The Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design is excited to announce that a new agreement has been formally established between Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) and the University of Oklahoma’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture. This partnership creates a direct and seamless transfer pathway for students from the Associate Arts (AA) of Diversified Studies at OCCC to the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Environmental Design (EnD) at OU.
The agreement aligns curriculums to ensure that students who complete their AA in Diversified Studies at OCCC will have satisfied all of OU's general education requirements as well as the essential prerequisite courses for the EnD major. This eliminates guesswork and potential delays, providing a clear and efficient roadmap for students to follow from their first day at OCCC to their graduation from OU.
The EnD program is known for its emphasis on experiential learning and professional preparation. Students engage with real-world issues facing Oklahoma communities, often through projects and lectures featuring local professionals. The program’s structure is designed not only to impart knowledge but also to build professional networks and practical skills from the outset.
Furthermore, this pathway opens doors to advanced educational opportunities. Students who transfer to OU through this agreement and excel in the EnD program are well-positioned to take advantage of several accelerated master’s degree programs. These innovative options allow high-achieving students to earn graduate credit while completing their bachelor's degree, potentially saving a year or more on the path to a master's in fields like Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, or Regional and City Planning.
The establishment of this transfer pathway represents a shared commitment by OCCC and OU to strengthen educational infrastructure and support student success. It provides a defined, accessible route for local students to pursue a specialized and impactful four-year degree, fostering the development of future professionals who will go on to design sustainable, resilient, and vibrant communities right here in Oklahoma.
The University of Oklahoma College of Architecture is proud to announce that Model Schools in the Model City, authored by Director of the Institute for Quality Communities, Amber N. Wiley, Ph.D., has been named one of ten finalists for the 2026 ASALH Book Prize for Best New Book in African American History and Culture.
This semester, students in the LA 5535 Studio: Ecological Planning and Design, led by Prof. Afsana Sharmin, took on an ambitious hypothetical project to redesign key parts of the OU campus. Their mission: to tackle the critical real-world challenge of stormwater management through innovative green design.
Petya Stefanoff, Chair of the Educational Committee with the American Planning Association, Oklahoma Chapter (APA-OK) and Gibbs College PhD candidate, has developed a new training program for local government officials. The program, focused on land use, zoning principles, and land development, recently certified its first graduates with Certified Citizen Planner status.
