Historical Perspective

Community and Location

The University is linked by tradition to the geographic region of southeastern Oklahoma and north-central Texas. Although new programs have produced many changes in the geographic origins and ethnic backgrounds of the student body, they are still primarily products of small towns and rural communities in Oklahoma and Texas. The present student body numbers approximately 5,500, representing 49 states and 56 foreign countries.

Located in the southeastern part of Oklahoma in the city of Durant, the University is 15 miles from the Oklahoma/Texas border; 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas; 148 miles southeast of Oklahoma City; and 12 miles east of Lake Texoma (one of the largest manmade lakes in the world with approximately 580 miles of shoreline). Durant is a city with a population in excess of 19,600. It is surrounded by productive farmland, excellent grazing land, three rivers, and a state park and recreational area. The economy of Durant is changing from one that has been primarily agricultural to one that is more diverse. This change has been influenced by the recreational opportunities at nearby Lake Texoma, which serve more than 5,000,000 visitors annually and by the presence of more than 300 business and industrial firms.

History of Development

On March 6, 1909, the Second Oklahoma State Legislature approved an act designating Durant as the location for a normal school to serve the following 12 county region: Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Choctaw, Latimer, LeFlore, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha (the service area was subsequently revised to the current 10-county region). Southeastern Oklahoma State University first opened its doors to students on June 14, 1909, as Southeastern State Normal School. The early program of instruction consisted of four years of high school and the freshman and sophomore college years. The first sessions of the school were held in temporary quarters pending completion of Morrison Hall in January 1911, long known as the Administration Building.

The original purpose of Southeastern was the education of teachers for the public schools of Oklahoma. The two-year graduates were awarded life teaching certificates. In 1921, the institution became a four-year college and was renamed Southeastern State Teachers College. The primary function remained that of teacher education, and the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Education were authorized.

In 1939, the purpose of the college was expanded. Courses leading to two newly authorized non-education degrees — Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science — were added. At this time, the college was renamed Southeastern State College. In 1954, the curriculum was enlarged by the addition of a graduate program leading to the Master of Teaching degree. In 1969, the name of the degree was changed to Master of Education.

On May 27, 1968, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education designated Southeastern as an Area Community College. While retaining previous functions, the college moved in the direction of providing greater postsecondary educational opportunities by expanding its curriculum to include new programs in areas such as business, technology, aviation, and conservation.

On August 15, 1974, the name of Southeastern State College was changed to Southeastern Oklahoma State University by an act of the Oklahoma State Legislature. Since 1974, Southeastern, through institutional reorganizations, has continued to diversify, so that, presently, there are three academic schools: Arts and Sciences, John Massey School of Business, and Education and Behavioral Sciences.

The 1980s brought degree program expansion with the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, and Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. In 1989, the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree was granted with continued changes for the Music Education program that became the Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1991. Also in 1991, the Master of Behavioral Studies in Community Counseling began with a title change in 2010 to a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

The 1990s refined emphasis areas within the Bachelor of Business Administration with the launch of Finance and Marketing. In the 1999–2000 academic year, the Master of Science in Aerospace Administration and Logistics was added. In the 2000s the focus shifted to adding more generalized emphasis areas in degree plans with the Bachelor of Science in Liberal and Applied Studies and a General Business concentration in the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Additionally, the Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health (2006) and Master of Education – Math Specialist (2008) were established.

The 2011–2012 Academic Year ushered in a decade of new and restructured graduate degree programs such as the Master of Science in Sports Administration (2011), Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, Master of Science in Native American Leadership (2014), Master of Music Education (2015), Master of Early Intervention and Child Development (2017), and a Graduate Certificate in Management. Additionally, the Bachelor of Science in Early Intervention and Child Development (2012) and Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance (2017) began.

The 2020s expanded offerings with Graduate Certificates in Educational Leadership – Principal, Educational Leadership – Superintendent, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Leadership. Additionally, the John Massey School of Business launched its first Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management and Leadership (2022).

The faculty and administration of Southeastern Oklahoma State University continue to review, evaluate, and revise the university’s curriculum to maintain current standards in a fast-paced and ever-changing education and workforce environment. With continued growth, the university consistently emphasizes degree programs that are accessible for students in online, in-person, or hybrid formats. More details about degree programs and course offerings are found throughout this catalog.

Growth

One hundred years have passed since Southeastern first opened its doors. The 20 acres and no buildings of 1909 have expanded to approximately 300 acres and 86 buildings. The 39 faculty members and 324 students have increased to approximately 162 full-time and 142 part-time faculty members and 5,800 students. Total assets of the University have grown from less than one thousand dollars in 1909 to over 80 million dollars in 2025.