Dr. James J. Tomasek, Dean
1000 Stanton L. Young Blvd.
Library, Room 258
Oklahoma City, OK 73190
Phone: (405) 271-2085
FAX: (405) 271-1155
Internet: http://www.ouhsc.edu/graduate/
e-mail: grad-college@ouhsc.edu
The Graduate College is the center of research, advanced study and creative and scholarly work at the University of Oklahoma. The college is designed to produce the environment essential to a graduate education, and the principal goals of its graduate faculty are the encouragement of advanced intellectual achievement, scholarship and research.
The Graduate College challenges students to develop a better grasp of their chosen fields, to develop skills and methods of research and to increase their abilities of independent thought. To these ends, the OU Health Sciences Center provides excellent library, laboratory and other learning facilities in addition to a close association with faculty, scholars and research investigators.
To insure policy adherence and academic excellence, the Graduate Council and the Dean of the Graduate College supervise and evaluate the departments and program units that offer master’s and doctoral degrees. The graduate faculty is responsible for instruction, for guiding graduate students in the development of their programs, and for pursuing investigations associated with a particular field or discipline. Graduate students are expected to demonstrate initiative and to assume responsibilities for the progress of their studies. Although coursework is the basis for wider reading and personal inquiry, students must master subjects, not merely course assignments. A graduate degree is conferred for mastery of a field and a thorough understanding of its related branches.
Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the Graduate College is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools. In addition, several specific graduate degree programs are accredited by their respective professional and accrediting agencies.
New facilities and technology, plus an internationally prominent faculty, are combining to make the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center the next century’s regional leader in education, research, and patient care. The OU Health Sciences Center serves as Oklahoma’s principal education facility for physicians, nurses, dentists, biomedical scientists, pharmacists, physician associates and a wide range of allied health and public health professionals. Its seven colleges — Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Allied Health, Public Health, and Graduate — are home to more than 3,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
The Health Sciences Center is located adjacent to the state capitol and is a cornerstone of the 200-acre Oklahoma Health Center complex, which includes 19 affiliated state and private institutions and agencies. The campus is five minutes by car from downtown Oklahoma City, which offers a variety of cultural and sporting events. Tulsa is two hours away by car. The Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma, hosting numerous athletic and cultural events, is 25 minutes away.
The College of Allied Health serves the educational needs of the health-related professions, and thus it offers unique advantages for the advancement of health professionals. The Department of Allied Health Sciences offers a Ph.D. degree with specialization in Academic Leadership, Nutritional Sciences, and Rehabilitation Sciences and an M. S. with specialization in Medical Dosimetry. The M.S. degree in Nutritional Sciences is offered through the Department of Nutritional Sciences, and the M.S. in Rehabilitation Sciences degree is available through the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. An M.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Ph.D. degrees in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology is offered through the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
The biomedical science departments provide an opportunity for in-depth study and research in biological and behavioral sciences. Graduate Programs in Biomedical Sciences (GPiBS) is an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program which combines the expertise of faculty from seven participating departments and programs: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pathology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology. In the areas of Biological Psychology and Radiological Sciences M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are available. A medical sciences option for these programs which has a concentration in one of the basic medical sciences is also available.
Through the College of Pharmacy, the Graduate College offers both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in the pharmaceutical sciences. Students may select from one of the following major areas of specialization in pharmaceutical science: nuclear pharmacy, pharmacology/toxicology, and pharmacy administration.
In the patient care area, a M.S. degree is offered in dental sciences and nursing. The dental sciences program includes orthodontics and periodontics. Graduate students are prepared to manage a full range of patient care problems within the chosen specialty area. The goal of the M.S. degree in nursing is to develop the advanced nursing competency necessary for professional leadership roles in nursing.
Through the College of Public Health, the Graduate College offers programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The graduate programs include: biostatistics and epidemiology — areas of concentration are applied biostatistics, statistical methodology, epidemiology of chronic diseases, epidemiology of infectious diseases, epidemiology of neurological diseases, epidemiology of mental and behavioral health; occupational and environmental health with emphases in environmental health, environmental management, occupational health, and environmental epidemiology/toxicology; and health promotion sciences, a program which emphasizes health education. Students interested in public health graduate programs should request additional information from the Dean of the College of Public Health prior to submitting an application for admission.
If your career and educational goals encompass one or more of the health-related areas, you should consider seeking a graduate degree at the OU Health Sciences Center. For more information, contact the Graduate College at www.ouhsc.edu/graduate or:
The Graduate College
The University of Oklahoma
Health Sciences Center
1000 Stanton L. Young Blvd.
Library, Room 258
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73190
Degrees offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Allied Health Sciences is interdisciplinary and designed to promote knowledge across disciplines and informed collaboration among disciplines. The individualized program is designed to meet each student’s educational goals. Graduate courses from any of the departments within the College of Allied Health, the Health Sciences Center campus, or the Norman campus may be selected as a part of a student’s individualized program. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume leadership roles in research, education, public policy, and administration of health care services. A Master of Science degree program in Allied Health Sciences with a specialization in medical dosimetry is also available. This program is designed for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree and certification as a radiation therapist. Graduates will be prepared to practice medical dosimetry as well as to function as a contributing member of the ever changing health care industry.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
Our research-intensive doctoral program is designed to prepare students for successful careers as independent scientists in academic research, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, health and biomedical science management or teaching. Our recently redesigned master's program also is research-based, and includes coursework designed to provide enhanced education opportunities for students who wish to extend their knowledge, experience and opportunities for advancement in research laboratories at universities, research institutes or biotechnology companies. The curriculum, separate from that of the doctoral program, emphasizes understanding of research procedures as well as development of technical and problem-solving skills.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
The Graduate Program in Biological Psychology, leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, is centered in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, but involves close collaboration with several clinical and basic biomedical departments of the College of Medicine. The overall objective of the program is to educate and train doctoral level candidates to become capable of conducting basic and/or applied research in behavioral neuroscience and biological psychology. Given the program’s location in a health sciences center and the need for clinical researchers, emphasis will be placed on health-related problems.
Areas of Research: Behavioral neuroscience/human neuropsychology; psychophysiology/behavioral medicine-health psychology; and psychopharmacology/substance abuse. Fully instrumented laboratories for both animal and human research are provided, with an emphasis on the human organism.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy.
The Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology has two main objectives: 1) teach the concepts of biostatistics and epidemiology essential to all students in the health sciences, and 2) educate master’s and doctoral students who are pursuing specialization in the fields of biostatistics or epidemiology. Although the department functions as a single administrative unit, it includes two distinct disciplines: biostatistics and epidemiology. A student may work toward a master’s or doctoral degree in either discipline, depending on his or her interests and background. Each discipline has a different set of required courses; however, there is some flexibility in the program to allow each student to develop his or her strengths and interests through elective courses.
Areas of Research: Epidemiology; early detection, prevention, and control of cancer; renal disease; childhood diseases; cardiovascular disease; neurological disease; hemophilia; diabetes mellitus; deep vein thrombosis; eye diseases; and partner’s violence. Research is being conducted in molecular/genetic epi and stat, social epidemiology, quality assurance and treatment efficiencies, logistic/multiple linear regression, epidemiology methods, teaching methods, experimental design, confidence intervals, clinical outcomes research, survey sampling methods, analysis of variance, non-parametric categorical data analysis, survival data analysis, and evaluation methods.
Degrees offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
The interdisciplinary nature of the Cell Biology graduate program provides students with the breadth of knowledge and technical acumen that is highly sought in today’s competitive job market. Graduates from the Cell Biology program have numerous exciting career opportunities in academia, industry, government and the private sector. To fulfill students’ specialized needs and interests, the department offers advanced courses taught by faculty whose expertise is closely related to the contents of the course work. Students may also choose curricula that emphasize anatomical or pharmacological studies.
Areas of Research: Cell biology of connective tissue; reproductive biology and neuroendocrinology; cell biology of the nervous system; development and plasticity of central nervous system motor areas; sprouting and plasticity in the nervous system; developmental processes related to regeneration and determinants of cell growth and differentiation; molecular biology of the retina; pharmacology of the nervous system; mechanisms of cell signaling.
Degrees offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers the following degrees through the Graduate College: The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in speech-language pathology (with or without a thesis) and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in audiology and speech-language pathology. Service programs operated by the department provide primary practicum sites for educating audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Graduates of the program in both speech-language pathology and audiology have found employment in a variety of settings. Department of Labor projections indicate continued favorable employment status for both professions through 2010.
Areas of Research: Ongoing psycho-acoustic, electrophysiological, psychophysical, and physiological research in audiology and speech-language pathology places emphasis on both clinical and basic science areas. Up-to-date and comprehensive instrumentation is available for air pressure and flow measurements, event-related potentials, neuroimaging, physiological analysis of phonation and resonance, language acquisition and use, stimulus programming, signal conditioning and calibration, electroacoustic measure and analysis, data acquisition, recording, retrieval, and readout. Active faculty research programs span a variety of sub-disciplines: voice and its disorders, articulation and phonological disorders, developmental language and its disorders, normal neurolinguistic processing, acquired neurolinguistic disorders in children and adults, pediatric audiology, hearing aids, psychoacoustics, and neurophysiology.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science
The Master of Science in Genetic Counseling is centered in the Department of Pediatrics of the College of Medicine, but involves close collaboration with other departments in the College of Medicine, the College of Public Health, and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The overall objective of the program is to educate and train master level candidates to become capable of providing genetic counseling to patients and families with known or suspected genetic conditions and to perform basic and/or clinical research in all areas of genetics.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy
The Department of Health Promotion Sciences prepares public health professionals for leadership roles in the development, promotion and application of social and behavioral science and educational theory as well as methods for solving community health problems. Courses and degree programs are directed toward two groups of students: those who wish to pursue a graduate degree in the field, and those disciplines who seek supporting knowledge in the field. Concentration of graduate and professional studies in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences may lead to a Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Areas of Research: Health education and health promotion; community approaches to health promotion; strengthening community and organization approaches to health promotion; health of school-age children and adolescents; health of Native Americans; and health education of the elderly and special populations such as persons with disabilities and minority groups.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
The graduate programs of the department are designed to prepare students for careers in academic and research areas of microbiology and immunology. The department offers graduate programs leading to doctoral degrees. Individual programs of study and research are tailored to student needs by an advisory committee. Programs are based upon a curriculum designed to provide a solid scientific background with courses chosen from this department as well as other departments within the University. Students in other departments may minor in Medical Microbiology and Immunology. Graduates leave with a sound background in pathogenic bacteriology, mycology, virology, bacterial metabolism, microbial genetics, immunology, and molecular biology.
Areas of Research: Molecular pathogenesis of staphylococci and streptococci; genetics and regulation of extracellular virulence factor genes; host resistance mechanisms and molecular pathogenesis of Cryptococcus; murine and human nybridoma technology; viral pathogenesis; molecular biology of microbial toxins; bacterial iron acquisition mechanisms; role of complement receptors in autoimmune and immunodeficiency diseases; the molecular basis of MHC Class I polymorphisms; HIV infected cell at a molecular and immunological level; non-human primate models for vaccination studies with bacterial, viral and tumor vaccines; and molecular biology of lyme disease pathogenesis.
Degrees offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
The graduate program in Neuroscience emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to understand the structure and function of the normal and diseased nervous system. The diversity of research represented in this program spans three focus areas: molecular neuroscience, systems neurobiology, and functional neuroscience. Molecular neuroscience involves biochemical investigations at the cellular and molecular levels and includes studies on neurotransmitter systems, pharmacology of neurotransmission, interactions of drugs with receptors, molecular biology of neurological disease, and mechanisms of signal transduction. Systems neurobiology encompasses studies of multi-neuronal networks that range from small ensembles to neural circuitry underlying the control of cardiac and respiratory function, endocrine function and pain mechanisms. Functional neuroscience includes the disciplines of neurology, biological psychology and behavioral neuroscience. Students in the graduate program in Neuroscience are exposed to all three focus areas, providing a strong interdisciplinary foundation on which to build comprehensive and innovative research programs.
Degrees offered: Master of Science with a major in nursing, Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Areas of Study: Administration/management, clinical nurse specialist, nursing education, and nurse practitioner. Areas of specialization: adult acute care, parent-child, community health, gerontological nursing, psychiatric/mental health, and family and pediatric primary health care.
Degrees offered: Master of Science
The graduate program in the Department of Nutritional Sciences is a flexible program whose primary goal is to provide advanced education, training and research to selected students desiring to develop mastery in an area of nutrition. Those students accepted into the graduate program, as part of a DPD Program (Didactic Program in Dietetics) have the option of taking course work that will prepare them for a supervised practice experience, which is a requirement for registration-eligibility with the American Dietetic Association. Graduates of the program may be employed in public health settings, hospitals, clinics, local/state/federal government agencies, wellness centers, private practice, food companies, universities (teaching and research), private industry, and other areas.
Areas of Research: Protein-energy malnutrition, nutrition and growth, obesity, nutrition in women’s health, nutrition and the physically disabled; interaction of carbohydrate, minerals and sex hormones in bone metabolism and nephrocalcinosis; nutrient intake and immune function in AIDS; nutrition and cancer, computer software and dietary assessment; nutrition and cardiovascular disease; dietetic education; sports nutrition and food science.
Degrees offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy
The objective of the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health is to unite an interdisciplinary training and research program for persons grounded in natural, physical and health sciences in order to develop an understanding of human response to the environment as well as the response of the environment to the activities of humans. Toward this end, the department has developed flexible and diversified programs of graduate study, field training, and basic and applied research to accommodate students with a wide range of academic and occupational backgrounds. Areas of study include Industrial Hygiene (ABET-accredited), Environmental Management, and the interdisciplinary Environmental Management & Industrial Hygiene program (also ABET-accredited), leading to the Master of Science, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Public Health degrees. Programs in Occupational Medicine for physicians and physician assistants lead to the Master of Public Health degree. Most courses are offered in the late afternoon and evening format for the convenience of practicing professionals.
Areas of Research: Occupational medicine, industrial hygiene, environmental epidemiology/toxicology; environmental management.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science
To meet the need for patient care and research in the field of orthodontics, a graduate program in this dental specialty was established in 1981. The program prepares dental graduates to manage the full range of dentofacial discrepancies which fall within the responsibility of the orthodontist. Current knowledge and research findings are applied to patient care in all age groups. A thesis is required. The degree awarded is a Master of Science in Dental Sciences, with orthodontics as the area of specialization.
Areas of Research: Growth, development and function of the stomatognathic system; balance or imbalance of dental occlusion; temporomandibular joint dysfunction, materials relevant to orthodontic practice, biologic tissue response, and physical or social adjustment of patients.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
Pathology is a bridging discipline involving both basic and clinical research. It is the study of molecular, cellular and tissue responses to disease. With a training focused on modern molecular, immunologic, biochemical and genetic tools to uncover the mechanisms of the disease process, the graduate program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in biomedical research. Graduate study in experimental pathology emphasizes hypothesis-driven research using cutting-edge research approaches that would lead to the development of independent new investigators.
Areas of Research: Immuno-, molecular and vascular pathobiology, human and experimental renal pathology, gene expression, hemostasis, neutrophil function, lymphoprolifeative diseases, blood-brain barrier systems, endotoxic shock, wound healing, biochemistry, development, tumor biology, and neuropathology.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science
The Master of Science program is an accredited three-year experience, directed toward providing opportunities for the development of expert clinicians and teachers who have a background of comprehensive clinical experience, current basic science knowledge relevant to dentistry, and research methodology. Completion of the 36-month program leads to the Master of Science degree in Periodontics awarded by the Graduate College. A thesis based on an investigative project is required of each candidate. Additionally, a certificate is issued to designate a proficiency in periodontics.
Areas of Research: Includes the systemic and local etiologic factors in the development of periodontal diseases, and the prevention and treatment of these diseases.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Master of Science/Master of Business Administration, Pharm.D./Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy
The Department of Graduate Pharmaceutical Sciences offers graduate degree programs leading to both the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These degree programs are designed to prepare scientists-educators-practitioners for careers in pharmaceutical education, research, industry and related areas of specialized practice. Pharmaceutical sciences graduate students may choose one of six major areas of specialization; individual programs of study and research projects within each of these areas are quite diverse because of interdisciplinary activities of the department.
Areas of Research: Medicinal chemistry; nuclear pharmacy; pharmacology/ toxicology; pharmaceutics; and pharmacy administration. Research is supported by the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, pharmaceutical industry, and private foundations. Graduate students are expected to demonstrate an ever-increasing ability to independently identify and resolve significant problems in their area of specialization.
Degrees offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, M.D./Ph.D.: Medicine/Doctor of Philosophy
The Physiology graduate program provides comprehensive training in integrative sciences incorporating the tools and techniques of physiology with other disciplines to conduct research at the molecular, cellular, organ, and whole animal levels. The doctoral program prepares students for academic careers involving research and teaching as well as other careers where physiological training is required. The master’s program is designed to strengthen the credentials of teachers and health professionals.
Areas of Research: Cellular, molecular, cardiovascular, exercise, and fetal/maternal physiology; regulatory mechanisms influencing cardiopulmonary function and pain transmission; neuroendocrinology/physiology; muscle biochemistry; and epithelial transport. In addition, there is a specialty non-thesis M.S. program in exercise physiology.
Degrees Offered: Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy
The graduate programs of the department provide the educational background for the profession of Medical Radiation Physics, which applies physics to the medical specialties of radiation therapy, diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Potential students are encouraged to correspond directly with the graduate liaison to obtain descriptive information on the profession of Medical Radiation Physics and the department's master's and doctoral programs.
Areas of Research: diagnostic radiology, therapeutic radiology, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound. Current emphasis is placed on pattern recognition, observer performance, medical decision-making, radiation therapy treatment planning, image processing, computer applications in the radiological sciences, dosimetry with thermoluminescent materials, radioactive isotopes, diagnostic ultrasound, Roentgen diagnosis, computed tomography, quality control in radiology, and radiobiology.
Degrees offered: Master of Science
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Rehabilitation Sciences is designed to provide physical therapists and occupational therapists an opportunity to achieve a level of academic accomplishment that will allow them to address complex issues of professional practice through: (1) improving their clinical and basic science knowledge; (2) acquiring in-depth theoretical knowledge in an area of specialization; and (3) developing clinical research competence. As the program objectives are being met, a flexible curriculum enables learners to pursue individual interests and goals and to acquire the background necessary for doctoral program entry in physical therapy, occupational therapy or related disciplines. The master’s program is organized into two areas of disciplinary specialization: musculoskeletal rehabilitation and neurological rehabilitation. Within these areas of specialization, the student may choose orthopedics, sports physical therapy, geriatrics, or pediatrics as an area of emphasis.
Areas of Research: The post-professional Master of Science degree program in Rehabilitation Sciences is designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists and others in closely related disciplines. The program is designed to permit students to build upon their professional disciplines and to follow individualized plans of study according to their future goals and past experiences. The program provides opportunities for students to develop as clinical specialists, clinical researchers, and/or faculty members. With an interdisciplinary approach to the core and cognate areas of the curriculum, the program allows students to supplement advanced information offered in the chosen areas of specialization with knowledge gained in graduate courses taught by faculty throughout the university. The program offers specialization in orthopedics, pediatrics, and sports medicine.
September 2006