Prebaccalaureate and Duck Link Programs

Working hand in hand with our high school colleagues, the University of Oregon is pleased to provide a special academic opportunity for high school students. The prebaccalaureate (prebac) program allows talented and motivated high school students from any geographic region to enroll in regular UO classes, with no course credit limit. Please note that the UO cannot provide on-campus housing for students in the prebac program.

Students are eligible to be considered for the programs for fall, winter, and spring terms while currently enrolled at a regionally accredited high school. Applications must be submitted to your school or district in time to be received by the UO a minimum of 30 days prior to the intended start term. (Applications must be received fully completed to UO a minimum of 30 days prior to the start of the term.)

Duck Link, a special program within the prebaccalaureate admission status, allows select high school students living in Lane County, Oregon, to enroll in up to eight credits per quarter at a reduced fee rate. To participate in Duck Link in any subject area, a student must have exhausted all high school course work available to them in that subject area. Duck Link students must submit an application for each term they wish to receive funding support. Students can mark more than one term on the application.

Applications for Duck Link and prebac are only good for a maximum of one academic year (fall, winter and spring terms) if the application is completed for more than one term. Students attempting to take Duck Link for subsequent terms must submit a new application.

Participation Requirements

  • Currently attending a regionally accredited or standard high school
  • Demonstrated maturity and self-sufficiency
  • Recommendation of high school official
  • Permission of a parent or guardian

Additional Duck Link Requirements

  • Outstanding academic performance in subject area
  • Exhausted all available course offerings in a particular subject area

Program Details

Students who are accepted into the prebac or Duck Link programs:

  • May enroll in regular UO classes as agreed on by the student’s high school counselor and parent, and, if participating in Duck Link, the school district
  • Receive regular UO credit that becomes part of their UO academic record
  • Are expected to fulfill all course requirements
  • Are required to meet all UO registration and payment deadlines, as specified in the schedule of classes for the terms enrolled

Approved Course Work

Prebaccalaureate

Those courses approved by your high school and parent or guardian. Students will need to work with their high school counselors or individual UO departments to determine the appropriate level of course work.

Duck Link

Participation is limited to a maximum of 8 quarter credits per term. Courses may be selected from the departments listed below, after an academic subject is exhausted at the high school. Students will need to work with their high school counselors or individual UO departments to determine the appropriate level of course work. Students are responsible for the cost of any coursework which has not been approved by the UO Office of Admissions [coursework in non-approved areas, lower-level courses (lower numbered), or taken in terms that were not approved].

  1. Arts and letters: English, foreign languages, humanities
  2. Social sciences: anthropology, economics, ethnic studies, history, international studies, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology
  3. Science: biology, chemistry, environmental studies, geography, geology, mathematics/computer science, physics
  4. Other: as approved by high school and UO Admissions staff

Applications

Applicants should fill out the application by typing in the information, print the completed application, sign the application, and then return it to your high school counselor for approval.

The completed application that has been signed and approved by the high school counselor must be received by the UO at least 30 days prior to the start of the term. Please ensure you are completing the form with enough time to have it received by the UO prior to the deadline.

Costs

Prebaccalaureate

  • Students or their parents are responsible for the cost of tuition and fees that all University of Oregon students pay (except for the heath center fee).
  • Students are eligible for all services, aside from the health center.
  • Students or their parents are responsible for the purchase of course books and materials, as well as transportation to and from the university.

Duck Link Program

  • The UO pays the tuition (instruction fee) for all approved Duck Link students, up to a maximum of 8 credits per quarter.
  • Students or their parents are responsible for the cost of fees (beyond the instruction fee) that all Community Education students pay. 
  • Students with demonstrated financial need may have their fees paid for by the district. See application for more information. Students or their parents are responsible for the purchase of course books and materials, and transportation to and from the university.
  • Students who register for classes at the UO without prior Duck Link authorization, or in unapproved coursework, will be responsible for any and all expenses incurred.
  • For math and second language areas, the lowest approvable course (lowest course number) must be listed on the application. Any courses taken at a lower level (lower course number) will not be approved.

Classes, Dates and Times, Withdrawals 

Duck Link students register for classes the same date as our Community Education Program students. Use the first link above to view academic dates and deadlines. This site also has the withdrawal schedule, refund schedule, and final exam calendars. Before registration, search the class schedule to determine prerequisites. If you are not able to attend or complete a class, make sure you withdraw completely from the course within DuckWeb. 

Registration

  • Students applying for the prebac or Duck Link programs must obtain an application from their high school's designated contact. 
    • Prebac: The student's high school will send the completed application to the University of Oregon Office of Admissions. 
    • Duck Link: The high school will send the student's completed application to the district office for approval. The application will then be forwarded to the UO for processing and must be received by the UO at least 30 days prior to the start of the term.
  • The UO will send a confirmation email to the student. Included in the letter are the student's ID and Personal Access Code (PAC) numbers. Both are necessary to register for classes.
  • To view the classes available, go to Class Schedule.
  • If after registration you find that you are not able to attend or complete a class, please identify yourself as a prebac or Duck Link student to the Office of Academic Advising.

Testing and Placement 

Please contact the University Testing Center after receiving the confirmation email of your application being processed.

  • testing.uoregon.edu 
  • 541-346-3230 (University Testing Center)
  • 541-346-4705 (Department of Mathematics)

For first-time math course registration: Before registering for a math course, contact the Department of Mathematics to confirm you have completed the required prerequisites. If you are informed you need to take a course that is a lower level (course number) than your approved course, contact your high school guidance counselor to ensure your application meets the requirements. The lowest course approvable (lowest course number) must be listed on the application or you will be responsible for the cost.

Advising Assistance

If you need assistance about selecting a course, call the Office of Academic Advising at 541-346-3211 and identify yourself as a Duck Link student.

Register for Classes on DuckWeb 

DuckWeb is the University of Oregon's information system for students and faculty and staff members. It is an interactive web service to help applicants with the admission process and current students to view, update, or print personal student data and registration. As you progress through the admission process, you will be given additional access to DuckWeb services. 

First-Time DuckWeb Users 

You will need a UO ID and personal access code (PAC) to log into DuckWeb. Your confirmation email lists your UO ID and information about your PAC. After logging into DuckWeb, a message will indicate that your PAC has expired. You'll be guided through the process to select a new PAC and activate a security question. The security question makes it possible for you to log back into your account if you forget your PAC. It is important to remember that your PAC is alphanumeric and case sensitive. 

Address and Contact Information 

Duck Link Coordinator
Office of Admissions
1217 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1217
541-346-3201
admissions@uoregon.edu

Public Safety 

As required by federal law, all colleges and universities must provide access to the annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This is known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.