Remember those days in primary school where you mixed paint colors together to form other colors? What exactly did you get when you mixed blue and yellow? If you said green, then you’re correct— and green is definitely how one can describe the University of Central Oklahoma. In fact, encouraging a green atmosphere is one of many accolades of which the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) can be proud. UCO is 100% wind energy dependent. This state university has its own campus recycling program, produces its own biofuel and uses compact fluorescent bulbs all over its facility. Having a green thumb as well, with its lush gardens situated all over the campus, UCO is the ideal school for all those who share the university’s passion for saving the environment. Located in Edmond, Oklahoma UCO was established in 1890 as a teacher training school, but now offers so much more. UCO is also the oldest and third largest university in Oklahoma.
University of Central Oklahoma
Academics
Whatever you are interested in pursuing in college, UCO has a program for you. There are 5 colleges and 1 institute at UCO; 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. (In fact, the Forensic Science Institute was recently noted for producing its first graduate from the Forensic Science Masters Degree program.)
Within these colleges, there are over 100 majors. The degrees offered at the bachelors’ level to name a few are: art history ,music-percussion, 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 degrees offered, there are also 63 minor studies that students can choose from.
If they like, they can also 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
The top 5 fields of study completed at University of Central Oklahoma.
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 is 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.
University of Central Oklahoma
Admissions
The University of Central Oklahoma has a rolling admissions policy. With a basic admission requirement of 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. However a minimum GPA of 1.7 or less than 30 credits and 2.0 for 30 or more credits is required. If credits being transferred are less than 24, the requirements of incoming freshman’s is 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
At UCO many types of aid are available. Forty-six scholarships are offered through several college departments such as band and journalism. Nineteen campus activities scholarships are available such as the Buddy Broncho Mascot Scholarship. Also available are 15 minority scholarships like the American Indian College Fund,7 federal grants, many loans and work study programs.Prospective graduate students pursuing master degrees also have a variety of scholarships to choose from.
To apply for federal financial aid, in order to be eligible for federal grants, loans, and work study opportunities, prospective students must fill out a FAFSA which can be done at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Information provided on the FAFSA, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), will ultimately determine what form of federal financial aid you are eligible to receive. Hence, fill out this form carefully and be sure to note the priority deadlines for submission.
The federal deadline for online applications is around 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
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
University of Central Oklahoma 3558th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Oklahoma scholarships and financial aid
As of 2011, over 15,500 students attend UCO of which 59% are women and 41% are men. Student life is the quintessential college experience. 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
How many students are enrolled at University of Central Oklahoma?
Are you a sports fanatic? You won’t be disappointed with UCO. UCO has both men/women basketball and golf. With a large number of female students,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 kickball 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 UCO has hosted the men’s and women’s sitting volleyball team. They also are considered an U.S. Olympic committee community partner.
University of Central Oklahoma
Additional School Information
Housing:
UCO 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 offers 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.
Bibliography
University of Central Oklahoma. Web. 18 April 2011.
“UCO wins award from EPA”. The Edmond Sun. 27 of Aug. 2010. Web. 18 April 2011. <http://www.edmondsun.com/ulife/x563635563/UCO-wins-award-from-EPA> Retrieved 2010-08-02
US News and World Report LP. “University of Central Oklahoma:Overview.” Web. 18 April 2011. <http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-central-oklahoma-3152>
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding University of Central Oklahoma, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
9 months agoChris
UCO is a beautiful college located in Edmond, Oklahoma which is a very safe suburbia type place. The campus is awesome. I have only one complaint as a student and that is Parking. If you don't have a car: awesome! but if you do I recommend planning on getting up to UCO early to drive around and look at the different parking lots throughout the campus. It's VERY difficult to find a parking spot and I usually had to park several blocks away and walk... which isn't a big deal but its annoying to plan extra time to get to class because you have to walk a distance.
Professors range from awesome and personal to awful and apathetic... but I think thats true with all colleges.
The people are of course very nice.
And we have a great multi-cultural center and lots of foreign students.
about 2 years agoAmanda ahardeman ((at)) uco dot edu
http://www.uco.edu/residence_life/moveinmoveout.htm#What_Not_To_Bring
Pets are not allowed in UCO dorms, unless they're in a 10-gallon or less tank.
over 2 years agoGilbert Martinez martinez9819 ((at)) sbcglobal dot net
My step daughter is planning to attend UCO in the fall of 2010. She made mention that she would like to take her cat with her. She is planning on living on campus and I don't think that would be allowed. Could you please send me some information on this? Thank you.
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UCO is a beautiful college located in Edmond, Oklahoma which is a very safe suburbia type place. The campus is awesome. I have only one complaint as a student and that is Parking. If you don't have a car: awesome! but if you do I recommend planning on getting up to UCO early to drive around and look at the different parking lots throughout the campus. It's VERY difficult to find a parking spot and I usually had to park several blocks away and walk... which isn't a big deal but its annoying to plan extra time to get to class because you have to walk a distance. Professors range from awesome and personal to awful and apathetic... but I think thats true with all colleges. The people are of course very nice. And we have a great multi-cultural center and lots of foreign students.