welcome to the ou community

ENROLL IN YOUR CLASSES: Before enrolling in classes, you need to contact your

graduate program coordinator or assigned faculty/staff representative. To locate contact information for your program, please visit your academic college website (to find your college website, visit ou.edu/gradcollege/admissions). You can enroll online at one.ou.edu.

GET YOUR SOONER CARD: The Sooner Card is the official OU identification card. With

the Sooner Card, students access campus services, designated campus buildings and select events. Students will need to show a driver’s license, military ID card or passport and present $20 to purchase the Sooner Card in the Oklahoma Memorial Student Union, Room 127. The Sooner Card is valid for the entire period that a student attends the university. Learn more about the Sooner Card at ou.edu/soonercard.

FINALIZE ADMISSION: If you were admitted with coursework or a degree in

progress, please arrange to have an official transcript sent to:

Graduate College Admissions Robertson Hall731 Elm Avenue, Room 213 Norman, OK 73019

Visit ou.edu/gradcollege/admissions or call (405) 325-6765 to learn more.

ATTEND DEPARTMENTAL ORIENTATION: Many graduate programs at OU host individual

orientation programs along with the Graduate College Graduate Student Orientation. For more information, contact your graduate program office.

ATTEND THE GRADAUTE COLLEGE ORIENTATION

New graduate students will receive access to the OU Graduate College's online orientation called "CONNECT" before the start of their first semester. Contact the Graduate College at [email protected] for more information.

COMPLETE MANDATORY TRAINING & TESTING:Sexual Misconduct: Prior to enrollment, all University students are required to successfully complete the mandatory online training

located at onpoint.ou.edu. Federal law and Regent policy mandate compliance with this training and the University’s Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Harassment Policy at ou.edu/eoo. You will need to login with your OUNetID and password.

English Assistance Program (if applicable): The state of Oklahoma requires certification for any non-native speaker of English who has contact with students in an instructional capacity. To meet this requirement, the English Training and Cerification Services administers language proficiency tests leading to Certification of Proficiency in English. For more information go to ou.edu/gradcollege/new-students/etcs.

Teaching Assistant Training (if applicable): This training is required for all new OU teaching assistants whose duties will include any contact with students. Visit ou.edu/gradcollege/funding/graduate-assistantship/new-gta-training for more information. Consult with your academic unit for more information.

Welcome to the OU CommunityCongratulations on your admission to the University of Oklahoma! As a new graduate student, you may wonder what the next steps are in joining our commuity. Here are some helpful tips as you begin your academic journey !

SET UP YOUR OUNet ACCOUNT: Your OUNet Account is your key to accessing OU technology

resources such as email, enrollment, grades, course materials, computer labs and OU Libraries resources. Many OU offices will only communicate with you via your official OU email account.

Set yours up today:1. Before you can set up your OUNet Account, you will need to

retrieve your OUNetID. Your OUNetID is your username thatyou will use to access University websites and services.

2. Visit the Account Management page at account.ou.edu.3. Click on “Retrieve OUNetID” and enter your Social Security

Number and your date of birth to retrieve your OUNetID.4. After retrieving your OUNetID, return to the Account

Management page at account.ou.edu.5. Click on “Setup Account” and enter your date of birth and

either your OUNetID to set up your account.

If you need help, please visit itscnorman.ou.edu/askit/.

SUBMIT HOUSING CONTRACT (optional):

If you are interested in living on campus, visit ou.edu/housingandfood to complete your housing contract. Email [email protected] if you have questions.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID/GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS: Numerous opportunities exist for financial assistance. U.S.

citizens should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1 and before Dec 15. For more detailed information visit ou.edu/sfc. To apply for graduate research or teaching assistantships, please contact your graduate program. To review other financial assistance options visit the Gradaute College website,ou.edu/gradcollege/funding.

REVIEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS: As you prepare to attend OU, you need to be aware of the

State of Oklahoma immunization requirements: two immunizations for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and three immunizations for Hepatitis B. For details about completing the Certification of Compliance, visit immunization.ou.edu.

CONTACT US | OU GRADUATE COLLEGE | ou.edu/gradcollege | (405) 325-3811 | [email protected] | facebook.com/uoklahoma

Additional requirements for international students

OBTAIN A U.S. VISA: Visit for ou.edu/cis/iss/students/new-students/i-20 for information about F-1 and J-1 visa applications.

Currently in the US: If you are currently attending another school in the US, you must have your SEVIS record (I-20 or DS-2019) transferred to OU to maintain your immigration status. This is a separate process from your academic transfer. For more information, contact International Student Services at [email protected].

Other VISA types: Prospective or current students who are in the US on a visa other than F-1 or J-1/J-2 must contact OU ISS to confirm study is allowed. A visa status other than F-1 or J-1 may restrict you from enrolling in or attending class. If study is not allowed on your current visa you must work with ISS to complete a change of visa status prior to enrolling. Beginning studies while on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa is a violation of the visitor visa status. F-2 dependents are limited to part time study. Students must receive USCIS approval for a change of visa status or obtain a student visa outside the US before beginning studies in order to maintain lawful US immigration status. For more information, visit ou.edu/cis/iss and click “Immigration & Visa,” then “Changing Your Status.”

Once you are admitted:

VISIT THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES (ISS) WEBSITE

Two thousand international students and their families representing more than 120 countries call the University of Oklahoma their home away from home. The OU office of International Student Services (ISS) is here to support them. For more informatoin about obtaining an I-20 or DS2019, visit ou.edu/cis/iss/students/new-students/i-20

REGISTER FOR MIO & NISO: Prior to leaving your home country, you should complete the Mandatory Internet Orientation or MIO. MIO will answer

many of your questions about OU. The NISO (New International Student Orientation) Experience includes MIO, airport transport, a required meeting with an ISS respresentative and an in-person orientation. To learn more about MIO and NISO, visit ou.edu/cis/iss/students/new-students/niso.

PURCHASE HEALTH INSURANCE: All international students are required to purchase and maintain a medical health plan. For more information about the student

health plans available at OU visit hr.ou.edu/Students/Student-GA-Health-Insurance/Norman#4175145-international-students, or contact the Student Health Plan office by phone at (405) 325-0775.

PAY EXPENSES:

Tuition, fees, books, housing charges, medical insurance and miscellaneous expenses are due at the time of enrollment. We suggest that you have at least $10,000 (USD) available when you arrive and that you bring one check made payable to the University of Oklahoma for your tuition, fees, housing (if living on campus) and one check made payable to yourself to use for additional expenses. See the enclosed information from the Office of the Bursar regarding payment options for tuition and fees. There is no need-based financial aid available to incoming international students. Visit bursar.ou.edu.

Preparing for your arrival on campus:



Who is my OU admissions representative? Please review the Graduate Admissions website, ou.edu/gradcollege/admissions/explore-graduate-programs, to see the Graduate Admissions Counselor assigned to your graduate program.

How will I pay tuition? The Office of the Bursar functions as the OU central billing service center by providing monthly billing statements of tuition, fees, room and board and other charges incurred by students. Paying your bill in full by the 25th of each month will ensure that you avoid additional charges, such as late payment fees and service charges. For information visit, ou.edu/bursar/bill_pay. For information about international payments visit, ou.edu/bursar/international-payments

Where can I find information about the University Libraries? The Bizzell Memorial Library and its branches are your active, personal collaborator in knowledge creation throughout your time at OU. More information can be found at libraries.ou.edu.

Where will I live? As an upperclass student, you can choose from the Residential Colleges, Cross, Traditions Square apartments or Kraettli apartments on campus. Visit ou.edu/housingandfood/liveou to learn more. To explore off-campus housing options in Norman, visit apartmentfinder.com.

What are my campus dining options? Visit ou.edu/housingandfood/dining for details about campus restaurants and meal plans. There are also a large variety of restaurants nearby on Campus Corner, oucampuscorner.com.

Will I be safe? Our students feel very safe across campus. View the current Sooner Safety report at ou.edu/content/dam/OUPD/documents/safety.pdf.

Where do I buy a parking pass? OU student parking permits are available at ou.edu/parking.

How do I find my way around campus? Visit our Google-integrated campus map at ou.edu/map to take a virtual tour of campus.

How do I get tickets to athletic events? Before school starts each fall, you will receive information on how to order football and/or men’s basketball tickets. Learn more at soonersports.com.

Where can I buy books? To purchase your textbooks from the University Bookstore, visit oklahoma.bkstr.com.

Will I have to buy books? OU Libraries provides selected textbooks on reserve that can be checked out free of charge. Visit ou.edu/content/textbooks-reserve for more information.

What orientations should I attend? New graduate students will receive access to the OU Graduate College's online orientation called "CONNECT" before the start of their first semester. Many academic units at OU host individual orientation programs, too. For more information, contact your graduate academic unit.

What if I need a disability accomodation? The OU Accessibility and Disability Resource Center provides accommodations for students on an individual basis dependent on the need for services including advocacy, architectural accessibility, alternative testing, interpretation, real-time captioning and note-taking services. Visit drc.ou.edu for more information.

Where can I find more information about the OU Graduate College? The Graduate College Bulletin offers general information on graduate programs and policies. To view the Graduate College Bulletin visit, ou.edu/gradcollege/forms/bulletin. Additional helpful information can be found on the Graduate College's website, ou.edu/gradcollege.

How can I connect with other graduate students? Make the most of your student experience by connecting with other graduate students through Graduate Student Life programming and other events. More information about Graduate Student Life can be found at ou.edu/gradcollege/current-students/gsl.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find new gradaute student resources? Visit the new student page of the Graduate College website for information, ou.edu/gradcollege/new-students.

GRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCEThe Graduate College is committed to the success of each of OU’s more than 5,800 advanced degree students. Within the OU community of learners, you will find the support to explore your mind’s potential and connect with others who have similar aspirations. As many have discovered, an advanced degree from the University of Oklahoma will take you higher than you could ever imagine. During your graduate studies, you must satisfy the requirements of both the Graduate College and the academic unit in which you pursue your degree. The Graduate College and the Graduate Dean oversee the individual academic units that offer the master’s and doctoral degrees to ensure uniformity of standards and procedures in keeping with the principles of graduate education. Each academic unit is responsible for designing and delivering the advanced degrees offered by that academic unit.

The Graduate Liaison for each academic unit serves as a link to the Graduate College, assisting students with the academic and policy requirements of advanced study. While your academic development occurs within and is directed by your academic unit, the policies of the Graduate College govern the courses of study for all OU graduate students. It is the Graduate Dean who ultimately makes the final determination on the graduate status of all students, from admission to graduation. Visit the Graduate College online at ou.edu/gradcollege.

Graduate Student Life exists to connect, equip, and encourage graduate students at the University of Oklahoma. Whether it is at a professional development workshop, graduate parent webinar, or a cookout on the Graduate College lawn, GSL is here for you. Our programs are designed to meet the personal, professional, and community needs of OU’s graduate population. More information can be found at ou.edu/gradcollege/current-students/gsl.

VIBRANT COMMUNITYNorman, OK is a classic college town centered on OU students. It is a safe, welcoming place with a variety of activities, including an eclectic local music scene, two world-class museums and more than 25 festivals each year.

Oklahoma City is located about 30 minutes away from Norman. Home to the tallest adventure park in the world, the NBA Thunder and great internship/job opportunities, our students enjoy all that OKC has to offer.

Living on campus is one of the best ways to experience OU to the fullest and as a graduate student, you will thoroughly enjoy the conveniences and comforts available to you! At our on-campus apartment complex, Traditions Square, you have access to the largest assortment of amenities and services, Visit ou.edu/housingandfood to explore the options.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCEOur world-class facilities rival those of the private industry and OU has achieved the Carnegie Foundation’s highest tier of research activity classification. There are countless opportunities for experiential learning that will set you up for career success. Visit ou.edu/web/research for more information about the research happening at OU

A little more to know about your OU experience

OKC

Traditions Square Traditions Square


welcome to the ou community

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