by Michael Mahaffey
OU Online is offering three new online undergraduate degree programs starting this fall designed to help graduates finish their degrees quickly, find careers and fill critical positions in Oklahoma’s workforce.
The new programs in aerospace and defense management, construction management and learning and education studies were designed to allow graduates to gain the knowledge and skills needed to step into positions or advance their careers in these industries.
Our 100% online programs can be completed in as few as 12 months, allowing students the flexibility to balance work, life and family commitments. The flexible online format provides opportunities for students to interact and collaborate with their peers while offering access to experts, industry leaders and guest speakers. At $500 per credit hour, the programs are an affordable and accessible investment.
These programs offer the most advanced curriculum taught by world-class University of Oklahoma faculty and professors of practice. By linking industry experts who practice in the fields in which they teach with our online programs, students receive real-world insight into their future career fields, preparing them for success. Students in these programs will learn to be more effective communicators and critical thinkers and develop innovative problem-solving, digital literacy and data analysis skills, in addition to the in-depth knowledge needed to excel in their chosen industry.
The aerospace and defense industry has grown into one of the largest industries in Oklahoma, and companies are facing an increasing demand for highly skilled employees. OU’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Aerospace and Defense Management can prepare you to become a leader and a decision-maker in this rapidly growing industry.
More than 1,000 aerospace entities operate in Oklahoma alone, encompassing all aspects of the supply chain. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in management positions is expected to grow 9% by 2030, with a median income of $102,450. This gives you more career options and opportunities for increased pay.
“The online aerospace and defense management program enhances the professional competencies needed by leaders and decision-makers in the aerospace and defense industry,” said Coleman Patterson, aerospace and defense management program director. “Our graduates emerge from the program with a comprehensive understanding of leadership and management issues, improved data analysis and interpretation skills, and forward-thinking perspectives on industry trends in technology, domestic and global political contexts, and societal changes.”
Students will explore the industry through a national security and political context while learning advanced skills and terminology commonly used in the field. In addition to an introduction to the aerospace and defense industry, you’ll learn about software and information technology systems, applied statistics for data analytics, considerations for the industry’s future and how to lead in organizations.
Construction management is one of the most in-demand industries in Oklahoma and the surrounding region, and it is becoming increasingly necessary for those in the construction industry to have a bachelor’s degree to advance their careers.
OU’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Construction Management will prepare you with the advanced and practical skills you’ll need to advance in your construction career.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in management positions is expected to grow 9% by 2030, with a median income of $102,450.
“The construction industry is filled with people who didn’t finish a bachelor’s degree, whether they had to go to work and just couldn’t finish, came up through the trades or didn’t plan to do school beyond an associate degree,” said Ben Bigelow, construction management program director. “This program gives those individuals the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree on their own time, from wherever they live, for a reasonable price.”
Offered through the OU College of Professional and Continuing Studies in partnership with OU’s Lemon Construction Science Division, students will learn the principles of preconstruction management and applied construction project management, estimating and scheduling, construction efficiency and how to communicate and manage personnel in the construction industry. You'll master practical skills like budgeting, bids and negotiations, along with the technological, communication and leadership skills required to excel in diverse segments within the construction industry.
Applicants must have one year of commercial construction experience or construction coursework at the college level. Individuals with less than the required level of work experience or who are new to the industry will also take courses that cover industry fundamentals, as well as construction materials and methods.
With teacher shortages ongoing in Oklahoma and across the country, there is a high demand for skilled educators seeking careers in PK-12 education who are passionate about making a difference in students' lives.
OU’s Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in Learning and Education Studies can prepare you to use your passion for education to support growth and development in others.
Offered by the OU College of Professional and Continuing Studies in partnership with OU's Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, the program focuses on teaching effective leadership strategies while deepening your understanding of education, instruction and various learning environments in PK-12 education.
“Students who are committed to the field of education and developing a deep understanding of supporting student learning are the inspiration for what I do,” said Kelly Feille, learning and education studies program director.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in learning and education studies will prepare you with specialized knowledge and skills to fill a critical need in the workforce. Students will gain a foundation in education, scaffolded instruction and learning environments for diverse learners. You’ll be introduced to the concepts of instruction and development, motivation and learning that you can immediately apply to the educational context in which you currently work.
With the completion of additional state-required coursework, the learning and education studies degree also makes you eligible to seek alternative certification in Oklahoma.
Like all OU Online bachelor’s degree programs, these three new degree completion programs are designed for students who are a minimum of five years post high school/GED or at least 25 years of age and have already completed at least 60 hours of college credit. The programs are transfer-friendly, and you may even be able to turn your professional credentials into college credit.
Each program offers five start dates each year, with the ability to apply for admission as few as two weeks before you start taking classes, so you can begin classes when it works best for you.
Applications are now open for all online undergraduate degree programs. Visit the OU Online website for more information about these and other online programs offered by OU Online.
