What Should I Be Taking at the Community College?

Students begin their college education at a community college for a variety of reasons. Lower tuition cost is a common motive. Smaller class size, as well as convenient times and locations of classes are other reasons. Most lower division (100 and 200 level) courses that are available at the university level can be taken at the community college and transferred to PSU to meet graduation requirements such as lower division major requirements, Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requirements.

If you are undecided about a major or where you want to transfer, consider a transfer degree at your community college. A transfer degree such as the Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) allows you to take courses in several disciplines that satisfy lower division general education requirements and grants junior standing at PSU. The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) is a one-year curriculum that can be taken to satisfy PSU's first year general education courses. While PSU does not require an Associate's degree or OTM in order to be admitted, the requirements of these programs provide an excellent preparation for the academic rigor of university coursework.

If you attend a community college in Oregon or Southwest Washington, the Transfer Course Applicability System link at the left allows you to do an unofficial evaluation of what you may take at your community college towards a degree at PSU by creating a Cross-Referenced Planning Guide. For instructions on how to do this, click here.

Many lower division major requirements can be met at the community college and may also apply towards an Associate's degree. If you have a certain major in mind, you may want to visit that department's website for additional information.