Prineville ‘Open Campus’ Getting MBA Program

A new option for higher education in Central Oregon — a Masters in Business Administration program is coming to Prineville.

“It really helps us to solidify this concept of open campus,” said Jason Carr, of the Crook County Education Council.

The open campus is an idea 10 years in the making. In 2009, voters passed Central Oregon Community College’s $41.5 million dollar bond measure.

Part of that money, along with county and federal dollars, paid to build the open campus building, a space that is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for Crook County.

“The program relies on technology for the remote sites. The audio and visual is as good as any site we’ve ever had,? said Les Mueller, the MBA program coordinator from Eastern Oregon University.

The program meets once a week, on Wednesday nights, starting this September, and applications are being accepted now. Classes are streamed live from EOU’s home campus in La Grande.

“We’ve had tons of phone calls and e-mails from potential students, including inquiries from Facebook folks and inquiries from the hospital up in Prineville,” said Mueller.

“With them being able to stay in this community, those dollars not only stay here, but then we’re also providing them the opportunity to enhance their skills,” said Carr.

At a current rate of $14,580 for the 45-credit program, the university says it?s the least expensive public MBA program in the state.