The College of Liberal Studies (CLS) was founded in 1960 by University of Oklahoma faculty members who perceived the need for degree-granting programs that could accommodate adult learners. The first undergraduate students were enrolled in 1961 and completed their degrees through a combination of concentrated on-site and independent study courses.  In 1967, the Master of Liberal Studies was created to meet a growing need for graduate degrees of high quality geared towards non-traditional students. 

Nowadays the Univerity enables  over 1500 CLS students worldwide  to complete their degree 100% online, on-site, or through self-paced independent study.  As part of OU Outreach, one of the top five continuing education organizations in the United States, the College of Liberal Studies helps provide services to more than 200,000 non-traditional learners in Oklahoma and in locations all over the world.

The College of Liberal Studies offers online classes in five, eight-week academic sessions throughout the year.  Using course-specific websites and a web-portal called Desire2Learn, students are able to receive instruction, complete course objectives, and interact with their instructor and classmates in a 100% online environment.

Most online classes are split into four, two-week units. For each unit, students will have a brief lesson, reading assignments, and a couple of writing exercises. The College of Liberal Studies’ online courses are considered “asynchronous,” meaning that while you may have deadlines for course assignments, you will never need to be online at the same time as your instructor and classmates.

Financial Aid
You'll find a wealth of useful information about the many scholarships and financial aid opportunities available at the University of Oklahoma. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, financial aid, and other resources by the appropriate deadlines.
Financial Aid Services (FAS) is committed to helping you obtain financial assistance for your education. Please contact our office if you have any questions or concerns regarding your financial aid application.