Debbie Landry, NSU vice president and vice president for academic affairs, said there is a growing demand for mechanical engineers to help the state fill in-demand jobs.

She added that occupation plays a role in almost every aspect of modern life and was identified by Oklahoma Works, the state’s workforce development initiative hosted by the Office of Development. Oklahoma’s workforce, as an essential occupation.

According to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, employment of mechanical engineers is expected to increase 6.2% in Oklahoma and 7.11% in the Tulsa metro area between 2018 and 2028.

The university plans to welcome the first cohort of mechanical engineering majors to NSU this fall, adding that the institution has begun the enrollment process, Landry said.

“Students can expect a quality, well-developed, rigorous yet rewarding curriculum,” she said.

Pamela Hathorn, dean of the Gregg Wadley College of Science & Health Professions, said adding a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering has been a work in progress for many years.

She said that when the university developed its degree in applied physics, it was the start of a possible development towards offering an engineering degree.

Landry said some current applied physics majors at NSU are even considering switching majors.