Frequently asked questions
Coursework
- What classes can I take?
Once you are admitted as an OSU concurrent student, you have all the same options in classes as a regular full-time student. This means that you can enroll in any course you like as long as you meet all required prerequisites for the course.
Keep in mind concurrent classes may have different tuition/fee costs depending on whether it is an on-campus course, an online course, an early university course at a local high school or a course through OSU's Cowboy Concurrent Online program.
Work closely with OSU's concurrent advisor and your high school counselor to help you match the classes you are interested in with the coursework most likely to support your academic goals.
- How many classes may I take?
Concurrent students are allowed to take the equivalent of 19 total credit hours between their high school and college course load each semester, with each high school course counting as 3 credit hours.
It is recommended to work closely with your high school counselor and OSU's concurrent advisor each semester that you are concurrently enrolled.
- Will this count towards my major?
Whether taken on the OSU campus, online, or in the high school setting, all courses are OSU courses and will count fully on your transcript just like any course taken by a full-time OSU student. Not all courses count towards all majors, so your concurrent advisor will discuss the best options for you related to your interests and goals.
- How many classes can I take?
Concurrent students are allowed to take the equivalent of 19 total credit hours between their high school and college course load each semester, with each high school course counting as 3 credit hours. High school seniors get a concurrent tuition waiver on 18 total credit hours, starting the summer before their senior year. It is recommended to work closely with your high school counselor and academic advisor each semester that you are concurrently enrolled.
- Do I have to declare a major?
No, OSU concurrent students will not be assigned a major, but knowing your potential areas of interest (two to three) will help your concurrent advisor provide the best academic advising possible.
Admission
- Who can apply for concurrent enrollment?
If you are currently enrolled in an accredited high school and interested in earning college credit during your junior and/or senior year of high school, you may apply as a concurrent student.
- What are the admission requirements?
Admissions requirements for OSU concurrent students are listed here.
- How do I apply?
Application steps for concurrent students are listed here.
- Is there an application fee?
Yes, there is a $40 application fee to apply to OSU.
Concurrent students are required to apply each semester that they would like to take concurrent classes. The application fee is only paid on the initial application and carries forward for all future concurrent applications.
Additionally, if you apply to OSU as a freshman the application fee is also waived.
OSU accepts application fee waivers from ACT, SAT, and NACAC, and also accepts application fee waivers from students based on demonstrated need. You can find out more information about this at the Concurrent Application Steps.
- When should I apply?
As soon as you know you want to take concurrent coursework through OSU.
Admissions decisions do not happen immediately and you will need to plan time to schedule an advising appointment with OSU's concurrent advisor prior to enrollment.
- If I take classes more than one semester, do I need to reapply?
Yes.
Concurrent students are required to apply each semester that they would like to take concurrent classes. Students cannot enroll for following semesters until they have been admitted and met with the concurrent advisor.
- Is there a difference between the Concurrent Application and Freshman Application?
Yes! They are separate applications and are not interchangeable.
The concurrent application is only valid for one semester at a time, so concurrent students must submit a new concurrent application for each semester they plan to enroll in coursework.
The application for full-time students gathers more information and is required for all students considering full-time enrollment at OSU at any point after high school graduation.
- Do I have to declare a major?
No, OSU concurrent students will not be assigned a major, but knowing your potential areas of interest (two to three) may help your academic advisor provide the best academic advising possible.
Enrollment
- What are the steps prior to enrolling?
- Apply for admission as a concurrent student
- After being admitted, watch for a next steps email which contains links to begin steps 3 & 4.
- Set up your O-key account (you cannot enroll if this is not activated)
- Make advising appointment with OSU's concurrent advisor. During this meeting you will go over course selection, the enrollment process and the Canvas platform for accessing course materials.
- When should I enroll?
Concurrent students may typically begin enrolling for an upcoming semester around the dates listed below. To maximize course options, we would recommend having applied and met with the concurrent advisor earlier rather than later as classes tend to close or fill up.
- Fall classes (enrollment begins mid-April continues till school begins in August)
- Spring classes (enrollment begins mid-November and continues till school begins in January)
- Summer classes (enrollment begins mid-April and continues until school begins in June)
Costs
- High School Seniors
Oklahoma State University offers multiple ways to take concurrent courses, and the price will vary depending on which type of course you choose.
High school seniors who are Oklahoma residents receive a concurrent tuition waiver for up to 18 hours of coursework split evenly between the summer, fall and spring terms of their senior year.
Course fees for classes taught in the high school setting and the CAS Cowboy Concurrent Online courses are waived, so Oklahoma seniors receiving a concurrent tuition waiver may take those classes at NO cost, except for the price of the books and course materials. Juniors, undocumented students and out-of-state students pay a reduced amount from traditional OSU tuition.
Students that choose to take courses on the OSU main campus or an online course not associated with the Cowboy Concurrent online will incur fees, but Oklahoma resident seniors will still receive their tuition waiver (up to 18 hours).
*Course costs on the OSU campus and online can vary depending on the home department of the course; consult with your concurrent advisor regarding the potential costs associated with the course you plan on taking.
- High School Juniors
Oklahoma State University offers multiple ways to take concurrent courses, and the price will vary depending on which type of course you choose.
Oklahoma resident high school juniors can receive a tuition waiver for up to nine credit hours for the 2023-2024 academic year. This offer is available to the first 100 students who enroll for each eligible semester (summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024).
Out-of-state and undocumented students pay a reduced amount from traditional OSU tuition.
Students are responsible for paying all fees (those participating in Cowboy Concurrent Online will pay reduced fee rates), textbook charges and the one-time application fee.
*Course costs on the OSU campus and online can vary depending on the home department of the course; consult with your concurrent advisor regarding the potential costs associated with the course you plan on taking.
- Are the any additional costs associated with concurrent courses?
Instructors are encouraged to use Open Education Resources (OERs) when possible, and implement a variety of assessment methods to ensure our students have minimal additional course costs.
Some courses require textbooks and exam proctoring to maintain quality and academic integrity, which does come at an additional cost to the student. Any additional costs with the course should be posted on the course syllabus and available to students on the first day of class.