International Students

Oklahoma extends a special invitation to international students to pursue higher education in our state. Oklahomans are friendly and always ready to welcome people from all over the world. Wherever you call home, youll most certainly find Oklahomans with similar backgrounds and connections, from thriving and prosperous communities of Asian origin throughout Oklahoma, to the descendents of immigrants from Eastern and Western Europe, Africa and Latin America who live in every area of Oklahoma.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For information on admission standards to Oklahoma public institutions, refer to the Academic Information section of this book. For information on admission standards for Oklahoma independent institutions, contact the institution(s) directly.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The State Regents require a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score for admission to a State System institution. Those not meeting these standards must have a minimum score on TOEFL or IELTS and must successfully complete a minimum of 12 weeks of study at an approved intensive English program (IEP). The requirements are as follows: Undergraduate: 500 or higher on TOEFL or 6.0 or higher on IELTS or 460 or higher on TOEFL or 5.0 or higher on IELTS and complete IEP program Graduate: 550 or higher on TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS or 500 or higher on TOEFL or 5.5 or higher on IELTS and complete IEP program These are minimum standards for public institutions. Some institutions have higher standards. See the institution profiles in this guide or contact the institution(s) directly for complete information.

WHY STUDY IN OKLAHOMA?

There are many good reasons to choose a school in Oklahoma for your college, university, or language study. Oklahoma has 39 accredited public and independent colleges and universities. A map of institutions in the state is located on page one of this guide. Oklahoma has 11 approved intensive English language programs. Higher education in Oklahoma is affordable. Comparing tuition costs with similar institutions in other regions of the United States, Oklahoma higher education is a great educational value. Students from moderate-income families are particularly pleased with Oklahoma institutions tuition and fee schedules. The cost-of-living index in Oklahoma is extremely favorable. Your money goes further because food prices, housing/rental costs, gas/petrol prices, etc. are among the lowest in the nation. Oklahoma provides safe campuses and communities, with crime rates generally lower than other regions. Oklahoma is the center, the heartland, of our country offering a genuine American experience to international students and is perfectly located for travel both arrival in the United States and visiting the rest of our country. A map of the United States is included at the end of this section. Oklahoma is culturally diverse with representatives from all major ethnic groups among our citizens. Oklahoma also has a large Native American population and wide access to Native American culture, art, pow-wows and festivals.

ACCREDITATION
The accreditation of educational institutions and programs in the United States is not centralized and varies by the category of school type and program. In Oklahoma, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredits all public colleges and universities. Independent universities may be accredited by various associations, including the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Some programs within colleges or universities may carry programmatic accreditation from a specialized accrediting association. Intensive English programs are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. All schools and programs listed in this guide are appropriately accredited. Prospective students are encouraged to ask school officials for additional information about accreditation and affiliation with professional associations.

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COSTS
The estimated cost of attending Oklahoma public colleges and universities is calculated below for full-time, nonresident undergraduate students enrolled in 30 semester credit hours during the 2003-2004 academic year. Costs for room and board and books and supplies are based on FY2003 estimated costs. Oklahoma tuition, fees and other costs are economical and offer the best educational value. For detailed information, contact the institution(s) you are interested in attending.

2003-2004 Estimated Costs for Non-Resident Students at Oklahoma Public Colleges and Universities Comprehensive Regional UniversiTwo-Year Technical Expenses Universities ties Colleges Branches Tuition and $10,160 $6,582 $4,520 $5,400 Mandatory Fees Average Course $143 $27 $37 $41 Fee Room and $5,289 $2,995 $3,232 $4,410 Board Books and Sup$937 $807 $990 $1,090 plies TOTAL $16,528 $10,411 $8,779 $10,941

HOUSING INFORMATION
Many Oklahoma institutions provide on-campus housing facilities at reasonable costs to students. Look at each institutions profile in this document for further information or contact the institutions directly.

OKLAHOMA WEATHER
Oklahoma is well-known for having the variety provided by all four seasons. Its long and beautiful fall and spring seasons provide wonderful interludes between warm summers and occasionally snowy winters. At 1,200 feet (366 meters) above sea level, Oklahoma has an ideal relative humidity. It is one of Americas sunniest states with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. The average temperature is 61F (16C); the average annual rainfall is 32 inches (81 centimeters); the average annual snowfall is 9 inches (23 centimeters).

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES

Most institutions have dedicated staff to work with international students, as well as active international student organizations. Contact institutions for more detailed information.

TRANSPORTATION
Oklahoma is located near the geographical center of the United States. Major interstate highways cross Oklahoma, connecting the east and west coasts and the north and south borders of the nation. International visitors find easy access to Oklahoma through Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City or Tulsa International Airport. Several commercial carriers provide service in and out of the state daily.

Average Daily Temperatures by Month January................46F (8C) February..............46F (8C) March..................60F (16C) April....................69F (21C) May.....................78F (26C) June.....................92F (33C) July .....................91F (33C) August ................92F (33C) September ...........87F (31C) October ...............70F (21C) November ...........55F (13C) December............47F (8C)

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OKLAHOMA HISTORY
Oklahoma has a unique history, unlike any other state in the United States. Once known as Indian Territory, Oklahoma is still closely associated with Native American culture, sharing this legacy through festivals, museums and the daily lives of Oklahomans. Additionally, due to migration in the early 1800s, Oklahoma became home to a mix of different cultures and heritages. Near the end of the century, railroads and territorial land runs brought peoples with a wide variety of cultures and customs to Oklahoma Territory. Cities developed in the agrarian environment, and in 1907, Oklahoma joined the United States as the 46th state. International students in Oklahoma enjoy visiting the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum, the Gilcrease Institute of American History, the Philbrook Art Center, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Woolaroc Museum and the Will Rogers Memorial. Indian City USA in Anadarko displays authentic Indian dwellings of various plains tribes. Noted historic sites include restored Fort Gibson, the Cherokee Village Complex, Spiro Mounds and the Washita Battlefield. Oklahomas numerous parks and wildlife refuges include the Ouachita National Forest, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and the Wichita Mountains and Wildlife Refuge. Oklahoma provides regular world-class performing arts events including theatre productions and musical arts series featuring orchestra, voice, popular music and dance performances. Oklahomas lakes, golf courses, parks and recreation areas are ideal for outdoor activity. Sports in Oklahoma abound. Baseball, basketball, American football, soccer, ice hockey, gymnastics and wrestling provide weekly excitement throughout the state, especially on university campuses, where sports are a source of pride and entertainment for all students.

OKLAHOMA CULTURE
Oklahoma celebrates its modern culture, historical western culture and Native American culture through museums, cultural events and historic sites.

Map of the Contiguous United States

Map prepared by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

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STUDENT POPULATIONS
For fall 2001, Oklahoma institutions reported 8,834 international students representing 165 countries. A complete listing by country is located below.
Afghanistan 1 Albania 29 Algeria 3 Angola 73 Antigua and Barbuda 5 Argentina 12 Armenia 5 Ashmore & Cartier Islands 2 Australia 22 Austria 11 Azerbaijan 2 Bahamas, The 37 Bahrain 52 Bangladesh 117 Barbados 5 Belarus 6 Belgium 8 Belize 4 Benin 8 Bermuda 4 Bolivia 24 Bosnia and Herzegovina 4 Botswana 45 Brazil 91 British Virgin Islands 3 Brunei 3 Bulgaria 102 Burkina Faso 1 Burma 11 Cameroon 28 Canada 135 Cape Verde 1 Central African Republic 1 Chile 2 China 665 Cocos (Keeling) Island 1 Columbia 113 Congo 2 Costa Rica 5 Cote D' Ivoire 8 Croatia 1 Cuba 2 Cyprus 2 Czech Republic 10 Denmark 7 Dominica 2 Ecuador 32 Egypt 24 El Salvador 5 Estonia 9 Ethiopia 16 Faroe Islands 3 Fiji 1 Finland 8 France 108 Gabon 4 Gambia, The Gaza Strip Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Holy City Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Korea, Democratic People's Republic Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Lithuania Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Mali Mauritania Maurittus Mexico Moldova Monaco Mongolia Morocco Mozambique Namibia Nepal 8 1 2 34 34 11 2 13 6 1 2 2 11 40 6 18 1,249 282 26 1 4 19 8 44 624 35 24 268 37 356 26 1 2 3 75 1 4 1 5 13 18 2 3 462 7 4 4 81 1 1 10 181 7 3 98 Netherlands New Zealand Niger Nigeria Niue Norway Oman Pakistan Panama Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam West Bank Yemen (Aden) Zambia Zimbabwe Unknown 9 9 7 126 1 9 16 317 5 3 25 31 18 5 25 21 71 1 116 50 10 1 2 176 9 26 32 36 4 1 2 47 7 25 476 22 142 11 7 7 62 1 8 15 27 58 1 5 158 95 1 1 15 25 388

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