Academic Affairs
124 Ellison Hall
633 Elm Ave.
Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-4411
Fax: (405) 325-7429
mds@ou.edu
www.ou.edu/cas/students/academic-advising
Academic Advising:
Skyler Harger (skylerharger@ou.edu) Students with a last name of A-M
Phoenix Miranda (nixmiranda@ou.edu): Students with a last name of N-Z
Multidisciplinary Studies
Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) is an individualized major program that allows students with a specific field of study interest that is not covered by any available OU major the opportunity to design their own degree program. This process is discussed and overseen by the student’s assigned MDS academic advisor and all plans are reviewed through the Provost office. This is a highly selective and rigorous program and there is no guarantee that an application will be approved. A student’s major design should include a minimum of synthesizing content from two disciplines (typically the minors from those fields) plus additional supporting courses to the selected field of study.
Graduation Requirements
The MDS major requires a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students within the MDS major program must complete a minimum of 120 total college credit hours with at least 48 hours at the upper division (3000-4000 level). Within these total hours students must also fulfill all stipulated General Education and designed major requirements.
Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement
The Graduate Certificate in Community Engagement is offered through Academic Affairs in Norman and through the Graduate College in Tulsa. The curriculum builds on the learner’s existing knowledge and skills in their respective degree programs and provides additional knowledge, tools, and skills needed to be a highly effective agent of change to positively influence and promote a thriving community and help its members to optimize their potential.
Programs Offered
Courses
EXPO 1113. Principles of Expository Writing.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ACT English 19 or ACT English (CICS) 19 or Undergraduate level ENGL 0113 Minimum Grade of D or Compass English 085 or Compass Writing Placement C or SAT Verbal 450 or SAT Verbal (CICS) 450. An introduction to the basic genres and methodologies of academic writing, with an emphasis on argumentation and audience analysis. For descriptions of section topics go to http://www.ou.edu/expo.html. (F, Sp) [I-ENGL].
EXPO 1213. Expository Writing.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1113, EXPO 1113 or faculty permission. Students will study and practice the craft of writing through four series of sequenced writing assignments that are attuned to selected readings in the particular topic of the course (http://www.ou.edu/expo.html). Freshmen exempted from the requirement of a 1200-level writing course may sign up for EXPO 1223, which signifies that the student will receive lower division western civilization and culture credit. (F, Sp) [I-ENGL]
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EXPO 1223. Expository Writing.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1113 or equivalent or faculty permission. Students will study and practice the craft of writing through four series of sequenced writing assignments that are attuned to selected readings in the topic around which the course is organized (http://www.ou.edu/expo.html). Freshmen exempted from the requirement of a 1200-level writing course may sign up for EXPO 1223 which signifies that the student will receive lower-division western civilization credit. (F, Sp) [IV-WC]
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EXPO 3440. Mentored Research Experience.3 Credit Hours.
0 to 3 hours. Prerequisites: ENGL 1113 or equivalent, and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit 12 hours. For the inquisitive student to apply the scholarly processes of the discipline to a research or creative project under the mentorship of a faculty member. Student and instructor should complete an Undergraduate Research & Creative Projects (URCP) Mentoring Agreement and file it with the URCP office. Not for honors credit. (F, Sp, Su)
EXPO 4980. Independent Research.1-3 Credit Hours.
1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: ENGL 1213, sophomore standing, and permission of department. May be repeated with change of content; maximum credit six hours. An upper-division course used by students to complete independent research projects of their own design under the guidance of Expository Writing faculty. (F, Sp)
OCL 5603. The Science of Community Engagement.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. This course provides an evidence-based foundation of knowledge to prepare participants for the collaborative world of community engagement. Lectures/discussions will cover a range of subjects including organizational dynamics, anatomy of a community, and aspects of community observation and interaction. Levels of helping and psychology of helping and being helped will also be covered. (Irreg.)
OCL 5613. The Tools of Community Engagement.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and OCL 5603. The course focuses on methods of conducting community assessments, theories of developing and implementing programs and systems of change, public policy and administration as modes of transformation, and measuring successes and program evaluation. (Irreg.)
OCL 5623. Community Engagement Apprenticeship.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, OCL 5603, and OCL 5613. Learners will work with a mentor associated with a community partner. The apprenticeship entails shadowing, observing, and actively learning from a community partner mentor that provides a "deep dive" into community engagement. During the course of the apprenticeship, the learner will identify a key problem or issue within the community partner organization and formulate a "Capstone Prospectus." (Irreg.)
OCL 5633. Community Engagement Capstone.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing, OCL 5603, OCL 5613, and OCL 5623. Learners will apply all they have learned in the preceding courses to address a real-world problem or issue affecting a community partner. In this course, learners will implement the program they developed in the Community Engagement Apprenticeship course. Learners will collect measures and other forms of data at baseline and at points following implementation of their program. (Irreg.)
OCL 6813. Prospectus Development for Doctoral Dissertation.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and departmental permission. May be repeated; maximum credit six hours. The course is designed for advanced doctoral students/candidates. Students will develop a research topic and write a topic proposal as a starting point to work from and further develop with the dissertation chair and committee. (F, Sp, Su)
OCL 6980. Research for Doctoral Dissertation.2-16 Credit Hours.
2 to 16 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor; May be repeated. Directed research culminating in the completion of the doctoral dissertation. (F, Sp, Su)
OCL 6990. Independent Study.1-3 Credit Hours.
1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor. May be repeated with change of content; maximum credit twelve hours. Contracted independent study for a topic not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. Individual research in areas of organizational and community leadership. Independent study may include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. Specific objectives and work requirements should be established by prior agreement between the instructor and student. (F, Sp, Su)
UNIV 1000. University Course.16 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: variable, generally at freshman level. May be repeated without restriction with change of subject matter. An interdisciplinary course, with subject matter, credit and format variable, and usually of an ad hoc and/or experimental nature. (F, Sp, Su)
UNIV 1002. Foundations for College Learning.2 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Freshman standing and departmental permission. This course aids students in making a successful transition from high school to college and creating a foundation for future success. Students develop critical skills for college-level learning, managing time, exploring career pathways, financial planning, healthy living, connecting to campus resources, etc. Class sizes of 20-24 foster active learning and connection with the instructor, peer mentor, and classmates. (F, Sp)
UNIV 1013. Introductory Seminars.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: departmental permission. This course is intended to assist students in the transition from high school to college. Focus is placed on both the characteristics and behavior of the successful college student. Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to, study skills, time management, goal setting, major and career exploration, financial planning, physical and mental health, and personal and civic responsibility. (F, Su)
UNIV 1022. University Seminar.2 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: None. May be repeated with change of topic; maximum credit 12 hours. Each seminar is developed and taught by an individual faculty member who leads students through an in-depth exploration of a specific intellectual topic. This course does not count for major credit in any department. However, the course may count for elective credit as granted by a department. (F, Sp)
UNIV 1023. Majors and Money.3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Concurrent students only and departmental permission. This hybrid course merges major exploration and financial management. It dives into how values, interests and skills connect to major and career options as well as the decision-making process. It looks at how to manage your money during your college years and beyond, focusing on personal finance topics & issues that are practical and relevant now and for the future. (Irreg.)
UNIV 1031. Exploring Careers.1 Credit Hour.
Designed for students who have decided on a major and are beginning the process of exploring their career options. Students will have the opportunity to engage in self-assessment, perform career research, investigate additional academic opportunities, and create action plans to prepare for post-college careers. (F, Sp)
UNIV 1210. First-Year Student Mentoring.0 Credit Hours.
Introduction to the academic community; individual and group meetings to encourage student-faculty interaction and foster awareness of academic and cultural resources available to freshmen. (F, Sp)
UNIV 2000. University Course.1-16 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: variable, generally at sophomore level. May be repeated without restriction with change of subject matter. An interdisciplinary course, with subject matter, credit and format variable, and usually of an ad hoc and/or experimental nature. (F, Sp, Su)
UNIV 2001. Strategies for Success.1 Credit Hour.
Prerequisite: Departmental permission; may be repeated; maximum credit two hours. Strategies for Success assists students in reaching their academic potential. It is required for first-year students with an OU GPA below 2.0 and available, by permission, to other students who are in need of academic recovery and assistance. This course will emphasize holistic support which includes academic skills, time management, motivation, goal setting, wellness, majors and career, and finances. (F, Sp)
UNIV 2021. Choosing a Major.1 Credit Hour.
Designed to help students decide on a major that fits their personality, interests, skills, and goals. Working through the decision-making process, this activity-based class uses self-assessments, group discussions, and in-class research to explore majors and careers. Students will decide on a major or narrow their options, and have the skills and resources needed to make decisions about future career choices. (F, Sp)
UNIV 2970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.
1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: May be repeated; Maximum credit nine hours. Special topics course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research, and field projects. (Irreg.)
UNIV 3000. University Course.16 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: variable, generally at junior level. May be repeated without restriction with change of subject matter. An interdisciplinary course, with subject matter, credit and format variable, and usually of an ad hoc and/or experimental nature. (F, Sp, Su)
UNIV 3001. Transitions for Transfer Students.1 Credit Hour.
Prerequisite: must be a transfer student. Introduces transfer students to the academic requirements, policies, and resources at the University of Oklahoma. Students will learn about academic advising, transfer credit, degree programs, resources, student life, and methods for achieving academic success at a four-year research institution. (F)
UNIV 3440. Mentored Research Experience.3 Credit Hours.
0 to 3 hours. Prerequisites: ENGL 1113 or equivalent, and permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit 12 hours. For the inquisitive student to apply the scholarly processes of the discipline to a research or creative project under the mentorship of a faculty member. Student and instructor should complete an Undergraduate Research & Creative Projects (URCP) Mentoring Agreement and file it with the URCP office. Not for honors credit. (F, Sp, Su)
UNIV 4000. University Course.16 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: variable, generally at senior level. May be repeated without restriction with change of subject matter. An interdisciplinary course, with subject matter, credit and format variable, and usually of an ad hoc and/or experimental nature. (F, Sp, Su)
UNIV 4970. Special Topics/Seminar.1-3 Credit Hours.
1 to 3 hours. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor. May be repeated; maximum credit nine hours. Special topics or seminar course for content not currently offered in regularly scheduled courses. May include library and/or laboratory research and field projects. (Irreg.)
UNIV 5000. University Course.16 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: variable, Graduate level. May be repeated without restriction with change of subject matter. An interdisciplinary course, with subject matter, credit and format variable, and usually of an ad hoc and/or experimental nature. (F, Sp, Su)