University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Oklahoma delivers 100% online bachelor's completion programs, professional development institutes, lifelong learning for seniors, and K-12 precollegiate programs — serving adult learners, working professionals, and industry audiences through Canvas LMS-enabled online instruction and enrollment-coach-led admissions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1890
- HeadquartersNorman, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies does
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) is a constituent college of the University of Oklahoma (a public state research university founded in 1890, headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma) that delivers online undergraduate education, professional development, lifelong learning, and industry conferences to adult learners, working professionals, senior adults, and K-12 students. Core offerings include 100% online bachelor's degree completion programs with generous transfer credit acceptance; professional studies through the Lean Institute, OU Economic Development Institute (OU EDI), and an Aerospace and Defense Management academic program; the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for adults aged 50+ and Precollegiate Programs for K-12 students; flagship events such as the 76th annual Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference and the Feaver-MacMinn Seminar; and the Lunch with the Professor virtual series.
Course delivery is built on the Canvas learning management system, the same platform used across the OU system. There is no proprietary technology stack, native mobile application, or API surface; revenue and admissions tooling centers on the online.ou.edu self-service portal and Calendly-based scheduling with enrollment coaches. AI is present as curricular content (PSIS 4700 Applied AI in the Workplace) and as a seminar theme rather than as a deployed product.
The business model is tuition-and-fee based, with revenue per credit hour for undergraduates and per-program fees for professional development and conference attendance; financial aid is sourced through federal loans, state loans, and scholarships. GTM is enrollment-coach-led inside sales, augmented by digital content marketing, scholarship deadline-driven demand generation (July 15–Sept 7 for Fall, May 27 for June start, August 11 for August start), and event-based thought leadership. Customer segments span online degree seekers (primary), working professionals seeking advancement, and senior adults and youth. Documented outcomes include 86% graduate employment within six months, 64% receiving a salary increase post-graduation, and 25% receiving a 20%+ salary increase. The college is governed under the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the OU Board of Regents and has no external investor or private equity ownership.
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies
- Legal name
- College of Professional and Continuing Studies, The University of Oklahoma
- Website
- https://pacs.ou.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1890
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- The College of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Oklahoma delivers 100% online bachelor's completion programs, professional development institutes, lifelong learning for seniors, and K-12 precollegiate programs — serving adult learners, working professionals, and industry audiences through Canvas LMS-enabled online instruction and enrollment-coach-led admissions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education / Online Degree and Continuing Education Services
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)
Keywords
Where University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Norman
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate and graduate tuition for online degree programs. Students pay tuition per credit hour or term. Financial aid, federal loans, and state loans available to offset costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard undergraduate tuition |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) delivers fully online undergraduate degree completion programs, professional development institutes (Economic Development Institute, Lean Institute), lifelong learning for senior adults (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), and K-12 precollegiate programs. It also produces annual technical conferences such as the Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference, all under the University of Oklahoma brand, with courses delivered through the Canvas learning management system.
Product overview
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) is a higher education unit offering a portfolio of online and on-campus educational programs. Its core offerings include Online Degrees (100% online undergraduate programs with transfer credit), Professional Studies (including the Economic Development Institute and Lean Institute), and Senior Adults & Youth Programs (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and Precollegiate Programs). The college also operates professional development conferences including the annual Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference and hosts academic seminars such as the Feaver-MacMinn Seminar on applied AI. Student-facing services include access to OU email and the Canvas learning management system.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Online Undergraduate Degree Programs Fully online bachelor's degree programs delivered through the Canvas LMS, designed for adult learners and working professionals who want to complete a University of Oklahoma degree on a flexible schedule while transferring prior college credits.
- Professional Studies Programs Continuing education and professional development offerings including the Lean Institute and Economic Development Institute (OU EDI), serving working professionals seeking career advancement, certification, and applied training aligned with industry needs.
- Senior Adults and Youth Programs (OLLI and Precollegiate) On-campus programs for senior adults through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and enrichment programs for K-12 students through Precollegiate Programs, both hosted at the University of Oklahoma campus.
- Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference (LRGCC) Annual premier technical conference for the gas conditioning industry, providing global energy professionals with the latest institutional and technological knowledge in gas processing and conditioning.
- Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) Professional institute providing economic development training, networking, and leadership programs, connecting practitioners to the broader economic development field including the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Quantifiable outcome
- 86% of graduates were employed six months after graduation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature1 record
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- International Economic Development Council (IEDC)moderateThe OU Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) attended IEDC's Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. (March 1-3, 2026). This relationship positions OU EDI within the premier professional organization for economic development, with OU EDI alumni now serving as community leaders, conference presenters, and award recipients within IEDC.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National University: Private non-profit university with a long-standing mission to serve adult learners through online and hybrid programs. Comparable to PACS in its focus on flexible scheduling, prior learning credit, and working professional student body.
- Western Governors University: Non-profit online university focused on adult learners seeking degree completion and professional credentials. Highly comparable to PACS given shared focus on flexible online degree delivery, transfer credit acceptance, and competency-based pathways for working adults.
- Purdue University Global (Purdue Online): Online arm of Purdue University offering undergraduate and graduate programs aimed at adult learners. Directly comparable to PACS given public research university brand, online-only delivery model, and focus on workforce-aligned programs.
- University of Florida Online: UF's online degree program offering bachelor's completion and graduate degrees fully online. Directly comparable to PACS as a public state university online extension targeting working adults and degree completers.
- Southern New Hampshire University: Large private non-profit university with one of the largest online enrollment footprints in the U.S., serving adult degree completers and offering professional development. Directly comparable to PACS in online adult education delivery model and target demographic.
- Arizona State University Online: ASU's online program arm offering 100% online undergraduate and graduate degrees from a major public research university. Direct peer to PACS given public university brand leverage, online-only delivery, and broad program catalog targeting adult learners.
- Penn State World Campus: Penn State's online learning unit delivering undergraduate and graduate degrees fully online. Highly comparable to PACS as a public research university online extension serving adult and working professional students nationwide.
- Colorado State University Online: CSU's online degree completion and graduate programs targeting working professionals nationwide. Comparable to PACS as a public state university online extension serving non-traditional learners with transfer credit and flexible pacing.
Broad incumbents
- Coursera: Large-scale online learning platform partnering with universities and companies to deliver courses, certificates, and degrees. Broader incumbent in the continuing education space with which PACS competes for adult professional development mindshare.
- edX (2U): Major online education platform offering university-partnered degrees, bootcamps, and professional certificates. Functions as a broader incumbent competitor in continuing and professional education where PACS also operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies
What does University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies do?
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) delivers fully online undergraduate degree completion programs, professional development institutes (Economic Development Institute, Lean Institute), lifelong learning for senior adults (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), and K-12 precollegiate programs. It also produces annual technical conferences such as the Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference, all under the University of Oklahoma brand, with courses delivered through the Canvas learning management system.
Is University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies a public or private company?
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies founded?
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies was founded in 1890. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies based?
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies is headquartered in Norman, United States, in the North America region.
How does University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition and Fees.
Who are University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National University, Western Governors University, Purdue University Global (Purdue Online), University of Florida Online, Southern New Hampshire University, Arizona State University Online, Penn State World Campus and Colorado State University Online. Broad incumbents are Coursera and edX (2U).
Does University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
What industry is University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies in?
University of Oklahoma College of Professional and Continuing Studies's product category is Higher Education / Online Degree and Continuing Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAA, University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs, with a secondary code of EDAAAEAD, Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure). Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.