The rules for repeating an Oregon State University course (i.e., any OSU course number) are outlined in Academic Regulation 20. Review the information below to learn how this regulation handles standard (non-repeatable for credit) courses and recognized repeatable courses at OSU. Review the Frequently Asked Questions below to learn how repeated transfer courses are handled.

Standard Courses

  • Most OSU courses are standard courses and are not repeatable for credit (i.e., are not listed as ‘repeatable’ in the catalog).
  • When attempting a standard course multiple times at OSU, the second attempt is the attempt that will count toward your earned credit and GPA calculations; colleges or academic units may include subsequent attempts after the second attempt to meet individual course degree requirements.
  • The second attempt counts toward the earned credit count and GPA calculations regardless of the grade(s) earned on other attempts.
  • Courses that maintained the same level and have been updated to Common Course Numbers (Z and HZ) are equivalents to the previous, even if credits have changed.

Recognized Repeatable Courses

  • Recognized repeatable courses are those courses for which you can earn credit multiple times, up to a defined limit stated in the catalog.
  • The limit to attempted credits is listed in the course description. For example, PAC 116 is a 1 credit course that may be taken for credit up to 11 times (11 credits).
  • Once you reach the total allowable attempts or credit maximum for the course (e.g. 11 credits of PAC 116), no further attempts will be included in your earned credit and GPA calculations.
  • Recognized repeatable courses do not split. If you reach the credit maximum while enrolled in a recognized repeatable course, and the enrolled credits exceed the credit limit stated for the course, the entire course will be excluded.

Defined Terms

  • Attempted Credit: credits for which you are enrolled after the published drop deadline and appear on your transcript
  • Earned Credit: credits for which you have earned a passing grade (i.e., P, S, or D- or better)
  • Excluded Course: course completed where the credits and grade points are excluded from earned credit totals and grade point average calculation; these courses will have an “E” in the repeat column on your transcript 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You will see it noted in the Schedule of Classes and in the catalog. See this example below:

Yes, every attempted course taken at OSU will appear on your OSU transcript.

No. This is a risk of repeating a standard (non-repeatable) course. The second attempt is the one that will affect your GPA. Your college or academic unit may, however, include subsequent attempts after the second attempt to meet individual course degree requirements associated with the baccalaureate core/majors/options/minors/certificates/endorsements.

While you can repeat courses that you completed before your degree was awarded, Academic Regulation 20 will not apply. This means that both takes will apply to your GPA. To maximize your efforts at GPA improvement, we recommend repeating courses prior to your degree being awarded. It is best to consult with your academic advisor before making decisions about repeating courses.

Transfer Courses and Repeats

No. You may only receive credit once for a standard (non-repeatable) course. Since you passed the OSU course, the transfer course will be excluded from your earned credit count and from your transfer GPA.

You may only receive credit once for a standard (non-repeatable) course. If you passed the OSU course, the transfer course will be excluded from your earned credit count and from your transfer GPA. If you did not pass the OSU course -- and did pass the transfer course -- you will receive transfer credit for the transfer course. The OSU grade still affects the institution and overall GPA; the transfer course grade will affect the transfer and overall GPA.

If the course is a standard course, OSU will only award transfer credit once and will use the highest grade earned. If the course is a recognized repeatable course, you will receive credit for each course up to the total allowable attempts or credit maximum for the course.

Academic Regulation 25h

Up until Fall 2019, Academic Regulation 25h was enforced via the academic transcript. This meant that any PAC, MUP or ALS credit earned beyond the maximum number of credits that could be applied to a degree was excluded on the transcript. Starting in Fall 2019, this regulation was no longer enforced via the transcript and instead is enforced via MyDegrees. In most cases, credits and grade points excluded, prior to Fall 2019, under this regulation will remain excluded.

Starting in Fall 2019, this regulation was no longer enforced via the transcript and instead is enforced via MyDegrees. In most cases, credits and grade points that were attempted prior to Fall 2019 and that were excluded under this regulation will remain excluded. However, if you repeat a PAC, MUP or ALS course Fall 2019 or later, it is possible for a previously excluded course to become included in your GPA. If this reversal has harmed your GPA, please contact the Office of the Registrar at [email protected].

Common Course Numbers & Repeated Courses

Course numbers that maintained the same level (i.e. lower division/upper division) and were changed via Common Course Numbering (Z) and (HZ for Honors courses) are equivalent to their predecessor numbers, even if their credits have changed. For example, WR 121Z is equivalent to WR 121 and, therefore, follows repeat logic as if they are the same number. For more information: Common Course Numbering at OSU.

As COMM 100Z and WR 122Z will not be taught at OSU, there are no equivalent versions and they will transfer as "LDTZ". WR 327 to WR 227 are not equivalent due to a change in level.

WR 327 to WR 227 are not equivalent due to a change in level but they are mutually exclusive which means students cannot register for WR 227Z if they have previously passed WR 327. 

We have a new mutual exclusion webpage with more information.