Earn a certificate in engineering for global development

Knowing how to develop and implement solutions that give underserved populations the resources and services they need to improve their quality of life is increasingly vital.

As a student in Oregon State University’s online Undergraduate Certificate in Humanitarian Engineering, you will equip yourself with the knowledge to make a genuine, lasting impact on the people who need it most, both locally and globally.

This program, offered online by Oregon State’s College of Engineering, uses a proactive approach to cultivating science- and engineering-based solutions that provide access to basic human needs, enhance life quality and advance the level of community resilience.

Not only will you develop technical engineering skills, but you will also learn how to analyze the related social, environmental and economic contexts to help underserved populations gain safe access to resources such as clean water and clean energy.

Pick from three tracks to align your studies with your interests

The 27-credit humanitarian engineering undergraduate certificate features three optional tracks. You can select elective credits from one track or mix and match from two or all three:

• Sustainability
• Project management
• Public health

Coursework

Through a collection of rigorous and practical online courses, you’ll develop professional skills in innovation and social entrepreneurship for local and global development while gaining professional practice in a globally connected economy.

The courses emphasize learning related to systems thinking, co-design, cross-cultural communication and community engagement. Certificate requirements and curriculum details are available on Oregon State’s academic catalog.

Sample course topics

• Innovation for social impact
• Humanitarian engineering, science and technology
• System dynamics modeling
• Engineering for global health solutions
• Anthropology of international development
• Sustainability for the common good
• Families and poverty
• Team and organizational leadership

Additional program features

Experiential learning

You will be required to engage in an experiential learning opportunity of at least 2 credits. As an example, you could set up a project with an organization in your community or work on a project-based capstone project with your fellow engineering students.

Benefits of learning online with Oregon State

• All classes are developed by OSU's world-class faculty, who are renowned for their research, expertise and innovation.
• Oregon State is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• Oregon State Ecampus is consistently ranked among the nation’s 10 best providers of online education according to U.S. News & World Report.
• OSU Ecampus students receive the same transcript-visible certificate as on-campus students.

NOTE: The U.S. Department of Education has approved this certificate for federal financial aid eligibility as part of a full degree program, but not as an independent certificate program. Alternate funding sources (e.g., loans, private funds) may be required to cover the costs associated with this program.