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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced today a collaboration that provides players and their family members access to the university’s top-ranked online degree programs with support from a tuition reimbursement plan.

The alliance makes Oregon State Ecampus the exclusive provider of online education in the U.S. for more than 8,000 current and retired minor-league hockey players.

“Our membership includes numerous postsecondary-educated players, and this collaboration will allow those looking to complete their degree a chance to do so while they continue to play,” said longtime PHPA Executive Director Larry Landon, who played professionally for 10 years. “They have an opportunity to continue their educational goals via one of North America’s greatest online providers of college degrees and educational certificates.”

OSU Ecampus is the university’s renowned provider of online education, having been ranked in the nation’s Top 10 for five straight years by U.S. News & World Report. This year, Ecampus is ranked No. 3 in the nation and delivers more than 60 OSU degree and certificate programs at a distance to learners in all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

In addition to PHPA’s tuition reimbursement plan, all eligible PHPA members will receive an OSU scholarship when they enroll in a degree program or classes that are delivered fully online by Oregon State.

“We are proud to team up with the PHPA and provide access to transformative learning experiences not only to a motivated collection of athletes, but also to their families,” OSU Ecampus Associate Provost Lisa L. Templeton said. “Ecampus is uniquely positioned to carry out the university’s land grant mission and deliver a high-quality, accessible education to learners everywhere.”

Everyone who enrolls online through the PHPA will have access to OSU’s essential support resources, including individualized Ecampus success coaching, library services, free tutoring and career advising.

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1967, the PHPA is one of the largest players’ associations in professional sports. It boasts 58 hockey teams in the U.S. and Canada. Now headquartered in Niagara Falls, Ontario, it is the official bargaining unit for all professional players in the American Hockey League and the ECHL, which are the two main developmental leagues for the National Hockey League.

“Having a university with one of the top online campuses in the country as a partner is a huge benefit for our members,” said Steve Carney, director of the PHPA’s Career Enhancement Program. “Regardless of where each member is on their educational journey, there is a program at Oregon State that can fit their specific needs.”

PHPA members and their dependents can apply to Oregon State now as part of the program and begin taking Ecampus classes this fall. OSU’s fall term begins Sept. 21.

Some notable professional athletes have recently publicized their pursuit of an Oregon State degree online. Last spring, Carson Kelly of the Arizona Diamondbacks earned his bachelor’s degree in economics through Ecampus while in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Steven Jackson, an OSU legend and former NFL Pro Bowl running back, is pursuing his degree in human development and family sciences online.