University of Central Oklahoma The University of Central Oklahoma , often referred to as UCO , is a coeducational public university located in Edmond , Oklahoma . The university is the third largest in Oklahoma , with more than 17 , 000 students and approximately 434 full - time and 400 adjunct faculty . Founded in 1890 , the University of Central Oklahoma was one of the first institutions of higher learning to be established in what would become the state of Oklahoma , making it one of the oldest universities in the southwest region of the United States of America . It is home to the American branch of the British Academy of Contemporary Music in Downtown Oklahoma City , directed by noted indie music agent and manager Scott Booker . The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) recognized the University of Central Oklahoma as the 2009 - 2010 Individual Conference Champion for using more green power than any other school in the Lone Star Conference . History . The University of Central Oklahoma was founded on December 24 , 1890 , when the Territorial Legislature voted to establish the Territorial Normal School , making UCO the oldest public institution of higher education in Oklahoma . Classes were first held in November 1891 . By comparison , Oklahoma A & M College ( now Oklahoma State University ) held its first classes in December 1891 and the University of Oklahoma began in fall 1892 . The Territorial Legislature located the new school in Edmond , provided certain conditions were met . First , Oklahoma County had to donate $ 5 , 000 in bonds , and Edmond had to donate of land within one mile ( 1 . 6 km ) of the town ; the land was eventually donated by Anton Classen . Ten of those acres had to be set aside for the new school . The remaining land had to be divided into lots which would be sold to raise money for the new school . On Oct . 1 , 1891 Richard Thatcher was elected the 1st President of Territorial Normal School of Oklahoma . The conditions all were met , with the city of Edmond donating an additional $ 2 , 000 in bonds . The first class , a group of 23 students , met for the first time Nov . 1 , 1891 , in the Epworth League Room , located in the unfurnished First Methodist Church . A marker of Oklahoma granite was placed in 1915 near the original site by the Central Oklahoma Normal School Historical Society . It can be seen at Boulevard and Second Street . Old North Tower was the first building constructed in the summer of 1892 on the campus of what was then Territorial Normal School . It was also the first building constructed in Oklahoma Territory for the purpose of higher education . Occupancy began Jan . 3 , 1893 . The school first operated as a normal school with two years of college work and a complete preparatory school . In 1897 , the first graduating class — two men and three women — received their Normal School diplomas . In 1904 , Territorial Normal became Central State Normal School . Statehood was still three years away . On Dec . 29 , 1919 , the State Board of Education passed a resolution making Central a four - year teachers ’ college conferring bachelor ' s degrees . From 1901 until 1961 , UCO housed a laboratory school in which local elementary schoolchildren were schooled by UCO faculty and soon - to - be teaching graduates . Two years later , the Class of 1921 had nine members , the first graduates to receive the four - year degrees . Two decades later , Central State Teacher ' s College became Central State College . In 1939 , the Oklahoma Legislature authorized the institution to grant both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees . According to the " Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture " , the school was routinely affected by state politics . Presidents and sometimes faculty members , were changed with changes in state governors . In 1950 , President Max W . Chambers banned solicitations of campaign donations from faculty members . This resulted in more stability of the school administration . On March 11 , 1941 , Central State became part of a coordinated state system of post - secondary education overseen by the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education , and joined institutions with similar missions as a regional institution . In 1954 , the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education gave Central permission to offer the Master of Teaching Degree , which became the Master of Education in 1969 . In 1971 , the college was authorized to grant the Master of Arts in English and the Master of Business Administration degrees . On April 13 , 1971 , the state legislature officially changed the institution ' s name to Central State University . Old North Tower was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 . On May 18 , 1990 , during the university ' s Centennial Year , legislation was passed changing the name to the University of Central Oklahoma , though many of the students still refer to the University as " Central " or " Central State . " Academic profile . The University of Central Oklahoma in 2009 was ranked in the top 10 % on the Forbes Magazine list of America ' s Best Colleges out of over 4 , 000 colleges and universities in the United States . UCO has the state ' s largest undergraduate Computing Science program , which is accredited by ABET . The Department of Physics is ranked among the top 20 in the United States and the only university in Oklahoma to receive this ranking by the American Institute of Physics . The University of Central Oklahoma School of Music Jazz Division is the largest in the state and one of the largest in the region . The Nursing program is the second largest in Oklahoma and the UCO Debaters are consistently rated one of the top in the nation . The College of Education is the largest in the state of Oklahoma and has graduated more than 50 , 000 teachers in its history . UCO has consistently been recognized as having one of the best education programs in the Southwest . UCO is also the only institution in the state of Oklahoma that offers Undergraduate Degrees in Forensic Science , Humanities , Funeral Services , Photo Journalism , Biomedical Engineering , Golf Management , Professional Selling , Business Legal Studies and Insurances . UCO is also the only University in the state of Oklahoma to offer a Master of Science in Athletic Training , a Master of Science in Forensic Science and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies Schools and colleges . UCO is composed of seven schools and colleges : Degrees . UCO offers over 135 degree options . UCO Jazz Lab . The UCO Jazz Lab is home for the celebrated Jazz Studies Division of the University of Central Oklahoma School of Music . The Jazz Program was started in 1974 by Dr . Kent Kidwell . Since 1974 , the Jazz program grew to what it is today . Current Jazz faculty include Lee Rucker , who is the director of the Jazz Lab and also serves as director of 3rd Jazz Ensemble . Mr . Rucker also teaches applied Jazz Improvisation . Brian Gorrell is the Head of the Jazz Studies Division , Recording studio and is the director of the 1st Jazz Ensemble . Mr . Gorrell also teaches Applied Saxophone , Applied Jazz Piano and is the Jazz Graduate Advisor . Jeff Kidwell is the director of the 2nd Jazz Ensemble and teaches applied trombone . Other faculty include Clint Rohr , Mitch Bell , Danny Vaughan , Dr . David Hardman and Dr . James Klages . The UCO Jazz Lab is located on the corner of 5th and Littler St . in Edmond , Oklahoma . The Jazz Lab was built in 2001 . It was built with a stage , classrooms , Hideaway Pizza and the Jazz Lab Recording Studio . Students utilize the Jazz Lab on a daily basis . The UCO Jazz Studies Division offers numerous performance ensembles which include : The School of Music currently offers an undergraduate Minor in Jazz Studies and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies with Majors either in Performance or Commercial Music Production . The UCO Jazz Lab also Hosts the Annual Recording Technology Workshop and The Annual Guitar Techniques Workshop during the summer . The UCO Jazz Ensembles have received many awards . In 2008 , The UCO Jazz Ensemble I revived the " Outstanding University Jazz Ensemble " award at the 2006 and 2008 UNT Jazz Festival . In 1983 UCO ' s Dixieland band was ranked No . 1 in the nation and in 1975 , UCO Jazz Ensemble I received top honors at the Wichita Jazz Festival and since then , all UCO Jazz Bands have participated in the event . Since it opened , The Jazz Lab has won " Best Place for Live Music " multiple times in the Edmond Life & Leisure ' s Reader ' s Choice annual poll , and has been repeatedly won the award for The Best Live Music Venue in the Oklahoma Gazette ’ s Best of OKC readers ’ poll . The Jazz Lab has featured many famous performers including : In addition to featuring some of the biggest names in jazz , The UCO Jazz Lab features the Best local and regional musicians from various genres every Thursday , Friday and Saturday Nights . UCentral Student Media . UCentral is the student media network at the University of Central Oklahoma , featuring traditional media ( television , radio , newspaper ) and new media ( web , netcasts , social networking ) created by students majoring in professional media . UCentral is a successful transformative learning experience within the Mass Communication Department on the campus of UCO . UCentral television programming is available online at ucentralmedia . com and in the city of Edmond , Oklahoma on Cox Cable digital channel 125 . The Vista newspaper , founded in 1903 , is distributed free of charge on the UCO campus and designated off - campus locations and also available online at ucentralmedia . com . The student radio station , UCentral Radio , applied for an LPFM license in 2013 for 101 . 3fm and is currently awaiting approval from the FCC . Campus . Residential buildings . UCO has five residence halls on campus . Athletics . UCO participates in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA at the Division II level and is a member of the Mid - America Intercollegiate Athletics Association ( MIAA ) . The university joined the MIAA in 2012 ; prior to joining the conference , UCO was a member of the Lone Star Conference and was the largest school in the conference . In 2010 , it applied to join the MIAA . On July 30 , 2010 , the conference approved its application to join the conference beginning in the 2012 - 2013 academic year . Both men ' s and women ' s teams are nicknamed the Bronchos . UCO currently competes in baseball , men ' s and women ' s basketball , women ' s cross - country and track and field , football , men ' s and women ' s golf , women ' s soccer , softball , women ' s tennis , volleyball , and wrestling , men ' s ice hockey and women ' s rowing . Police Department . The UCO Police Department is a full - service , 24 - hour police department . There are 17 sworn commissioned police officers , 6 full - time civilian employees and several part - time student employees . The officers attend the Oklahoma State Police Academy ( CLEET ) in Ada and then a 10 - week Field Training Program before working on their own . All officers are cross commissioned with the City of Edmond Police Department and thus enforce Edmond City Ordinances and utilize the city jail and city court system . Greek life . UCO is home to 22 Greek organizations .