Published: August 25, 2008 10:07 pm      

Oklahoma Christian receives high ranking

EDMOND — Oklahoma Christian University has been named a “Best University — Master’s” in the West region in U.S. News and World Report’s 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” This is the 10th consecutive year that U.S. News has ranked Oklahoma Christian in its America’s Best Colleges Guidebook.

Last year Oklahoma Christian was elevated to a higher category known as the master’s group due to a growing number of graduate students and the addition of several new graduate programs. OC moved up five spots from its initial 2007 ranking in this higher category even though it is a newcomer to this category and not as well known by its peers.

“Oklahoma Christian fared very well in the U.S. News & World Report ranking,” said Mike E. O’Neal, OC president. “Our undergraduate program is certainly one of the most outstanding in this area. The real proof is how well our graduates perform in the market place.”

Last year OC’s literary journal “Soundings” received the top award in the nation from the international English honor society and its history honor society was named best chapter in the nation for the 13th straight year. The university’s art and design and communications students also received several national awards last year.

More than 90 percent of OC students who applied to medical school were accepted into several of America’s best medical schools and one of its biochemistry students received the award for best overall presentation at the Oklahoma Academy of Sciences convention last year. The school of business administration students earned the highest pass rate on the CPA exam of all Oklahoma colleges and universities in 11 of 13 most recent years.

Oklahoma Christian is one of only two members of the 112 schools in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities with ABET — the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology — or three engineering programs.

“Rankings alone don’t accurately measure the success or standing of a university,” O’Neal said. “Our master’s programs continue to grow in scope and stature, so we expect our rankings to climb higher because of the overall quality and exceptional professors we have teaching in these rigorous programs.

“We’re very pleased to be ranked as a best college in the West,” he said. “This is a tribute to our faculty, staff, alumni, donors and other supporters. We have certainly been blessed with outstanding faculty and students who are committed to our mission of transforming lives for Christian faith, scholarship and service.”