What Degrees Oklahoma City University Actually Offers and How They Compare

Oklahoma City University (OCU) awards undergraduate and graduate degrees across six colleges, each with distinct admission standards and career trajectories. This guide covers what programs exist, which ones have genuine local job placement advantages, and how OCU's tuition compares to peer institutions in the region.

The Six Colleges and Their Structure

OCU organizes its academic offerings into the Meinders School of Business, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education and Professional Studies, the Petree College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Law, and the School of Music. Understanding this structure matters because application requirements, course sequencing, and credential recognition differ significantly by college.

The Meinders School of Business operates on a trimester calendar rather than the traditional semester system used by other colleges. This compressed schedule means business students complete degree requirements in a different timeframe than peers in liberal arts. Tuition is also higher for business majors: approximately $29,000 per year for undergraduates compared to roughly $26,000 for College of Liberal Arts students (based on full-time enrollment). The business college emphasizes internship placement in Oklahoma City firms, particularly energy sector companies headquartered downtown.

The College of Education and Professional Studies focuses on teacher preparation and counseling degrees. Oklahoma requires teacher candidates to pass the Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET) and subject-area exams before licensure. OCU's education program integrates this requirement into the curriculum, but students must budget for exam fees separately, typically $100 to $150 per test. The college places graduates in Oklahoma City public schools through established partnerships with the district's human resources office.

Graduate Degrees with Regional Relevance

OCU's graduate programs diverge sharply in employment outcomes. The School of Law produces graduates who sit for the Oklahoma bar exam. Bar passage rates are not published by OCU separately, but the Oklahoma Bar Association reports overall state passage rates around 75 percent for first-time test-takers. Law school tuition runs approximately $35,000 annually.

The graduate business programs (MBA and specialized master's degrees) attract working professionals in Oklahoma City, particularly those in energy, healthcare, and finance. Classes meet in the evenings and on weekends at the downtown campus location, making programs accessible to full-time employees. The MBA costs roughly $45,000 for the full program, paid by cohort rather than per credit, which creates different financial planning than semester-based tuition.

Graduate programs in education, counseling, and clinical psychology operate year-round with rolling admissions. The Master of Education requires 30 credit hours and costs approximately $18,000 total. The clinical psychology PhD is a seven-year program with assistantship funding available; admitted students typically receive tuition coverage plus a stipend, reducing out-of-pocket cost to zero if a student qualifies.

How OCU Compares to University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State

Three institutions dominate higher education in Oklahoma: OU in Norman, Oklahoma State in Stillwater, and OCU in Oklahoma City. For undergraduates, OU and Oklahoma State charge lower tuition (roughly $8,000 to $10,000 annually for in-state residents) but require relocation outside Oklahoma City. OCU's advantage is its urban location and smaller class sizes, particularly in upper-level courses. A business administration degree at OCU involves more direct interaction with professors than a similar degree at OU's large Meinders School, which enrolls over 2,000 undergraduates.

For graduate work, OCU and OU diverge in focus. OU's graduate college emphasizes research and doctoral training; OCU emphasizes professional credentials and working-student accessibility. A student choosing between OCU's MBA and OU's MBA should consider schedule (OCU offers more evening cohorts) and cost (OCU's fixed-cost model versus OU's per-credit model, where OU typically costs $15,000 to $20,000 for the full MBA).

The School of Law situation differs entirely. OCU Law and OU Law are the only law schools in Oklahoma. Both are ABA-accredited, but employment outcomes vary. OCU Law graduates are concentrated in Oklahoma City and Tulsa law firms; OU Law graduates spread more widely across the state and regionally. For someone planning to practice in Oklahoma City, both schools prepare students adequately, but OCU's downtown location provides proximity to courthouse, law firms, and the federal building for internship placements.

Admission Requirements and Application Timing

Undergraduate admission to OCU typically requires a 3.0 high school GPA and composite ACT score of 22 or higher, though admitted students' median scores run higher (approximately 27 composite ACT). Application deadlines vary by college: the business school and music school have earlier priority deadlines (November 1 for spring admission, February 1 for fall), while liberal arts operates rolling admission through summer.

Graduate programs require bachelor's degrees but differ in prerequisites. Business master's programs do not require work experience but weigh GMAT scores (typically 500 to 550 for admitted students). Education master's require a bachelor's degree and teaching certification for most programs. Law school requires the LSAT; the School of Law's median LSAT for admitted students is approximately 150, placing it below OU Law's median of 155.

Local Employer Recognition and Internship Pipelines

OCU maintains formal internship partnerships with energy companies (Devon Energy, Chesapeake Energy), hospital systems (OU Health, Mercy), and professional firms headquartered in Oklahoma City. The business school's trimester calendar actually aligns with how many of these employers structure internship rotations, giving OCU students a scheduling advantage. Students in the College of Liberal Arts have fewer structured pipelines but can access the Office of Career Services on campus.

For education graduates, the Oklahoma City public school district hires OCU teacher candidates directly; the district's website lists OCU among partner preparation programs and schedules hiring events on campus each spring.

Practical Takeaway

Choose OCU if you want an urban campus experience, plan to stay in Oklahoma City, need evening or weekend class schedules, or value smaller class sizes in your major. The tuition premium over OU and Oklahoma State makes sense primarily if location, schedule accessibility, or program-specific partnerships (business internships, teacher placement) align with your career plan. For law school, compare OCU Law and OU Law directly on employment geography; both are legitimate paths, but the choice should hinge on where you intend to practice, not on general prestige metrics.