OBU to Launch Engineering in Fall 2023 with Three Bachelor’s Degree Options

OBU announces the launch of three new engineering programs beginning with the fall semester of 2023. The degree options will include Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering.  Each of the degree programs will be taught in a context that relates to the aerospace industry but will prepare students for entry into any industry requiring these engineering degrees.

The engineering program will be offered through the Hurley School of Science and Mathematics. Its establishment follows nearly a decade of research, collaboration, and planning by OBU faculty and administrators from the fields of computer science, mathematics, physics and business. Feedback from industry leaders, prospective students, alumni, faculty and external stakeholders confirmed strong interest in this type of programming and recognized how it can benefit Oklahoma’s workforce.

Dr. Larinee Dennis, OBU dean of business, health science and education, said, “OBU’s well-established and rigorous academic programs in math and science provide an excellent foundation for us to add the engineering curriculum requirements. We have reviewed carefully our ability to provide physical space for labs and learning, challenging curriculum content, state-of-the-art equipment, student recruitment strategies, and hiring of a highly qualified program director and engineering faculty adept with knowledge in the aerospace context.”

A major consideration in creating the program was OBU’s desire to help meet Oklahoma’s growing demand for engineers in relation to the aerospace field. The university’s collaboration with Oklahoma industry partners such as Boeing, Kratos, United Dynamics and Tinker Air Force Base confirmed the market’s need for these three engineering degrees, especially in the field of aerospace. The industry partners said that while engineering is in high demand across the United States, the aerospace industry of Oklahoma lacks individuals equipped to fill these positions.

“Currently there is an engineering workforce shortage that could be met by programs like the one OBU plans to generate,” said Geoffrey A. Camp, former state director of Aerospace and Defense for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “At present moment, the state’s three largest aerospace entities–The US Air Force Logistics Complex at Tinker A.F.B., The Boeing Company, and The Northrop Grumman Corporation–have a combined engineer demand that is greater than what the next five years of Oklahoma’s educational system pipeline can provide. I applaud the leadership at Oklahoma Baptist University for committing the resources and taking the initiative to answer the call of our current aerospace work force crisis.”

Dr. Dennis emphasized the fact that OBU has the foundational components needed to formalize and accelerate the engineering program and is pleased that the university can provide resources and support to Oklahoma.

“We are privileged to serve our state by entering an area that has a significant lack in the aerospace workforce. Oklahoma has a recognizable need, and we want to be a marketplace partner to meet that need. This is a specific engineering niche that sets us apart from other engineering programs offered in the state.  Our hope is to collaborate with industry partners to provide capstone opportunities and internships for our students, and ultimately offer these industries well-equipped graduates that help them carry out their missions. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved,” Dr. Dennis said.

OBU received formal notification on Oct. 6 of approval to offer the three engineering degrees from the Higher Learning Commission, the accreditation agency for higher education institutions in the central United States.

“The approval of degrees in electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering by the Higher Learning Commission builds on OBU’s long history of innovative STEM degrees in fields that have equipped our graduates to impact the region, state, and world in positive ways,” said Dr. Chris Jones, director of STEM innovation. “Degrees such as biology, biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics lay the foundation for success with high expectations to move into the future. OBU can now help fill the high demand for more engineers with graduates trained with academic excellence and integrity grounded in the Christian faith.”

Enrollment for engineering for fall 2023 is now underway. Individual degree sheets and course curriculum can be found for the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering.