Newsroom

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2006-07 academic year proved to be the most successful ever for distance and online education at Oregon State University, as OSU Extended Campus graduated 87 students in June, up from the previous record of 71 in 2005-06. A total of 49 graduated in 2004-05.

Extended Campus, or Ecampus, offers a contemporary way for students of all ages to begin and complete their degree, even without stepping foot on the Corvallis campus. Through the aid of technology, Ecampus offers more than 15 accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees throughout Oregon and beyond the state’s borders, allowing students to complete their degrees through online courses designed to mirror the caliber of scholarship that OSU maintains.

Of the 87 that graduated, the top three degrees were the Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources (20), Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies (18) and the Master of Education in Adult Education (17). Other majors and degrees represented by 2007 graduates included Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (13) and General Agriculture (3), the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (5), the Master of Arts Teaching in Elementary Education (6) and the Master of Education in Education (5).

Scott Reed, vice provost of the Division of Outreach and Engagement, notes that Ecampus offers accessibility to those whose lives do not allow a traditional college experience.

“One key benefit is the flexibility to accomplish educational goals that are simply not available by conventional means for place-bound students,” Reed said.

This was true for 2007 Ecampus graduate Leonard Rice, who needed to complete his bachelor’s degree while working for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

“It enabled me to acquire the classes I needed while still working full-time and raising my family,” Rice said. “Living in a rural area, online learning allows you to work on classes without spending a lot of time and money commuting to classes where you must be at a certain place at a certain time. The flexibility lets you do you work when it is convenient for you.”

Theresa Culbertson, a graduate of the adult education program and an instructor at Portland Community College, is a mother of four who found that through Ecampus, she could complete her degree at her convenience. She plans to refresh her teaching skills for today’s adult learner.

“Spending this time studying, debating, discussing and applying the latest educational methods has made me a better teacher,” Culbertson said. “I was able to reflect on my learning philosophy, discover ways to implement new ideology and be energized in the process.”

For more details about the 2007 cohort of Ecampus graduates, visit http://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/graduation.

Information about Ecampus admission, degrees and programs can be found at ecampus.oregonstate.edu or by calling (800) 667-1465.