University of Central Oklahoma (UCO, UCO) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

“Going green” is more than just a passing fad at the University of Central Oklahoma! Encouraging a green atmosphere is one of many accolades of which the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) can be proud. This state university is 100% wind energy dependent, has its own recycling program, produces its own biofuel, and uses compact fluorescent bulbs throughout campus. Having a green thumb as well, with lush gardens located throughout campus, UCO is the ideal school for anyone who shares a passion for saving the environment. The oldest and third largest university in Oklahoma, UCO is located in Edmond and was established as a teacher training school in 1890.

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Information Summary

Ranks 10th in Oklahoma and 1130th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	78.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$24,091
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT 75%ile scores	24
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	65% / 49%
Enrollment Total (all students)	15,393

Academics

The university is comprised of the College of Fine Arts and Design, the College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, College of Mathematics and Science and the Forensic Science Institute.

Students can pursue over 100 majors including art history, music, economics, information and operations management, early childhood education, speech/language pathology, history-museum studies, sociology, actuarial science computer science and forensic science. Besides of the vast number of bachelor’s degrees offered, there are also a wide variety of minor studies that students can choose from.

Students may also be able to choose to mix and match special areas of expertise with their major. For instance if a student majors in Fashion Marketing, he/she can minor in mass communications-advertising or marketing-professional selling. UCO also boasts 6 master degrees that cover 32 programs of study such as business administration, English, music, forensic science, design and bilingual/TESL.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

Transformative Learning and Leadership:

UCO promotes something called transformative learning. This is the idea that there are 6 areas that students need to learn or be a part of in order to be well rounded individuals that contribute successfully to their communities. These five essential elements are: discipline knowledge (field of study) leadership (character enrichment) problem solving (through research and personal activities) service learning and civic engagement (community service projects) global and cultural competencies (awareness of the world around) and health and wellness. At UCO leadership qualities are seen as the base of a good education and a stepping stone to a great career. UCO offers leadership as a minor. Classes such as theories of leadership and leadership and civic management are believed to enrich a student after graduation making that student better prepared in the workforce. Leadership opportunities are all around campus. Leadership training camps and summits are available year round, as well as book clubs that read all about leaders and leadership around the world, and an actual library dedicated to books and other resources about leadership.

New to UCO is the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) which will offer an associate in applied science degree later this year as a bachelor degree program. This degree program will be taught by musicians and other professionals in the music industry. The ACM focuses primarily on music production and advancing ones talent on the drums, guitar, keyboard and vocals. Another unique quality of UCO is its special jazz lab. This lab doubles as a music learning center and recording studio during the day and a music club that is open to the public as a family entertainment hot spot at night.

Admissions

The University of Central Oklahoma has a rolling admissions policy. The basic admission requirements are a minimum 2.7 GPA and an ACT score of 20 or above or an SAT score of 950 or above. UCO offers a combined application process that takes care of admission and scholarships at the same time (some scholarships do have particular deadlines).

For transfer students or adult students wanting to attend UCO there is no minimum of transfer credits required. If credits being transferred are less than 24, the requirements of incoming freshman are also required, but if you are an adult (defined as being over the age of 21) placement exams are to be completed before admission.

Financial Aid

To be considered for financial aid such as federal grants, loans, and work study opportunities, prospective students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year. Information provided on the FAFSA, will ultimately determine what form of federal financial aid you are eligible to receive. Be sure to fill out this form carefully and be sure to note the priority deadlines for submission.

The federal deadline for online applications is in late June for the fall to spring semester. The deadline for the state of Oklahoma itself falls in mid-March for priority consideration.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 2358th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Oklahoma.

Students

At UCO, student life is seen in all aspects of having a productive college education. Campus Activities and Events which is run by the department of student affairs offers students the chance to be the leaders in orchestrating such programs as the new student orientation and homecoming. Students also have the opportunity to take advantage of memberships in fraternity and sororities. Student organizations or clubs and associations,such as the Student Programming Board is in charge of setting up events and programs from the community and bringing them onto the campus.

Annual events include an international food festival, Battle of the Bands, and the “Shack-a-thon”. The Shack-a-thon is an interesting three day event that raises awareness of the plight of poverty and hunger. In this event, students form teams that create shacks made from materials such as cardboard, wood, and tape. They can use additional supplies to build their homes, but these supplies must be obtained for less than $50. Students then live in these shacks, panhandling to raise not only awareness of the cause but to raise funds for the Breakfast on Boulevard, an organization that feeds the hungry and also provides additional community services to those in need in Edmond, OK. It is truly transformative learning in practice.

Another similar event that raises awareness of poverty and hunger is the Canned Food Drive and Sculpture competition. Hosted during Greek Week, this artistically inclined food drive, where sculptures are assembled in the NUC from non-perishable food items, helps collect food products that are ultimately donated to the Regional Food Bank.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

Are you a sports fanatic? You won’t be disappointed with the sports here. This school has both men/women basketball and golf. With a large number of female students, competitive level sports are more geared towards women, which includes a rowing team, cross-country, tennis, track and field, volleyball and soccer. There are various intramural sports offered through the wellness center. During the fall, teams for flag football are in constant demand. In the spring, students can compete in archery, table tennis and Ultimate Frisbee. A little interesting fact, UCO has been an official U.S. training site for the Paralympics since 2005. This university has hosted the men’s and women’s sitting volleyball team. They also are considered an U.S. Olympic committee community partner.

Additional School Information

The university offers a variety of housing choices. Aside from fraternity and sorority housing, students have four housings options to choose from. The central plaza housing unit is a coed facility. It was previously a hotel which means this particular housing hall is a unique college feature with personal bathrooms in each room. This facility is fully furnished and also comes with queen beds, a far cry from the conventional twin bed dorm rooms .West Hall and Murdaugh Hall are the female and male dorm halls respectively. They offer the typical college dorm lifestyle with double occupancy rooms and community bathrooms. University suites offer single and double occupancy rooms with private bathrooms and kitchenettes. What’s unique about the university suites is the outdoor areas that have private courtyard for games such as volleyball and other types of recreation such as grilling. The University Commons is the apartment complex on campus that offers full kitchens and laundry facilities.

University of Central Oklahoma