelor’s degree was awarded by another institution
  2. A minimum cumulative UO GPA of 2.00 in courses taken for the second bachelor’s degree is required for the second bachelor’s degree
  3. A minimum of 18 credits must be graded A, B, C, D if the prior bachelor’s degree was earned at the University of Oregon, or 23 credits if at another institution
  4. At least 27 credits from coursework within the major must be completed after the conferral of the most recent bachelor’s degree
  5. The bachelor of arts degree requires proficiency in a second language. Students whose native language is not English may satisfy this requirement by providing a final official high school transcript to the Office of the Registrar as evidence of formal training in the native language and satisfactorily completing Composition I (WR 121Z) and either Composition II (WR 122Z) or College Composition III (WR 123). The bachelor of science degree requires proficiency in mathematics and/or computer science

Bachelor’s Degree with Honors

Information about Latin honors and academic honors is listed in the Academic Honors section of this catalog. Fellowship and scholarship information is in the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and departmental sections of this catalog.

Oregon Transfer Module

The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) provides a one-year curriculum for students who plan to transfer to a state of Oregon community college or another Oregon public university. The module allows students to complete one year of general-education foundation coursework that is academically sound and readily transferable within Oregon. Although the OTM is not a certificate or degree, it documents that students have met a subset of common general-education requirements at all Oregon two- and four-year public institutions of higher education.

Any student holding an Oregon Transfer Module that conforms to the guidelines will have met the requirements for the Transfer Module at any Oregon community college or Oregon public university.  Upon transfer, the receiving institution may specify additional coursework that is required for a major, degree requirement, or to make up the difference between the Transfer Module and the institution’s total general-education requirements.

Application for an Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduates who plan to receive a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon must submit an application through DuckWeb, the university's online information system, by the fourth Sunday of the anticipated term of graduation.

The Office of the Registrar encourages students to apply to graduate the term preceding their graduation term. This allows students to plan or change their final term’s course schedule to ensure completion of all requirements.

Students who have been academically disqualified must petition for reinstatement to the Scholastic Review Committee to graduate. Students who are out of status due to suspension or expulsion cannot be awarded a degree until they are officially back in status with the university.

All grade changes, removals of incompletes, UO study abroad course work, and transfer work necessary for completion of degree requirements must be on file in the Office of the Registrar by the Friday following the end of the term of graduation. Academic records are sealed thirty days after the conferral of a degree; no changes to the record will be made following that date.

Students who do not apply to graduate will not receive retroactive degrees even if degree requirements were completed at an earlier date.

Applications for graduate degrees are available from the Division of Graduate Studies.