Founded in 1904 as Epworth University by the United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City University is a premier private university located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Spanning a picturesque 104-acre urban campus in the historic Uptown district centered around the Gold Star Memorial Building's soaring spire, OCU connects performing arts, law, business analytics, nursing, and liberal arts education. You can examine its founding charter, Methodist heritage, and urban development through the Oklahoma City University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend OCU, you enter a vibrant, student-centered academic setting known for small class sizes, world-class performing arts training, and professional mentorship. Living in Uptown OKC places you minutes away from downtown corporate headquarters, law firms, health systems, and art districts.
Premier Academic Programs
OCU organizes its instruction across specialized schools and colleges holding national reputations:
- Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment: Nationally acclaimed leader in commercial dance, tap, jazz, and entertainment management. Explore program paths on the Ann Lacy School portal.
- Meinders School of Business: AACSB-accredited business school offering programs in accounting, corporate finance, marketing, and health administration. Explore degree options on the Meinders School of Business portal.
- Wanda L. Bass School of Music: All-Steinway school offering elite training in vocal performance, instrumental music, and musical theater.
- OCU School of Law: Located in historic downtown Oklahoma City, specializing in native American law, trial advocacy, and corporate policy.
- Kramer School of Nursing: Prepares clinical nurses and nurse practitioners through advanced simulation laboratories.
"In Fide Scientia, translated from Latin as In Faith, Knowledge, serves as OCU's official motto, inspiring lives of servant leadership."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, the Norick Art Center, and the quadrangle gardens. School spirit revolves around Starsky the Star, the official mascot representing OCU Stars athletic teams in NAIA Sooner Athletic Conference sports. You can read about spirit traditions and championship programs on the official OCU Stars Athletics portal. Attending Broadway-caliber musical productions, cheering inside Abe Lemons Arena for basketball games, and joining over 80 student clubs creates a close-knit campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Clinical Simulation
OCU operates an active applied research framework with specialized laboratories in healthcare and legal analytics:
- Clinical Nursing Simulation Center: Advanced lab facility featuring high-fidelity human patient simulators for acute clinical training.
- Center for Law and Finance: Interdisciplinary research unit housed in the downtown law school evaluating corporate governance. Learn more via OCU Academic Operations.
- Cyber Security and Data Analytics Laboratory: Hands-on technology facility where business and computer science students analyze live network traffic.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Tony Award winners, Oscar nominees, Supreme Court justices, and corporate leaders, including:
- Kristin Chenoweth: Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning Broadway star and singer who earned her undergraduate and Master's degrees at OCU.
- Kelli O'Hara: Tony Award-winning Broadway star who earned her degree in vocal performance at OCU.
- Cathy O'Donnell: Hollywood film actress who studied theater arts at Oklahoma City University.
- Shawnee Britan: Acclaimed author, public leader, and advocate for educational access across Oklahoma.
OCU provides generous merit scholarship coverage and need-based financial aid for admitted domestic and international students. Review full admission standards on the official OCU Admissions portal.