Admission and Enrollment Policies

The Independent Study (IS) Office offers two ways in which you may take courses—yearlong open enrollment courses or semester-based courses.


Yearlong Open Enrollment Courses

Admission to the University is not required for enrollment and courses can be started at any time during the year, with 12 months to complete. Enrollment in these undergraduate-level courses does not constitute admission to the University.


Academic credit will not be applicable toward a degree or toward graduation at OSU until you have been formally admitted to the University and have secured the approval of the appropriate academic officer for such credit. Up to one-fourth of the required hours for an OSU degree may be taken through the IS Office.


Semester-Based Courses

Students must be admitted to OSU and enroll through regular campus registration (Sectioning Office) to take these courses. Semester-based courses offered by the IS Office are resident credit and are treated the same as any other on-campus courses insofar as financial aid is concerned. Books and course guides are purchased through the IS Office. Assignments and exams are also coordinated through the IS Office. Courses must be completed within the semester enrolled. Call the IS Office to see what courses are currently offered in this format.


Further information on admission can be obtained by contacting: