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Study Oregon members include both 2-year community colleges and 4-year colleges and universities, as well as intensive English language programs.

Oregon Degrees

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-WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR COLLEGE RESEARCH?-

Understand Oregon’s Relevance

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Learn How Oregon Supports International Students

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Tailor Your Needs and Research Your Oregon School

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Find Out What Natural Landscape is Near You

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Whether you are looking for a small, intimate campus community or prefer a large research university, among the members of Study Oregon you will find a school that matches your needs and inspires you to think in new ways.

Study Oregon member colleges and universities are accredited by regional and national organizations and offer an outstanding array of high-quality programs and unique opportunities for students and professionals.

So, what kind of schools are there in Oregon?

2-Year Oregon Community Colleges…

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are public institutions.
have English as a second language (ESL) programs.
offer Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees.
offer the Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree, which is the equivalent of the first two years of university education. With this degree, students can enter an Oregon public university and complete a Bachelor’s degree in two years.
offer a variety of professional, technical, and vocational certificates.
are a less expensive alternative to 4-year schools.
offer small class sizes.
have qualified and accessible faculty.
may or may not offer on-campus housing.

4-Year Oregon Colleges & Universities…

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can be either public or private institutions.
offer Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees, which usually take 4 to 5 years to complete.
may offer Master’s, Ph.D., post graduate and professional degrees.
typically offer on-campus housing options and developed student life programs, sports teams and recreation programs.
offer major programs including liberal arts, sciences, social sciences, agriculture, law, medicine, and more.
often have English as a second language programs and conditional admission programs through ESL.

Guide to Degrees

An Associate Degree...

This degree is granted upon the completion of a two-year academic program mainly offered at community colleges or two-year institutions. Course work is generally transferable to a four-year institution as partial fulfillment of the bachelor’s degree.
A Bachelor's Degree...

This degree is awarded upon the completion of an undergraduate curriculum that consists of four to five years of course work, involving general and major subject requirements. The degrees are usually known as either “bachelor of arts” or “bachelor of science”.
A Master's Degree...

This advanced degree is granted upon completion of one or two years of course work (following the completion of a bachelor’s degree) and may or may not require research and a written thesis.
A Doctorate's Degree...

This highest degree is awarded after approximately three or more years of course work, and a written dissertation that demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge.
English as a Second Language...

Intensive English language studies that may include TOEFL preparation and other types of academic preparation (e.g., conditional admission, pathways programs, GRE, and GMAT This degree is awarded upon the completion of an undergraduate curriculum that consists of four to five years of course work, involving general and major subject requirements. The degrees are usually known as either “bachelor of arts” or “bachelor of science”.preparation).

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Oregon Values the International Baccalaureate!

The Oregon Board of Education has approved a statewide policy for the awarding of post-secondary credit for International Baccalaureate certificates and diplomas. All of Oregon’s 17 community colleges and 7 public universities recognize both Higher and Standard level certificates, and provide the same amount of transfer credit per subject and level.

Be sure to view the precise IB transfer equivalency information on the Oregon public university and college websites of interest. Many of Oregon’s private colleges and universities also value and reward the International Baccalaureate, so be sure to inquire!

Other Higher Education in Oregon

The Oregon University System (OUS)

The Oregon University System consists of seven high-quality public institutions, enrolling 115,000 students from Oregon, the U.S., and around the world. Dedicated and accomplished faculty, staff and students engage in cutting-edge teaching and research across more than 300 distinct programs, including the arts, sciences, engineering, business and health professions.

Source: Oregon University System Fact Book 2010

Oregon’s Private Colleges and Universities

Oregon’s non-profit private colleges and universities provide world class higher education to nearly one third of the state’s four-year college students. Many young people from around the nation and the world come to Oregon to study at these prestigious schools. This diverse group of colleges and universities includes some of the nation’s top undergraduate liberal arts and sciences institutions. Graduate students can take advantage of excellent programs in areas such as business and law. Other schools provide specialized two- and four-year degree programs and even shorter-term certificate programs in a wide variety of professional and technical areas.

Source: Oregon Independent Colleges Association

Oregon’s Community Colleges

Oregon’s innovative community colleges are key in preparing students to transfer to four-year institutions and receive technical training. Oregon’s community colleges have smaller-sized classes and low tuition rates available to students of all ages from across Oregon and the globe.

Source: Oregon Community College Green Initiative

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Find A School

WHAT ABOUT…

Student Support Services

Study Oregon colleges and universities offer an extensive array of student support services to ensure that students’ college years are successful. In most instances, student services include academic advising, tutoring, visa and immigration advising, career counseling, on-campus housing and dining, health centers, recreational facilities and more.

Safe and Friendly, Inspiring and Eclectic

College is an exciting and important time of life. In addition to student clubs and leadership opportunities, most Study Oregon member campuses provide students with a wide range of extracurricular activities, cultural events, athletics, and internship opportunities, ensuring an environment that is both fun and rewarding. Be sure to explore the student support services, sometimes referred to as Student Affairs, at your schools of interest.

Transfer Credit in Oregon

Oregon’s two-year community colleges and four-year institutions work closely together to enable students to transfer successfully from one type of institution to another. In fact, Oregon has two unique degrees to assist students in transferring between community colleges and universities: The Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) and the Associate of Science/Oregon Transfer Degree in Business (AS/OT-Bus).

These degrees complete the general education requirements and allow students to be admitted as third-year students to any Oregon public university and many private colleges and universities in Oregon or other states. The admission requirements and number of courses that transfer can vary by institution, so it is best to research the requirements of your intended 4-year university well in advance, and meet with your community college advisor to ensure that you are well positioned to continue toward your goal.

To learn more about each Study Oregon member institution’s policies regarding TRANSFER CREDIT, use these quick links: