The History

Oklahoma State University was founded as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College on Dec. 25, 1890, just 20 months after the Land Run of 1889. When the first students assembled for class on Dec. 14, 1891, no buildings, books or curriculum existed. 

Land-grant universities were made possible by the Morrill Acts of 1862, 1890 and 1994. They first granted federally controlled land to states to establish “land-grant” colleges. They were designed to be a departure from the typical liberal arts curriculum and a response to the industrial revolution. Land-grant colleges were designed to improve the world through education and research in agriculture, military tactics and mechanical arts. 

In 1894, two-and-a-half years after classes began in local churches, 144 students moved into the first academic building — later named Old Central and still located on the southeast corner of campus, housing the Honors College today. In 1896, Oklahoma A&M held its first commencement with six male graduates.

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 created a cooperative extension service associated with each land-grant institution. OSU has 77 Extension offices, one in each county. They provide practical, research-based knowledge for improving lives and communities. 

On July 1, 1957, Oklahoma A&M College became Oklahoma State University. Technical branches were established in Okmulgee in 1946 and in Oklahoma City in 1961. In 1990, these two technical branches were renamed OSU-Okmulgee and OSU-Oklahoma City; and in 2008, OSU-Okmulgee was renamed OSU Institute of Technology. OSU-Tulsa was formed in 1999 from a consortium of universities that were originally established in 1982. In July 1988, the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (in Tulsa) became the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2001, it became part of the OSU Center for Health Sciences, which also has an affiliation with its primary teaching hospital — OSU Medical Center. Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Cherokee Nation established the nation’s first tribally affiliated college of medicine in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, which opened in August 2020.

OSU’s main campus is located in Stillwater, a north-central Oklahoma community with a population of around 50,000. Stillwater is approximately 60 miles from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metropolitan areas and is readily accessible by interstate highway and air. Stillwater Regional Airport added daily air service to Dallas in 2016.

The university has an enrollment of more than 34,500 students on five campuses. It offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in many fields, as well as Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees. Specialist in Education degrees are also offered in select fields.

Although OSU is a large, comprehensive university, its size does not minimize the personal attention each student receives. The individual is more than just a number at OSU. Students can count on personal attention in a friendly environment.

As a comprehensive land-grant institution, OSU offers many distinct advantages: nearly four million volumes in the library’s collection; modern research laboratories and equipment; excellent physical education, recreation and student union facilities; more than 500 student organizations; nationally recognized residence hall programs; outstanding cultural and athletic events; and 45 nationally affiliated fraternities and sororities that provide a stimulating educational and social environment.

The Strategy

Through teaching, research and Extension, the land-grant institutions steward a timeless responsibility: to raise successive generations of servant-leaders; to engage as vital members of their communities; to bring research and new knowledge to bear to prepare students for the world they will enter; and to extend critical knowledge and expertise to meet society’s most pressing problems — the “Grand Challenges” facing civilization.

In October 2022, OSU released its strategy to become the nation’s preeminent land-grant institution. The plan is deeply rooted in the university’s land-grant mission to serve the public good. Included in the plan are eight policy imperatives that include, among others, decreasing student debt through scholarships, new enrollment goals and a commitment to creating graduates who exhibit the four competencies of 1) professional preparedness, 2) engaged citizenship, 3) ethical leadership and 4) personal responsibility. The strategy also lays out a plan to capitalize on the intersection of the university’s research strengths with society’s greatest needs. 

Student Profile

OSU has a diverse student body. Students come from Oklahoma, across the nation and around the world. Of OSU's more than 34,500 students, approximately 73% are on the Stillwater campus, including students at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The remaining student population is spread over OSU-Oklahoma City, OSU Institute of Technology, OSU-Tulsa and the OSU Center for Health Sciences. 

More than 76% of the undergraduates enrolled are Oklahoma residents. International undergraduates consist of 1% and are from 53 foreign countries. The total international enrollment is from 95 countries. Of the undergraduate population, 53% are women. U.S. minorities make up approximately 35% of the undergraduate student body. The six-year graduation rate of full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students is 66% for OSU-Stillwater and OSU-Tulsa.

There are 5,399 graduate students throughout the OSU system. Over 3,800 of those students are on the Stillwater campus. Of the graduate students on all campuses, 41% are Oklahoma residents, 37% are out-of-state residents and 22% are from foreign countries. Females make up 52% and U.S. minorities make up 26.3% of the graduate student body.

An annual report regarding gender equity in OSU's athletic programs is available upon request from the Athletic Department.

Research

Research has been one of the three essential components of the OSU mission since the University’s inception. Research adds richness, depth and broader impact to the other mission components of teaching and outreach. In the sciences and engineering, basic research advances the frontiers of disciplinary knowledge; whereas, applied research improves quality of life and economic prosperity by bringing new products, processes and medicines to the marketplace. Research and creative innovations within the arts and humanities enhance how human beings view and understand the world we live in.

OSU’s faculty and students are engaged in research across the full spectrum of human endeavor and inquiry, including areas of state and national priority. In addition to disciplinary research in virtually all academic units on campus, OSU is strong in several areas of interdisciplinary research. Researchers involved in next generation sustainable energy span agricultural innovation, nutrition, engineering, toxicology, geosciences, economics and the social/behavioral sciences. OneHealth is an interdisciplinary framework that recognizes the interconnections between human health, animal health and a healthy planet. OSU OneHealth includes research as diverse as pandemic preparedness, veterinary medicine, ecology, psychology, exercise science and bioengineering—as well as basic research in the bench sciences. Unmanned systems research (including unmanned aircraft) brings researchers from several engineering disciplines together with experts in production agriculture, computer science, information systems and aviation education to create platforms, sensors, data management tools and new applications for this burgeoning field. Such interdisciplinary research strengths are enhanced by big data solutions, including OSU’s high performance computing facilities and advanced analytical expertise. Other strength areas include transportation, rural renewal, wheat and sod science, and factors associated with the opioid crisis.

The Division of the Vice President for Research administers research across the OSU System. The division is comprised of the following units:

The Research Administration office (research.okstate.edu) is responsible for research governance, operations and special programs including the OSU Researchers' Reception, the Regents Distinguished Research Awards, the President’s Fellows Faculty Research Award, the Otto S. Cox Graduate Fellowships for Genetics Research and the Niblack Research Scholars program. Other areas administered by the office include complaints of research misconduct, core facilities and facilities renovation/development programs, University cost-share and University research start-up programs.

The Office of University Research Compliance (research.okstate.edu/research-compliance) ensures OSU follows federal, state and University regulations that set forth requirements for certain kinds of research. Working through faculty committees, it oversees research involving human subjects, animal models, radiological materials, certain hazardous agents and recombinant DNA.

Central Sponsored Programs Administration (https://research.okstate.edu/faculty-resources/central-sponsored-programs-admin.html) is the document control center for the routing of all proposals and awards throughout the University. It provides support to faculty and staff (through information about funding opportunities and training seminars); manages campus-wide electric research administration systems (e.g., proposal submission, funding notification, and administration of awards); manages limited submission competitions; and posts online research expenditures. Additionally, contracting specialists provide guidance for compliance with federal export control regulations that govern the conduct of research and export of specific technologies.

The Division of the Vice President for Research is also home to several core research facilities. The High Performance Computing Center (hpcc.okstate.edu) provides supercomputing services and computational science expertise that enables faculty, staff and students to conduct a wide range of focused research, development and test activities. Its main objective is to facilitate research and aid in educational advancement by integrating state-of-the-art high performance computing technology for multidisciplinary units across the OSU campus and throughout Oklahoma. The Oklahoma State University Microscopy Laboratory (research.okstate.edu/microscopy) is a multi-user instrumentation facility for materials research spanning from nanotechnology to biology and medicine. Analytical capabilities include microscopy via electron beams, force probes and visible light, as well as nanomechanical and nanotribological probes. OSU's Animal Resources (research.okstate.edu/animalresources) handles the centralized housing and husbandry of animals utilized in research, and overseas the veterinary care of all OSU animals used for teaching testing and research.

Research Centers and Facilities

OSU has multiple research centers and facilities across the Stillwater campus and throughout the state.

The NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program leads a statewide initiative that conducts cutting edge research while building Oklahoma’s talent pipeline in STEM fields (http://okepscor.org). 

The Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases (ocrid.okstate.edu) works toward understanding and treatment of a major health problem in the U.S.

The Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Adversity (circaok.com), a collaboration between OSU and the OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa, is establishing the linkages between childhood difficulties and later physical health.

The Unmanned Systems Research Institute (ceat.okstate.edu/mae/research/usri) brings together researchers from all over the university and the state to advance unmanned aerial systems and related technologies and applications.

The Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center (food.okstate.edu) provides large and small businesses, producers and entrepreneurs access to faculty and staff with expertise in business and technical disciplines. The FAPC seeks to develop successful value-added enterprises in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Center (water.okstate.edu) aims to understand and manage Oklahoma water resources and resolve Oklahoma water issues by conducting research and disseminating the resulting knowledge. With expertise in a variety of disciplines, more than 80 faculty members across campus are involved in the Center’s activities.

The Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center (tulsa.okstate.edu/helmerich) is a state-of-the-art research, development, testing and education center located on the OSU-Tulsa campus. Faculty from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and materials science and engineering work collaboratively there on research and graduate education.

The Henry Bellmon Research Center houses six of OSU’s leading interdisciplinary research programs: synthetic chemistry, biodiversity, biophysics, photonics, bioforensics and biogeophysics. These are but a few of OSU’s research centers and facilities; for other examples and more detailed information, visit https://research.okstate.edu/centers-and-institutes.html

Outreach

Oklahoma State University's long and proud tradition of excellence in outreach and community engagement is rooted in its beginnings as a land grant institution. That heritage is demonstrated through engagement in the hundreds of educational and research programs seeking to solve problems and help people thrive in the state, nation and around the world. Every academic college on the OSU campus is engaged in outreach programs that include noncredit professional development, education opportunities for young children to the elderly, and technical assistance services to support business and economic growth.

Office of Individual Study

The Oklahoma State University Office of Individual Study offers online, self-paced undergraduate courses in multiple time frames including 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 12 months. Individual Study courses offer college credit and are ideal for individuals with busy schedules who desire a more flexible format such as those working full time, juggling family responsibilities, military members, and incarcerated individuals. Individual Study students may be in-state, out of state or out of country students and do not have to be admitted to OSU.

OSU students can also enroll in any of the course options. Check the class schedule for "independent study." Yearlong courses have open start dates so students may begin a course anytime. Courses are delivered through the OSU learning management system, Canvas; however, students who do not have Internet access can participate in courses using print-based materials.

Call 405-744-6390 or visit is.okstate.edu for class descriptions, costs, and enrollment information. For information on all OSU online courses and degrees, visit osuonline.okstate.edu, call 405-744-1015, or email osuonline@okstate.edu.

Accreditation

Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit degree-granting colleges and universities for the Midwest region of the United States. Accreditation is the process by which colleges, universities, and academic programs demonstrate their quality.   

At Oklahoma State University, various programs within the academic colleges hold specific area accreditation and are subject to review periodically based on the associated accrediting body. Area accreditation serves as a quality assurance process under which an external body evaluates services and operations of educational programs to determine if applicable standards are met. OSU holds more than 70 area accreditations across numerous fields of study. Below is the list of currently held area accreditations as reported by each college.

College of Arts and Sciences.

Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. Media and Strategic Communications is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Multimedia Journalism is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Sports Media is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. B.M. Education, B.M. Performance, B.A. Music, B.S. Music Industry, M.M. Applied Performance, M.M. Conducting, and M.M. Applied Multiple Woodwinds are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). PhD in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). PhD in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS). BA in Theatre is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

College of Engineering and Architecture Technology.

Aerospace Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Architectural Engineering is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Vocational Technical Education. Architecture is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Civil and Environmental Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Construction Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Electrical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Electrical Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Industrial Engineering & Management is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Mechanical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Mechanical Engineering Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET.

College of Education and Human Sciences.

Apparel Design & Apparel Design and Technology is accredited by the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission (TAPAC). Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Fashion Design and Merchandising is accredited by the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission (TAPAC). Bachelor of Science in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND, Formerly CADE). Master of Science in Dietetics is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND, Formerly CADE). PhD in School Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association. PhD in School Psychology is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists. EDS is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists; 2026. Family and Consumer Sciences is accredited by the CAEP. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers is accredited by the OEQA. Early Childhood Education is accredited by the OEQA. Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). The Child Development Lab School is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The Child Development Laboratory is accredited by the Licensed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion is accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH). Bachelor of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Master in Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Counseling Psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Therapeutic Recreation is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE) through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Education Leadership - School Administration is accredited by the ELCC (though will have transitioned to NELP Standards for the next report). School Administration is accredited by the ELCC (though will have transitioned to NELP Standards for the next report). Building Level Leadership is accredited by the CAEP. District Level Leadership is accredited by the CAEP. M.S. Educational Technology - School Library Media is accredited by the OEQA. Elementary Education is accredited by the CAEP. BS in Elementary Education is accredited by the Formerly ACEI; and has transitioned to OEQA, Oklahoma’s state accreditor. Secondary Education - Art Education is accredited by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA). B.S. in Secondary Education - English is accredited by the NCTE. Secondary Education - Foreign Language Education is accredited by the ACTFL. B.S. in Secondary Education - Social Studies is accredited by the NCSS. Secondary Mathematics Ed. (B.S. Content Area Degree, plus Secondary Teaching Cert. option) is accredited by the NCTM. Secondary Science Ed. (B.S. Content Area Degree, Secondary Teaching Cert. options) is accredited by the NSTA (for this last report; will transition to OEQA). M.S. in Teaching, Learning & Leadership: Reading & Literacy is accredited by the OEQA. Aerospace Administration and Operations is accredited by the Federal Aviation Administration. Applied Exercise Science is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education.

Ferguson College of Agriculture.

Agriculture Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Landscape Architecture is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board. Natural Resource Ecology and Management - Forestry Option is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

Spears School of Business.

Accounting is accredited by the Federation of Schools of Accountancy. Accounting, Economics (previously Economics and Legal Studies in Business), Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Management Sciences & Information Systems, Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Accounting, Systems, and Auditing, Accounting, Business Administration, Business Analytics and Data Science, Economics is accredited, Finance Essentials, Property And Real Estate Management, Quantitative Finance, Travel And Tourism Management, Business Essentials, Business, Business Sustainability, Nonprofit Management, Sustainable Business Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, Business Analytics and Data Science (previously Marketing Analytics), Sales and Service Excellence, Data Analytics, Information Assurance, Health Analytics, Business Administration: Executive Research, General Business is accredited, Entrepreneurship, Casino & Gaming Management, Hospitality and Tourism Analytics, Finance & Investment Banking, are all accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

College of Veterinary Medicine

The College of Veterinary Medicine is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education. The Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education (COE). The Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association.

Students complete general education courses in a broad variety of areas: analytical and quantitative thought (A), diversity (D), humanities (H), international cultures (I), natural sciences (N), and social and behavioral sciences (S). One of the natural sciences courses must have a scientific investigation (L) designation. A course is qualified to be part of the general education curriculum if it meets the needs of students in all disciplines without requiring extensive specialized skills and satisfies all the criteria for a specific general education area. The requirements for each general education area follow:

General Education Area Designations

ANALYTICAL AND QUANTITATIVE THOUGHT - (A)

Purpose:

Courses designated “A” incorporate the study of systems of logic and the mathematical sciences with a primary emphasis on inductive and/or deductive processes. 

Requirements:

Students will critically analyze and solve problems using quantitative, geometric, or logical models.

Students will form inferences using logical systems and mathematical information and communicate them effectively.

Students will give appropriate multiple representations (symbolical, visual, graphical, numerical, or verbal) of logical or mathematical information.

DIVERSITY - (D)

Purpose:

Courses designated “D” prepare students for engaged citizenship in the diverse, multicultural society of the United States.

Requirements:

Students will reflect on identity through the examination of one or more underrepresented groups (e.g. racial, ethnic, religious, social class, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation) in present day United States.

Students will examine the ways underrepresented groups define and express themselves and the context in which these definitions are constructed. 

Students will critically analyze theories and systems of cultural, societal, political, or economic power.

Students will demonstrate their understanding through written work that provides them the opportunity to enhance their writing skills; upper division “D” courses will include extensive written work.

1. Writing assignments must be weighted in the grading scheme such that students are discouraged from skipping the assignment (i.e. writing assignments are worth a minimum 10% of the overall grade). 
2. Writing assignments must be tied to the purpose/requirements of the “D” designation.
3. The minimum required number of pages may be encompassed in one or multiple assignments. Informal writing assignments (like journals or class notes) and group projects will not count toward writing minimum. Multiple drafts of the same work cannot be counted twice in the cumulative page minimum. 
4. Lower-division courses must include at least five pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays. 
5. Upper-division courses must include at least ten pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays. Instructors must provide feedback that students can incorporate in subsequent writing assignments (by revising and resubmitting a single assignment or submitting multiple assignments). At least one writing assignment must be at least four pages in length. 

In courses worth three or more credit hours, at least one-half of the course materials must relate to one or more underrepresented groups. A course that is fewer than three hours must be entirely devoted to these groups. A detailed class schedule should be included on the course syllabus to confirm content minimum has clearly been met.

HUMANITIES - (H)

Purpose:

Courses designated "H" concentrate on the expression, analysis, and interpretation of ideas and the aesthetics or values that have formed and informed individuals and societies.

Requirements:

Students will critically analyze the relationships of aesthetics, ideas, or cultural values to historic and contemporary cultures.

Students will develop an understanding of how ideas, events, arts, or texts shape diverse individual identities.

Students will demonstrate their understanding through written work that provides them the opportunity to enhance their writing skills; upper division “H’ courses will include extensive written work.

1. Writing assignments must be weighted in the grading scheme such that students are discouraged from skipping the assignment (i.e. writing assignments are worth a minimum of 10% of the overall grade).
2. The minimum required number of pages may be encompassed in one or multiple assignments. Informal writing assignments (like journals or class notes) and group projects will not count toward writing minimum. Multiple drafts of the same work cannot be counted twice in the cumulative page minimum. 
3. Lower-division courses must include at least five pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays. 
4. Upper-division courses must include at least ten pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays. Instructors must provide feedback that students can incorporate in subsequent writing assignments (by revising and resubmitting a single assignment or submitting multiple assignments). At least one writing assignment must be at least four pages in length. 

* Courses focused on studio work, design, performance, or individual creative production are not eligible for “H” designations.

INTERNATIONAL CULTURES - (I)

Purpose:

Courses designated “I” prepare students for engaged citizenship in today’s global society through understanding of cultural perspectives outside the United States. Courses concerning ethnic and cultural minorities within the U.S. do not qualify.

Requirements:

Students will examine current interactions of groups or cultures external to the United States within their political, economic, ideological, or natural contexts.

Students will understand how current international cultures relate to complex, systems related to oppression, political ideology, globalization, or other similar dynamics.

Students will demonstrate their understanding through written work that provides them the opportunity to enhance their writing skills; upper division “I” courses will include extensive written work. 

1. Writing assignments must be weighted in the grading scheme such that students are discouraged from skipping the assignment (i.e. writing assignments are worth a minimum 10% of the overall grade).
2. Writing assignments must be tied to the purpose/requirements of the “I” designation.
3. The minimum required number of pages may be encompassed in one or multiple assignments. Informal writing assignments (like journals or class notes) and group projects will not count toward writing minimum. Multiple drafts of the same work cannot be counted twice in the cumulative page minimum.  
4. Lower-division courses must include at least five pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays.  
5. Upper-division courses must include at least ten pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays. Instructors must provide feedback that students can incorporate in subsequent writing assignments (by revising and resubmitting a single assignment or submitting multiple assignments). At least one writing assignment must be at least 4 pages in length.   

In courses worth three or more credit hours, at least one-half of the course materials must relate to international cultural perspectives on the present times. A course that is fewer than three credit hours must be entirely devoted to these groups. A detailed class schedule should be included on the course syllabus to confirm content minimum has clearly been met.   

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION - (L)

Purpose:

Courses designated “L” emphasize evaluating scientific hypotheses through the scientific inquiry process and must include the equivalent of at least one semester credit hour of physical or biological laboratory experience.

Requirements:

Students will critically analyze scientific problems, formulate hypotheses, conduct appropriate experiments, and summarize and interpret results.

Students will communicate procedures, results and conclusions through written work appropriate to the discipline.

NATURAL SCIENCES  - (N)

Purpose:

Courses designated “N” feature the systematic study of physical or biological processes and the mechanisms and consequences of human intervention in those processes.

Requirements:

Students will understand the scientific inquiry process.

Students will use the methodologies and models of science to define, evaluate, and solve problems in biological and physical sciences.

Students will evaluate evidence, interpretations, results, and solutions related to the physical and biological sciences.

Students will understand the consequences of human intervention in physical and biological processes and mechanisms.

Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate in a manner appropriate to the discipline through written assignments. 

SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - (S)

Purpose:

Courses designated "S" propose theoretical constructs based on empirical observation (including quantitative or qualitative methods) to explain human behavior and society in social and/or physical environments.

Requirements:

Students will critically analyze generalizations about society and explore theoretical structures.

Students will understand the role of empirical observation using quantitative or qualitative methods in the social and behavioral sciences.

Students will demonstrate their understanding through written work that provides them the opportunity to enhance their writing skills; upper division “S” courses will include extensive written work. 

1. Writing assignments must be weighted in the grading scheme such that students are discouraged from skipping the assignment (i.e. writing assignments are worth a minimum 10% of the overall grade).
2. The minimum required number of pages may be encompassed in one or multiple assignments. Informal writing assignments (like journals or class notes) and group projects will not count toward writing minimum. Multiple drafts of the same work cannot be counted twice in the cumulative page minimum.  
3. Lower-division courses must include at least five pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays.  
4. Upper-division courses must include at least ten pages of out-of-class written assignments or essays. Instructors must provide feedback that students can incorporate in subsequent writing assignments (by revising and resubmitting a single assignment or submitting multiple assignments). At least one writing assignment must be at least four pages in length.  

Effective Fall 2020, all new requests for General Education designations must meet the purpose and all requirements in this document. Courses with approved General Education designations will retain the General Education designation until their next review. When the General Education Advisory Council next reviews the course the course must satisfy the purpose and all requirements to retain the General Education designation. If the designation(s) is denied during a review, the course will retain the designation(s) for one year during which time the course can be revised and resubmitted for reconsideration.

Athletic Programs Mission

Oklahoma State University is committed to providing regionally and nationally competitive athletics programs as an integral part of the overall educational mission of the University. Sponsored programs comply with the highest recognized standards of the institution and the athletic governing bodies. Intercollegiate athletics operate in harmony with the University's stated mission and are committed to the intellectual, cultural, physical and social development of the student-athletes as individuals. Opportunities for student-athletes are provided without discrimination. OSU is a member of the highly competitive Big 12 Conference.

Facilities

The OSU campus is one of exceptional beauty with its many modified Georgian-style buildings set against immaculate landscaping. The main campus encompasses more than 200 permanent buildings on 840 acres. Notable facilities include the Edmon Low Library, one of the largest in the Southwest, and Old Central, the university’s first permanent structure on campus. Lovingly restored, Old Central continues to hold court on the southeast side of campus and houses the Honors College.  

OSU boasts an extremely comprehensive Student Union. Thanks to a $63 million facelift, the Student Union offers greatly enhanced facilities and services to students. Campus Life is prominently located on the second floor and dining options have been enhanced and expanded. The Student Services Center in the Union houses the Bursar, Registrar, Hargis Leadership Institute, Campus Life, Scholarship and Financial Aid, University College Advising, Undergraduate Admissions and New Student Orientation and Enrollment in one convenient location. In 2016, the Student Union’s Atherton Hotel received a major renovation that enlarged its rooms and upgraded its accommodations.

In 2006, OSU launched its campus Master Plan 2025, calling for more than $850 million in projects to improve facilities in four areas: academics, student life, infrastructure and athletics. The historic, far-reaching plan continues to transform the OSU campus.

Newest Additions

New Frontiers Agricultural Hall is a $115.2 million, 184,000 square-foot building that will house the Ferguson College of Agriculture. The new home will be ready for the fall 2024 semester and strengthen OSU Agriculture’s research, teaching and Extension missions while addressing two key challenges: attracting and retaining scientific leaders and equipping collaborative teams with state-of-the-art laboratory and field facilities. It will redefine what is possible for faculty, students and the industries and communities that depend on their research. It will prioritize experiential teaching, flexible research and a strong sense of community through strategically designed spaces. There will be expanded space and presence for student organizations, including the Student Success Center, which coordinates on-campus career fairs and other activities with more than 60 student organizations. The facility is being created with modern teaching methods in mind, utilizing flexible lab spaces to serve multiple disciplines. It will change and modernize how research is conducted and how scientific subjects are taught. Featuring numerous interactive classrooms to harness students’ energy and the excitement of innovation, the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall will be a space that fosters learning and collaboration.

The $28.9 million renovation and expansion for Engineering South was completed in July 2023 in time for the 2023 fall semester. This historic structure has been the home for various departments within the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology since 1939. All four floors of the interior will be gutted and redesigned to propel Engineering South into the 21st century. The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department will occupy the second floor and the Mechanical Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department will occupy the third floor. Upgrades to the public first floor will be department-focused spaces with a goal to create a strong ECE and MAE community, encourage and support our teaching and research missions, brand ECE and MAE as leaders in high-tech innovation, and attract the brightest students and faculty. The fourth floor provides an exciting opportunity for CEAT innovation and growth, including an open design studio for collaborative senior design, a design and innovation laboratory and seminar room for laboratory intensive courses, additional office space for teaching and research assistants, and gathering and study spaces for ECE and MAE students and student organizations. The Zink Center for Competitive Innovation and the new 207-seat Chickasaw STEM auditorium will provide CEAT with new programming and innovative spaces to elevate student learning and success.

Construction for the $22 million Central Market Place started in April 2023 and is scheduled to open in fall 2024. This new 31,000-square-foot facility will have the capacity to house nearly 300 guests and will feature food concepts in Byte, Caribou Coffee, 405 Deli and 1890 Market all in a modern, open seating atmosphere that includes a covered patio area with views of campus activities. Byte will be a unique “ghost kitchen" concept that will serve a rotating menu of diverse offerings. This can be thought of as a virtual restaurant operating as a digital storefront. The guest places their order via an app or kiosk and the food is prepared in the back of the house and delivered through a locker-style system. Caribou Coffee will be just like its counterpart in the Student Union. 405 Deli made its campus debut in the Kerr-Drummond dining complex during the fall 2022 semester and will transition over to Central Market Place. This self-branded sandwich concept offers a Stillwater-inspired menu consisting of gourmet sandwiches and salads. The 1890 Market is a rebranding of OSU’s largest on-campus convenience store currently operating in Kerr-Drummond — Twenty Something. As with all University Dining Services campus convenience stores, the 1890 Market will house a selection of groceries, grab-and-go items, snacks and necessities. This convenience store will have increased shopping space providing an expansive selection of products. 

The new $100 million Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI) will be constructed on the Stillwater campus and will develop preventative therapeutic strategies to combat obesity and chronic diseases. The institute will be the first of its kind — a university-based center focused on human performance and nutrition science for optimizing health and performance. The institute will leverage research and expertise from several departments and colleges across the OSU system, including the College of Education and Human Sciences, Ferguson College of Agriculture, the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Robert M. Kerr Food and Agriculture Products Center, College of Osteopathic Medicine and more.

The new Transportation Operation Facility will be a $16 million replacement facility for the existing facility at the northeast corner of Farm Road and Western. The new facility, which will be funded by grants, will be located on Lakeview Road next to the Clean Energy Fuel station. The facility will make it possible to service all OSU vehicles with 12 large service bays, bus and vehicle automatic wash bays, space for fleet vehicle rentals, a fueling station and offices. The project was bid in the spring of 2024 and completed in the fall of 2025.

Research

As a land-grant university, Oklahoma State University is a leader in research of all kinds with the facilities to make that possible. ENDEAVOR opened in fall 2018. The 72,000-square-foot lab in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology is the only one of its kind in the U.S. and is dedicated to immersive undergraduate learning experiences. It’s the glass-and-steel embodiment of a new era in undergraduate engineering learning, where walls no longer exist between disciplines, and individual expertise is melded into interdisciplinary teams. Donors paid for more than half of the $35 million cost to build it, and students changed their fees to ensure it would be staffed, accessible and open for their innovations.

The impressive Henry Bellmon Research Center opened in 2010. The $70 million building, the largest project in the state’s Capitol Bond Program, provides state-of-the-art laboratory space for a wide range of disciplines and encourages collaborative research. In spring 2015, OSU opened the Bert Cooper Engineering Laboratory for structures and materials engineering with new geothermal systems for energy efficiency.

The grand opening of EXCELSIOR, an unmanned systems innovation laboratory, was celebrated on Nov. 2, 2019. The new lab houses multidisciplinary research and education programs for the Unmanned Systems Research Institute in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. The facility offers a recognized emphasis in instruction and research in unmanned aircraft systems and supplies hands-on analysis, design, construction and flight testing of UAS platforms. Students focus on projects that include flight testing and operations. Research opportunities include UAS design, aerodynamics, flight path management and airspace integration, sense and avoid, controls, structures, aeroacoustics, propulsion, communications and operations, and sensors and payloads.

The Boone Pickens School of Geology dedicated the new Gary F. Stewart Core Research Facility in November 2019. The facility serves as a “one-stop shop” for treatment, storage and analysis of core samples (cylindrical rock samples obtained by drilling), a needed service in the region. The building includes a grinding and polishing lab, thin section preparation, an area designated for coloring, porosity and permeability, significant layout and review space, as well as office space and a conference room. More than a repository, the facility houses active research. It is located in the northwest section of campus, near the corner of McElroy Road and North Willis Street.

Academics

Providing the quality facilities for a foundation of success for our students is an overarching goal at Oklahoma State University. From smaller renovations to update buildings to constructing new facilities, academic buildings are well cared for as part of the overall building plan. 

The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts is a world-class epicenter for the arts, attracting celebrated national and international programs featuring notable productions and artists. The New York Philharmonic opened McKnight's 2019-2020 season. The center will allow the university and the center’s supporters to express — and be recognized for — their passion for the arts on a global stage. The 93,000-square-foot facility opened in 2019 along the southwest corner of University Avenue and Hester Street, boasting 1,100 seats in the Performance Hall and 250 in the Recital Hall. The 1,000-seat outdoor plaza features a massive, high-definition screen that can show events taking place inside the Performing Arts Center or telecasts from around the world.

The Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music is a premier music education facility that harnesses the synergy of research, talent and incomparable hands-on learning experiences available only at OSU. The building opened in spring 2021, thanks to lead donors Michael and Anne Greenwood. The Greenwood School of Music’s proximity to The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts will amplify and leverage opportunities, including master classes for students and faculty to interact with world-class musicians. Music laboratories, classrooms and teaching studios will be equipped with the latest technology for high-level studio production.

The new Ray and Linda Booker OSU Flight Center is a $6 million replacement facility that will serve as a premier resource for students pursuing degrees in aviation education. The 11,600-square-foot facility opened in spring 2022 and includes private rooms for individual flight debriefings between students and flight instructors. Additional advances to the student learning experience include space for state-of-the-art simulator technology, dispatch space and student common areas.

The Roger J. Panciera Education Center is a new $6 million building at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Its designated classroom facilities have elevated the educational experience for students. The addition includes three flexible classrooms and makes room for specialized training in existing instructional space. The new and enhanced teaching facilities support modern teaching methods and cutting-edge technology critical to the successful recruitment and training of students, faculty and staff.

The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources new Greenhouse Learning Center opened in August 2019 and serves students in OSU’s Ferguson College of Agriculture in a new facility that will better prepare them to enter the professional workforce. The Greenhouse Learning Center, a $6 million facility, will replace and improve functions of OSU’s existing teaching greenhouses that have been in use for decades. Greenleaf Nursery, one of North America’s largest wholesale nursery growers and longtime partner and supporter of OSU’s horticulture programs, has committed $1 million toward this new project. The Greenhouse Learning Center features six greenhouses, including an isolated entomology greenhouse, and head house, which includes a classroom, office space and plant-preparation area, as well as storage space for soil, equipment and chemicals such as fertilizer and pest-management materials. A large foyer will provide space for student club meetings. It also will house cutting-edge irrigation systems, intense climate and humidity control and other technology standards in today’s horticulture industry.

The new home for the Spears School of Business on Hester Street opened in spring 2018. The $72 million building is unique in design and shape, a “Crescent Masterpiece” that brings all of Spears Business together for now and in the future. Spears Business is designed to promote collaboration and hands-on, experiential learning to best prepare graduates for success in the modern workplace.

The north wing of the Nancy Randolph Davis Building opened in fall 2016 and houses hotel and restaurant, design and other programs. Also in 2016, OSU opened a new veterinary medicine academic center and the Charles and Linda Cline Equine Teaching Center.

OSU opened several renovated buildings in 2009. Thanks to a gift from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, OSU doubled the size of its School of Architecture building. The Psychology Building, built as a women’s dormitory in 1933, was renovated to house seven departments from the College of Arts and Sciences. The North Classroom building, funded in part by the state’s Higher Education Capital Bond Program, opened on the north side of the Stillwater campus in 2009. The facility offers the latest in teaching technology and features an eco-friendly eatery.

Athletics

One of the most tradition-rich programs in college baseball has a state-of-the-art home. O’Brate Stadium features an expansive clubhouse and operations center, including a "training triangle" with an indoor facility, pitching lab and practice infield. The ballpark includes 3,500 permanent seats that can be expanded to 8,000 as needed. 

The renovation of the west end of Boone Pickens Stadium created one of the premier collegiate football facilities in the country, and there have been several significant enhancements to the fan experience since 2018. The university also completed several athletic projects north of Boone Pickens Stadium. OSU opened the Sherman E. Smith Training Center for indoor training and a new outdoor track in 2013. The Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center opened in early 2014. The Greenwood Tennis Center features six indoor and 12 outdoor courts and is one of the leading collegiate tennis facilities in the country. It will host the 2024 NCAA Tennis Championships.

Gallagher-Iba Arena continues to be a staple of athletics at OSU. In 2001, the university constructed the new Athletic Center on the site of Gallagher-Iba. The top of the original building was removed, and the Athletic Center was built completely over and around Gallagher-Iba, expanding its seating to approximately 13,600. Historic Gallagher-Iba continues to exist as the arena within the Athletic Center.

Women’s soccer plays in the finest on-campus women’s soccer-only facility in America. The $20 million Neal Patterson Stadium opened in 2018 and is a showcase for college soccer with club seats, plaza and upper bowl gathering areas and a north end zone terrace area and seating designed specifically for OSU students. Team facilities include locker rooms, meeting areas, kitchen facilities, sports medicine areas and equipment rooms. 

After undergoing extensive upgrades, the Greiner Family OSU Cross Country Course opened in its current form in 2019 when OSU hosted the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship. Since then, the course was selected to host the NCAA Cross Country Championships in 2020 and again in 2022.

Karsten Creek Golf Club is consistently ranked as one of the best college golf courses in the country and has hosted two NCAA Division I Golf Championships, most recently in 2018. The facility is in the regular rotation to host NCAA Regional Championships as well.

Life

OSU also has an eye on comfortable and convenient living, ranging from residence halls and transportation to incorporating art into the campus. The university has been on the forefront of replacing outdated residential halls with apartments and suite-style accommodations for nearly two decades. Multiple upgrades have opened, giving on-campus students new opportunities for better living and community within the halls.

The University Commons, a traditional-style residence hall, opened for the fall 2015 semester. Located north of the Colvin Center on Hall of Fame Avenue, the facility was enhanced a year later with the nearby North Dining Facility, which features seven distinctive dining choices that offer a focus on healthy, fresh options.

Parking and Transportation have also seen significant changes in recent years. The Multimodal Transportation Terminal and 1,100-space Monroe Street Garage opened in the fall of 2009. The facilities provide a central point of contact for the various modes of transportation serving OSU-Stillwater and its branch campuses, as well as the community and surrounding areas. OSU has added two more multilevel parking garages — the Wentz Lane Garage opened on the southwest corner of campus in the spring of 2013, and the Fourth Avenue Garage opened in fall of 2016 adjacent to the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts. OSU has expanded campus bus service for both the Stillwater community and the OSU-Stillwater campus. To reduce energy costs and emissions, OSU converted its entire fleet of campus buses to compressed natural gas in 2010.

From stunning sculptures enlivening the Stillwater campus of OSU to striking landscaping designed to welcome one and all, art is taking its place in the public realm — some of it in America’s Brightest Orange. The university has seen the installation of pieces from renowned sculptor Allan Houser; yearlong exhibitions by Bill Barrett; the commemoration of Nancy Randolph Davis, the first African-American to attend the university when it was Oklahoma A&M College; and many more. The sculptures co-exist with the brick-and-mortar architectural landscape and integrate art into everyday life. OSU opened its Postal Plaza Gallery in 2014 as the home of the OSU Museum of Art, showcasing the university’s extensive art collection and strengthening its connection to downtown Stillwater.

Infrastructure

OSU completed work on a state-of-the-art Central Plant to replace its inefficient 1940s power plant. The facility reduces OSU’s environmental footprint, saves energy costs and improves reliability for the air conditioning and heating systems on the Stillwater campus. The Central Plant features a 60-person classroom and includes a viewing area for education and public outreach.

The first phase of a campuswide electrical upgrade project across campus has also been completed. The project is improving reliability of campus power with the construction of the Power Distribution Center. The PDC connects campus to two independent power sources, both provided by OSU’s campus energy partner, OG+E. The project is also replacing aging underground cabling that provides power to campus buildings. When complete, the project will provide capacity for campus growth, improve reliability and renew the life of the campus electrical system for decades to come.

OSU also has a focus on sustainability. In 2013, OSU and Oklahoma Gas and Electric started the Cowboy Wind Farm near Blackwell, Oklahoma. Seventy-five percent of the energy used by OSU is supplied by wind energy from the Cowboy Wind Farm.

OSU is a leader in network computing resources. The university has applied the student technology fee in concert with other resources to create a second-to-none networking system on campus that includes maintenance of large-scale computer laboratories, high speed inter-laboratory connectivity and a virtually seamless interface to the internet across campus.

Improvements continue in the university's outdoor spaces as well, and a landscape architectural master plan developed in 2010 is guiding those efforts. Major east-west streets Hall of Fame Avenue and University Avenue have been greatly updated, and the university has completed a total redesign and reconstruction of Monroe Street, which runs north-south through the heart of the campus. A series of landscape projects near student residential facilities have occurred in recent years. In the summer of 2005, the Edmon Low Library plaza was restored by installing a new surface on the main upper plaza and the lower area. Completed in 2013, Legacy Walk provides a scenic pedestrian thoroughfare in front of the library, connecting to Hester and Monroe streets. In the fall of 2016, OSU unveiled an impressive Welcome Plaza outside the southeast corner of the Student Union. The plaza is an inviting garden area featuring statues of a galloping mare and her foal. 

Recent improvements include preparing the iconic Theta Pond for the next 100 years of graduation photos. The large bridge and all three small bridges have been replaced with stone bridges and exquisite landscaping. A sculpture has been added to the southeast side of the pond. 

Other facilities of note

Lake Carl Blackwell, located 8 miles west of Stillwater, is owned by OSU. The area includes approximately 3,350 acres bordering the 3,000-acre lake that provides the water supply for OSU. It is also used for research activities in addition to being a popular regional recreational area.