Admission requirements vary for undergraduate and graduate applicants. The differences are explained below.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
If you are at least 21 years of age or an active-duty service member, you will need to follow the instructions listed below and submit the appropriate items. All applicants are required to submit items 1-3. If you have less than 24 hours of letter-graded college credits attempted, then you will need to submit items 4-7 as well. Individuals with less than a 2.0 GPA in their attempted college credits must submit items 8-10. (Applicants fitting into both of the latter two categories should submit their high school transcript and items 8-10.)
If you are under 21 years of age, are not active-duty military, and have fewer than 24 hours of letter-graded college credits attempted, you will need to follow the University of Oklahoma’s criteria for first-time entering freshmen. You will also be required to provide items 1-7 listed below.
Required Materials to be Submitted by ALL Applicants (Items 1-3):
- Completed OU and CLS Supplemental Applications
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from ALL academic institutions you have previously attended, even if no credit was awarded.
Military Experience: The University of Oklahoma requires one of the following transcripts: AARTS, CCAF, SMART, or US Coast Guard Institute. A DD-214 or DD-295 may also be used for assessment if discharged, separated, retired, etc.
For certification of VA entitlements, the University of Oklahoma requires VA application form 22-1990 or the request for change of program VA form 22-1995.
- Application Fee: The $40 non-refundable application fee is payable by cash, money order, check, credit card or debit card. This fee must accompany your application form. Make checks payable to: THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. International students are required to pay a $90 application fee upon submission of their application file.
Additional Materials to be submitted by all applicants with less than 24 hours of letter-graded college credits attempted (Items 4-7):
- High School Transcript: official copy.
- Statement of Purpose: 300-500 word essay (1-2 pages, double-spaced) describing your reason(s) for wanting to earn a bachelor's degree and briefly discussing your educational goals and interests.
- Resume: A resume showing relevant education, work and community service. List two references (name, title and contact information) that will attest to your academic and/or professional abilities.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation must be provided to the college that address the applicant's potential for success in the program and that attest to the applicant's academic and/or professional abilities.
Probationary Admission Materials to be submitted by applicants who have earned less than a 2.0 GPA in previous letter-graded college credits attempted (Items 8-10 and the possibility for Item 11):
- Letter of Appeal: 500-1000 word essay (2-4 pages, double-spaced) describing your reason(s) for wanting to earn a bachelor's degree, explaining prior grade performance, and provide indicators for success in the bachelor's program.
- Resume: A resume showing relevant education, work and community service. List two references (name, title and contact information) that will attest to your academic and/or professional abilities.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation must be provided to the college that address the applicant's potential for success in the program and that attest to the applicant's academic and/or professional abilities.
- Interview: Students may be required to be interviewed (either in-person or via telephone) before a decision is made.
English Proficiency: All new applicants to the university for whom English is a second language, including those holding permanent resident status, are required to present evidence of proficiency in the English language prior to admission. The applicant may satisfy this requirement by taking the TOEFL test and earning a score of 550 or higher on the paper-based test (213 on the computer-based test or 79 on the internet-based test), receiving an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher, by completing high school in the United States, or by earning a minimum of 24 credit hours of college level work from an accredited United States college.
Graduate Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the master's programs, you must be admitted to the Graduate College of the University of Oklahoma. The College of Liberal Studies serves as your major department. All applicants must provide a completed OU application as well as the MA supplemental application materials and the $40 application fee.
Regular Admission Status
Applicants admissible to the Graduate College with a 3.0 grade point average on their last 60 hours of undergraduate work are admissible to the College of Liberal Studies' graduate programs. Applicants who have at least 12 hours of graduate work with a 3.0 GPA on those hours are admissible on that basis.
Conditional Admission Status: Low Grades
An applicant whose grade point average falls between a 2.75 and a 2.99 ca be admitted under the conditional low grades status. By the terms of this conditional admission, such students must make a 3.0 grade point average on the first 12 letter-graded program hours of enrollment. Failure to do so will result in an automatic termination from the program.
Conditional Admission Status: Additional Supplemental Materials Required
This category of admission applies only to applicants who graduated more than three years prior to the request for admission. Applicants having a grade point average between a 2.25 and 2.74, and whose academic credits are not current enough to be useful in evaluating potential for graduate work, must submit the following supplemental application materials:
- A résumé or materials showing relevant life experience
- A 1,500 word essay demonstrating the ability to critically analyze material. Applicants may select a book, article, movie, performance or presentation, and their essay should include a brief rationale for the selection of the material.
To maintain regular status as a graduate student, you must perform at a level comparable to a 3.0 grade point (“B”) average in a conventional master’s program. All CLS graduate students must have a grade point average of 3.0 to graduate.
Visit the OU admissions page for complete information on other OU admission requirements. 