Gould Hall
830 Van Vleet Oval
Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-2444
FAX: (405) 325-7558
coa-communications@ou.edu
architecture.ou.edu

Administrative Officers

Hans E. Butzer, F.A.I.A. LEED AP, Dean
Suchismita Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Academic and College Administration
Daniel Butko, Director, Division of Architecture
Ben Bigelow, Ph.D., Director, Haskell & Irene Lemon Construction Science Division
Elizabeth Pober, M.S., Director, Division of Interior Design
Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design:
   Ron Frantz, M.S., Environmental Design
   Sarah Little, Ph.D., Landscape Architecture
   John C. Harris, Ph.D., APA/AICP, Regional and City Planning
   Shawn Schaefer, LEED AP, Urban Design Program (OU-Tulsa)
Vanessa Morrison, Interim Director, Institute for Quality Communities
Angela Person, Ph.D., Director, Research Initiatives and Strategic Planning
Erin Nance, Director of Advising

General Information

The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary unit concerned with the planning, design and construction of the built environment. The college is comprised of the Divisions of Architecture, Construction Science, Interior Design, and Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design.  A graduate program, focusing on Urban Design, is also offered by the OU College of Architecture at OU-Tulsa.

Students in the college develop the capacity for critical analysis of the context and constraints of physical design, formulate planning and design goals, and acquire specialized skills to attain these goals. Individual professional degree programs offered under the divisions within the college have complementary theory and practice components. The curricula are strengthened by deliberate sharing of courses and by the interaction of faculty and students across division boundaries. Students in the programs have the unique opportunity to work with others preparing to enter related professional fields, as well as exposure to practicing professionals in these fields.

Programs Offered

Programs & Facilities

Preceptorship Program

The college administers a preceptorship program which permits students of demonstrated ability to complete a limited number of degree requirements as a participant in a professional office.

Summer Program

Selected courses may be offered during the summer session in the College of Architecture. Special summer studies are also offered in international settings.

Undergraduate Study

Admission

Admission to the University of Oklahoma (Norman Campus) and subsequently a degree granting college is based upon the admission requirements that are in effect for the semester that a student initiates enrollment at OU. For information on current admission requirements, contact the Office of Admissions & Recruitment, University of Oklahoma, Jacobson Hall, 550 Parrington Oval, Room L-1, Norman, OK 73019-4076 or visit their homepage.

Admission to an undergraduate program within the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is based upon the program requirements in effect at the time of a student’s initial enrollment in any institution (including OU) in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. All first-year students direct from high school are enrolled in University College. All students seeking admission to a program within the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

1. Completed admission to the University of Oklahoma;
2. At least 24 semester hours of earned college credit;
3. Completion of any curricular deficiencies that may exist in English, Math and/or Science;
4. A declared major in the College of Architecture; and
5. Obtain at least the minimum combined and OU retention grade point average required for graduation from the program the student has declared. All undergraduate programs in the College of Architecture may require additional admission requirements beyond those listed above. Refer to the respective division section in the following pages for information regarding additional program admission requirements.

Transfer Students

An undergraduate student transferring from an institution within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education must fulfill the transfer admission requirements of the University of Oklahoma Office of Admissions & Recruitment. For more information, visit their website.

A student requesting transfer into a program of the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture from another institution will be considered for admission based on various factors such as GPA, portfolio review, and/or space availability which varies between programs. Such an applicant, in addition to satisfying all admission requirements of the University and the college, must be approved by the division director for that particular major.

A student requesting to transfer into a program of the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture from another institution outside of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education will follow the most recent curriculum requirements for the major the student declares.

Transfer Credit

The following credit hour regulations are specific to transfer students:

• Two-year college work is accepted only as lower-division credit.
• At least 60 semester hours applied toward completion of a baccalaureate degree must be earned at accredited senior (four-year) institutions.
• Credits earned in physical education courses or in basic ROTC courses cannot be applied toward the graduation requirements of any degree program of the College of Architecture. Advanced ROTC courses may be applied toward degree requirements only with the special permission of the dean.
• All professional courses not taken at the University of Oklahoma are subject to evaluation for equivalency by the appropriate division of the college prior to the approval of these courses as transfer credit.
• Work accepted from other institutions is subject to validation by the satisfactory completion of at least 30 hours of credit in residence.
• Any student enrolling for the first time at the University of Oklahoma in a design or graphics course offered by the College of Architecture must enroll in the first course in the sequence, unless specifically approved for higher placement based on a review by the appropriate division director of previous work completed by the student.
• College credit for professional work experience is permitted only under the supervised conditions of the Preceptor Program of the college or approved internship/field experience courses.

Admission Limitations

Admission to the various degree programs within the college is considered based on various factors like GPA, completed coursework, portfolio review, and/or space availability which varies between programs. Enrollment restrictions are most common in professional programs and courses and are subject to national standards of professional accreditation review.

College Regulations

Laptop Requirement

Students with a major in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture will be required to have a laptop computer. Laptop technologies are used to enhance the learning experience, and using a computer will become second nature to all of our students. See Technology Policy Requirement page (PDF) for recommendations for the specifications needed, as well as other pertinent information.

Probation and Advancement

In accordance with the approved retention policy of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education a student must maintain a combined retention minimum grade point average of at least 2.00 (C) in order to be in good academic standing at the University of Oklahoma. The student must maintain at least a 2.50 OU retention and combined retention grade point averages required for graduation from any of the following undergraduate programs within the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture: Architecture, Construction Science, and Interior Design.  The standalone Environmental Design degree requires an OU retention and combined retention grade point average of 2.0 in order to be in good academic standing within the college. A student who fails to maintain the required grade point averages for their program will be notified and required to sign an “Enrollment Contract” each semester their retention grade point average is below the minimum required for graduation. A student on enrollment contract may be denied further enrollment in the college if they fail to fulfill the terms of the enrollment contract during any semester they are on academic notice.

A student who is denied enrollment in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture may still be eligible for enrollment in another college within the University of Oklahoma. Students who have been dismissed from the College of Architecture for academic reasons should contact the Academic Advising Resource Center for advisement regarding continued enrollment at the University of Oklahoma. If a dismissed student from the College of Architecture decides to continue at the University of Oklahoma, further enrollment in College of Architecture courses will be denied.

A student denied enrollment in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture may apply for readmission after a lapse of one regular semester (fall or spring). The student must submit a letter stating why they should be readmitted (what caused the poor academic performance and how the problems causing the poor academic performance have been remedied.) Such a request will be reviewed and decided upon by the appropriate division.

If it is the first academic stop, the student’s record will be reviewed to determine if it is possible for the student to earn the required grade points in the courses that remain to complete the degree and graduate.

If it is the student’s second academic stop, they will automatically be denied readmission.

Attendance

The establishment of a specific policy concerning attendance requirements, as well as announced and unannounced examinations, is the responsibility of the individual instructor. Regular attendance in required studio courses is considered essential to the overall development of the student within the professional and pre-professional curricula.

Studio Regulations

A student may enroll in only one design and one graphics course per semester. Any student who enrolls in a studio course with an incomplete in a prerequisite must remove the incomplete prior to the first day of class of the subsequent semester.

Ownership of Work

All work completed or submitted in fulfillment of any requirements of a course in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is the property of the college, which reserves the right to retain, copyright, use, exhibit, reproduce or publish any work so submitted.

Outside Employment

The demands of outside employment during the academic year, with the exception of an approved preceptorship program or internship, may be inconsistent with the requirements of the professional degree programs. Outside employment is not considered an extenuating circumstance in cases of poor performance, excessive absences or failure to submit assigned work on schedule. Students who fail to adequately fulfill course and curriculum requirements while maintaining outside employment may be required to carry reduced course loads. A longer period in residence may result from this reduction in course loads.

Enrollment Limitations

Undergraduate students may enroll in a maximum of 19 credit hours per any regular semester (fall or spring), and nine credit hours in summer. Enrollment in more than the maximum credit hours is permitted only with the approval and signature of the student’s academic counselor and the dean of the college. Enrollment in more than the maximum credit hours for any given enrollment period cannot exceed the Oklahoma State Regents' absolute maximum for any given enrollment period.

All students enrolled in courses offered by the college are subject to the applicable rules of the college, including those governing performance reviews and enrollment limitations. Students admitted to the professional program in architecture may enroll in any architecture course for which they are eligible. Students who have been accepted as majors in another division of the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture will be admitted to those architecture courses which are specifically required for their degree programs.

Student Advisement

Students in the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture are advised by one of the college’s full-time academic advisors. Students schedule advising appointments through iAdvise.ou.edu or call the Academic Advising Services at 325-2444 for details.

Due to the complexity of the program sequences, it is necessary that all undergraduate students meet with an academic advisor during the pre-enrollment periods. Academic advisors are available to answer questions about the various undergraduate programs. The College of Architecture requires semester-by-semester advising. Students are not permitted to self-advise.

Graduation Requirements

Approval for graduation with a degree from the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture requires completion of all degree requirements listed on the curriculum requirements checksheet for the program the student was admitted as well as the graduation requirements set forth by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and the University of Oklahoma. Copies of current or past checksheets can be obtained from the College’s Academic Advising Services Office.

In addition to the minimum graduation requirements set forth by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the University of Oklahoma, the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture requires the following:

1. A student must obtain the minimum OU retention, combined retention and curriculum grade point averages specified on the requirements checksheet for their degree program. Note: Specific grade point averages required for graduation from programs within the college supersede the minimums set forth by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the University of Oklahoma.
2. A student must complete at least the minimum upper division (3000 level or above) and total hours listed on their program requirements checksheet. Total credit hours applied toward graduation must be verified by one of the professional academic counselors in the Academic Advising Services Office. Students are encouraged to meet with one of the college’s academic counselors for a degree check at least one semester before the intended semester of graduation. The following are additional College of Architecture regulations regarding total hours applied toward graduation:
   1. credit hours earned in physical education courses or in basic ROTC courses cannot be applied toward the graduation requirements of any degree program of the College of Architecture. Advanced ROTC courses may be applied toward degree requirements only with the special permission of the dean;
   2. a maximum of 64 hours will transfer for credit from a two-year college;
   3. at least 60 semester hours toward graduation must be earned at accredited senior (four-year) institutions;
   4. no hours for remedial or pre-college level course work may apply toward graduation;
   5. transfer coursework specifically denied by the division for application toward the curriculum will not count toward graduation;
   6. courses taken under the student elected Pass/No Pass grading option will not be allowed to count toward fulfillment of any university general education or college curriculum requirements.

Additional information about specific program requirements are described under the respective division sections in this chapter. Responsibility for meeting graduation requirements lies with the student.

Graduate Study

Refer to the Graduate tabs within the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture's division pages of this catalog for information concerning graduate programs.

• Division of Architecture
• Division of Construction Science
• Division of Interior Design
• Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design

Honors and Awards

Honors Degrees

All of the bachelor’s degree programs offered by the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture are available to qualified students as honors degree programs. Students may graduate with Latin Honorifics (cum Laude, Magna cum Laude, Summa cum Laude) if they successfully meet the GPA requirements in addition to their regular degree program requirements. Please refer to the Honors College section of this catalog for specific information regarding research opportunities and admission into the Honors College for a special notation on your final transcript.

Recognition of Academic Achievement

The Dean’s Honor Roll is compiled at the close of each fall and spring semester. It includes students who have completed at least 12 grade point hours and have earned an average of 3.50 or higher for the semester.

Students enrolled part-time for both the fall and spring semesters of an academic year will be included on the spring semester honor roll, provided that a 3.50 or better is earned for each semester.

Scholarships and Awards

Many scholarships and awards are provided by professional societies, the building industry, and patrons of architecture and the allied arts. The University of Oklahoma has many general financial aid programs which are listed on the Scholarships website 

Honor Societies and Professional Organizations

Divisions and programs within the Gibbs College of Architecture have established student organizations related to professional licensure and national associations. Students should check with their division directors and program coordinators for this information.