DEGREES CONFERRED IN OKLAHOMA HIGHER EDUCATION 1996-97

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• During the 1996-97 academic year, Oklahoma higher education institutions conferred a total of 29,396 certificates and degrees: 24,551 at public institutions and 4,845 at private institutions. Compared to 1995-96, the number of certificates and degrees conferred increased 13.9 percent at all institutions (25,816), 9.7 percent at public institutions (22,385), and 41.2 percent at private institutions (3,431).

• The number of bachelor’s degrees conferred per person in the Oklahoma State System increased nearly 4 times from 1941-42 to 1996-97, from one in 1,027 to one in 259. The number of master’s degrees awarded per person increased nearly 14 times, from one in 12,698 to one in 910. The number of doctoral degrees conferred per person increased almost 94 times, from one in 778,811 to one in 8,325.

• During the last 15 years from 1982-83 to 1996-97, the largest number of degrees conferred at public institutions was bachelor's, followed by associate, master's, first-professional, and doctoral.

• The number of degrees conferred increased from 1982-83 to 1996-97 for associate degree (from 4,646 to 6,547), bachelor's degree (from 10,459 to 12,840), master's degree (from 2,912 to 3,649), and doctoral degree (from 383 to 399). The number of degrees conferred decreased for first- professional degree (from 622 to 587).

• From 1982-83 to 1993-94, the largest number of bachelor’s degrees was awarded in business and management followed by education. Since 1994-95, education (2,754) has become the largest number of bachelor’s degrees awarded, followed by business and management (2,618) and engineering (1,066). Education also accounted for the most master’s and doctoral degrees conferred during the past 15 years.

• From 1982-83 to 1996-97, the largest percentage of degrees was awarded to White students: over 80 percent in associate and first-professional degree levels, over 70 percent in bachelor’s and master’s levels, and over 60 percent in doctoral level. In 1996-97, American Indians were second for associate and first-professional degree levels. Nonresident Aliens ranked second in bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral levels.

• Comparing 1996-97 to 1995-96 at public institutions, the number of certificates and all degree levels awarded increased for both men and women

1996-97 Degrees Conferred at Public Institutions

Top Three Degree-Producing Institutions

Total certificates: 529 • Oklahoma City Community College: 198 (37.4 percent) • Tulsa Community College: 111 (21.0 percent) • Northeastern Oklahoma A & M College: 111 (21.0 percent) vi Total associate degrees: 6,547 • Tulsa Community College: 1,528 (23.3 percent) • Oklahoma City Community College: 691 (10.6 percent) • Rose State College: 606 (9.3 percent)

Total bachelor's degrees: 12,840 • Oklahoma State University: 2,760 (21.5 percent) • University of Oklahoma: 2,594 (20.2 percent) • University of Central Oklahoma: 2,094 (16.3 percent)

Total first-professional degrees: 587 • University of Oklahoma Law Center: 212 (36.1 percent) • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: 199 (33.9 percent) • Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine: 86 (14.7 percent)

Total master's degrees: 3,649 • University of Oklahoma: 1,273 (34.9 percent) • Oklahoma State University: 750 (20.6 percent) • University Central Oklahoma: 679 (18.6 percent)

Total doctoral degrees: 399 • Oklahoma State University: 201 (50.4 percent) • University of Oklahoma: 184 (46.1 percent) • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: 14 (3.5 percent)

Top Three Fields of Study

Total certificates: 529 • Health professions: 318 (60.1 percent) • Business and management: 108 (20.4 percent) • Precision production trades: 33 (6.2 percent)

Total associate degrees: 6,547 • Health professions: 1,350 (20.6 percent) • Business and management: 1,304 (19.9 percent) • Liberal arts: 1,292 (19.7 percent)

Total bachelor's degrees: 12,840 • Education: 2,754 (21.4 percent) vii • Business and management: 2,462 (19.2 percent) • Health professions: 926 (7.2 percent)

Total first-professional degrees: 587 • Law: 212 (36.1 percent) • Medicine: 145 (24.7 percent) • Osteopathic medicine: 86 (14.7 percent)

Total master's degrees: 3,649 • Education: 1,141 (31.3 percent) • Business and management: 541 (14.8 percent) • Social science and history: 465 (12.7 percent)

Total doctoral degrees: 399 • Education: 91 (22.8 percent) • Psychology: 51 (12.8 percent) • Physical sciences: 42 (10.5 percent)

Type of Degrees Conferred by Gender and Race

Total certificates: 529 • Men: 238 (45.0 percent) • Women: 291 (55.0 percent) • White: 439 (83.0 percent) • Black: 19 (3.6 percent) • Hispanic: 10 (1.9 percent) • Asian American: 8 (1.5 percent) • American Indian: 49 (9.3 percent) • Nonresident Alien: 4 (0.8 percent)

Total associate degrees: 6,547 • Men: 2,471 (37.7 percent) • Women: 4,076 (62.3 percent) • White: 5,275 (80.6 percent) • Black: 412 (6.3 percent) • Hispanic: 119 (1.8 percent) • Asian American: 105 (1.6 percent) • American Indian: 599 (9.1 percent) • Nonresident Alien: 37 (0.6 percent)

viii Total bachelor’s degrees: 12,840 • Men: 5,758 (44.8 percent) • Women: 7,082 (55.2 percent) • White: 9,550 (74.4 percent) • Black: 741 (5.8 percent) • Hispanic: 240 (1.9 percent) • Asian American: 334 (2.6 percent) • American Indian: 981 (7.6 percent) • Nonresident Alien: 994 (7.7 percent)

Total first-professional degrees: 587 • Men: 366 (62.4 percent) • Women: 221 (37.6 percent) • White: 496 (84.5 percent) • Black: 16 (2.7 percent) • Hispanic: 10 (1.7 percent) • Asian American: 22 (3.7 percent) • American Indian: 40 (6.8 percent) • Nonresident Alien: 3 (0.5 percent)

Total master’s degrees: 3,649 • Men: 1,603 (43.9 percent) • Women: 2,046 (56.1 percent) • White: 2,599 (71.2 percent) • Black: 197 (5.4 percent) • Hispanic: 50 (1.4 percent) • Asian American: 79 (2.2 percent) • American Indian: 182 (5.0 percent) • Nonresident Alien: 542 (14.9 percent)

Total doctoral degrees: 399 • Men: 241 (60.4 percent) • Women: 158 (39.6 percent) • White: 251 (62.9 percent) • Black: 23 (5.8 percent) • Hispanic: 11 (2.8 percent) • Asian American: 7 (1.8 percent) • American Indian: 10 (2.5 percent) • Nonresident Alien: 97 (24.3 percent)

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