Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT, OIT, Oregon Tech) Introduction and History

Introduction

The Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) is a technical and professional school that offers practical courses and majors that lead to careers. Its students learn through hands-on experiences, labs, projects, research, and externships that give them excellent and in-depth training in their chosen career paths. Though OIT is traditionally known for its excellent engineering and technology programs, it also has programs in environmental science, business, management, and the health professions.

OIT has many campuses spread through the Northwest. Its original four-year campus is located in Klamath Falls. Site locations in the Portland Metro area are designed specifically for students who begin study at a community college and finish at OIT. There are also two additional campus locations and a distance education program, which lets students earn degrees online.

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Information Summary

Ranks 9th in Oregon and 440th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	87.5
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$24,252
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	26 / 1240
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	14 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	80% / 39%
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,335

History

OIT began when its first classes were staged in a deactivated World War II Marine Corps hospital in 1847. In 1953, the first associate degree programs in surveying and structural engineering technologies were accredited and the institution began awarding degrees to its students. In 1964, the school moved to a new campus on Upper Klamath Lake. Shortly after, it became accredited to award bachelor’s degrees. OIT was granted permission to award master’s degrees in 1989 and the first master’s degree were offered in 1995.

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Academics

OIT is a profession-oriented school that offers practical, experiential courses that lead to successful careers. Its students study in the fields of environmental science, information technology, engineering, management, and health. They participate in hands-on educational experiences that give them the opportunity to apply classroom theory to real-world situations.

Academic programs at OIT are organized into two schools: the School of Engineering, Technology, and Management and the School of Health, Arts, and Sciences. The School of Engineering, Technology, and Management offers degrees in topics ranging from geomatics and civil engineering to operations management and health informatics. Students can also enroll in the 4+1 Master’s Internship Program, which lets students take four years of undergraduate study at OIT and finish with one year of a master’s program at the University of Oregon. 4+1 students will earn a diploma in Master of Science in Applied Physics or Chemistry with the University of Oregon insignia. The School of Health, Arts, and Sciences prepares students for their careers through pre-professional programs in the health sciences, humanities, social sciences, biology, and medicine. Specific routes of study include dental hygiene, echocardiography, respiratory care, applied mathematics, and general health sciences, which is equivalent to a pre-medical program.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Admissions

OIT is a competitive admissions institution, which means that not every student who applies is guaranteed a spot in the program. To apply, students should fill out the online application and submit it along with the application fee. They must also submit an official high school transcript, any other transcripts for colleges or educational experiences attended in the past, and SAT or ACT scores.

In general, students should be aware that the minimum GPA for entry is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students who do not meet this requirement but have a GPA of at least 2.5 may be considered if they have sufficiently high SAT or ACT scores.

Financial Aid

Students seeking financial aid should begin by filling out the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at fafsa.gov. This form determines eligibility for need-based federal aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs. It may also be required as a supplementary material for many third-party loan and scholarship applications.

Students can also apply for a number of OIT-sponsored scholarships. This type of funding is determined based on merit and ability, and frequently other factors as well. Scholarships may be restricted to students in a particular department or students graduating from a specific county. Students are entered into many of these scholarship competitions automatically when they complete their application for OIT. Others must be applied to separately either during the freshman year or during the remainder of a student’s time at the institute.

Beyond the campus, there are thousands of third-party scholarships and awards available to US-based college students. Interested students should visit the OIT Scholarships webpage or conduct their own internet searches to find scholarships that match their interests and abilities. The Scholarships and Financial Aid staff members at OIT will happy to assist any student who is applying to outside scholarships.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4473rd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Oregon.

Students

There are many ways to get involved at OIT. One of the simplest ways to get involved in campus life is to live on campus in one of the residence halls. Students who live on campus are able to meet new people, socialize with friends, eat at college dining halls, and walk to classes and club meetings without going more than a few minutes from their dorm.

Students may also want to get involved through one of the many student clubs and organizations available in topics like martial arts, management, rock climbing, and Airsoft. There are also a number of sports clubs, fitness programs, and recreation activities for more athletically-inclined students. Aspiring radio personalities will enjoy working for the campus radio station, while other technology junkies might want to participate in the Oregon Technical Broadcasting Group. There are also student government and leadership associations for students who want to help affect campus policies. Every student will be able to find a society and a group of people that matches their interests. If you can’t find the right group for you, don’t worry – you can always start a club of your own!

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Additional School Information

OIT offered the first undergraduate program in renewable energy engineering the U.S. It is also on its way to becoming the first geothermal-powered university. OIT students have the chance to get involved in these and other projects through research and field experience, gaining practical training in their chosen fields and preparing for future careers and industry leaders. Additionally, students don’t have to be involved in science or engineering to take part in the campus’ innovative research and construction. Humanities students might assist by creating technical manuals for energy projects, while a geomatics student might analyze a site for use as a geothermic energy source.

Bibliography

Oregon Institute of Technology. 4+1 Master’s Internship. Print.

Oregon Institute of Technology Home. Web. 30 Sept. 2011.

Oregon Institute of Technology