Oregon State University Ecampus

One of Oregon State University began offering distance education in the 1880s with farmers institutes and lectures from the caboose of a train.[4] In the following decades, it delivered pioneering programs in Portland, Oregon, and on the Oregon Coast. OSU's first complete distance degree program was offered in liberal studies via correspondence and video in the 1980s. In 1982, liberal studies courses were offered at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon, which paved the way for OSU’s first distance degree program in liberal studies.

In 2002, OSU converted its Distance and Continuing Education program into OSU Ecampus – as the unit exists today – and began building full-fledged online degree programs.[5] Ecampus is now under the leadership of Lisa L. Templeton, who assumed the role of executive director in November 2009. In 2017, she was appointed associate provost of Ecampus.[6]

Oregon State Ecampus partners with more than 1,000 OSU faculty members annually[7] to develop and deliver programs and courses online. All Ecampus classes are developed by the same Oregon State faculty who teach on campus. Oregon State offers more than 1,500 courses online. Working with Ecampus instructional designers to build an online course, OSU faculty use animations, readings, videos, conferences and other interactive materials for students online.[8]

Ecampus delivers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs online,[9] with some hybrid programs that feature face-to-face components. The programs cover an array of disciplines, including natural resources, liberal arts, education and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).[10]

Ecampus serves students in all 50 states and more than 50 countries.[11] OSU's distance learners include full- and part-time students, working and retired professionals, community college students, active-duty and retired military, high school students and lifelong learners.[12]

In the 2019-20 academic year, 26,405 students enrolled in at least one Ecampus course. A total of 10,649 of those students were enrolled exclusively in Ecampus online programs.

A record 1,181 distance students received their diplomas from OSU in June 2019.[13]

U.S. News & World Report recognized Oregon State Ecampus on many of its Best Online Programs lists in 2021.[14]

• No. 4 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs[15]
• No. 2 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs[16]
• No. 3 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs[17]
• No. 3 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans[18]
• No. 16 in Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs[19]
• No. 9 in Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs for Veterans[20]

• Official website
• Lisa Templeton Oral History Interview