Nov. 21, 2024

This paid piece is sponsored by Augustana University.

Online courses in a traditional on-campus setting that prepare students for the future. That’s what Augustana University will offer through a new five-year dual-degree engineering program, set to launch in fall 2025.

In an effort to expand its academic offerings, students in the new dual-degree engineering program at Augustana will receive a unique hybrid learning experience. From day one, students will belong to a cohort that fosters collaboration and teamwork.

“What we learned during the pandemic is students enjoy the campus experience. So what we’re trying to differentiate at Augustana is, yes, it’s an online program, but you’re going to be here on campus; you’re going to be in a cohort,” said Shannan Nelson, Augustana chief financial officer and executive vice president.

As part of the new program, students will take foundational courses at Augustana, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry, physics or mathematics at the university. Students will begin taking online engineering courses in their second year — offered through the University of North Dakota. Taking online classes together, students will have the opportunity to form strong bonds and collaborate on real-world engineering challenges.

“This hybrid model is a real advantage for our students,” Augustana provost Dr. Joel Johnson said. “They get the flexibility of online learning while still being immersed in the vibrant campus life that Augustana is known for. It’s the best of both worlds.”

After the third year of the program, students will take lab courses during the summer in Grand Forks, North Dakota — workshops that offer condensed hands-on learning experiences. They also will get an introduction into the metaverse as part of a virtual learning community — a signature experience of the program.

The online courses, paired with the summer immersion workshops, eventually will allow students who study chemistry to earn a quality ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering or petroleum engineering from UND. Physics majors eventually will be able to do the same in electrical or mechanical engineering, and mathematics majors in civil, electrical or mechanical engineering.

“I went to the University of North Dakota — I got my undergrad and master’s (degrees) there. My dad taught there. I have strong ties with UND and know a lot about the programs, so it seemed like a good fit,” said Dr. Carl Olimb, program director of engineering and associate professor of mathematics. 

The concept of partnering with another university such as UND to stand up an engineering program isn’t new. Building out the labs or infrastructure is costly, and receiving ABET accreditation, which ensures program standards, can take up to 10 years.

“UND has been offering distance education in engineering for about three decades,” Johnson said. “They’ve partnered with a lot of other schools — some of those schools have successfully transitioned into having their own in-house engineering program, which I think is an interest of ours.”

This concept also isn’t new to Augustana. Thanks to partnerships with other universities, Augustana offers other dual-degree engineering options. Currently, students can earn a B.A. in a major of their choice from Augustana and then apply to get their bachelor’s or master’s degrees in engineering from Columbia University in New York City, Washington University in St. Louis or South Dakota State University in Brookings. With these options, students take courses at Augustana for three years and then finish out their degrees in-person at other universities.

“This new program opens up a new market because there are students locally who want to play football or compete in athletics for five years and also get an engineering degree. This opens us up to more students who want to be here at Augie, want a full Augie experience for five years,” Olimb explained.

“Next to nursing and business (administration), when we’re out recruiting, we probably get asked about engineering the most,” Nelson said.

Now, Augustana is poised to attract students from across the region who are eager to make a difference in the world through engineering — prepared to not just work with today’s technologies but to shape the future of engineering.

“We’re offering more than just a degree,” Johnson said. “We’re providing a pathway to a meaningful, impactful career.”

For information on Augustana University’s new engineering program, visit augie.edu/engineering. To explore all options, visit augie.edu/EngineeringPrograms.