The Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), in partnership with Oregon State University, is proud to offer Online County College — an essential, on-demand resource designed to help the public navigate and understand the vital services counties provide every day. This accessible course serves as a comprehensive guide to the complexities of local governance.
Across eight self-paced modules, participants will:
- Discover how decisions are made and how to engage effectively with their county government
- Learn about governance rules, legal authority, and ethics requirements
- Gain clarity on the budgets and revenues that fund critical local infrastructure
- Explore core services including public safety, land use planning, and public health
Sign up for all eight modules, or pick the modules with topics that match your interests!
This course is open to all, but ideal for:
- County employees seeking cross-training or leadership readiness
- Constituents interested in better understanding local government
- Community members preparing to run for public office
- Civics and government educators who wish to supplement their instruction with real-world examples of county government in Oregon
AOC encourages counties to share this course with their staff and community. To support your outreach, we have prepared a collection of marketing materials, including a flyer and graphics. Direct your community to https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/county-college to begin their journey into Oregon county government.
*Please note that this self-paced online program is distinct from the in-person County College program used to onboard new elected officials across Oregon.
Contact events@oregoncounties.org for more information on either program.
Contributed by: Jill Rees | Member Services Director