| Patricia F. Lynch, Director 127 Buchanan Hall Norman, OK 73019-4076 Phone: (405) 325-2252 FAX: (405) 325-7124 E-mail: admrec@ou.edu Internet: http://admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm |
The admissions process at the University of Oklahoma seeks to identify applicants who will successfully complete a collegiate academic program and contribute to the diverse intellectual, cultural and social environment of the University. The University of Oklahoma welcomes inquiries regarding admission requirements and application procedures. The Office of Prospective Student Services will assist prospective undergraduate students — both freshmen and transfer — with the admission process by providing information on admission requirements, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, housing and student life. This office also serves as a visitor information center and provides tours of the campus to prospective students, their families and other University guests.
The Office of Prospective Student Services-Tulsa coordinates high school and transfer student services in Tulsa and other northeastern Oklahoma communities. Like its Norman campus counterpart, the Tulsa office provides students who are interested in any of the University’s academic programs with information on admission, housing, enrollment, financial aid and scholarships. This office also serves as a liaison with all OU campuses to arrange campus tours and departmental appointments for prospective students and their families.
Inquiries about undergraduate admission, including requests for applications and informational brochures, should be directed to:
Prospective Student Services
The University of Oklahoma
550 Parrington Oval, Room L-1
Norman, OK 73019-3032
(405) 325-2151 or 1-800-234-6868
e-mail: ou-pss@ou.edu;
or
The University of Oklahoma
Prospective Student Services-Tulsa
4502 East 41st St.
Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 660-3800
FAX: (918) 660-3804
e-mail: swoods@ou.edu
Completed applications, academic credentials and inquiries related to applications already in process should be directed to:
The Office of Admissions
The University of Oklahoma
1000 Asp Avenue room 127
Norman, OK 73019-4076
(405) 325-2252
e-mail: admrec@ou.edu
Admissions information and applications are also available on the web at http://admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm.
Undergraduate, U.S. citizens and permanent residents should submit applications
as early as possible, but applications must be received by the Office of
Admissions no later than:
April 1 for a fall semester or summer session; and
November 1 for a spring semester.
International Students applying for undergraduate admission must observe
the following application and credentials deadlines:
April 1 for a fall semester;
September 1 for a spring semester;
February 1 for a summer term.
Applications for international students are processed by the Office of Admissions. Assistance after admission is provided by International Student Services. International students are considered to be those applicants who require a temporary, non-immigrant United States visa or immigration status. Students who have established permanent resident status in the United States are not considered international students.
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit official and complete academic credentials.
Applicants may not disregard any part of their educational history, and failure to report all institutions previously attended will be cause for cancellation of the admissions process or for dismissal. All credentials submitted for admission to the University of Oklahoma become the property of the University and will not be returned or released.
All applicants to the University of Oklahoma must pay a non-refundable application-processing fee. Checks should be made payable to the University of Oklahoma and mailed to the Office of Admissions. Checks from international applicants must be in US dollars and clear through a United States bank. Payment by credit card is also an option.
All applicants are classified as resident or nonresident for purposes of admission and tuition based on information provided on the application for admission. Applicants may be required to submit evidence to substantiate their claim to resident classification.
A uniform policy concerning resident status exists for all state-supported institutions of higher education in Oklahoma. Copies of this policy are available from the Office of Admissions or on the web at admissions.ou.edu/residency.htm.
Questions concerning resident status should be directed to the Office of Admissions, (405) 325-2252.
All new applicants to the University for whom English is a second language, including those holding permanent resident status, are required to present evidence of proficiency in the English language prior to admission. The intent of this policy is to insure that students for whom English is not a native language have a reasonable chance to succeed academically based on their ability to comprehend and use spoken and written English.
Undergraduate applicants may satisfy the English proficiency requirement in one of several ways:
1. The applicant can present an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 or higher on the written test, or 213 or higher on the computer test, or 79 on the internet-based TOEFL. The TOEFL can be no more than two years old by the time the applicant begins studies at the University of Oklahoma.
2. The applicant can present an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or higher.
3. A direct from high school applicant may satisfy this requirement by successfully completing the high school core requirements in a secondary school in the United States, or in another country where English is the native language and the language of instruction.
4. Applicants seeking admission by transfer may satisfy this requirement by presenting a minimum of 24 semester hours of successfully completed college-level coursework from an accredited United States college or university or an acceptable institution in a country where English is the native language and the language of instruction.
5. An applicant can present a TOEFL score between 500 and 549 on the written test, 173 to 210 on the computer test, or 61 to 78 on the internet-based TOEFL, and subsequently and immediately prior to admission successfully complete a minimum of 12 weeks of study at an approved English language center or program operated by an institution of higher learning or private school approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The University offers a Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) for students who are otherwise admissible to the University, but do not meet the English proficiency requirement. CESL also offers English language classes for individuals who do not have plans to enter the University. For further information, call or write:
The Center for English as a Second Language
College of Continuing Education
1700 Asp Avenue, Room 202
Norman, OK 73072-6400 USA
(405) 325-6602, or 1-800-522-0772, ext. 6602
FAX: (405) 325-0860
1. Visit our website at http://admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm, or request a freshman application packet from Prospective Student Services, 550 Parrington Oval, Room L-1, Norman, OK 73019-3032, (405) 325-2151 or 1-800-234-6868.
2. Submit application materials including the following:
a) a completed application form.
b) an official copy of your high school transcript showing at least six
semesters of work completed, grade point average (on an unweighted 4.0
scale), and rank in class.
c) an official copy of your ACT or SAT scores. Test scores may be posted
on the official high school transcript or sent directly from the testing
agency.
3. A nonrefundable application fee is required of all new applicants. The application fee can be paid by check, money order made payable to the University of Oklahoma, or credit card.
4. Submit all application materials sent by surface mail to the Office of Admissions, University of Oklahoma, 1000 Asp Ave., Room 127, Norman, OK 73019-4076.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the completion of the junior year in high school in order to maximize opportunities for housing, financial aid, scholarships and early enrollment.
To be admitted to the University of Oklahoma, an applicant must: graduate from an appropriately accredited high school, or earn a General Education Development (GED) certificate; complete a specified curriculum of high school courses; and achieve certain performance standards set by the University of Oklahoma and approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Home-educated applicants or graduates from unaccredited high schools must qualify for admission by test score. In most cases, a GED recipient's high school class must have graduated by the desired matriculation date.
Admission requirements are subject to change annually by the University of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, when it is determined to be in the best interest of the University and its students to do so. If it becomes necessary to limit enrollment, preference will be given to residents of Oklahoma. For the most current information on admission requirements, contact Prospective Student Services, (405) 325-2151 or 1-800-234-6868, or visit the following website: http;//admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm.
Because success in college is enhanced by solid academic preparation in high school, completion of the following courses in high school is required before entering the University.
For the most current information on admission requirements, contact Recruitment Services (405) 325-2151 or 1-800-234-6868, or visit the following website: http://admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm.
A prospective student who is a graduate of a high school that is not accredited by a recognized accrediting agency or has been home schooled is eligible for admission under the following conditions:
1. The applicant must have taken the ACT or SAT and achieved a score equal to or greater than the requisite composite score defined for freshman admission. These scores are provided annually by the Oklahoma State Regents for High Education. Grade point average and, in some cases, class rank from unaccredited high schools or home school records, or a passing score on the GED will be used to determine a performance minimum in conjunction with the test score requirement, but will not be used as the sole basis for meeting performance requirements at the University of Oklahoma.
2. The applicant’s high school class must have graduated.
3. The applicant must satisfy the high school curricular requirements as certified by the high school or, in the case of home study, the parent.
Applicants who are 21 years of age or older or on active military duty, who do not meet the stated performance and/or curricular requirements for admission to the University may be considered under the Adult Admission category. Careful attention will be given to an applicant’s written comments concerning background and educational goals, personal interviews, as well as letters of recommendation from school counselors, teachers, principals, employers or supervisors attesting to the applicant’s motivation and potential for academic success. An applicant’s academic record will also be reviewed for completion of the high school curricular requirements. Students admitted under the Adult Admission category must demonstrate proficiency in the curricular area the student desires to pursue.
Prospective students should contact the Office of Admissions at (405) 325-2252 for further information.
Early Entry is a program at the University designed to allow high school juniors and seniors with exceptional abilities to enroll in college courses on a limited basis. High school students may thus accumulate college credits prior to completing high school.
To be eligible for the Early Entry Program, students must be enrolled in
an accredited high school and meet the following requirements:
1. You must have achieved junior or senior standing and be eligible to
complete requirements for graduation from high school no later than the
spring of your senior year, as attested by your high school principal.
2. Seniors must meet regular freshman admission requirements based on high
school grade point average and class rank, or test scores and certain minimum
high school performance standards.
3. Juniors must score in the 83rd percentile on the ACT/SAT; or have a
3.5 GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
A student receiving high school level instruction at home or from an unaccredited
high school must:
1. Be at least 17 years of age or older and score in the 70th percentile
on the ACT (using Oklahoma norms) or the SAT (using national norms);
or
2. Be 16 years of age and have achieved a composite score in the 83rd percentile
on the ACT (using Oklahoma norms) or the SAT (using national norms).
Interested students must submit an application for admission, an Early Entry Recommendation form signed by the high school principal, a counselor, and parent, a high school transcript, and ACT or SAT scores.
Once admitted, a student’s combined enrollment in high school and at the University of Oklahoma may not exceed 19 credit hours during a fall or spring term. For this purpose, the University will assume that any high school course enrollment is the equivalent of three credit hours. Students may enroll in a maximum of nine credit hours during a summer term without being concurrently enrolled in high school classes during the summer. Students who wish to exceed this credit hour limit may petition the Dean of University College for permission to do so, up to a maximum of 24 semester hours in a regular semester.
The completion of high school curricular requirements is not mandatory for Early Entry students for admission purposes. However, students may not enroll in college-level courses in a curricular area until the high school curricular requirement in that discipline has been satisfied through coursework or assessment. Early Entry students may not enroll in zero-level courses designed to remove high school curricular deficiencies.
Following high school graduation, Early Entry students may continue enrollment at the University of Oklahoma or transfer to another institution in the state system, provided that they have maintained a grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale at the University and meet the entrance requirements of the receiving institution, including high school curricular requirements.
Questions on the Early Entry Program should be referred to the Office of Prospective Student Services.
Students who have not graduated from high school, regardless of age, whose composite score on the ACT (using Oklahoma norms) or combined verbal and mathematics score on the SAT (using national norms) places them in the 99th percentile of all students tested, may apply for admission to the University of Oklahoma. Admission will be determined based on test scores and an evaluation of the student’s level of maturity and ability to function intellectually and socially in the adult college environment.
Applicants are considered transfer students if they have attempted more than six semester hours of college-level work at another accredited college or university since graduation from high school. Students who complete college-level work while still in high school are not considered transfer students.
Transfer admission requirements are subject to change by the University of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, when it is determined to be in the best interest of the University and its students to do so. If it becomes necessary to limit enrollment, preference will be given to residents of Oklahoma.
Admission of transfer students is based on the following performance requirements and preparatory coursework in high school.
CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION OF TRANSFER STUDENTS* |
|
* If you have not completed the courses listed above in high school, you should do so before transferring to the University. With the exception of U.S. history and U.S. government, completion of remedial or college-level coursework in any of the subject areas in which a deficiency exists will also satisfy this requirement. A remedial mathematics course must be the equivalent of high school Algebra II. Remedial or precollege-level courses cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements. |
Admission requirements for transfer students are subject to change annually by the University of Oklahoma with the approval of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. For the most current information on performance requirements for transfer admission, contact the Office of Prospective Student Services (405) 325-2151 or 1-800-234-6868, or visit the following web site: http://admissions.ou.edu/transadm.html.
Transfer students with fewer than 24 semester hours attempted must meet performance rquirements for first-time entering freshmen, as well as specified performance requirements on all transfer work attempted.
Transfer students who do not meet performance and/or curricular requirements are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions for advice and counseling on alternative admission opportunities.
Your application must be RECEIVED by the Office of Admissions by the dates below. However, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible to maximize opportunities for housing and scholarships, financial aid and early enrollment.
1. Visit our web site at admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm, or obtain a transfer student application packet from the Office of Prospective Student Services.
2. Submit an official high school transcript and official transcripts from each college or university attended. Students are not at liberty to disregard any part of their previous educational history when applying for admission.
3. Submit the nonrefundable application-processing fee. The fee can be paid by check or money order made payable to the University of Oklahoma, or by credit card.
4. ACT or SAT scores are required of any transfer student with fewer than 12 semester hours of college work and some transfer students with fewer than 24 semester hours of college work.
Transfer students are encouraged to apply early in the semester prior to the term they wish to enter the University. Early admission allows students to maximize their opportunities for housing, financial aid, scholarships, and early enrollment. Admission decisions can often be made with the current term’s grades outstanding.
Once an applicant has been admitted to the University, the Office of Admissions performs an evaluation of any transfer credit. Students who are admitted with coursework in progress should submit a schedule of courses in progress, and arrange to have a final, official transcript sent to the Office of Admissions after completion of their last term. Once a complete and official transcript is received, the initial evaluation will be updated. Students will consult with an academic adviser at the time of enrollment to determine how their transfer work will apply toward a degree at the University of Oklahoma.
Transfer students who are undecided about attending OU can request a prospective student evaluation to help with the decision-making process. Potential applicants should submit or present in person the same official academic credentials required of transfer students applying for admission, along with the following information: desired term of matriculation at the University of Oklahoma; intended major; a complete list of collegiate institutions attended; mailing address, home and work or cell telephone numbers, and e-mail address.
The information should be submitted to the Office Admissions. This office will perform an initial evaluation of all transfer credit and then an academic adviser will determine how the transfer work will apply toward a degree at OU. Prospective students should contact the Office of Admissions at (405) 325-2252 for further information concerning this service. Prospective student evaluations are not available for one month prior to the start of classes for each term, due to time constraints on admissions and advising staff.
Transfer Days is a yearly event, normally held in early spring, that provides an opportunity for transfer students who have already been admitted to the University for the upcoming summer or fall term to visit campus, be advised by academic counselors, and pre-enroll for the fall and/or summer terms. In addition to academic counselors, representatives from the University are also on hand to answer questions about housing, financial aid, scholarships and student activities. Other pre-enrollment periods for summer and fall terms occur throughout the late spring and summer months, so transfer students who are unable to attend Transfer Days will have ample opportunity to pre-enroll once they are admitted to the University. For further information, contact the Office of Prospective Student Services (405) 325-2151 or 1-800-234-6868.
The amount of credit granted to applicants for admission as transfer students depends upon the nature and quality of the applicant’s previous work, evaluated according to the academic requirements of the University, and the following provisions:
1. Transfer credit earned by students at institutions accredited by a regional accrediting agency (such as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) or the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will be accepted for transfer at face value. Credits earned at institutions accredited by a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be reviewed on a course-by-course basis and accepted for transfer if the course is determined to be substantially equivalent to a University of Oklahoma course or courses.
2. Lower-division courses transferred to the University of Oklahoma will generally be used to meet lower-division degree requirements. In the event that a lower-division transfer course is used as a substitution for an upper-division requirement at the University, a student may be required to complete additional upper-division hours for graduation.
3. A minimum of 60 semester hours must be earned in a senior college for a baccalaureate degree.
4. Transfer students who enter the University with an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science from an institution in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education are considered to have met the lower-division (1000- and 2000-level) course requirements of the University’s General Education core curriculum. However, these students are still required to complete any lower-division coursework that is required beyond the University’s lower-division General Education course requirements, as well as the upper-division (including General Education) course requirements for a degree.
5. The dean’s office of each degree-recommending college has ultimate responsibility for determining how transfer credit will apply to a specific degree program. Since graduation requirements vary from college to college, a re-evaluation of transfer credit is required if a student changes degree colleges.
6. A transfer applicant under disciplinary probation or suspension will not be considered for admission until the terms of the probation or suspension have been met. Students must meet appropriate application deadlines for the term for which they are applying for readmission.
7. Grades for courses taken at foreign institutions are used in determining admissibility to the University. However, once a student is admitted, transfer grades are changed to neutral (S or U) grades which do not affect the grade point average. The only exception to this policy is for foreign institutions that hold accreditation through a United States regional accrediting association.
Students may apply for a second undergraduate degree at the University of Oklahoma, but are encouraged to investigate other options available through the Graduate College and other non-degree classifications before doing so. In addition to specific degree programs, the Graduate College offers teacher certification programs and an unclassified (non-degree) option, which allows students to take graduate and undergraduate courses before selecting a major field of graduate study.
Applicants for a second undergraduate degree must apply to a specific major and are not eligible for a second undergraduate degree in the major of their first degree.
General University policy, as well as specific college and school policies may restrict an applicant from applying for a second undergraduate degree in certain majors. Applicants should contact the Office of Admissions or the appropriate University degree-recommending college for further information on the pursuit of a second undergraduate degree.
Students must file an application for readmission if it has been more than one semester and a summer term since their last attendance at the University, or if they have completed a degree or were suspended after their last enrollment at OU. Application deadlines do apply to former students. Students who only enroll for summer terms (summer to summer students) do not need to reapply unless they graduate or break their continuous enrollment for a summer term. Students who have attended another college or university since last attending the University must file official transcripts from each institution attended. A student’s eligibility for readmission will be determined after an evaluation of all transferred work has been made. Academic credit awarded by any division of the University of Oklahoma is considered resident credit, with the exception of credit completed by correspondence or advanced standing examination.
A student who has been suspended once for academic reasons from the University or any other institution in the state system of higher education may apply for (re)admission to the University for any semester or summer term beyond the semester in which he or she was suspended. Such (re)admission is not automatic but is decided on an individual basis. The student must submit an application for readmission, a letter of appeal, and all required transcripts to the Admissions Office by April 1 for a fall semester or summer session, and November 1 for a spring semester. The letter of appeal should include an explanation of the student’s previous academic record, information about the student’s activities since suspension, and reasons why an exception to the requirements for admission to the University should be made.
A student who has been suspended twice from the University is not eligible for consideration for readmission until that student has attended another accredited college or university and raised his/her grade point average to the University’s retention standards.
Any person who is admissible to the University of Oklahoma and who wishes to take undergraduate courses without the intention of pursuing a degree may do so under the classification of Special Student.
Undergraduate Special Students must meet regular admission requirements to the University and are limited to nine semester hours of enrollment in this classification, unless an exception to this enrollment maximum is made by the President of the University or his or her designate. University retention standards also apply to the undergraduate Special Student. A person who is admitted as a Special Student has no privileges beyond those which are available to all students. A Special Student who wishes to enroll in a course with specific prerequisites must meet those prerequisites in the same manner as any other student.
Special Students who later elect to enter a degree program will be expected to meet all of the regular requirements for that particular degree program. Special Students are urged to apply for regular (degree-seeking) admission as soon as a decision to pursue a degree has been made.
If a Special Student applies for admission to an undergraduate degree program, the work he/she has taken as a Special Student will be evaluated in the same manner as any other work submitted for evaluation. The particular degree-recommending college involved will determine how this work will apply toward the degree sought.
Any person holding at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, who wishes to take undergraduate courses at the University of Oklahoma without pursuing a degree, may do so under the classification of Post-baccalaureate Special Student. No academic credentials are required for this type of admission.
A person who is admitted as a Post-baccalaureate Special Student has no privileges beyond those that are available to all other students. A Post-baccalaureate Special Student will have his or her records maintained in the Academic Affairs Office. Post-baccalaureate Special Students are not permitted to enroll in 5000 or 6000-level courses nor receive graduate credit for 3,000 or 4,000 level courses taken.
An applicant who wishes to enroll in graduate level courses, but does not currently wish to pursue a degree at OU, should apply as an unclassified graduate student.
Authorization to enroll as a Post-bacalaureate Special Student must be obtained each semester prior to enrollment from the Office of Enrollment Services (405) 325-1084.Inquiries related to graduate admission should be directed to the Graduate College, University of Oklahoma, 731 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK 73019-4075, (405) 325-3811; FAX (405) 325-5346; e-mail: gradinfo@ou.edu. Prospective students may apply online at http://admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm.
Completed applications and official transcripts should be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Although the Graduate College does not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the college endorses the use of the GRE as one useful measure of a student’s potential for success in graduate school. Many academic programs do require the GRE or other supporting materials, such as GMAT scores and/or letters of recommendation, before considering applications for admission. Students seeking admission in full standing must meet the admission requirements of the department or program unit offering the desired degree program, as well as the requirements established by the Graduate College. Students should consult with the graduate liaison in the department to which they are seeking admission concerning department or program requirements and deadlines. Information about graduate assistantships is also available from the departments.
Applications cannot be considered until all required materials have been submitted. The final decision on admission to the Graduate College is made by the graduate dean. To be eligible for enrollment, the student must have been admitted to the University and to the Graduate College before the registration period ends for any given semester.
For graduate applicants within the United States, there are no formal admissions application deadlines. However, applicants are encouraged to observe the following dates for submission of completed applications. International students outside the United States have specific application deadlines, and they are in parentheses below.
Certain graduate programs do have deadlines, and some are earlier than the dates listed above. All applicants are strongly urged to contact the programs to which they are seeking admission for the application deadlines of those programs.
An application-processing fee must accompany the application of all students who seek admission or readmission to the University.
The Office of Admissions has charge of all matters pertaining to general admission to the University. Admission and enrollment in the Graduate College is governed by the graduate dean. Except for those in unclassified status, the student must be recommended for admission by a department or program. All admissions to the Graduate College require that the student hold a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. However, undergraduates in their final semester at accredited colleges and universities may apply for admission to the Graduate College.
A prospective student must register for courses at the University of Oklahoma for the term of admission to retain active status. The student is subject to the regulations applicable during his/her first term of enrollment so long as continuous enrollment is maintained.
All seniors graduating from the University of Oklahoma who wish to apply for admission to a graduate program should report to the Office of Admissions, 127 Buchanan Hall, no later than the final semester of their senior year and complete an Application for Graduating Seniors, or apply online at http://admissions.ou.edu/admissions.htm. Departmental application deadlines apply to graduating seniors. Applicants’ academic records will be referred to the Graduate College and to their prospective major departments for consideration.
If admitted, the graduating senior must inform the Graduate College if any requirements for the undergraduate degree have not been completed. If any requirements are not completed, the admission will be canceled and the student must reapply.
A college senior who qualifies for conditional admission to the Graduate College due to low grades will not receive a final decision on conditional admission until the complete undergraduate transcript has been reviewed.
Graduate students in good academic standing at other accredited institutions are welcome to take courses at the University of Oklahoma as a Visitor. In this status, a graduate student has all the rights and privileges of other graduate students except he or she is not pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Oklahoma. Should the Visitor decide to pursue a graduate degree here, he or she would be required to file another application and submit official copies of all transcripts. To be admitted as a Visitor, a prospective graduate student must submit the following information to the Office of Admissions:
1. A completed application form and application-processing fee.
2. A letter of good standing from the dean of the Graduate College of the student’s home institution.
Students must file an application for readmission if it has been more than one semester and a summer term since their last attendance at the University. Students who only enroll for summer terms (summer to summer students) do not need to reapply unless they graduate or break their continuous enrollment for a summer term. Students who have attended another college or university since last attending the University must submit official transcripts from each institution attended to the University of Oklahoma’s Office of Admissions. A student’s eligibility for readmission will be determined after an evaluation of all transferred work is made. Readmitted students will be subject to the regulations in effect at the time of readmission.
All new applicants to the Graduate College for whom English is a second language (including those holding permanent resident status) are required to present evidence of proficiency in the English language prior to admission. The intent of this policy is to insure that students for whom English is not a native language have a reasonable chance to succeed academically based on their ability to comprehend and use spoken and written English.
Graduate applicants may satisfy the English proficiency requirement in one of several ways:
1. The applicant can present an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 550 on the written test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 79 on the internet-based TOEFL. The TOEFL can be no more than two years old at the time the applicant begins studies at the University of Oklahoma. Some graduate programs require a score higher than 550. (Applicants who have been recommended for admission to a degree program, and who present a TOEFL score of at least 500 and show exceptional academic promise, may be considered for conditional admission by the graduate dean).
2. The applicant can present an official International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or higher.
3. The applicant can present a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in the United States or from a country in which English is the native language and the language of instruction.
4. The applicant may present 24 semester hours of successfully completed college-level coursework from an accredited college or university in the United States or from a country in which English is the native language and the language of instruction.
5. An applicant can present a TOEFL score between 500 and 549 on the written test, 173 to 210 on the computer-based testor 61 to 78 on the internet-based TOEFL, and subsequently and immediately prior to admission successfully complete a minimum of 12 weeks of study at an approved English language center or program operated by an institution of higher learning or private school approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The University offers a Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) for students who are otherwise admissible to the University but do not meet the English proficiency requirement. CESL also offers English language classes for individuals who do not have plans to enter the University. For further information, call or write:
The Center for English as a Second Language
College of Continuing Education
1700 Asp Avenue
Norman, OK 73072-6400
(405) 325-6602, or 1-800-522-0772 ext. 6602.
For further information concerning graduate admission, policies and programs, consult the Graduate College, http://gradweb.ou.edu.
In addition to the academic criteria used as the basis for the admission of students, the University shall consider the following non-academic criteria in deciding whether a student shall be granted admission: whether an applicant has been expelled, suspended, or denied admission or readmission by any other educational institution; whether an applicant has been convicted of a felony or lesser crime involving moral turpitude; whether an applicant’s conduct at another educational institution would be grounds for expulsion, suspension, dismissal or denial of readmission, had the student been enrolled at the University of Oklahoma. An applicant may be denied admission to the University if the University determines that there is substantial evidence, based on any of the instances described above, to indicate the applicant’s unfitness to be a student at the University of Oklahoma.
The University of Oklahoma encourages capable students to seek college credit for knowledge they may have acquired in a variety of ways. Complete information on the ways students may establish credit for extra-institutional learning at the University of Oklahoma is found in the brochure Credit by Advanced Standing at the University of Oklahoma. This brochure is available through the Office of Prospective Student Services, the Office of Admissions, and is also available on the Web at admissions.ou.edu/advstand.html.
University of Oklahoma students who are enrolled (or pre-enrolled) and former students who are eligible to re-enroll may take an advanced standing examination for undergraduate credit, provided that they have not been enrolled in the course (or its equivalent) at an institution of college rank, and received a grade other than W. If a student is enrolled in a course in which he or she wishes to establish credit by advanced standing examination, the course must be dropped before any grade other than W is awarded.
A student enrolled (or pre-enrolled) in a course may earn credit in that course by advanced standing examination up to the end of the second week of class in a regular semester or the first week of a summer term. If a student earns credit in the course by examination, the student may drop the course enrollment with no fee assessment, provided the course is dropped within the first two weeks of class in a regular semester or the first week of class in a summer term. Beginning with the third week of class in a regular semester, or the second week of a summer term, registration fees will be refunded in accordance with the Oklahoma State Regents’ refund schedule.
The amount of advanced standing credit that may be awarded is subject to the graduation requirements of the University and the degree-recommending college in which a student will earn a degree. The dean of the student’s degree-recommending college at the University will determine how this credit applies toward a degree.
Advanced standing credit will be placed on a student’s permanent academic record only after it is validated by the successful completion of 12 or more semester hours of academic work at the University of Oklahoma. The neutral grade of satisfactory (S) will be assigned to credit earned through national or University of Oklahoma departmental advanced standing examinations. A grade of satisfactory (S) represents work of C quality or better.
Should a student fail an advanced standing examination, no grade will be recorded. However, the student is not eligible to retake the same examination and receive credit if the exam is passed. Students should consult the Office of Admissions or the Office of Independent Study to discuss other test options.
Credit by examination is limited to equivalent courses offered in residence at the University of Oklahoma, and the amount of credit earned by examination may not exceed that of the same course offered at the University of Oklahoma.
The regulations governing advanced standing examination credit that are mentioned above, apply to all of the advanced standing options available at the University.
Advanced standing examinations are under the general supervision of the University Registrar (and the chairperson of the department in the case of University departmental examinations).
The Academic Regulations Committee is responsible for hearing any appeals in hardship cases of students who do not meet the conditions and regulations governing advanced standing examinations.
1. University of Oklahoma departmental advanced standing examinations.
The University of Oklahoma offers a number of departmental advanced standing examinations. Interested students should consult with an academic adviser during enrollment or with the departmental office responsible for offering the course.
Some of the more commonly taken examinations are administered by the Department of Independent Study. For those examinations, students should pick up the application forms at the Department of Independent Study, 1600 S. Jenkins, Room 101, Norman, OK 73072-6507, phone (405) 325-1921.
Other examinations are administered by the various departments and are given at the convenience of the department concerned. For information about requirements and times at which examinations are offered, contact the department office. Students may pick up applications for the examinations not administered by the Department of Independent Study at the Office of Admissions, 1000 Asp Avenue, Room 127, Norman, OK 73019-4076, phone (405) 325-2252.
2. The Advanced Placement Program (APP) offered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB).
This program allows high school students to take examinations for credit at the college level. High school counselors will assist students with testing arrangements. The University awards credit for AP examinations listed in the brochure Credit by Advanced Standing at the University of Oklahoma (also see admissions.ou.edu/advstand.html).
3. The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB).
The University of Oklahoma is a CLEP testing center. The University awards credit for the CLEP examinations listed in the brochure Credit by Advanced Standing at the University of Oklahoma (also see admissions.ou.edu/advstand.html).
Inquiries about OU’s testing center should be addressed to the Office of Independent Study, 1600 S. Jenkins, Room 101, Norman, OK 73072-6507, phone (405) 325-1921.
4. Excelsior College Examinations
The University of Oklahoma awards credit for a few Excelsior College Examinations. Please refer to the brochure Credit by Advanced Standing at the University of Oklahoma for a list of examinations that are acceptable for credit. This information can also be found at admissions.ou.edu/advstand.html.
5. International Baccalaureate
Credit may be awarded to students who have taken higher level courses in the International Baccalaureate Program and who have scored at least a four (on a seven-point scale) on the higher-level course examinations. Such credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis as recommended by the appropriate University of Oklahoma department.
Score reports for any of the advanced standing examinations listed above should be submitted to the Office of Admissions, University of Oklahoma, 1000 Asp Avenue, Room 127, Norman, OK 73019-4076.
Students may establish advanced standing credit at the University of Oklahoma by a variety of avenues other than examination.
The University awards credit for educational experiences during military service according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education as published in the Guide to the Evaluation of Military Experiences in the Armed Services. The policies governing the acceptance of credit awarded for military experience toward satisfying degree requirements vary among the degree-recommending colleges of the University. Students should contact their college academic advisement office for specific information on the applicability of this type of credit toward degree requirements. General questions concerning the evaluation of educational experiences in the armed services should be directed to the Office of Admissions.
The grade of S (satisfactory) is assigned to all credit awarded for military training.
Students may submit the following military records to verify successful completion of military training. These documents should be submitted to the Office of Admissions for review.
1. Army personnel and veterans who entered active duty or reserve personnel starting on or after October 1, 1981 — submit an Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS). AARTS transcripts can be ordered by contacting the AARTS Office, Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027-5010. You may also call 1-866-297-4427 or visit their website: https://aarts.army.mil/.
2. Army veterans who entered active duty or reserve prior to October 1, 1981 — submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and certificates of completion for all service schools attended.
3. Navy active duty, reserve, and veterans who who have separated since January 1975; and Marine Corps active duty, reserve, and veterans who have separated since October 1, 1990 — submit a Sailor/Marine/Ace Registry Transcript (SMART). SMART transcripts can be ordered through your local Navy College Office or Marine Corps Education Center. For further information, contact SMART Operations Center NETPDTC N2, 6490 Saufley Field Road, Pensacola, FL 32504-5204; phone (toll free) 1-877-253-7122. You may also visit their website: https://smart.navy.mil/smart/.
4. Navy active duty, reserve, and veterans who were separated before January 1975; and Marine Corps active duty, reserve, and veterans who were separated before October 1990 — submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and certificates of completion for all service schools attended.
5. BOOST Transcripts can be obtained by contacting: Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training, 197 Elliot Ave., Newport, RI 02841-1623. Commercial: (401) 841-1623; DSN: 948-7948.
6. Air Force personnel and veterans should request an official transcript from the Community College of the Air Force for work taken as an undergraduate, or from the Air University for work taken as a graduate student. Community College of the Air Force transcripts may be ordered by sending a request in writing to: CCAF/RRR, 130 West Maxwell Blvd., Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6613, phone number (334) 953-2794 (DSN 493-2794). You may also visit their website at: http://www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/. Air University transcripts may be obtained by writing to the Registrar's Office, 50 South Turner Blvd., Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL 36118-5643.
7. U.S. Coast Guard — Submit a U.S. Coast Guard Institute transcript. To request a U.S. Coast Guard Institute transcript, you may visit the following website: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cgi/credit.html, call (405) 954-0072, or write: U.S. Coast Guard Institute, 5900 SW 64th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6990. If you are unable to obtain a U.S. Coast Guard Institute transcript, you may submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and certificates of completion for all service schools attended.
8. DANTES — Students may also request a transcript from DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) or USAFI (United States Armed Forces Institute -- tests taken prior to July 1, 1979). Many tests taken under the auspices of DANTES carry American Council on Education credit recommendations recognized by the University. Official DANTES transcripts may be ordered from Thomson Prometric, P.O. Box 6604, Princeton, NJ 08451-6604. Official USAFI transcripts may be obtained from Thomson Prometric, P.O. Box 6605, Princeton, NJ 08451-6605. Web site: http://getcollegecredit.com/
9. DD Form 295. If you are not able to obtain one of the transcripts listed above, active duty personnel should submit a DD Form 295, Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences During Military Service.
The University awards credit for other extra-institutional learning based on recommendations made by the American Council on Education in its publication The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs or transcripted on its Registry of Credit Recommendations (ROCR). Credit may also be awarded based on recommendation of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in its publication, College Credit Recommendations: The Directory of the National Program on Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction. Documents reflecting credit for training programs and other extra-institutional learning must be submitted to the Office of Admissions for evaluation. The dean of the college in which a student will earn a degree at the University will determine how this credit applies toward the degree. For further information, students should contact the Office of Admissions, 1000 Asp Avenue, Room 127, Norman, OK 73019-4076, (405) 325-2252.
Advanced standing credit posted on transcripts from institutions in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education will transfer to the University subject to the same conditions as resident credit from these campuses.
Advanced standing credit posted on transcripts from all other institutions will be accepted by the University as long as the credit was earned through one of the advanced standing mechanisms approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The dean of the college in which a student will earn a degree will determine how this credit applies toward the degree.
Students must report any college or university work taken at other institutions while they are current students at the University of Oklahoma. Whether this work is taken while registered in classes at the University, during a summer session, or during a semester and/or summer session while students have “stopped out” of the University temporarily, students must file an official transcript with the Office of Admissions of all work undertaken. Failure to do so may result in suspension or permanent dismissal from the University.
COMPAS (Curriculum-Oriented Mathematics Placement for Academic Success) is a program of mandatory placement testing to determine the appropriate placement for entering students in all math courses through the first course in calculus (Math 1823 or 1743). Tests will be graded immediately after testing so that results are available for advisement and enrollment. Any student may take the test twice during the testing period for any semester’s placement. Once students are in a sequence of mathematics courses, placement into the next course is built into the testing and grading of each course. Information on the tests can be obtained by calling the Assessment Center.
In compliance with state-mandated assessment of higher education, any student entering OU for the first time must be assessed. Upon entering the University, advising personnel look at ACT/SAT scores, high school GPA and/or any transfer work from another college or university. Then, based on certain criteria, students may be referred for additional assessments. Assessment results sometimes indicate the need for developmental course(s) which must be successfully completed before pursuing college-level courses. The Assessment and Learning Center determines academic skill levels in the areas of reading comprehension, English, and mathematics by using the COMPAS placement test and writing samples. The overall assessment process serves as a way to measure academic program improvements within the University, and to promote academic success among students.
Another part of the assessment process involves enrolling for mathematics courses. Any student who is required to take mathematics course(s) to fulfill his/her degree requirements, who has not successfully completed math coursework through calculus at OU or another institution, must be assessed regardless of how long he/she has attended OU. Placement testing will determine into which courses the student is eligible to enroll, based on current skill levels in mathematics.
Classical Languages
Placement examinations for beginning and intermediate-level Latin, Greek and Hebrew language courses are administered throughout the fall, spring and summer terms. High school students are especially encouraged to take placement examinations before they enroll in these language courses. None of these examinations award credit; they are administered only to assist students in enrollment. Students should call the Classics Department to schedule a time to take the examination.
Modern Languages
Students who have completed two or more years of high school foreign language and who wish to continue their foreign language study at the University will be placed in appropriate courses based on their scores in the Proficiency Exam. University credit may not be earned in courses for which the exit proficiency level is below the students’ proficiency test scores. Students may, if they wish, audit such courses. (Students who have not completed the normal two-year high school language sequence should enroll in 1115. Those who wish to demonstrate higher proficiency should consult the placement adviser of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Linguistics). Students have the right to appeal their course placement.
Placement examinations are administered during pre-enrollment periods as well as during regular enrollment periods. The examination is also given during the pre-enrollment period in the summer for new students planning to enroll in the University in the fall. Students should check with the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics concerning the specific place and dates on which such examinations will be given.
The University College Summer Advance Enrollment Program is the first step in orientation to the University of Oklahoma. The program is conducted each summer for incoming freshmen and college transfer students who have been admitted to University College. This visit to the Norman campus provides an opportunity to become acquainted with the services available as well as to be advised and to enroll for fall classes. Parents are encouraged to participate in the activities.
Information about the program is distributed annually to eligible newly admitted students, who then schedule appointments to participate. Under certain circumstances, new students who are unable to visit the campus may enroll by mail.
Students accepting talent-based scholarships through the OU Scholars Program, as well as incoming National Merit and Philips Scholars, are enrolled through the OU Scholars Program office. Students and their parents spend the day at Honors House in a variety of workshops targeted to the particular needs of the academically talented student. Math and language placement tests, parent sessions, campus tours, lunch at Couch Cafeteria, as well as initial academic advisement and enrollment occur at this time. Most Scholars will be enrolled during May and June.
English composition is the cornerstone of the general education curriculum. Because written communication is an integral part of every degree program at the University of Oklahoma, all undergraduate students are required to enroll in English Composition and/or Expository Writing (ENGL 1113 and 1213 or EXPO 1213). Any student who has not fulfilled the requirement is encouraged to enroll in English and/or Expository Writing.
March 2008