For students want to earn their degrees at a college with small enrollment and plenty of one-on-one instruction, East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma provides a quality education in a rural Western setting.
U.S. News and World Reports gives the university praise for its rehabilitation counseling program. ECU’s nursing program is also highly regarded with 85 percent of ECU nursing students passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) over the past five years.
East Central University
Academics
East Central University is well-known for its education and business programs and is also home to a few well-regarded specialty programs, including a parks and recreation degree program and a health science program. East Central University is also known for its cartography program, one of just a few in the nation.
East Central offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The school has more than 70 undergraduate degrees and four master’s degree programs, including accounting, education, psychology and human resources. The university’s degree programs are divided into five colleges:
College of Education and Psychology
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
College of Health and Sciences, the School of Business
School of Graduate Studies.
East Central University started out as a teaching school and that tradition remains strong. The university’s most popular degree program remains education, with other popular majors including health professions, public administration, business and parks and recreation.
Like most colleges and universities, East Central University has devoted considerable resources to developing its online learning offerings. The school offers many courses online and has distance learning labs at it satellite campuses.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at East Central University.
East Central University has a rolling admissions deadline. Students will need to submit high school transcripts and ACT scores. For fall semester, the school requests standardized test scores be submitted by Aug. 14. An admission essay is also required. Students should also turn in relevant documentation of volunteer work and letters of recommendation.
East Central University has a selective admissions policy; however, about 93 percent of students who apply to the school are accepted. Most students admitted score between 18 and 22 on the ACT.
The university will occasionally make exception to its admission rules for extraordinary students who may not meet all requirements.
As of Sept. 2011, the university has a $20 application fee.
Financial Aid
Many students applying at East Central University are eligible for federal grants and student loans. There are also a number of grants and scholarships offered by the state of Oklahoma, the university itself, and other outside organizations that students may be eligible for.
The university offers many major-specific scholarships. A full list of scholarships offered and forms for application can be found on the university’s website.
Like virtually all universities, East Central University requires the completion of the FAFSA for scholarship opportunities. Potential students should be sure to fill out this form and return it in a timely fashion to get the best chance of obtaining a scholarship.
The university’s office of financial stands ready to help students find other grants and scholarships they may be eligible for.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
East Central University 4144th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Oklahoma scholarships and financial aid
The school’s small enrollment – about 4,000 students all told – gives the university a close-knit, small town feel.
The university has three fraternities and three sororities and more than 100 student activity organizations, including professional and educational groups and recreational organizations such as the ECU Gamers. The university also has a wellness center to treat students medical needs.
The university has recently opened the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center, a modern arts facility with rehearsal halls, art studios, an art gallery, a state-of-the-art television studio, two theatres and more.
The campus takes a number of precautions to ensure student safety, such as 24-hour police patrol, late-night escort and transportation services, security lighting, dorms secured by keycard and emergency telephones scattered throughout the campus.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at East Central University?
East Central University is a member of the NAIA and as of 2011 its teams compete in the Great American Conference. Prior to that, the school competed in the Lone Star Conference.
The university offers men’s baseball, basketball, football, golf, cross country and tennis. Women’s sports include basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, golf, cross country and tennis.
The school’s football team won an NAIA national championship in 1993. The team recently won a Lone Star Conference North Division Football Championship in 2010/
East Central University’s teams are called the Tigers. The mascot is Roary the Tiger. School colors are orange and black.
East Central University
Traditions
East Central University plays host to an annual literary festival which is a well-regarded Oklahoma cultural event. The festival has been held each year for the past 16 years.
One unique annual event at the university is the Mudstock Volleyball Tournament, a yearly event in which teams play volleyball in mud courts. The event is very popular among students, and funds raised from entrance fees which fund a prize pot for the best team to participate.
Orange Crush is the school’s yearly spring fling event, which includes art, games, food entertainment and more.
Students show their community spirit by participating in the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree event, which gives Christmas presents to needy children.
Local Community
For students who want a big city getaway, the university is 90 miles from Oklahoma City, 115 miles from Tulsa and 150 miles from Dallas.
East Central University
Additional School Information
The university was established in 1909 as East Central State Normal School, shortly after Oklahoma achieved statehood. In the beginning, the school was a six-year prepartory school, providing four years of high school education followed by two years of college. Turning out teachers was the mission of the school, and graduates of East Central State Normal School were awarded lifetime teaching certificates.
ECU alumni include five former governors of Oklahoma.
East Central University
Accreditation
East Central University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which accredits schools in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The association also accredits schools for the Navajo Nation.
Bibliography
“East Central University.” East Central University. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ecok.edu/>.
The College Board College Handbook, 2010 . 47th ed. New York: College Board, 2009. Print.
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Ada, OK 74820-6999
p. 580-332-8000
w. www.ecok.edu