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“What is the University Center?” This question comes up frequently in conversation. Since the University Center is a unique organization, the question is legitimate. The University Center at Ponca City partners with accredited colleges and universities to make college courses, programs and degrees accessible to the residents of Ponca City and Northern Oklahoma.
Here are a few facts to help you get acquainted with the University Center.
The UC at Ponca City is the only university center in Oklahoma. At one time there were four UCs in Oklahoma, including Ardmore, Enid and Tulsa. Those three have since been absorbed by colleges and universities in their areas. Ponca City is fortunate the UC is alive and well.
Our current partner schools are Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) and Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU). Our state charter states that NOC provides all lower division courses and programs. Upper division courses, bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees can be provided by any qualifying, accredited university in Oklahoma. Currently, all those programs are through NWOSU.
The University Center does not award college degrees. All coursework and degrees are provided by our partner schools. For example, I earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from NWOSU in 2014. I took all the classes at the UC, but my diploma is from NWOSU. The University Center is not an independent university. We provide access to accredited colleges and universities.
A wide range of programs and degrees are available through our partner schools. The UC provides access to concurrent classes, as well as associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Majors and degrees include business administration, accounting, arts & sciences, computer science, criminal justice, education, nursing (Pre-RN, Pre-BSN, BSN) and psychology. Call or visit our website for a complete list.
Most classes are offered by ITV/Zoom. Our technology allows us to easily connect to classes from our partner schools. Our partner schools have multiple campuses, so this is a perfect fit for their models of course delivery. For example, a psychology professor teaching from the NWOSU Alva campus may have students in the classroom and also connect to classrooms at NWOSU Enid, NWOSU Woodward and the UC. Our two-screen format in most classrooms allows students to easily see and interact with instructors and other participants, as well as view and share presentations.
We love it when instructors teach on-site. The UC is fully equipped for instructors to teach from the University Center. NWOSU nursing instructor Sarah Martin offices and teaches at the UC, supervises local clinicals and leads labs in the UC nursing lab. Professors visit the UC on a regular basis to see their students in person and teach from one of our studios.
The best way to find out what the University Center is all about is to drop by for a visit. You can also call us at (580) 718-5600, visit UCPoncaCity.com or follow our social media pages. Hope to see you soon!
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