At Gibbs College, education is immersive, collaborative and rooted in real-world impact. We offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as graduate certificate programs that invite students into a creative community where ideas grow through relational engagement. With hands-on learning, global experiences, and a commitment to ethical and sustainable practice, students develop the skills and perspective to shape environments that matter.
As one of the top public universities in the nation, OU offers a culture of academic excellence and opportunity. Our students’ educational experience is enriched by a diverse community, vibrant programs in student life, a beautiful campus and a flourishing metropolitan area. Join us at the OU Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture for access to amazing Maker Spaces, enriching travel study experiences and ongoing community engagement opportunities. Read on to learn more about our programs!
Explore the world while shaping it. Our travel study programs invite you to engage with communities near and far. You'll immerse yourself in real-world challenges that deepen your perspective and sharpen your design instincts. Whether you're collaborating on local projects or learning from global contexts, you'll grow as a listener, a thinker, and a creator committed to meaningful change.
Community engagement is central to our teaching-first, practice-oriented approach. Students apply their skills across five key areas: Arts & Culture, Development, Education, Health, and Social Equity. These themes reflect the ethical and sustainable values that guide their work, with success measured through the stories they help shape in communities around the world.
Gibbs College is where creativity meets opportunity. Advanced maker spaces foster collaboration and hands-on exploration, while specialized labs across campus, including the expansive Creating_Making Lab, support material testing and interdisciplinary learning at every stage of the design process. These environments equip students with the confidence and tools to bring their visions to life.
Each of our degree programs is committed to developing new knowledge and educating high-performing industry professionals to create flourishing communities. To read hundreds of success stories about our students, faculty, staff and alumni, visit the Gibbs News page.
The Division of Architecture blends art, discipline, and innovation to shape the built environment with creativity, cultural awareness, and ethical leadership. Rooted in our Creating_Making philosophy, our undergraduate and graduate programs prepare students for professional practice and meaningful engagement through hands‑on learning, critical thinking, and collaboration.
The Construction Science program prepares students to lead in the planning, management, and delivery of the built environment. Students combine technical knowledge, business management, and problem‑solving to guide projects from concept to completion. Through undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, we connect innovative teaching and research with real‑world challenges to serve communities locally and globally.
Environmental Design is an interdisciplinary program that blends architecture, planning, landscape, interior design, and construction to improve the relationship between people, places, and the natural environment. Through flexible, hands‑on learning and real‑world projects, students gain the skills to tackle complex challenges and create places that matter.
The Division of Interior Design offers a student‑focused environment dedicated to excellence in design education, research, and community engagement. Students learn the art and science of shaping interior spaces to enhance how people live, work, and interact, developing both creative vision and technical expertise. Through accredited undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, they gain the skills andexperience to make a lasting impact within a dynamic design community.
The University of Oklahoma’s Landscape Architecture programs prepare students to design outdoor spaces that connect people and improve quality of life. Students learn to blend science, design, and community engagement to create parks, plazas, streetscapes, and other public places. Through accredited undergraduate and graduate programs, they gain hands‑on experience tackling real‑world challenges while building the skills to become licensed professionals and leaders.
The Regional + City Planning program prepares students to shape vibrant, equitable, and resilient communities. Planning is the practice of guiding the growth and development of cities, towns, and rural areas through policies, design, and community engagement. With small class sizes, close faculty mentorship, and hands‑on projects, students learn to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, address real‑world challenges, and expand access and opportunity for those often underrepresented in the planning process.
The PhD in Planning, Design and Construction at the University of Oklahoma offers advanced, interdisciplinary study of the built environment. Students tailor their coursework within one of the College’s five disciplines and work closely with faculty on original research. Graduates are prepared for careers as scholars, educators, and leaders in creating sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities.
Enhance your expertise with focused, interdisciplinary credentials that complement professional practice and advanced study:
Several programs within the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture are designated as STEM‑eligible, allowing international graduates on F‑1 visas to apply for the 24‑month Optional Practical Training (OPT) STEM Extension. This federal program enables students with qualifying degrees to gain additional professional experience in the United States while working for an E‑Verify employer. Eligible Gibbs College degrees, such as those in Construction Science, Landscape Architecture, and select Planning, Design, and Construction fields, combine technical expertise with design innovation, meeting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s criteria for STEM classification. Students interested in the extension should review OU International Student Services’ STEM Extension Workshop and confirm their program’s CIP code is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (pdf).
