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History of Advanced Programs
Advanced Programs was established in May 1964 as part of the University’s continuing education and public service commitment. Funded by student enrollments under the 1958 Government Employees Manpower Act and with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the University of Oklahoma pioneered the intensive seminar teaching format specifically for the military/adult learner. Today, thousands of men and women have completed their master’s degrees at locations worldwide through the unique scheduling format offered by Advanced Programs. The same high quality and dedication to excellence demanded in the beginning have been a hallmark for national ranking and prestige among graduate degree programs serving the United States Armed Forces.
Thurman White’s legacy spans several areas. As a contributor to the theoretical base of adult education, he conceptualized the development and design of the Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, home of Advanced Programs. The Center’s design turned theory (that architectural design can significantly influence communication and learning) into practice. Graduate courses offered through Advanced Programs lead to a fully accredited resident graduate degree designed to provide up-to-date midcareer training. Courses are delivered worldwide to military and civil service personnel through sites all over the globe. Minority Commitment: Opportunity to complete a graduate degree. Advanced Programs is particularly proud of its record of attracting minority enrollments which consistently remains at a level competitive with other institutions. Quality Control: Are Advanced Programs courses the same as those offered on main campus? In 1982, Advanced Programs became the only graduate military program to undergo external evaluation. The Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey conducted the study. The findings of this study compared main campus classes to classes offered through Advanced Programs. The findings were that the classes were the same or similar in the following:
The major differences are in time-frame (prior study followed by intensive class sessions) and location. The care taken to assure an experience comparable to that of an on-campus student is recognized by the findings of the 1982 Educational Testing Service study of Princeton, New Jersey* which found as follows: "The central question that guided this evaluation, "Are degrees offered through the Advanced Programs comparable in quality to the same degrees offered through the regular on-campus program at Norman?," can, according to the results of this evaluation, be given a generally positive response." *
Advanced Programs Mission The mission of the directorate is to offer programs and new approaches that meet the special needs of individuals who seek retraining or upgrading of skills or who cannot spend an entire semester in residence. Such programs encourage highly talented individuals in and out of the state. The University of Oklahoma is also committed to offering more research-based degree programs for students in the state's urban areas and in assisting the state's economic development by making available knowledge from these research programs.
*"An Evaluation of the University of Oklahoma Advanced Programs: Final Report", John A. Centra and Thomas S. Barrows. Princeton, New Jersey: Educational Testing Service, July 1982. |
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The University of Oklahoma is now beginning to see second generation
family members completing master’s degrees through Advanced Programs’ intensive format. 
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University Outreach College of Continuing Education ~ Advanced Programs
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