About PCS

As the Public Service Division of the University of Oklahoma Outreach ~ College of Continuing Education, Public and Community Services (PCS) has over 17 departments, nearly 500 employees and more than 60 grant and contract programs.

PCS Mission

With an emphasis on service to the community, the mission of Public and Community Services (PCS) is to provide innovative, relevant, and quality programs and services. We address significant educational, research, health, human services, and social needs affecting community, public, private, and educational areas. Our mission drives deeply into the core of change and improving the quality of life for people in communities.

History of PCS

For more than sixty years, PCS programs have continued to evolve, responding to the continuous cultural shifts in society. Evaluation and Testing, established in 1947, tested content knowledge of veterans returning from the Second World War. It thrives today by giving and evaluating needed standardized achievement tests in public schools.

Early programs supporting family development placed emphasis on creating the model family, dating, and home economics. With today’s cultural needs, programming has evolved into collaborations with state and federal agencies around initiatives for child support enforcement, education, and professional childcare development. Other programs offer technical assistance to homeless youth and those in foster homes.  

PCS has provided services to native and indigenous populations since 1951 through the American Indian Institute. Early services of cultural and educational support for tribes and bands have continued with the addition of health initiatives dealing with diabetes, tobacco, and alcohol.  

The mission of PCS remains current and on task by continuing to respond to the changing needs of society.  Through the decades, PCS programing has addressed the needs of under served populations around issues of race, gender, ethnicity, and disability.  Additionally, PCS leads the nation in it's leadership and impact in K-12 educational technical assistance, and prevention technologies.