Cameron Students posing for a picture on Campus

Undergraduate Catalog

GENERAL INFORMATION

History

The evolution of Cameron University closely parallels the history of the area it serves in Southwest Oklahoma. It was founded by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1908 as the Cameron State School of Agriculture, one of six agricultural high schools in the state and placed under the jurisdiction of the State Commission of Agriculture and Industrial Education. The institution was named for E. D. Cameron, the first State Superintendent of Schools.

Cameron added junior college work in 1927 when local needs demanded access to higher education. With the changed function came the name Cameron State Agricultural College. It became solely a college in 1941 when the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education was formed and Cameron joined a group of institutions governed by the Board of Regents for Oklahoma A&M Colleges.

Baccalaureate degrees were authorized in 1966 by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, following action by the Legislature. In May 1970, the first bachelor’s degrees were awarded. The institution's name was changed to Cameron College in 1971 and was further amended to Cameron University in 1974.

In 1988, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education expanded Cameron's functions to include offerings at the master’s degree level. This change in function was the first granted to an Oklahoma institution since Cameron was given authority to offer bachelor’s degrees more than 20 years earlier. The first master’s degrees were awarded in May 1990.

In recognition that Cameron’s mission had become significantly more complex and predominantly urban, in June 1992, governance of the university was transferred by the Oklahoma Legislature to The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma. With the transfer of governance came new affiliations between Cameron and the University of Oklahoma, which have broadened and strengthened academic offerings by both institutions.

Who We Are

Cameron University is a regional, public university serving Southwest Oklahoma and a global learning community. The university is governed by The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma within a state system coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Cameron University offers associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs as well as undergraduate and graduate certificates.

Mission Statement

Cameron University provides a diverse and dynamic student body access to quality educational opportunities; fosters a student-centered academic environment that combines innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning; prepares students for professional success, responsible citizenship, life-long learning, and meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing world; and is a driving force in the cultural life and economic development of the region.

CORE VALUES

Cameron University values:

  • Student learning as our top priority;
  • Excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and mentoring: Investment in people: The growth and development of our students, faculty and staff in a learning environment based on integrity, respect, and ethical behavior that encourages and provides opportunities for professional improvement;
  • Leadership in our community and region that emphasizes: stimulating economic development, forming partnerships and collaborative relationships, providing cultural and social development, and serving the community and region by sharing our expertise;
  • Shared governance that includes: emphasizing teamwork, facilitating open and effective communication, and providing opportunities for active participation by all constituencies;
  • Diversity among our students, faculty, and staff as demonstrated by: providing access to educational and teaching opportunities for all constituents, and promoting tolerance through a free and open exchange of ideas;
  • Responsible stewardship of public and private resources, the public trust, and Cameron’s future that includes: focusing resources to achieve optimal student learning, increasing student access to quality higher education, establishing a reliable stream of public and private revenue, holding administrative costs to a minimum, enhancing alumni involvement, and providing accountability in key areas such as student learning and management of resources.

UNIVERSITY FUNCTIONS

The functions assigned to Cameron University by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education include:

A. Participating in programs of economic and community development independently or in cooperation with public and private entities,

B. Providing general education for all students,

C. Providing micro-credentials, certificates, and degrees to prepare individuals to enter the labor market,

D. Responsibility for institutional and applied research in those areas related closely to their programs of study and effectiveness of operation,

E. Responsibility for public service in the geographic regions in which they are located,

F. Providing formal and informal programs designed to serve Oklahomans with continuing education and professional enhancement opportunities,

G. Providing developmental education for students who lack required high school academic requirements for college admission or competency in the basic academic skills areas, and

H. Performing other special programmatic activities as authorized by the State Regents.

Additionally, as a regional institution, Cameron University is assigned the functions of

A. Both lower- and upper-division undergraduate study in fields leading to the baccalaureate degree, and 

B.  Programs leading toward the first professional master's and doctoral degrees when appropriate to the institution's strengths and the needs of the state.

CU is also approved to offer associate-level programs.

Accreditation

Cameron University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Some of Cameron’s academic programs are accredited through discipline-specific accrediting programs. A list of accredited programs and information regarding their respective accrediting bodies is maintained on the Accreditation webpage.

Equal Opportunity

Cameron University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action and promotes an environment of awareness and understanding of culturally diverse groups in our society. The University strives to maintain a campus climate of mutual respect and tolerance that is free from discrimination. Discrimination is unlawful and undermines the freedom of students, faculty, and staff to productively learn and work at the University.

This institution, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, political beliefs, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and education services.

To obtain information about applicable laws or to file an EEO- or Title IX-related complaint of discrimination, including harassment, contact our University Equal Opportunity Officer & Title IX co-coordinator Dr. Keith Vitense, (580)581-6712 or eo-tix@cameron.edu.