OSU program allows students to experience their careers firsthand

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University’s Applied Technology program helps students reach their goals through an array of microcredentials and opportunities for hands-on experience, enabling them to grow in their unique careers.

Applied Technology describes a set of degrees and is not limited to “tech” careers. These are two-year degree programs offered at OSU-Oklahoma City and OSUIT in Okmulgee. Students have opportunities to practice in their chosen field before graduation through hands-on learning. Career paths through Applied Technology can range from an associate degree, including microcredentials, to a bachelor's degree. Depending on student preference, Applied Technology offers flexible learning options.         

Through the microcredentials offered within Applied Technology, students can enhance their resume and build toward their degree. This aspect will not only save them time, but also reaffirm students’ decisions in their prospective career choices. 

Microcredentials are focused, digital certificates that allow students to specialize in their field. Microcredentials consist of a niche area of study and act as a supplement to different majors. These courses are concise and focus on a single area of study. Through microcredentials, students can further strengthen their education.  

Microcredentials can be stacked toward certificates. Certificates are industry-specific and can be earned for career advancement or industry standards required by your employer. Microcredentials may be earned in as little as nine credit hours, and certificates can be earned by stacking two or three microcredentials together. 

“OSU’s workforce certificate programs offer a critical on-ramp for individuals looking to build a career, giving them the foundational knowledge and hands-on experience needed to contribute on day one,” said Dave Kollman, president of Flintco. “These programs also create a clear pathway toward an associate degree — an essential step for those who want to advance and lead in our industry.”

This added upskilling may help develop the leadership skills necessary to pass an exam, boost earning power or advance someone’s career. They are offered in-person and online across the system with today’s working student in mind. These options are also affordable and can be completed in as short as six weeks in some areas.

In 2025, 25 new certificates were added across the OSU System, with additional offerings planned for 2026. All of these were added thanks to feedback provided by industry representatives statewide. These individuals were from advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, construction, health care and energy.

“In the spring and summer of 2024, we held roundtable discussions across the state focused around specific industries. We had individuals, companies and organizations that were embedded in those industries come and visit to talk about their challenges, their workforce needs and the future of their industries,” said Bart Collins, director of partnerships and programs for OSU Applied Technology. 

“As a land-grant institution, we have a mandate to support industry in our state and provide these resources.”

OSU has worked endlessly to support its students and equip them with the skills they need to succeed. Applied Technology is not only about degree programs, microcredentials and soft skills, but also about making connections and building long-lasting relationships. Through these programs, students can discover what they are passionate about and what fits best with their career choice. 

“I think students want to know that the education and training they’re pursuing is valued by industry, that it’s actually aligned with where jobs are going to be,” Collins said. 

“They’re learning skills that they know can lead to excellent careers in a less ambiguous way than many traditional disciplines might provide.” 

Applied Technology programs can help students or currently employed individuals train for the right career for them or upskill and grow their current abilities. With these skills, students can be set for lifelong careers in meaningful areas. 

Sometimes, a four-year bachelor’s degree is not the right path for all students. To find the right Applied Technology program, you can go to the website and find a complete list of applicable majors. 

“The whole point of a land-grant institution is to support the success of the state and its industries,” Collins said.

Story By: Olivia Upton | oupton@okstate.edu