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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the University of Oklahoma accredited? How do I get a schedule and a syllabus? Does OU require an admissions exam such as the GRE or MAT? I signed up last year, but never enrolled in class. Can I take class now? How long will it take me to complete an OU master's degree program? Will I be able to complete an OU degree by taking classes at just one site? When can I enroll for classes? How many days or weeks will I attend class? How much time will I spend on out-of-class requirements? Why does OU use the intensive class format? If I want to take a course at another site, where do I enroll? Can I take classes as a visiting student from another university? I've heard about OU's Dual Degree Program. What does this program entail? How long do I have to complete an OU master's degree? How much will it cost to complete an OU degree? When and how can I pay my OU tuition? If I need to drop a course, will I have to pay a penalty? Do I have to buy my books from Follett? What if I don't complete my degree before leaving my current location (duty station)? How will my diploma from OU read? How is the University of Oklahoma accredited? (top of page) The University of Oklahoma is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, Commission on Colleges and Universities. The highest level of college work offered is the doctoral degree. The address for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education is 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504. Telephone: 1-800-621-7440. How do I get a schedule and a syllabus? (top of page) Access our schedule. Syllabi are linked to each course ID number. Where are the classes held? (top of page) Classes are held at our sites in North America, Europe and the Pacific. Are there any prerequisite courses or specific undergraduate degrees required for any OU master's degree program offered at your sites worldwide? (top of page) No. As long as you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and meet the admissions standards, you may enroll in any OU degree program being offered worldwide. Your undergraduate degree may be in any subject area, and no specific courses are needed as prerequisites. Does OU require an admissions exam such as the GRE or MAT? (top of page) No. Admission to OU is based on your last 60 hours of letter-graded undergraduate coursework, or, if you have already taken graduate work, it is based on 12 or more hours of letter-graded graduate work. In cases of a low GPA, exceptional scores on the GRE or MAT may be used as one piece of supplemental evidence of your ability to do graduate-level work. I signed up last year, but never enrolled in class. Can I take class now? (top of page) Yes, but you may need to reapply for admission. You have one year from the semester that you apply to begin taking classes. For example, if you applied for admission at any time in January through the end of April (spring semester) in 2005, you would have until the end of the spring term (April 30) in 2006 to begin taking classes without reapplying for admission. You do not have to pay the admission fee to reapply. How long will it take me to complete an OU master's degree program? (top of page) If you take approximately six semester hours of course work per term, you can complete any of the OU master's degree programs in six terms (two years). If you take more than six semester hours per term, you can earn your degree in four or five terms (16-20 months). Will I be able to complete an OU degree by taking classes at just one site? (top of page) The schedule for the program(s) at each site allows for program completion within from 16 months to two years. If you are not able to take a course when it is offered at your site, if you would prefer to take a course being offered at another site, or if you wish to accelerate your program, you may, of course, take classes at any OU site. When can I enroll for classes? (top of page) OU has continuous ongoing enrollment. You may enroll in a class any time during the term as long as it is not later than 30 days before the first class session. You may enroll for all of the classes you plan to take at the start of the term, or you may enroll during the term. Click here to find out more about enrolling Distance Learning at the University of Oklahoma. How many days or weeks will I attend class? (top of page) The Advanced Programs intensive format usually allows you to complete the classroom work in one week. Most classes are held Tuesday through Friday evening, and all day Saturday and Sunday. Some courses are scheduled over two weekends. Some sites hold classes all day Saturday and Sunday. Some sites hold classes on Friday evenings through Sunday. Some courses are scheduled to capitalize on holidays to offer other full days of classes. Remember, though, that you must spend at least one month preparing for the class sessions and will have assignments to complete after the last class session. How much time will I spend on out-of-class requirements? (top of page) You must spend at least 30 days prior to the first class session preparing for the course. You may have course assignments with due dates up to 21 days after the last class session to complete the course requirements as designated by the instructor. How many hours you actually spend depends on the course assignments, your background in the area, your study and work habits, and other personal factors. Most graduate students spend two to three hours out of class for every hour in class. Why does OU use the intensive class format? (top of page) The intensive class format allows faculty who deliver the program on the Norman campus to teach the same courses at our sites worldwide. Professors are away from their campus teaching assignments for only one or two weeks while teaching our courses. The Advanced Programs intensive format also allows employed adults, especially active duty military, to take courses which fit into their busy schedules. If I want to take a course at another site, where do I enroll? (top of page) You can enroll for most courses Distance Learning. Click here to learn more about Distance Learning enrollment. Can I take classes as a visiting student from another university? (top of page) Yes. If you are attending another university and want to take an OU course, take the following steps: 1. fill out an application and mark "visitor" 2. provide a "letter of good standing" from the graduate dean of your university 3. include the $50.00 application fee by check or money order and 4. mail your completed, signed application with application fee to The University of Oklahoma, CCE Registration & Records, 1710 Asp Ave., Room B1, Norman OK 73072-6400. You are not required to provide transcripts. I've heard about OU's Dual Degree Program. What does this program entail? (top of page) The Generic Dual Master's Degree Program allows a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma the option of earning two master's degrees simultaneously. For example, in Europe, students may pursue the following combinations: Master of Human Relations and Master of Arts with an emphasis in International Relations; or a variety of other combinations of OU degrees. In order to pursue the dual degree program, you must be admitted to both programs before 12 credit hours are completed in either program. Once admitted to both programs, you will be admitted into the Generic Dual Master's Degree Program. To complete the dual degree program, you must meet all degree requirements for both programs and graduate with both degrees in the same semester. Up to 20% of the total graduate credit hours required for both degrees taken individually may be double counted, i.e., counted as credit for both master's programs. The double-counted courses must be appropriate for both degree programs and be approved by the two programs. How long do I have to complete an OU master's degree? (top of page) You should complete all of the degree work within five calendar years of your first graduate enrollment with OU. Extensions may be granted for a variety of reasons (such as job relocation, military duty, pregnancy, illness, a serious accident, divorce, or personal tragedies in one's family). Students must petition the academic department for an extension beyond the five-year time limit. How much will it cost to complete an OU degree? (top of page) Tuition varies by location, so contact your closest OU Site Director for details. When and how can I pay my OU tuition? (top of page) Students enrolled in Advanced Programs courses will see tuition charges applied to his/her OU bursar account during the first week of the month in which the class begins. Log on to pay.ou.edu with the student’s OU log in and password (otherwise known as the 4+4). All major credit cards are accepted through the OU online payment system. Students can also pay online using a personal check by entering the routing number of the check and the account number. If you drop a course at least 30 days before the course begins, there is no penalty. If you drop a course at any other time because of job requirements (e.g., TDY, deployment, change in work schedule), health, or other valid reasons and supply documentation, there is no penalty. Without a documented reason, a 25% penalty is assessed if you drop within 15-29 days before the class, a 50% penalty if you drop within 1-14 days before the class, and a 100% penalty if you are a "no show" or drop after the class begins. Do I have to buy my books from Follett? (top of page) No, but we strongly encourage you to purchase your books from Follett. We work closely with Follett to ensure that the correct books for your class are on the shelves in plenty of time for you to order and receive them before the 30-day preparatory period begins. Click here to access Follett. Buying from another supplier could cause problems with shipping, receiving the correct book and timelines. Plus we cannot provide you with customer support if you use another supplier. What if I don't complete my degree before leaving my current location (duty station)? (top of page) If you PCS/ETS before your degree is completed, you may have several ways to complete: 1) Your new duty station may be one of the worldwide OU Advanced Programs sites; 2) You may complete on campus at Norman or at any Advanced Programs site which offers your program or courses which will be accepted into your program; 3) You may transfer in up to 25% of the semester hours of credit from another accredited school in your elective area; or 4) You may be able to complete through independent directed readings or independent study. How will my diploma from OU read? (top of page) A diploma earned through Advanced Programs at any of our sites worldwide will look exactly the same as one earned on the Norman campus. The diploma will state the degree which you have earned: Master of Human Relations, Master of Public Administration or Master of Arts.
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The following is a list of questions frequently asked about OU's Advanced Programs. If your question is not included on this page, please visit our 
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University Outreach College of Continuing Education ~ Advanced Programs
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