OpenFieldCollege of Eastern Idaho
The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) in Idaho Falls is a comprehensive accredited public institution, internationally recognized for its close academic and technical research partnerships with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in clean nuclear energy, cybersecurity, and radiation safety.
Academic overview & excellence
Serving nine counties in southeastern Idaho, CEI offers university-transfer associate degrees (AA/AS) and specialized technical certificates. The campus houses state-of-the-art radiation simulation suites, cybersecurity defense laboratories, advanced machining shops, and nursing clinical simulation centers. Through its proximity and formal collaborative programs with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL)—the US Department of Energy's lead nuclear energy laboratory—CEI prepares highly skilled technicians, health professionals, and engineers for the modern nuclear and high-technology workforce.
Research admissions & criteria
CEI operates an open-door admissions policy for high school graduates and GED holders seeking undergraduate degrees. Admission to selective-entry programs (such as Registered Nursing, Radiation Protection, and Cybersecurity) requires completion of prerequisite college coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 to 3.0/4.0, standardized testing (TEAS for nursing), official high school or college transcripts, and verification of English language proficiency (TOEFL iBT 61 or IELTS 5.5 for international students).
Verified opportunities & funding programs (7)
Associate of Science in Radiation Protection & Health Physics
Two-year applied associate degree developed with INL, instructing students in radiation detection instrumentation, ALARA safety protocols, radioactive waste management, and nuclear environmental monitoring.
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Technical Apprenticeship Fellowship
Highly competitive DOE co-op fellowship placing CEI nuclear, mechanical, and electrical technology students in hands-on operations at the Advanced Test Reactor and Materials and Fuels Complex.
Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Network Architecture
Two-year comprehensive degree teaching network defense, ethical hacking, industrial control system (ICS/SCADA) security, digital forensics, and Cisco networking protocols.
College of Eastern Idaho Foundation Presidential Scholarship
Top merit scholarship awarded to entering freshmen demonstrating academic excellence, community service leadership, and commitment to completing a two-year degree or transfer path at CEI.
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Nursing Practicum
Four-hundred hours of supervised clinical rotations in intensive care, emergency trauma, pediatrics, and surgical units at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC).
Associate of Science in Environmental Geology and Hydrology
Two-year university-transfer science degree exploring groundwater hydrogeology, volcanology of the Snake River Plain, geographic information systems, and environmental soil chemistry.
Certificate in Certified Nuclear Materials Handling & Criticality Safety
Sixteen-week workforce certificate preparing technicians in radioactive isotope glovebox manipulation, fissile material packaging, criticality prevention calculations, and OSHA hazmat.
Distinguished faculty & researchers (3)
Dr. Rick Aman
President, College of Eastern Idaho · Office of the President
Dr. Rick Aman has served as the founding president of CEI, spearheading its historic transition into a comprehensive community college and forging key workforce agreements with the Idaho National Laboratory.
Matthew Burch
Dean of Career and Technical Education · Division of Career Technical Education
Dean Matthew Burch coordinates technical and nuclear energy educational programs at CEI, aligning curricula with US Department of Energy workforce demands and advanced manufacturing needs.
Dr. Kathy Wight
Director of Health Professions and Nursing · Department of Registered Nursing
Dr. Kathy Wight oversees CEI's accredited nursing division, researching clinical simulation fidelity, rural healthcare workforce retention, and clinical reasoning in undergraduate nursing education.
Editorial & verification standards
Institution profile and program records reflect official documentation verified on 2026-10-15. OpenField is an independent student academic resource and is not formally affiliated with College of Eastern Idaho.