The housing industry is a dynamic, competitive, interrelated business offering many exciting careers. A degree in Housing Studies from Oregon State University opens the door to a wide variety of positions. You might choose employment with a builder or manufactured housing company as a residential designer or project manager, or work in the remodeling business as a kitchen and bath designer or project manager. You might choose to work in a financial institution as a loan processor or underwriter. You might work with a government or non-profit organization to provide housing for people with low income or special needs. You could analyze the energy efficiency of homes. Or, you might become a space planner, housing manager, or drafts person.

Major Requirements

Housing Studies is a Professional Program with competitive admission.  For specific course requirements within the major, see the OSU General Catalog.

As you earn your Housing Studies degree, you gain knowledge and skills in many different areas:

• traditional hand drafting and CAD drafting
• single-family and multi-family housing design
• house construction and materials
• environmental building systems
• housing needs of children, the elderly, and the handicapped
• historical, psychological, and sociological aspects of housing and design
• housing finance and management
• public policies in housing

This major has a wireless laptop requirement.

Job Opportunities

Demand for OSU Housing Studies graduates is expected to grow as the population increases. There is increasing demand that housing professionals have a broad knowledge base of the entire housing industry. Your success will draw on all of your skills, abilities, and professional knowledge.

DHE Internship Program

Common Job Titles of Graduates

Appraiser

CAD Technician

Grants Compliance Officer

Homebuilder

Housing Developer

Homebuyer Educator

Housing inspector

Kitchen and Bath Designer

Mortgage Loan Officer

Space Planner

Project Manager

Real Estate Broker

Remodeler

Residential Designer

Types of Employers

Financial Institutions

Government Housing Office (city, county and state jurisdictions)

Housing Authorities

Non-profit Housing Organizations

Property Management Companies

Real Estate Brokerage Companies

Real Estate Developers

Residential Construction Companies