Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Carnegie Foundation Classification

Research Universities (high research activity)

General Characteristics

Highest offering	Doctoral degree
Calendar System	Semester
Years of college work required	N/A
Variable Tuition

Special Learning Opportunities

Distance Learning
ROTC — Army / Navy / Airforce	— / /
Study Abroad
Weekend College
Teacher Certification

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus History

Oklahoma State University consists of a number of different individual campuses: OSU Stillwater, OSU Tulsa, OSU Oklahoma City, OSU Okmulgee, the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station. Cooperative extension offices are located in every county. The Stillwater campus is the largest in terms of both enrollment and programs offered. Oklahoma State University was founded in 1890 as a land-grant institution and became a University in 1957. The University now awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees.

When OSU was opened in 1890, it literally had no curriculum, no books, and no buildings. The first academic building opened in 1894, and the first commencement was held in 1896. The University officially adopted the Oklahoma State name in 1957, and other branches soon followed. The most recent addition of major significance was that of the College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988.

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Academics

The Stillwater campus of the University is composed of a number of different schools and colleges: the College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Center for Health Sciences, the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, the College of Human Environmental Sciences, and the William S. Spears School of Business. There is also a Graduate College and an Honors College.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in 181 different disciplines, including agriculture, economics, education, entomology, forestry, plant and soil sciences, engineering, art history, creative writing, French, human development and family science, mathematics, political science, theatre, and construction management technology. While the liberal arts and humanities are represented, some specialties such as classics and studies of non-European cultures and languages are not available.

Master’s degrees are awarded in a number of fields, including agriculture, forest resources, communications sciences and disorders, English, physics, sociology, accounting, community counseling, physical education, teaching, learning, and leadership, engineering, natural and applied sciences, international studies, and veterinary biomedical sciences. Doctoral degrees are awarded in a number of programs, including crop sciences, English, other arts and humanities, education, business, engineering, and veterinary biomedical science. The University also offers the doctor of osteopathic medicine degree (DO). Students in the veterinary school can earn a DVM as part of a dual program with a masters or doctoral degree.

Associate degrees and a few bachelor’s degrees are offered at the campuses in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Okmulgee. The emphasis on the smaller campuses is on career and technical education.

Oklahoma State University actually includes four college campuses—Stillwater, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Okmulgee—as well as the OSU Center for Health Sciences (Tulsa), the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station.

Oklahoma State faculty are impressively “hands on” for a university enrolling nearly 25,000 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is approximately 19:1, giving students the opportunity to interact directly with one or more of the nearly 1000 faculty members, 91% of which have the terminal degree in their field.

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Unique Programs

Oklahoma State gives students the opportunity to design their own major field of study. The also offer a freshman honors program, traditional honors program, cooperative education, and unique internship opportunities.

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Financial Aid

In-state tuition for undergraduate students was $97 per credit hour in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs, as will students attending campuses other than Stillwater.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

Along with the standard requirements for financial aid of a diploma or GED, citizenship, and demonstration of financial need, OSU requires all financial aid recipients be registered with the Selective Service, submit a FAFSA, and have borrowed a minimal amount from Title IV loans or not be in default on any similar loan programs.

OSU also offers a plethora of student loan programs, including subsidized and unsubsidized direct loans, parent loans, loan consolidation, Perkins loans, and “alternative loans.” There are also special loan programs for health professionals.

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Students

In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, and administration buildings, Oklahoma State University has an art gallery and the national wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.

The Oklahoma State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. It contains the only patent and trademark depository library in the State of Oklahoma. Wireless laptops are available to borrow while in the library.

Oklahoma State is home to more than 350 recognized student organizations and a massive Student Union. Every year, incoming freshman students join in “Camp Cowboy,” the University’s three-day orientation period that immerses students in OSU culture.

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Traditions

Oklahoma State has some of the richest college traditions of any land grant university in the country. Like most universities OSU has a fight song and alma mater, both of which are sung with reverence at each football game. OSU also makes a place for the Oklahoma State Song, securing the institution’s connection to its home.

An age-old legend and tradition ingrained in the life of every OSU student is the legend of Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton. The University’s mascot, Pistol Pete, is named after this famed gunslinger from the Old West and is a source of great pride for every OSU student and alum.

One of the newest and most exciting traditions is The Walk, initiated by rejoining head football coach Les Miles. Each day before the football game, the OSU team walks down Hester Street to Lewis Field, led by Coach Miles. Fans, along with the band and cheerleaders, join their team in the game day trek, making this one of the most spirited events in OSU history.

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Local Community

Stillwater has a population of approximately 40,000. It is located in North Central Oklahoma.

In the past few years, downtown Stillwater has undergone a lot of renovation and historic preservation. The Downtown Stillwater organization is part of a network of “downtown associations” that aim to preserve their communities’ heritage through maintaining downtown squares, storefronts, and thoroughfares. These days, downtown Stillwater is a pleasant place to shop, eat, or just see the sights.