Online College Courses in Oregon (OR)

Oregon is home to seven public universities, which comprise the Oregon University System, including the flagship University of Oregon in Eugene and the flagship research university Oregon State University; 17 community colleges; and many private institutions of higher education. The state's oldest college is Willamette University, founded in Salem in 1842, also making it the oldest university in the Western United States. Salem is also home to one of the nation's largest Roman Catholic seminaries – Mount Angel Seminary. Many of these institutions also offer online college courses in Oregon, making the state's education options available to students anywhere in the world.

Portland. Portland is Oregon's most-populous city, and one of the nation's greenest, thanks to its well-planned transit system and walkability. It is also home to many of the state's colleges and universities, many of which provide online college courses in Portland – and beyond.

• Carrington College – Portland. The only Oregon location for the private, for-profit Carrington College, this two-year institution awards one but less than two years certificates and associate degrees. Courses prepare students for entry-level into the health-care industry. Several programs, including accounting, business, and criminal justice, are also offered online through Carrington College.
• Concordia University – Portland. This private, Christian, liberal arts university offers an intimate experience – it has about 2,100 students studying 19 undergraduate majors, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1. Students can earn associate, bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as postbaccalaureate certificates. Through the school's Online Learning Center, students can also earn a master's degree in education.
• DeVry University – Oregon. One of 90 locations for the for-profit, four-year institution, the Portland location is the only Oregon site for DeVry. Students can earn associate, bachelor's, or master's degrees through the school, which offers courses on campus, online, or a mix of both.
• Everest College – Portland. Career training is the name of the game at this private for-profit, which awards certificates in less than two years, and associate degrees. Programs include accounting, business, medical assistant, and pharmacy technician. For students looking for a more flexible option, distance learning is also available through Everest in associate, bachelor's and master's programs.
• Heald College – Portland. One of the newer campuses to the Heald College family, operating since 1996, the business-career college offers programs in health care, business, legal, and technology. The school also caters to nontraditional students, offering evening and weekend classes as well as distance learning opportunities for select courses.
• ITT Technical Institute – Portland. As the name implies, this institution offers technology-oriented programs. Students can earn a career-focused degree, with associate and bachelor's degrees offered, at the campus or, for some, online through the ITT Technical Institute based in Indianapolis, Ind.
• Linfield College – Nursing & Health Sciences. This four-year, private school awards bachelor's degrees to those students interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences, such as nursing, physical therapy, or health-care administration. The curriculum combines liberal arts and sciences, with internships and clinical experience also a major component of the education. Through Linfield's Adult Degree program, students can also earn select degrees in accounting, management, marketing, social sciences, nursing, and international business online.
• Multnomah University. As a bible college and biblical sanctuary, Multnomah's studies focus on the teachings of Christ. At the undergraduate level, all students major in bible and theology, while its graduate studies prepare students for ministry. Through Multnomah Connect, students in earn master's degrees via web-based courses and Portland-based intensive courses. A graduate certificate in Bible is also available via the web through the seminary's distributed learning program.
• Oregon Health & Science University. An affiliate of the Oregon Institute of Technology, this public institution features a medical, dental, and nursing school in Portland, as well as a science and engineering school in Hillsboro. It is Oregon's only health and research university, award bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees, with select degrees also available through distance learning.
• Portland Community College. Oregon's largest community college, serving more than one million residents in a five-county area, the two-year public institution awards certificates less than two years and associate degrees. Through its community education program, the college also offers one of the largest non-credit life-long learning programs in the country. Students also have the opportunity for online learning through the college's Distance Education program, which delivers classes via the web, TV, or interactive video.
• Portland State University. With three regional universities totaling some 30,000 students, this public school has the largest enrollment among Oregon's institutions of higher education. Students can choose from more than 220 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as graduate certificates and continuing education programs. The university's School of Extended Studies also offers professional development courses, certificates, and degree-completion through distance education, with programs offered in the classroom, online, or a blended format.
• The Art Institute of Portland. Students with interests in design, media arts, fashion, and the culinary arts converge at this private for-profit, which awards certificates, associate, and bachelor's degrees. The liberal arts education also has a professional focus, preparing students for entry-level positions in design fields. For students that favor a more flexible schedule, the institute offers an online course option, where participants can take select online courses alongside courses offered on campus.
• University of Western States. This four-year private institution is a leader in health sciences education. Its roots lie in the chiropractic field, awarding a doctor of chiropractic as well as offering a chiropractic assistant program, though students can also study massage therapy, sports science, and radiology. The school also continually adds online courses through its continuing education program.
• Western Seminary. This evangelical , trans-denominational seminary prepares students for a life teaching the gospel. It awards master's degrees in divinity, counseling, intercultural studies, leadership, and theology, as well as doctorates in ministry and missiology. Its distance education program also provide learning opportunities for nontraditional students to earn certificates, diplomas, and master's degrees, utilizing DVD, audio and other media.

Salem. An hour outside of Portland, you'll find Salem, the capital of Oregon and the state's third most-populous city. Points of attraction in the city include the Oregon State Capitol, Willson Park, the Mission Mill Museum, and the Martha Springer Botanical Garden and Rose Garden at Willamette University.

• Chemeketa Community College. This community college serves more than 63,000 students across multiple campuses and counties. The school offers associate degrees in more than 40 professional and technical programs, including nursing, fire science, electronics, and viticulture. Its Eola Viticulture Center, which features a functioning vineyard, was the first of its kind in Oregon. For those students interested in distance learning, Chemeketa offers a number of courses and degrees online through its eLearn system and Blackboard.
• Corban University. A private Christian school, Corban offers more than 50 majors in professional, liberal arts, and ministry studies, traditional and adult degree completion programs, and graduate degrees in education, business, ministry, and counseling. For 10 years running, it has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best colleges, recently ranking fifth in the best colleges in the West for 2012. For more than 15, Corban has also offered online learning opportunities, with more than half of its adult and graduate degree programs currently offered entirely online.
• Institute of Technology – Salem. Formerly Valley Medical College, this private for-profit provides career training careers as a medical assistant, medical receptionist, and practical nursing. Students can earn a certificate in less than two years in the area of their choice, with flexible class schedules and courses that emphasize hands-on training. The Institute of Technology also offers online programs in a number of areas.

Eugene. Eugene is the second-most populous city in Oregon. It's known by several nicknames, including the "Emerald City," thanks to its natural beauty, and "Track Town, USA," because it has hosted the U.S. Olympic track and field trials more times than any other city.

• Lane Community College. More than 36,000 students are enrolled at Lane, which, in addition to offering courses towards a certificate or associate's degree, provides opportunities to upgrade skills and for professional development. Instructional programs offered include GED programs and customized training for local businesses. Online classes are also available through its distance learning program, LaneOnline.
• New Hope Christian College. New Hope is a private, four-year Christian school, as the name implies. Its mission is to equip students for "Spirit-empowered leadership and ministry." That mission is expanded beyond the campus through the school's distance learning program, which utilizes live web-streaming technology for many courses, as well as traditional, text-only formats.
• Northwest Christian University. Northwest's teachings are grounded in the Christian faith, with popular areas of study including education, psychology and business administration. It's campus is small – a little more than 600 students enrolled, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 – though it has a greater reach through its distance learning program, which offers credit for life experience, flexible schedules, and small class sizes.
• University of Oregon. The flagship of the Oregon University System, this liberal arts institution offers nearly 300 academic programs and more than 25 research centers and institutes. Students interested in online learning can take advantage of a number of academic programs, including a master 's degree in Applied Information Management, as well as a variety of undergraduate courses, through the university's distance education program.