To begin your degree with the OU College of Liberal Studies, you will need to complete the following steps:
1) Apply
2) Be admitted
3) Get advised
4) Enroll in classes
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Degree Options
Getting Started
Prospective students can apply online or submit a paper application to the university. The online application is available at the OU application for admission page. If using this option, please select “Liberal Studies” as your online application type so that the correct admissions office receives your submissions. The paper application is available for download on the CLS website: http://cls.ou.edu.
The University of Oklahoma requires applicants to provide official transcripts from previous academic institutions attended before making a final admissions decision. That being said, the OU College of Liberal Studies’ mission is to provide educational opportunities for adult and non-traditional students. This includes individuals who may have been academically successful in the past, but because of career and additional life experiences, may now be excellent candidates for academic achievements.
Please refer to the CLS website for a walk-through and checklist of our undergraduate and graduate admissions criteria, and let our Prospective Student Services office know if you have any questions. Once all application materials have been received, a final admissions decision can be made. Admitted students will receive a welcome letter from the OU Admissions Office that includes their new student ID number. The student ID number can also be retrieved at http://account.ou.edu.
All students will be assigned an academic advisor who will serve as their primary point of contact for CLS. This advisor will provide a graduation plan showing prior coursework has been transferred into CLS and answer questions about CLS degree programs, academic policies and procedures, etc. Once students have been advised, they can enroll online through oZONE, OU’s student information system: http://ozone.ou.edu.
Scholarships
The OU College of Liberal Studies offers several scholarship and award opportunities to new and continuing students. For more information, please visit http://www.ou.edu/content/cls/scholarships_awards.html. The University of Oklahoma offers hundreds of scholarships that can be reviewed at http://scholarships.ou.edu. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education also maintain a website that includes resources on financial aid, grants and scholarships: http://www.okhighered.org/.
Finally, scholarships are often available through civic, business and non-profit organizations, so do not be afraid to do a little research.
Financial Aid
All students pursuing a degree through the OU College of Liberal Studies are eligible to apply for financial aid, regardless or degree or course delivery options.
Undergraduate students are required to enroll in and complete six credit hours for the fall and/or spring semesters to be considered part-time students for financial aid, or 12 hours a semester for full-time status. Undergraduates taking summer classes must enroll in and complete at least 6 credit hours to be considered a part-time student for financial aid status.
Graduate students are required to enroll in and complete six credit hours per semester to be considered a part-time student for financial aid status, and nine hours a semester for full-time status. Steps toward completing the financial aid process:
1) Submit an application and be admitted into the OU College of Liberal Studies
2) Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. OU’s institutional code is 003184.
3) Once you have been fully admitted to OU and CLS Financial Aid Services has received your FAFSA, log in to oZONE, OU’s student information system: http://ozone.ou.edu.
4) Check your financial aid status by clicking on the “money” tab in oZONE. This will allow you to see if there is any missing documentation still required, as well as review the awards for which you are qualified.
Additional information about financial aid is available on the CLS Financial Aid website: http://www.financialaid.ou.edu/ls/.
If you have any questions, please contact CLS Financial Aid Services at (405) 325-2929 or lsaid@ou.edu.
Military Student Information
The University of Oklahoma has served the educational needs of the United States Armed Forces since 1942. The OU College of Liberal Studies is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges Consortium (SOC) and abides by the SOC Military Student Bill of Rights. In addition to SOC is a signatory to many military education agreements that include AU-ABC, NCPACE, and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
The OU College of Liberal Studies accepts military training credits from AARTS, SMART, CCAF and Coast Guard Institute transcripts. CLS also recognizes advanced standing credits from AP, CLEP and DANTES. A list of approved tests can be viewed at http://cidl.ou.edu/testing.cfm.
CLS offers special tuition rates for servicemembers, veterans and spouses: http://cls.ou.edu. CLS degree programs are also eligible for military tuition assistance, as well as veterans’ benefits, including the Post 9/11 and Montgomery GI Bills.
Getting started as a servicemember:
1) Contact your Installation’s Education Center to speak with an Education Counselor (ESO) about your available benefits.
2) Contact CLS with any questions you have about our degree programs and to receive a preliminary evaluation of military and college credits.
3) Apply to the OU College of Liberal Studies and be admitted.
4) Receive an official graduation plan from CLS showing the remaining hours needed to complete your degree.
5) Enroll in classes and request tuition assistance from your branch of service and/or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.