About the College

History

Nursing education at the University of Oklahoma originated in 1911. At that time, a School of Nursing was organized as a two-year program under the direction of the College of Medicine at the Oklahoma City Health Sciences Center Campus. Two years later, it became a three-year program leading to the Certificate of Graduate Nurse. In 1913, the School graduated its first class and to date has graduated over three thousand students (1286 certificate, 2051 baccalaureate, and 368 master’s candidates have been recommended to the Graduate College.

In 1951, the program in nursing was transferred to the College of Arts and Science. At that time, the course of study lead to a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

In February 1957, the Regents of the University of Oklahoma authorized the faculty of the College of Nursing to recommend candidates for degrees in nursing. Since that time, the College of Nursing has annually graduated students with Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing. One hundred and nineteen students were awarded this degree in the spring of 1985.

In the 1970 legislative session, a Concurrent Resolution passed both Houses unanimously endorsing the development of a graduate program at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing. In 1971, funds were appropriated and students were admitted in 1973. The first 5 students were graduated in 1974.