About NSU

Accreditation

Northeastern State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org) located at 230 North LaSalle Street. Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411.  The HLC can be contacted at:  800-621-7440, or by email at info@hlcommission.org.   All programs offered by the University are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-225-9100) and by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (3555 N.W. 58th Street, Suite 320, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, 405-942-8817).

NSU has been accredited since January 1, 1922 with its most recent affirmation in 2011-12. NSU’s next comprehensive visit is scheduled for October 18-20, 2021.

Specialty Accreditations

Business Programs (ACBSP). The Bachelor of Business Administration and  Master of Business Administration programs (including the M.S. in Accounting & Financial Analysis offered through the College of Business and Technology are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213, 913-339-9356). http://www.acbsp.org. The last accreditation visit was fall 2018, and NSU’s accreditation status was continued for 10 years. Its next visit will be in fall 2028.

Chemistry (ACS). NSU’s chemistry programs are approved by the American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 1-800-333-9511 (US and Canada), 614-447-3776 (outside North America), www.acs.org. NSU has maintained its ACS approval since 2013 with its most recent report in 2020. Approval was continued to 2026.

Counseling (CACREP). The Master of Science in Counseling (Counseling, M.S.) program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-535-5990; www.cacrep.org. NSU was initially accredited in 2015 and anticipates its next visit in Spring 2023.

Dietetics (ACEND). The Northeastern State University Didactic Program in Dietetics (Nutritional Science: Dietetics, B.S.) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the American Dietetic Association (120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 800-877-1600 ext. 5400);  www.eatright.org/acend. NSU has continuing accreditation through January 2024.

Educator Preparation Programs (CAEP & OEQA). NSU’s educator preparation programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), www.caepnet.org, (1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023, 202-223-0077), and the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (840 Research Parkway, Suite 455, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-522-5399), www.ok.gov/oeqa. CAEP continued NSU’s accreditation for initial level through 2025, and a visit for advanced level programs will be in November 2021.

Environmental Health & Safety Management (BCPS). The Bachelor of Science in Environmental, Health and Safety Management is recognized as a Qualified Academic Program (QAP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, 8645 Guion Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, 317-593-4800, https://www.bcsp.org. Students must apply for the Graduate Safety Practitioner within one year of graduation.

Medical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Laboratory Science, B.S.) program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773-714-8880; http://www.naacls.org. NSU’s continuing accreditation was validated in 2017, and its next visit is fall 2021.

Music (NASM). The Bachelor of Arts in Music (Music, B.A.) and Bachelor of Music Education (Music Education, B.M.E.) degrees are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/) located at 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190, 703-437-0700. NSU was recognized with continuing accreditation in fall 2010, and its next visit is scheduled for the 2021-22 academic year (COVID delay).

Nursing (ACEN). The NSU baccalaureate and masters nursing programs, Nursing, B.S.N. and Nursing, M.S.N. programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Georgia, 404.975.5000, www.acenursing.org. The BSN program has continuing accreditation through fall 2024, and the MSN program’s initial accreditation is active through fall 2025.

Occupational Therapy (ACOTE). The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (Occupational Therapy, M.S.) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) located at 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 200, Bethesda, MD 20852-4929.  ACOTE’s telephone number is 301-652-6611, www.acoteonline.org. The program’s accreditation is active through 2022-23.

Optometry (ACOE). Northeastern State University’s Oklahoma College of Optometry Professional Doctoral Degree (O.D.) Program has full accreditation by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), 243 N. Lindberg Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100. http://www.aoa.org/. The program’s last visit was in 2012-13, and continuing accreditation is effective through spring 2022 (COVID delay).

Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The Physician Assistant Studies, M.S. program has been granted Accreditation-Provisional status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.  ARC-PA is located at 12000 Findley Road, Suite 275, Johns Creek, GA 30097, 770-476-1224. www.arc-pa.org . The next visit is scheduled for fall 2025.

Social Work (CSWE). The Bachelor of Social Work (Social Work, B.S.W.) program and the Master of Social Work (Social Work, M.S.W.) program are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (1701 Duke Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457, 703-683-8080).  www.cswe.org. The BSW program’s continuing accreditation is through 2029, and the MSW program’s initial accreditation was received in 2021 and is valid through spring 2025.

Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA-CAA). The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2200 Research Boulevard #310, Rockville, MD   20850-3289, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700. https://caa.asha.org. The program’s continuing accreditation is valid through spring 2022.

Boards of Control

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education  (OSRHE) is a constitutional board of nine members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate, with one member’s term expiring each year. This board issues all degrees earned, determines the curricula and courses of study, prescribes academic standards, establishes student fees, and allocates funds to each institution for operation and maintenance from the legislative appropriations which are made to the board.  http://www.okhighered.org/

The Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) is a constitutional board of nine members, eight of whom are appointed by the governor by and with the consent of the Senate. The ninth member is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Members of the Board serve nine-year staggered terms.  The duties and powers of this Board are to make rules and regulations governing Northeastern State University and its sister schools, employ all persons in the service of these universities, construct all buildings, and authorize the purchase of equipment and supplies. http://www.ruso.edu/

Locally,  the President is the chief executive officer and is responsible for the administration of the university. The President may delegate authority to selected administrators to facilitate management of the university while retaining the responsibility and accountability vested in the President. The President reports directly to the governing boards and is responsible for the determination and administration of all University policies.

Northeastern State University’s Oklahoma College of Optometry Professional Doctoral Degree (O.D.) Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE), 243 N. Lindberg Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100. http://www.aoa.org/

Graduate College

Mission of Graduate College - The Graduate College at Northeastern State University strives to maintain a standard of excellence in graduate education by offering quality programs that are relevant and responsive to the needs of the communities served by our institution. The Graduate College is committed to providing students an environment in which they gain knowledge in intellectual inquiry, critical analysis and creative problem solving while developing their professional integrity.

Graduate Faculty - Graduate faculty membership is restricted to faculty members who hold earned doctorates or the highest terminal degree in their field of study, or meet the tested experience standard as espoused by the Higher Learning Commission. Graduate faculty members are appointed upon recommendation of the appropriate academic unit administrator and Graduate Dean and upon approval of the Graduate Council. Graduate faculty may teach graduate courses, serve as graduate advisors, serve on graduate committees, monitor capstone experiences, and serve on the Graduate Council.

Graduate Council -  The Graduate Council shall consist of one member of the graduate faculty representing each graduate degree program, two graduate student representatives, and a Library representative. A Graduate Council chairperson shall be elected from the Graduate Council membership.  The Dean of the Graduate College serves ex officio.

The primary purpose of the Graduate Council is to act upon graduate level curricular matters that are referred by academic departments.  The Graduate Council is empowered, for courses numbered 5000 or higher, to approve a program proposal, reject and return a proposal to the originating department, or amend and approve the proposal before it moves to the university-level committee. Other responsibilities include approval of graduate faculty, program planning, curricular control, student appeals, and policy-making for the Graduate College.

Duties of the Graduate Council shall include:

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for the improvement of the operation of the Graduate College;
• Recommend amendments to existing policies and procedures related to the Graduate College;
• Determine outcomes of student appeals; Graduate grade appeal committees must consists of graduate faculty only
• Develop and regularly review criteria for membership in the graduate faculty;
• Review proposals for new graduate programs and for the addition, suspension and deletion of courses; and,
• Review and assess existing graduate programs.

Graduate Degrees Conferred

Northeastern State University confers the following master’s degrees:

• Master of Arts
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Education
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Science
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Master of Social Work

The University offers the following graduate certificate programs:

• Administrative Leadership in Nursing
• American Indian Leadership
• Classroom Teaching
• Data Analytics
• Global Health
• Health Informatics
• Healthcare Administration Leadership
• Higher Education Administration
• Leadership
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Informatics
• Online Teaching
• Operations Leadership
• Public Health
• Public Health Leadership
• Reading Specialist*
• School Administration - Principal / Superintendent*
• School Library Media Specialist*
• STEM Education*
• Training and Development

Information for teacher certification may be secured from NSU’s Teacher Certification Officer and/or from graduate faculty in the area of interest.

Graduate Program Campus Locations

Graduate programs are offered by Northeastern State University on the following campuses.

Tahlequah

• Communication, M.A
• Counseling, M.S. (Application deadline is Dec. 15)
• English, M.A.
• Health and Sport Science, M.S.
• Instructional Leadership, M.Ed.
• Leadership, M.S.
• Mathematics Education, M.Ed.
• Natural Science, M.S.
• Reading Specialist certificate*
• School Administration, M. Ed.
• School Administration certificate*
• School Library Media Specialist certificate*
• Social Work, M.S.W. (Application deadline is March 1)
• Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), M.Ed.
• STEM Education certificate*

Broken Arrow

• Accounting and Financial Analysis, M.S.
• Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Counseling, M.S. (Application deadline is Dec. 15)
• Criminal Justice, M.S.
• Early Childhood, M. Ed.
• English, M.A.
• Instructional Leadership, M. Ed.
• Leadership, M.S.
• Library Media & Information Technology, M.S.
• Mathematics Education, M. Ed.
• Natural Science, M.S.
• Professional Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Reading, M. Ed.
• Reading Specialist certificate*
• School Administration, M. Ed.
• School Administration certificate*
• School Library Media Specialist certificate*
• Science Education, M. Ed.
• Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), M. Ed.
• STEM Education certificate*

Muskogee

• Global Health certificate
• Nursing, M.S.N.
• Occupational Therapy, M.S. (Application deadline is July 1)
• Physician Assistant Studies, M.S.  (CASPA Applications late April - October 1)
• Public Health, M.P.H. (Application deadline is April 15 for fall and October 15 for spring admission) 
• Public Health certificate
• Public Health Leadership certificate
• Speech Language Pathology, M.S. (Application deadline Feb. 12)

Online

• Administrative Leadership in Nursing certificate
• American Indian Leadership certificate
• American Studies, M.A.
• Business Administration, M.B.A.
• Classroom Teaching certificate
• Criminal Justice, M.S.
• Data Analytics certificate
• Early Childhood, M.S.
• Global Health certificate
• Health and Sport Science, M.S.
• Healthcare Administration Leadership certificate
• Higher Education Administration certificate
• Instructional Leadership, M. Ed.
• Leadership certificate
• Leadership, M.S.
• Library Media and Information Technology, M.S.
• Nursing, M.S.N.
• Nursing Education certificate
• Nursing Informatics certificate
• Operations Leadership certificate
• Public Health, M.P.H.
• Public Health certificate
• Public Health Leadership certificate
• Reading, M. Ed.
• School Administration, M.Ed.
• School Administration certificate*
• School Library Media Specialist certificate*
• Science Education, M. Ed.
• Special Education - Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), M. Ed.
• STEM Education certificate*
• Training and Development certificate

*Information for certification may be obtained from NSU’s Teacher Certification Officer in the College of Education and/or from graduate faculty in the area of interest.

Locations

TAHLEQUAH - Main Campus
601 N. Grand Ave.
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74464
(918) 456-5511
1-800-722-9614
www.nsuok.edu

Northeastern State University’s main campus is located in a place like no other, where the Ozark Mountains roll gently across the land, offering a panorama of natural scenery filled with pines, oaks, dogwoods and redbuds that blossom each spring. Nearby the main campus runs the Illinois River, cool and clear, feeding into Lake Tenkiller, a deep, crystal lake with a shoreline of beautiful forest and spectacular rock bluffs. The countryside, river and lake create an ideal area for a wide variety of favorite outdoor activities including backpacking, camping, horseback riding, fishing, boating, scuba diving, water skiing and many others. 

Within this natural setting is the city of Tahlequah, capital of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, where the tribe’s western migration ended in 1839. Rebuilding their civilization after relocation, the Cherokees established a progressive system of tribal government and public education. This unique history results in a rich and active heritage celebrated through Native American art and crafts, the Cherokee Village, and Cherokee Heritage Center. NSU with its 200-acre campus of beautiful lawns and large shade trees, rests in the midst of this city and surrounding countryside. NSU, founded in 1909 on the grounds of the Cherokee National Female Seminary, offers students and the community not only a tradition of excellent teaching, but also Broadway productions, concerts and guest lecturers of international fame. NSU, Tahlequah and the Tulsa metroplex, just an hour away, offer a little bit of Eden west of the Mississippi.

BROKEN ARROW - Branch Campus
3100 E. New Orleans Street (101st Street)
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74014
(918) 449-6000

NSU-Broken Arrow (NSU-BA) is located in Broken Arrow, a southeastern suburb within the Tulsa metroplex. Broken Arrow is a dynamic, growing community of over 105,000 people. The consummate “family town,” Broken Arrow prides itself on providing residents with an outstanding quality of life, including a reinvigorated downtown, performing arts facilities, sports complexes, and museums.  The community has been featured in Money Magazine’s 100 best places to live, and featured in Family Circle Magazine as one of the 10 best towns for families. NSU-Broken Arrow (NSU-BA) reflects the main campus in setting and architectural details.  From the clock tower to the arched windows that resemble features of Seminary Hall on the main campus, NSU-BA provides an access point for students matriculating from area community colleges and returning students seeking programs that accommodate non-traditional schedules.  Nearly 50 baccalaureate and masters degree programs and multiple certification options are currently available at NSU-BA which is only an hour’s drive from Tahlequah and 40 minutes from the Muskogee campuses.

The fast-growing NSU-Broken Arrow campus is comprised of six academic buildings and a maintenance facility.  It features modern classroom buildings,  a new science building, and a state-of-the-art library, all complemented by a beautifully landscaped mall and fountain area. Learning spaces include eight computer labs, twelve science labs, twelve interactive videoconference classrooms/conference rooms, and a variety of technology-enhanced classroom accommodations. In addition, a full-service bookstore, academic/advisement and enrollment service offices, business office and administrative services, reading / math clinics, state-of-the-art College of Optometry low-vision clinical offices, dining hall/conference facility, 375-seat lecture hall/auditorium, and cafe are available.

Muskogee - Branch Campus
2400 West Shawnee Street
Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401
(918) 683-0040

In March 1993, NSU opened a 22-acre campus for upper division and graduate level coursework in Muskogee. Muskogee is an economic center for eastern Oklahoma and operates the Port of Muskogee on the Arkansas River, which is accessible from the Gulf of Mexico.  After the passage of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, the Creek Indians settled in Muskogee, which was the site for meetings among the leaders of the Five Civilized Tribes.  Muskogee offers its diverse citizens a historic business district, several museums including the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and Honor Heights Park where the annual Azalea Festival is held each April.

The NSU-Muskogee facility houses traditional and weekend academic programs, as well as NSU’s growing health professions programming. Seminars, conferences and continuing education courses are also provided on an ongoing basis. 

The 27,000 square foot building contains 12 classrooms, houses a Speech Pathology Clinic in partnership with the McAlester Scottish Rite, a computer lab, faculty/administrative offices, vending lounge, a beautiful commons area and a 155+ seat auditorium.

The Mike Synar Center, a 40,000 square foot facility, opened in August 2001. This state-of-the-art building consists of classrooms, conference rooms, vending and exhibit areas. The Rotunda Commons features an exhibit commemorating the life and achievements of the late United States Congressman Mike Synar. In addition to the Rotunda, there is a gathering place for students and visitors in the spacious two-level lounge.

NSU Muskogee campus is a bridge between professional education and the professional world. The campus seating 155+ is the ideal facility to promote professional activity and stimulate economic growth for the community in a pleasant setting that offers all the elements for a conference, retreat or working meeting. For additional information on meeting room rates and availability, call (918) 683-0040.

Institutional Learning Outcomes

The Degrees of Excellence institutional learning outcomes articulate high expectations for students’ success, and provide an inclusive framework for a distinctive educational experience emphasizing lifelong learning, intellectual growth, citizenship,and social responsibility. They reflect NSU’s heritage, mission, vision, and values. Institutional learning outcomes are designed by NSU as a whole, taking into account the role that both instruction and student services play in contributing to a student’s success.

At the graduate level, the emphasis is specialized knowledge in the field of study which culminates in a thesis or capstone. The following outcomes are emphasized with the expectation that work completed reflects advanced knowledge and skill:

Outcome 3: Specialized knowledge in the major

3.1 Explain the boundaries and major areas of specialization within the major;

3.2 Properly utilize discipline specific vocabulary;

3.3 Demonstrate the ability to effectively use the tools, technologies and methods common to the major;

3.4 Evaluate a complex question using appropriate perspectives and evidence drawn from the student’s major; and

3.5 Construct a summative project that draws on current research, scholarship and/or techniques in the major.

History

Northeastern State University had its beginning in 1846 when the Cherokee National Council authorized establishment of a National Male Seminary and National Female Seminary to fulfill the stipulation in the Treaty of 1835 between the United States and the Cherokee Nation that public and higher education be provided for the Cherokees. Buildings to house the two seminaries were started in 1847 and the Cherokee National Male Seminary opened on May 6, 1851. The Cherokee National Female Seminary opened the following day. With the exception of a period between the end of the fall semester 1856 and the beginning of the fall semester 1871, these institutions were in continuous operation until 1909.

On March 6, 1909, the State Legislature of Oklahoma passed an act providing for the creation and location of Northeastern State Normal School at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and for the purchase from the Cherokee Tribal Government of the building, land, and equipment of the Cherokee Female Seminary. The educational program of the normal school consisted of four years of high school and two years of college level study.

As previously authorized by an act of the Legislature, the State Board of Education, then the governing board of the college, took action in 1919 to change the normal school to Northeastern State Teachers College and to provide for a four-year curriculum leading to the bachelor’s degree. In 1939, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized that the name of the institution be changed to Northeastern State College.

A constitutional amendment adopted in 1941 created The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, of which Northeastern State University and all other state-supported institutions of higher education are integral parts. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education coordinates the system’s curriculum and academic programming.  NSU’s governing board is the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma which oversees all personnel, facilities, and financial matters.

In the 1950’s, Northeastern emerged as a comprehensive state college, broadening its curriculum at the baccalaureate level to encompass liberal arts subjects and adding a fifth-year program designed to prepare master teachers for elementary and secondary schools. By the early 1970’s the functions of the institution had been broadened to include degree programs in liberal arts, business, and selected service areas. The approval of several new certificate and degree programs in non-teaching areas added a significant dimension to the role of Northeastern. In 1974, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized that the name of the institution be changed to Northeastern Oklahoma State University. The Northeastern State University College of Optometry opened in 1979 and made history when its first doctoral graduates received their degree in the spring of 1983.

The official name of the University was changed by act of the Oklahoma Legislature in 1985 to Northeastern State University.

NSU Mission, Vision, Values

Mission - Founded on the rich educational heritage of the Cherokee Nation, the campuses of Northeastern State University provide its diverse communities with lifelong learning through a broad array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional doctoral degree programs. With high expectations for student success, the University provides quality teaching, challenging curricula, research and scholarly activities, immersive learning opportunities, and service to local and professional communities. The institution’s dedicated faculty and staff offer a service-oriented, supportive learning environment where students prepare to achieve professional and personal success in a multicultural and global society.

Focused Mission - We empower students, faculty, staff and the community to reach their full intellectual and human potential by creating and expanding a culture of learning, discovery, and diversity.

Vision - Northeastern State University shapes the future of its region as the educational partner of choice, setting a standard of excellence by serving the intellectual, cultural, social and economic needs of the University’s diverse communities.

Values

Integrity - NSU models integrity through ethical and intellectual behaviors and practices by advancing honesty, human dignity, and accountability.

Collaboration - NSU engages in collaboration through partnerships to create learning opportunities and promote educational and economic success.

Creativity - NSU advances creativity through exploration, innovation, critical inquiry, and intellectual freedom.

Leadership - NSU inspires leadership through its commitment to prepare and serve others.

Excellence - NSU pursues excellence by continually improving individually and as a community.

Communication - NSU advocates communication through the free flow of information and ideas.

Diversity - NSU values diversity and empowerment by promoting the rights of individuals and equal access to educational and enrichment experiences, respecting cultural differences, and ensuring equal opportunity.