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Online Master’s Degree Programs in Oregon

Oregon residents who are interested in pursuing graduate studies at the master’s level may want to explore the many options for earning a master’s degree online. Online master’s programs represent a more convenient and flexible alternative to traditional, campus-based programs, allowing students who would prefer not to relocate or commute to a college campus to receive master’s training and instruction via distance learning technologies.

There are schools in Oregon that have online master’s programs in many common fields, including business, computer science, counseling, education, engineering, and social work. In addition, there are numerous out-of-state colleges and universities that accept applicants from Oregon into master’s programs offered online in these and other fields. This page provides details on schools located in Oregon and in neighboring and regional states that offer online master’s programs in areas of study that are commonly pursued by students in Oregon, based on an analysis of data collected by the US Department of Education for its Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data System (IPEDS).

Schools in Oregon That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission administers seven public universities, as well as 17 community colleges and a Health & Science University center located in Portland. Among Oregon’s larger public universities are Oregon State University in Corvallis, Portland State University in Portland, and the University of Oregon in Eugene.

All of Oregon’s publicly funded universities offer online degree programs, and many have online master’s programs in one or more fields. This includes Oregon State University, which offers online degree programs through its Ecampus initiative, and Portland State University, which offers programs through PSU Online. Each of the state’s public universities is listed on the table below, from largest to smallest, based on IPEDS enrollment data. The location of each school’s main campus is also included on the table along with whether or not the school offers online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
Oregon State University (OSU)	Corvallis	Yes
Portland State University (PSU)	Portland	Yes
University of Oregon	Eugene	Yes
Southern Oregon University	Ashland	Yes
Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech)	Klamath Falls	Yes
Western Oregon University (WOU)	Monmouth	Yes
Eastern Oregon University (EOU)	La Grande	Yes

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission in Oregon lists more than 20 non-profit degree-granting institutions among the private colleges and universities located in the state. Some of these schools are active in offering online degree programs, including online master’s program. The ten largest private, non-profit schools in Oregon are listed on the table below along with their location and whether or not they offer online degree programs.

School	Location	Online Degree Programs
University of Portland	Portland	No
George Fox University	Newburg	Yes
Pacific University	Forest Grove	Yes
Lewis & Clark College	Portland	Yes
Corban University	Salem	Yes
Willamette University	Salem	No
Linfield College-McMinnville Campus	McMinnville	Yes
Warner Pacific University	Portland	Yes
Reed College	Portland	No
Bushnell University	Eugene	Yes

Out-of-State Schools That Offer Online Master’s Programs

Oregon is bordered by Washington to the north, California and Nevada to the south, and Idaho to the east. While Oregon residents may be eligible for admission to online master’s programs offered by schools throughout the country, there are a number of public and private universities in these neighboring states that have online master’s programs Oregon residents may want to explore.

The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles is one of the larger private, non-profit research institutions in the region. USC offers online master’s programs in a broad range of graduate fields through several of its schools and departments, including programs in business, communication, computer science, dentistry, education, engineering, healthcare, law, psychology, and social work.

The publicly funded California State University (CSU) system has 23 campuses throughout California, including campuses in Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Many of the schools in the CSU system have online degree programs, most of which are offered in tandem with Cal State Online. Among the programs offered by schools in the CSU system in partnership with Cal State Online are online master’s programs in accounting, business, engineering, and information technology.

In the state of Washington, there are two schools offering online master’s programs that accept students from Oregon. Washington State University, a public research university located in Pullman, offers online programs through WSU Global Campus. Among WSU Global Campus’s graduate programs are online master’s program in agriculture, business, communication, bioscience, and engineering. And Gonzaga University, a private, non-profit school in Spokane, has online master’s programs in communication, education, engineering, nursing, organizational leadership, sport administration, and theology

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) offers online master’s programs in business administration, justice management, literacy studies, public health, and social work. And Idaho State University (ISU) in Pocatello offers online programs through eISU, including master’s programs in business, education, health education, history, nursing, and public health.

The 15 Most Common Areas for Master’s Degree Studies in Oregon

Through an analysis of IPEDS graduation data, OnlineEducation.com has identified the top 15 areas of study at the master’s level for students at schools located in Oregon. These areas of study are:

Curriculum and Instruction
Business Administration and Management
Education
Educational Leadership and Administration
Teacher Education
Special Education and Teaching, General
Social Work
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Elementary Education and Teaching
Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist
Teacher Education and Professional Development
Computer Science
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Special Education and Teaching, Other

It should be noted that IPEDS classifications do not align precisely with the specific names of actual online master’s programs. However, an analysis of the IPEDS data does provide a representative overview of the general areas of study that are most commonly pursued by master’s students in Oregon. The sections below provide details about online programs offered by Oregon schools in many of these fields, as well as information on some of the regional schools that also offer online master’s programs in these fields.

Online Master’s in Elementary and Secondary School Education and Teaching Programs in Oregon

Oregon State University (OSU) and Portland State University (PSU) are two of the publicly funded schools in Oregon that offer online master’s programs for elementary and secondary teachers. OSU’s College of Education offers a two-year Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program in conjunction with two Portland-area school districts. The program provides most of its didactic coursework online and requires students to co-teach twice per week during the first year of classes and daily during the second year. The program is designed to prepare students to become licensed elementary school teachers in Oregon.

PSU has an online Master of Arts/Master of Science (MA/MS) in Curriculum & Instruction program for teachers who are already licensed or are not seeking licensure. The primary difference between the MA and MS option is that the MA track requires students to pass a foreign language exam and the MS program does not.

Southern Oregon University (SOU), Western Oregon University (WOU), and Eastern Oregon University (EOU) are three additional public universities in Oregon that offer online master’s programs that may be of interest to elementary and secondary teachers. SOU has an online Master of Science in Education (MSE) with a Concentration in Early Childhood Education program, as well as an online MSE in STEM Education program. WOU offers an online MAT Initial Licensure program for those interested in teaching at the middle and high school levels. The program’s requirements include in-person classroom teaching experiences. WOU also offers an online MSE program with a general P-12 teaching curriculum and an Information Technology specialization. And EOU has an online MAT program with tracks for Elementary-Multiple Subjects and Secondary-Single Subject licensure, as well as an MSE program with a Literacy track, a Curriculum & Instruction in Elementary and Secondary Education track, and an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) track.

George Fox University and Warner Pacific University are two private schools in Oregon that offer online master’s programs in teaching and education. George Fox University has an online MEd program with specializations in Educational Leadership, ESOL, Special Education, and Reading for elementary and secondary school teachers. Warner Pacific University has a similar online MEd program with specializations in ESOL, Reading Interventionist, and Special Education.

Elementary and secondary school teachers and educators in Oregon may want to explore several online master’s programs offered by the University of Southern California (USC). Among the online graduate programs offered by USC are an online MEd in Learning Design and Technology program; an online MAT in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program; and an online MAT program for secondary school teachers with tracks in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In addition, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) offers an online MEd in Reading Curriculum and Instruction program and an online MS in Equity and Diversity in Education program. And California’s Loyola Marymount University has an online MA in Literacy Instruction for Urban Environments program.

Note: Online master’s programs in elementary and secondary education programs, particularly programs that prepare students to become licensed, may require student teaching placements at approved schools. Oregon residents who are considering an online programs may want to contact a program administrator regarding student teaching requirements prior to submitting applications to programs offered by out-of-state schools. Oregon residents should also be aware that licensing requirements for elementary and secondary school teachers vary by state. As a result, online programs offered by out-of-state schools may not be designed to prepare graduates for licensing in Oregon. Students should review licensing requirements and speak with an admissions advisor to determine whether or not a program offered by an out-of-state school aligns with eligibility requirements for licensing in Oregon prior to applying.

Online Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) Programs in Oregon

There are four in-state options for earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree online. Oregon State University (OSU) offers an online MBA program with tracks in: Business Analytics; Marketing; Organizational Leadership; and Supply Chain and Logistics Management. Portland State University (PSU) offers a Healthcare MBA program in conjunction with Oregon Health & Science University that is mostly online but that requires students to attend some campus-based sessions. Southern Oregon University (SOU) has an online MBA program with a general business administration curriculum, as well as online MBA programs with specializations in: Accounting; Business Analytics; Marketing, Finance; and Healthcare Administration. Finally, Eastern Oregon University (EOU) offers an MBA program that can be completed online or through a mix of campus-based and online courses..

Oregon residents who are interested in out-of-state schools that offer online MBA programs may want to explore the programs offered by Washington State University, the University of Southern California (USC), and California State University Long Beach (Cal State Long Beach). Washington State’s online MBA program has four specializations: Marketing; Finance; International Business; and Hospitality Business Management. Washington State also offers an online Executive MBA (EMBA) program that requires applicants to have a minimum of five years of professional experience in management and that features an optional international field study component.

USC’s Marshall School of Business offers an online MBA program that begins with a one-week on-campus orientation. The program can then be completed entirely online in 21 months. And Cal State Long Beach offers an online MBA programs that can be completed in 21 to 48 months.

Online Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration Programs in Oregon

Educators who are interested in pursuing careers in educational leadership and administration in Oregon may want to explore several online master’s programs offered by Oregon universities. Oregon State University (OSU) offers an online Master of Education (MEd) in Adult and Higher Education program with a curriculum that focuses on the design, implementation, and administration of educational programming for adults and college students. The program can be completed in two years and requires an internship. OSU also offers an online MEd in College Student Services Administration program that does not require an internship but that does require students to complete an applied capstone project.

George Fox University has an MEd program that is offered online with four designated specializations, including Educational Leadership. The Educational Leadership MEd program offered by George Fox is designed to prepare students for administrative roles in elementary and secondary schools. Students who graduate from the MEd in Educational Leadership program and have three years of full-time classroom teaching experience are eligible to apply for an Oregon Principal License.

Gonzaga University and the University of Southern California (USC) are two out-of-state schools that offer online master’s programs in educational leadership and administration. Gonzaga has an online MEd in Educational Leadership program that is designed for working educators. The program requires students to attend one campus-based immersion session. And USC offers an online MEd in Enrollment Management and Policy program that is designed to prepare students for administrative roles at colleges, universities, and private preparatory schools.

Note: Online master’s in educational leadership and administration programs are typically not designed to prepare students for state licensure. However, students who plan to apply for licensure after completing an online master’s in educational leadership program should be aware that licensing requirements for teachers and educators vary by state. Thus, online programs offered by out-of-state schools may or may not meet Oregon’s licensing requirements. In addition, some online program may require students to complete internships at sites approved by the program. Students interested in out-of-state online master’s in teaching and education programs should contact program administrators regarding internship requirements prior to submitting applications.

Online Master’s in Special Education Programs in Oregon

Portland State University (PSU) offers several online master’s in special education programs. PSU has an online Master of Arts/Master of Science (MA/MS) in Inclusive Education and a Curriculum & Instruction program with tracks in: Constructivism in Early Childhood; Infant/Toddler Mental Health; and Early Childhood Special Education. The MA track requires students to pass a foreign language proficiency exam prior to graduating, while the MS track does not. PSU also offers an online MA/MS in Early Intervention Special Education program for those seeking licensure. The program requires students to complete a supervised field experience. PSU also offers a Visually Impaired Learner MS program that is taught online but that requires students to attend an in-person summer session on the PSU campus. The program is designed to prepare students to apply for a state license.

George Fox University is another school in Oregon that offers a master’s in special education program online. The George Fox program is an online Master of Education (MEd) program with a Special Education concentration. And Warner Pacific University offers an online MEd with a Special Education concentration as well.

Washington State University is a regional out-of-state school that offers an online master’s in special education program. The Washington State program is an online MEd in Special Education program with a curriculum designed to prepare students for special education teaching in K-12 classrooms. And Arizona State University (ASU) offers two online programs in special education fields: an online MA in Special Education (Applied Behavior Analysis) program, and an online MA in Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders) program.

Note: Special education licensure for teachers is administered by state boards of education. As a result, licensing requirements vary by state. Oregon residents who are considering online master’s in special education programs offered by out-of-state schools should review state licensing requirements carefully prior to submitting applications. In addition, potential applicants should be aware that some online master’s in special education programs require internships and field experiences at sites approved by the program.

Portland State University (PSU) is currently the only school in Oregon that offers an online Master of Social Work (MSW) program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The PSU program is designed to be completed in three years and offers students a choice between two concentrations: Health Across the Lifespan; and Leadership with Communities and Organizations. Students in the program complete 16 hours per week of in-person field education during the second and third years of the program.

Outside of Oregon, in the neighboring states of California and Nevada, there are two schools that offer online MSW programs that accept out-of-state applicants. The Susan Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California (USC) has a CSWE-accredited online MSW program with three options for specialization: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth, and Families; and Social Change and Innovation. The program has several completion tracks, including a one-year Advanced Standing option for students who hold a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited undergraduate program; a two-year, full-time traditional completion plan; and three- and four-year part-time completion plans. Field education hours for the USC program are typically completed at sites located in a student’s community or region.

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) offers an online MSW program with a curriculum that includes training in clinical and macro practice social work. The program has an Advanced Standing track that can be completed in as few as 15 months, and a traditional track that can be completed in under three years and that requires students to attend a three-day residency at the school’s campus.

Note: Oregon residents who are considering online MSW programs offered by out-of-state schools should consider two important factors: field education placements; and state licensing requirements. Online MSW programs have a field education component, which means that students must complete a certain number of hours of in-person training at program-approved sites. In addition, licensing requirements for clinical social workers vary by state. Thus, it is advisable for Oregon residents who intend to apply for licensure to review Oregon’s licensing requirements prior to submitting applications to out-of-state programs. Potential applicants may also want to contact a program administrator regarding the field placement process.

Online Master’s in Engineering Programs in Oregon

Oregon State University (OSU) and the Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) are the two schools in Oregon that offer online master’s in engineering programs. OSU has an online Master of Engineering (MEng) in Engineering Management program designed for students with a technical background. The program provides training in financial management, project management, and personnel management for engineers. Oregon Tech has a Master of Science (MS) in Engineering program that allows students to choose from among numerous engineering specializations, including an online program specialization in Systems Engineering, and hybrid program specializations in Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems Engineering, Robotics, Optical Engineering, and Power Systems Engineering.

Washington State University and the University of Southern California (USC) are two out-of-state schools in the Oregon region that offer online master’s in engineering programs. Washington State has an online Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Electric Power Engineering program that requires applicants to have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or the equivalent, as well as an online Master of Engineering and Technology Management (METM) program that does not require an undergraduate degree in engineering but that is designed for engineering professionals.

USC offers an array of online master’s in engineering programs, including online MS programs in: Aerospace Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Astronautical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; Medical Device and Diagnostic Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Materials Engineering; Petroleum Engineering; Civil Engineering; Computer Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Operations Research Engineering; and Engineering Management. Most of USC’s online master’s in engineering programs require students to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or a science discipline.

Online Master’s in Nutrition Programs in Oregon

While there are several Oregon schools that offer traditional, campus-based master’s programs in nutrition, currently there are no fully online master’s in nutrition programs offered by schools in the state. However, there are several schools in the region that offer online programs in this field, including The University of Utah and the University of Southern California (USC). The University of Utah program is an online Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology program designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, or a health sciences field.

USC’s program is an online MS in Nutrition, Healthspan, and Longevity program. While the USC program does not require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or dietetics, it does require applicants to provide documentation that they have completed prerequisite undergraduate courses in chemistry, biology, psychology, and nutrition.

Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs in Oregon

There are currently no schools in Oregon that offer an online master’s program in computer science. However, there are two schools in the neighboring state of California that offer computer science master’s programs online. The University of Southern California (USC) has an online Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science program that is offered through its Viterbi School of Engineering. The program is designed for students who have a background in computer science, although a bachelor’s degree in computer science in not a requirement for admissions. The program can be complete in less than two years by full-time students and approximately three years by students who enroll part-time.

Stanford University also offers an MS in Computer Science program with nine designated specializations: Artificial Intelligence; Biocomputation; Computer and Network Security; Human-Computer Interaction; Information Management and Analytics; Real World Computing; Software Theory; Systems; and Theoretical Computer Science. The program is offered by the Stanford School of Engineering through Stanford Online. While the program is designed to be completed entirely online, certain specializations may require students to enroll in courses that hold campus-based classes.

Online Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Programs in Oregon

Currently there are no fully online master’s in marriage and family therapy (MFT) programs offered by schools in Oregon. Residents of Oregon who are interested in earning a master’s in MFT online may want to consider the online programs offered by two universities in the neighboring state of California. Pepperdine University offers an online Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology program with an emphasis in MFT. The program requires students to complete 700 hours of clinical placements, including 505 hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a licensed counselor. And Palo Alto University offers an online MA in Counseling with an MFT specialization. Students in the program must complete 700 hours of supervised clinical experience in order to graduate.

Note: All 50 states require marriage and family therapists and clinical counselors to be licensed in their state of practice. However, licensure requirements vary by state. Oregon residents who are considering online master’s in MFT programs offered by out-of-state schools should review Oregon’s licensing requirements carefully to ensure that a program’s curriculum meets state licensing requirements. Potential applicants should also be aware that online master’s in MFT programs typically require the completion of supervised, in-person clinical hours at an approved site. Oregon residents who are considering programs offered by out-of-state schools may want to contact a program administrator regarding clinical placements prior to submitting applications.

Online Master’s in School Counseling Programs in Oregon

While there are no fully online master’s in school counseling programs offered by schools in Oregon, Oregon State University (OSU) offers a hybrid Master of Counseling program with a School Counseling concentration. The program provides online instruction coupled with on-campus sessions that take place over two weekends each semester. In addition, students are required to complete in-person clinical hours at a site approved by the program. OSU’s online Master of Counseling program also has a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration with requirements that are similar to the school counseling concentration.

Oregon residents who are interested in additional options for earning a master’s degree in school counseling online may want to explore the program offered by the University of North Dakota (UND). The UND program is an online Master of Arts (MA) in Counseling program with a K-12 School Counseling concentration. Students in the program must attend two four-day sessions held on campus during the program’s summer terms and complete a semester-long practicum and internship at an approved school.

Note: Online master’s in school counseling programs require internships and practicums that must be completed in-person at approved sites. In addition, school counselors must be licensed in their state of practice. Oregon residents who are considering online programs offered by out-of-state schools should review Oregon licensing requirements and consider contacting a program administrator with any questions regarding licensing and/or clinical placements.