Timeline: A History of EPCE

2018

EPCE partners with Excelsior College to expand its offerings of online graduate programs. Options now include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in Cybersecurity, Leadership, Technology Management and General Business, and MBA/Dual Degree programs with the choice of a BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology/MBA or BS in Information Technology/MBA.

2017

The EPCE-sponsored Nuclear Technology Power Technology Program through Bismarck State College offers a specialization track in Instrumentation & Control in addition to the Non-License Operator specialization. Both specializations are eligible for the NUCP Certificate upon successful completion of the program.

2016

Excelsior College offers degree program concentration in Nuclear Leadership
EPCE partners with BSC to sponsor additional online programs: Electrical Transmission Systems Technology, Energy Service & Renewable Technician, Power Plant Technology, Water & Wastewater Technology

2015

EPCE partners with Excelsior College to sponsor Bachelor-level online programs in Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Technology, and Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management.
EPCE’s sponsored online Nuclear Power Technology program offered by Bismarck State College launches a nuclear power Pressurized Water Reactor simulator

2014

EPCE partners with Excelsior College to sponsor both Bachelor-level and Graduate-level online programs in Cybersecurity
EPCE is selected as a recipient of the 2014 Institutional Service Award for ‘efforts to expand lifelong learning opportunities and to improve access for adults to quality academic programs’ by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning

2013

The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations NUCP Committee approve the issuance of NUCP Certificates to eligible graduates of the BSC Nuclear Power Technology degree
EPCE and Bismarck State College introduce an open source online educational course Smart Grid Benefits
EPCE surpasses 5,000 students and 20,000 course enrollments!

2012

EPCE sponsors the online Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET) from Excelsior College
EPCE and Bismarck State College launch the fourth and final smart-grid course, Impact of the Smart Grid
EPCE facilitates the Community College Partnership with Bismarck State College and Connecticut Community College System for students who wish to enter the utility workforce

2011

EPCE partners with Worcester Polytechnic Institute(WPI) to offer graduate-level programs in Power Systems Engineering
EPCE and Bismarck State College launch two additional smart-grid courses:
Smart Grid, Smart Customer
Operation Considerations for the Smart Grid
Electric Power Technology (ELPW) courses utilized in EPCE Member utilities apprenticeship programs
EPCE celebrates 10 years of success!

2010

EPCE awarded a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Smart Grid Workforce Training grant
EPCE and Bismarck State College launch the first online smart grid course, Renewable Energy Sources and the Smart Grid
The Nuclear Power Technology degree at Bismarck State College becomes the first online program in compliance with the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program (NUCP)

2009

Courses for the BS in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from Clemson University delivered online
Colorado Community College Online offers all pre-requisite courses for the BSEE degree, pre-approved by Clemson University

2007

EPCE sponsors the online Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology (BSNET) from Excelsior College
EPCE sponsors the online Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from the Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Clemson University
EPCE awarded a Metro Denver WIRED (Department of Labor) grant for an expanded “Light Up Your Future” high school program

2006

EPCE reaches self-sustainability without grant funding
EPCE awarded an Xcel Energy Foundation grant for an EPCE high school pilot program
EPCE partners with Virtual High School to develop high school-level applied mathematics in energy course

2004

First online Nuclear Power Technology courses offered

2003

EPCE encouraged to expand offerings to include an online degree for the nuclear power industry
Bismarck State College selected as the Education Partner
Bismarck State College receives funding from the National Science Foundation for the development of the Nuclear Power Technology (NUPT) program
EPCE forms a Curriculum Advisory Council for the online NUPT program

2001

Bismarck State College (BSC) selected after a national search to develop online education in Electric Power Technology (ELPW)
Seed funding provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
First online Electric Power Technology (ELPW) courses developed with EPCE Subject Matter Experts and the ELPW Curriculum Committee
First students enroll in online ELPW courses

2000 – Present

Since 2000, The Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE) has served as a national resource for the energy industry with the specific goal to help create a pipeline of new industry employees and develop existing incumbent employees specifically through online education and training.