{"id":2690,"date":"2024-11-29T09:51:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-29T17:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2690"},"modified":"2025-11-03T12:40:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T20:40:52","slug":"semiconductor-microcredentials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/semiconductor-microcredentials\/","title":{"rendered":"New semiconductor microcredentials enable employee development"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<div class=\"editor-note\"><strong>Editor&#8217;s note:<\/strong> This article was originally published by Oregon State&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/engineering.oregonstate.edu\/all-stories\/new-semiconductor-microcredentials-enable-employee-development\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College of Engineering<\/a> in the Semi @ Oregon State newsletter on Nov. 18, 2024.<\/div>\r\n<p>For anyone working in the semiconductor industry in Oregon, it is no surprise that a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.oregon.gov\/highered\/strategy-research\/Documents\/Reports\/Semiconductor_Talent_Assessment_Jan2024.pdf\">recent report<\/a>\u00a0estimated a need for a 24% increase in semiconductor-related credentials. Meeting those needs is a focus for the State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, which requested the assessment. It is part of the State\u2019s broader efforts to reinvigorate the semiconductor industry supported by the federal CHIPS and Science Act and Oregon\u2019s CHIPS Act.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Oregon State University is a key player in expanding semiconductor educational opportunities, grounded in a long history of producing top engineers working in the semiconductor industry. One effort is making several\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/details\/\">microcredentials<\/a>\u00a0available to anyone who meets the prerequisites. There are two purposes for the microcredentials:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Quick upskilling for people working in industry.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Semiconductor credentials for current Oregon State undergraduates.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWhat we\u2019ve heard from our industry partners is that they want their current employees to upskill, and having these smaller credentials seemed more attainable for someone who has a job,\u201d said\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/engineering.oregonstate.edu\/people\/robert-stone\">Rob Stone<\/a>, executive director of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/impactstudio.oregonstate.edu\/\">Impact Studio<\/a>\u00a0at Oregon State. The Impact Studio supports rapid development of new educational initiatives.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-semiconductor-microcredentials-currently-offered\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Semiconductor microcredentials currently offered<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The semiconductor microcredentials require completing three to four classes totaling 10-13 credits. Upon completion, students receive a digital badge they can share with their employers. The College of Engineering, with Ecampus, is currently offering:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-process-engineering-analysis-nbsp-13-credits\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/process-engineering-analysis\/\">Process engineering analysis<\/a>\u00a0(13 credits)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Students learn how to apply the laws of thermodynamics to maximize energy efficiency across the semiconductor fabrication workflow, and how to construct sophisticated models for analyzing fluid flow patterns and heat and mass transfer behavior within the intricate network of chemical processes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-process-engineering-fundamentals-nbsp-10-credits\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/process-engineering-fundamentals\/\">Process engineering fundamentals<\/a>\u00a0(10 credits)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This set of courses cover critical engineering principles like mass and energy balances, thermochemistry and statistical analysis of process data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-programming-fundamentals-nbsp-11-12-credits\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/programming-fundamentals\/\">Programming fundamentals<\/a>\u00a0(11-12 credits)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>These courses offer the vital, fundamental skills to learn a new programming language or set of tools that would be required for an entry-level programming job.<\/p>\r\n<h3 id=\"h-semiconductor-production-process-planning-12-credits\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/semiconductor-production-process-planning\/\">Semiconductor production process planning<\/a> (12 credits)<\/h3>\r\n<p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p>In this microcredential, you&#8217;ll develop the skills to effectively manage semiconductor production operations and learn about process control systems.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"h-semiconductor-microcredentials-coming-soon\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Semiconductor microcredentials coming soon<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The microcredentials program will soon include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-semiconductor-facilities-design-and-management-11-credits\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Semiconductor\u202ffacilities design and management (11 credits)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This\u00a0offering will begin in spring term of 2026. Students will learn to design and manage facilities and work systems in support of semiconductor device manufacturing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 id=\"h-other-microcredentials-in-development\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other microcredentials in development<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>Semiconductor\u202fdevices<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Semiconductor\u202ffabrication<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Applied data science<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe are working with our industry partners to make sure the offerings fit with their needs,\u201d Stone said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Marcus Turner, B.S. computer science \u201994, of Amalgamation LLC, has been involved in the effort to steer the curriculum for the upcoming Applied Data Science microcredential.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cWe need more focus on the needs of the semiconductor industry to enable our industry partners to hire highly capable engineers in software engineering, computer science, manufacturing engineering, and data science,\u201d Turner said. \u201cFor every integrated circuit design engineer, there&#8217;s at least 30 other software related engineering roles within the semiconductor industry.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Microcredential offerings are rapidly growing at Oregon State. The first offerings were in the Winter of 2022 and now there are over 50 on a variety of topics. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/educationalventures.oregonstate.edu\/workforce\/semiconductor\/\">semiconductor offerings<\/a>\u00a0were spearheaded by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/educationalventures.oregonstate.edu\/\">Division of Educational Ventures<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/\">Ecampus<\/a>\u00a0as a way to quickly launch programming that could address the growing upskilling needs of companies. As part of the semiconductor microcredentials, the College of Business offers\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/professional-readiness\/\">Professional Readiness<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/microcredentials\/supply-chain-management-fundamentals\/\">Supply Chain Management Fundamentals<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Innovation will be necessary for the more lab-oriented coursework in the upcoming microcredentials. Course development of those is supported by experts in online learning through Oregon State\u2019s top-ranked Ecampus program.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>\u201cPeople might scratch their heads a little bit wondering, \u2018How are you going to provide a quality lab experience online?\u2019\u201d said\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/engineering.oregonstate.edu\/people\/tom-weller\">Tom Weller<\/a>, head of the School of Electrical Engineering. \u201cWe recognize it&#8217;s a challenge, but the university has examples of excellent online lab courses, like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/online-degrees\/undergraduate\/online-chemistry-lab-course\/labs.htm\">chemistry<\/a>. We are leveraging that know-how and our experience teaching lab courses during COVID shutdowns to develop high-quality educational experiences.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Contact the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at <a href=\"mailto:eecs@oregonstate.edu\">eecs@oregonstate.edu<\/a> for more details about participating in semiconductor workforce development.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/engineering.oregonstate.edu\/EECS\/semi-oregon-state\/subscribe-semi-oregon-state\">Subscribe to Semi @ Oregon State<\/a><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minute read<\/span><\/span>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was originally published by Oregon State&#8217;s College of Engineering in the Semi @ Oregon State newsletter on Nov. 18, 2024. For anyone working in the semiconductor industry in Oregon, it is no surprise that a\u00a0recent report\u00a0estimated a need for a 24% increase in semiconductor-related credentials. Meeting those needs is a focus <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/semiconductor-microcredentials\/\" class=\"more-link\">&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  New semiconductor microcredentials enable employee development<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":2691,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,702],"tags":[664,696],"class_list":["post-2690","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-educational-ventures","tag-featured-division-of-educational-ventures","tag-semiconductor"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/stock-cleanroom.jpeg?fit=5120%2C2880&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-Ho","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2811,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/techlandia-podcast-semiconductor-revolution-osu\/","url_meta":{"origin":2690,"position":0},"title":"\u2018Techlandia\u2019 podcast: Bridging academia and industry \u2014 The semiconductor revolution at Oregon State","author":"Oregon State University","date":"June 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon is rising fast as a national leader in the semiconductor industry \u2014 and Oregon State University is at the forefront of that momentum. On a new episode of the \u201cTechlandia\u201d podcast, Tom Weller \u2014 the head of OSU's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science \u2014 shares how the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A close-up of colorful semiconductor wafers with intricate circuit patterns used in microchip manufacturing.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/seminconductor-800X450.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2873,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/vets-up-semiconductor-training\/","url_meta":{"origin":2690,"position":1},"title":"Veterans gain hands-on experience through OSU, Analog Devices semiconductor training program","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"October 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"In a semiconductor training facility, Garret Lacy leaned over a circuit board, experimenting with unfamiliar parts and piecing together a design of his own making. He and the others in his cohort were told only the basics: create a circuit. And that was the point \u2014 to let curiosity drive\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"An Oregon State University student works with a soldering iron and magnifying glass in a training facility at Analog Devices Inc. Two other students lean over and look on.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/VETS-UP-Analog-Devices-873-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/VETS-UP-Analog-Devices-873-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/VETS-UP-Analog-Devices-873-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/VETS-UP-Analog-Devices-873-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2958,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/online-chemical-engineering-degree-careers\/","url_meta":{"origin":2690,"position":2},"title":"What can you do with an online chemical engineering degree?","author":"Jean Dion","date":"February 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Chemical engineers work on a wide range of projects \u2014 from designing new systems to improving existing processes \u2014 in industries that touch nearly every aspect of modern life. No matter your interests, there\u2019s a path in chemical engineering where you can make a meaningful impact.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A person in a white lab coat and blue gloves hold test tubes while standing in front of a machine. Another person in a white coat looks at that machine.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/what-can-you-do-with-chemical-engineering-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/what-can-you-do-with-chemical-engineering-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/what-can-you-do-with-chemical-engineering-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/what-can-you-do-with-chemical-engineering-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2727,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/technology-association-oregon-collaboration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2690,"position":3},"title":"Oregon tech professionals gain affordable access to top-ranked online education through OSU collaboration","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"March 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Editor's note: This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site. CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2014 A new collaboration between Oregon State University and the Technology Association of Oregon is expanding access to high-quality online education for an estimated 90,000 employees of TAO member organizations.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A woman stands working inside a server room, positioned between tall black server racks. She is holding and examining a digital tablet.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/TAO-news-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2375,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/samaritan-health-services-osu-collaboration\/","url_meta":{"origin":2690,"position":4},"title":"6,000 Samaritan employees eligible for scholarships to learn online thanks to new Oregon State collaboration","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"October 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University is expanding its relationship with Samaritan Health Services to provide thousands of the regional health system\u2019s employees with more affordable access to academic programs and workforce education opportunities online.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A doctor talks with her patient while pointing out information on a clipboard.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/CEU-Samaritan-1280x550-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C516&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2514,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/oregon-state-university-director-of-alternative-credentials\/","url_meta":{"origin":2690,"position":5},"title":"Oregon State University hires new director to lead strategic expansion of alternative credentials","author":"Elena Moffet","date":"April 8, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Read a Q&A with Devin Miles, director of alternative credentials in the Division of Educational Ventures, to learn how Oregon State continues to expand access and opportunity for students everywhere.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Alternative Credentials&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Alternative Credentials","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/leadership-and-innovation\/alternative-credentials\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"man looking at laptop","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/alternative-credentials-Kenton-Latham-800x450-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2690","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2690"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2690\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2690"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2690"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2690"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}