What is the Ardmore Higher Education Center?
The Ardmore Higher Education Center is a University Center that delivers degree programs from East Central University (Ada, Oklahoma), Murray State College (Tishomingo, Oklahoma), Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Durant, Oklahoma), and Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City. Freshman through graduate courses are offered and students can earn an associate, bachelor, or master degree through one of the four participating institutions.
1974: Oklahoma State legislature created a consortium-model higher education delivery system in the form of a University Center. The new Center – the Ardmore Higher Education Program – utilized existing Oklahoma colleges and universities aimed at delivering higher education programs to southern Oklahoma. When the program started in 1974, there were ten courses, freshman- through graduate-level, and 110 students. Housed in Ardmore High School over the summer, the program moved to the renovated Mt. Washington School that fall and increased its offerings to 24 courses. In 1977, the pilot program was made permanent by statute and was placed under the administration of the Office of the Chancellor for Oklahoma Higher Education.
Early 1980s: Due to increasing enrollment, the program had outgrown its surroundings. A new building was constructed on property belonging to Ardmore School District. It was funded by a maintenance endowment from the Noble Foundation, which was matched by gifts for construction from the community-at-large. While the building was owned by the Ardmore School District, the program was awarded usage under a 20-year lease. With expanded space, more than 750 students participated in 90 course offerings. It was now known as the Ardmore Higher Education Center. As the Center expanded, local involvement increased and an Advisory Board was formed in 1983.
From 1974 to 1984, the Ardmore Higher Education Center was administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. In 1985 legislation was passed and an official governing Board of Trustees was established. All members are appointed by the Governor, and each member is given the opportunity to serve a nine-year term. The Board of Trustees is authorized by statute to 1) submit a budget to the Oklahoma State Regents; 2) administer and oversee the management of funds; 3) negotiate agreements with universities/colleges for courses; 4) select the CEO who, in turn, coordinates programs and services, and hires/manages staff; and 5) acquire and take title to real and personal property.
1990s – 2005: The Ardmore Higher Education Center continued flourishing throughout the 1990s and today, is providing educational opportunities to nearly 1,300 students per semester who enroll in more than 200 courses that are offered during the fall and spring semesters and 90 courses during the summer semester.
The Ardmore Higher Education Center Today
Degree Programs: Degrees are offered at the Associate, Bachelor (criminal justice, business management, elementary education, counseling, and nursing), and Master (business administration, education, human resources, and psychological services) levels. Individuals can also take courses that further their professional credentials as elementary school teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, school psychometrists, and licensed professional counselors. All degree programs are fully accredited through the participating college or university and students graduate with a degree from one of the institutional partners.
Student Profile: Students are either nontraditional, working adults, students who transfer to another college or university after completion of general education courses, or concurrent high school seniors. The average academic load per semester is two to three courses totaling six to ten credit hours.
Faculty and Staff: The Center employs about ten staff members and provides office space to 15 individuals from the university partners. About 70 full-time and adjunct faculty members, all of whom are employed by their partner institutions, teach at the Center. More than half of the ECU and SOSU faculty hold doctorate degrees. The faculty-to-student ratio averages 15:1.
Tuition: The average tuition and fees for a freshman resident enrolled in 30 hours is $2,630.00. Scholarships, federal grants, and loans are awarded to qualifying students. Financial aid is administered through the university partners; the partners also award tuition fee waivers on a competitive basis based on financial need and academic achievement.
Facilities: The 30,000-square foot AHEC facility includes twelve classrooms, a library, administrative offices for AHEC staff, and academic advisement/student services offices for the institutional partners. Due to the need for additional space, ten to twelve classrooms at Ardmore High School are used for evening classes.
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