Samantha Diaz earned her psychology degree online through Ecampus while raising her children and moving cross-country for her husband’s military career. “Attending OSU, I had no problems talking to an advisor, which was great.”
Learn what makes Oregon State’s online student experience stand out from the rest
These days, almost every university offers online degrees. When you can attend nearly any school, from anywhere, it can be difficult to know how to choose the best option for you.
One thing you definitely want to consider? The online student experience.
At Oregon State University, we pride ourselves on creating online student experiences that are engaging, collaborative and dynamic. But what do we mean by that, really? And why is it so important?
Read on for six examples of why Oregon State’s online student experience is unmatched from start to finish.
1. You benefit from trusted relationships with advisors
Academic advisors are a cornerstone of support for OSU online learners. Once admitted, you’ll connect with an academic advisor who can help you navigate the ins-and-outs of academia and your degree program, along with key dates and deadlines. They’ll help guide your academic experience, always centering your goals.
Dawn Marie Gaid, an advisor with the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, encourages Ecampus students to get comfortable asking for help.
“Your advisor is here to assist. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to reach out – it is easier to help when an issue is timely, rather than crisis management after the fact,” Gaid says.
Advisors, like Dawn Marie Gaid, play an important role in supporting online students at Oregon State.
2. You have access to supportive success coaches
Personalized support is a key part of Oregon State’s online learning experience, and Ecampus student success coaches are the pros. As an online student, you’ll be able to work one-on-one with a success coach who can help you identify roadblocks, build better study habits and craft custom plans to achieve your academic goals.
And their impact is big: More than 95% of Ecampus students who partner with a success coach report feeling more prepared as online learners.
3. You are part of a vibrant online classroom
There are students from 60+ countries and every state in the U.S. learning online with Oregon State. Many of these students work full time. Some serve in the military. Others care for family members or travel extensively. And many more have deep ties to their local communities.
No matter the why, all Ecampus students have one important thing in common — they are motivated to change their lives, despite any barriers. This makes for classrooms full of active and engaged collaborators, who bring unique perspectives and ideas from all over the world.
Take Orman Morton III, for example, a father of three who transitioned to a career in stream restoration after being laid off from the local steel mill. Or Jami Dennis, who worked for 20 years in data analysis and GIS, but refocused her skills toward conservation and climate change with an online Master of Natural Resources.
4. You can participate in hands-on experiential opportunities
Oregon State’s online courses and programs are developed by experts to meet the highest quality standards. Many of our online offerings are designed to include opportunities for hands-on experiential learning.
Patric Papabathini learned online more than 7,000 miles away from OSU in his native India, and he says Ecampus faculty “made that extra effort to actually give real-world experiences.”
Patric Papabahtini found that an internship was “the best form of learning” when he began one with a nonprofit organization while living in India to augment his bachelor’s degree in business administration. Andrea Fuchs had the opportunity to do field work in her local area for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, where she helped track wildlife for their research as an Oregon State fisheries, wildlife, and conservation sciences student.
5. You’ll be prepared to do the work you love
Whether you’re changing careers, trying to advance or just starting out — one of our primary goals at Ecampus is to prepare you for life outside the classroom. We know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for education, which is why we deliver multiple pathways to prospective students, including online bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, certificate programs and in-demand microcredentials.
When it comes to career connections, each academic department excels in their respective industry, and Oregon State offers virtual career fairs, along with job search support through the Ecampus Career Hub.
Beyond that, our online programs are designed to give you the skills and experience you need to be successful. Whether you’re working for NASA, becoming an environmental analyst or wanting a better job in the same industry — Ecampus graduates consistently prove that learning online with Oregon State makes a difference.
“I felt more credible after receiving my degree from OSU because I’d gained the skills needed to make a difference in the real world.”-Kaitlin Thurman
6. You are a member of an expansive alumni network
Last but not least, when you graduate from Oregon State University, you join a network of over 200,000 alumni. This includes civic leaders like Lacey Beaty, first responders like Bob Horton, regarded musicians like Rebecca Sabine Ramsey and former NFL players like Jacquizz Rodgers — all of whom earned their degrees online.
These are people who make an impact in their communities and in the world, and they maintain a close connection to OSU students and alumni through the many opportunities afforded through the Oregon State University Alumni Association.
If you made it this far, then we only have one last thing to impart: no matter your goal or your circumstances — you’ve got this.
You CAN further your education, gain the skills you need and change your trajectory. Even better? You can receive a best-in-class student experience that sets you up for what’s next.
Connect with our enrollment specialists to learn more about Oregon State’s online offerings and how you can get started.
