University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska Omaha

The University of Nebraska Omaha is Nebraska's premier metropolitan research university offering nationally recognized bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Our university spans more than 150 acres on multiple campuses in the heart of Omaha, surrounded by residential neighborhoods, shopping and dining. UNO offers one of the most competitive tuition rates in the region, making college accessible for residents and non-residents.

The history of the University of Nebraska Omaha has been a powerful guiding force. Our past fuels our pride and shapes the comprehensive metropolitan university we've become. We were built on a commitment to provide a rigorous, relevant and affordable education that meets the diverse needs of traditional and nontraditional students. UNO has been and always will be driven by the extraordinary connection to and partnership with the city of Omaha. Since its inception in 1908, the University of Nebraska Omaha has been firmly anchored in the community, forging partnerships with business, education, government, arts and civic organizations. UNO has long set the pace for accessible higher education in Nebraska and continues to offer an academically rigorous experience to a diverse student body. In 1908, the University of Omaha was founded as a private, coeducational college by the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Omaha. Early founders stated a desire for a learning environment "free from ecclesiastical control." In addition to forging an institution that provided "sound learning and practical education," the intent was for this to be within reach of anyone who sought higher education. Accessibility is a commitment that remains an important part of our mission and vision for the future.

Leadership & Vision

Strategic Priority Areas Include:

• Student-centered
• Academic excellence
• Engagement with urban, regional, national and global communities

Academic Priority Areas Include:

• Doctoral/Graduate Research
• Early Childhood/Child Welfare
• Global Engagement
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Sustainability

UNO Student Population

• 15,395 total student body
• 12,705 undergraduate students
• 2,690 graduate students
• 41 states represented
• More than 1,700 international students representing 121 countries

Special Study Options

• Distance Learning
• International Study
• Teacher Certification
• Continuing Education
• Learning Communities
• Honors Program

Athletics

NCAA Division I

• UNO Hockey is the only Division I hockey team in Nebraska
• The newly constructed Ralston Arena is home to the UNO Men's Basketball team

Women's sports include: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and volleyball

Men's sports include: baseball, basketball, golf, hockey, soccer and tennis

Learning Through Action

• Since 2005, UNO has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This places UNO among the top 20 universities in the nation for service learning, community service and civic engagement initiatives.
• In 2012, UNO broke ground for a new 60,000-square-foot Community Engagement Center. Scheduled to open in 2014, the new center will be the first of its kind to be built in the United States.

Facility Highlights

Since, 2007, UNO has invested $200 million into building and renovating state-of-the-art facilities. Recent additions and renovations include:

• Mammel Hall, home of the College of Business Administration
• The Peter Kiewit Institute for Information Science and Technology
• Roskens Hall home of the College of Education
• the Health, Physical Education & Recreation (HPER) Building

Examples of UNO Community Engagement:

• UNO students have access to a large range of internship opportunities in the Omaha region and nationally. This hands-on experience is critical to gaining professional experience before entering the workforce. Faculty and UNO's Career Center are two great resources.
• UNO's Service Learning Academy allows students to participate in professor-designed service learning projects in partnership with representatives of community organizations and plan activities that will meet genuine needs in the community and advance student understanding of course curriculum.
• The Office of Student-Community Leadership & Service (SCLS) spearheads opportunities for developing students as engaged community citizens and leaders of community stewardship through diverse, reciprocal and mutually beneficial service opportunities that build and strengthen our communities and our world. For 2011-2012, efforts through UNO's SCLS gave 64,000 hours of service to the community at a donated value of $1,342,000.
• Student Organizations and Leadership Programs (SOLP) is actively involved in a variety of service projects and fundraisers with the community.
• Research and Creative Activity is another opportunity to merge scholarly research and engagement with the larger community. Our scholars work with colleagues in academia, government, the non-profit sector and the business community. Our students not only make intellectual contributions to our scholarly efforts, but in return acquire the knowledge and skills that prepare them as tomorrow's leaders.

Future additions include:

• The Biomechanics Research Building
• The Community Engagement Center

By the Numbers

• 200 Majors and programs, including bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees offered at UNO
• 18/1: UNO's Student-Faculty Ratio
• 85% of our faculty have earned the highest degree in their field
• 974 Service learning classes have been offered since the Service Learning Academy was established in 1998
• 1000+ Students use their spring break to perform volunteer work within the community, each year
• 5 Fortune 500 companies that make their home in Omaha
• 39% of UNO's student body are first generation students (2012)
• 2,300 students are in 121 service related courses (2011-2012)

Historical Highlights

• 1908 The University of Omaha opened with 26 students at 24th & Pratt Streets
• 1931 The University of Omaha became the Municipal University of Omaha
• 1948 Dr. Milo Bail became president, and the university was relocated to its current location at 60th & Dodge Streets
• 1968 The Municipal University of Omaha merged with the University of Nebraska System and became the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
• 2011 UNO was classified as a doctoral/research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and achieved the prestigious elective classification for "Community Engagement" by the Carnegie Foundation.

The University of Nebraska Omaha is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our dedication to accessibility and our commitment to academic excellence is apparent in all we do.

• Forty percent of UNO's first-year applicants rank in the top quarter of their high school graduating class.
• Nearly one-third of our student body is the first of their family to attend college.
• UNO offers the most service learning opportunities regionally, through a university setting, with 2,300 students in 121 service related courses.

• Arts & Sciences
• Business Administration
• Communication, Fine Arts & Media
• Education
• Information Science & Technology
• Public Affairs & Community Service

The following programs are administered by UNL and delivered on the UNO campus.

• Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
• Architecture
• Engineering

The University of Nebraska Omaha is proud to be Nebraska's metropolitan university. And we're honored to call the city of Omaha our home. That's why for all of us who live, learn and work here, we are a collaborative force. Omaha is more than simply our location; the city truly functions as part of our campus. With more than 400,000 residents, and a population of more than 1.2 million within a 50-mile radius, Nebraska's largest city is also integral to what UNO is as a university. The city is vital to our student life, academics, athletics and mission as a university.

UNO and Omaha have long had a dynamic, fruitful partnership with a shared goal: changing lives of students and residents while enriching the global community. Omahans love this city, and others outside of our region are recognizing Omaha's allure. In fact, our recent endorsements come from many quarters including:

• Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, which named Omaha the #3 city to live, work and play in the nation
• The Daily Beast, which voted Omaha the #2 Best City for Recent Grads
• Forbes, which voted Omaha the #5 Best City for Young Professionals
• The Fiscal Times, which voted Omaha the #1 U.S. City with the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

While it is a thriving metropolitan center and the largest city in the state, Omaha is quintessentially Midwestern. Residents enjoy the benefit of four seasons and find outdoor activities plentiful year-round. Located on the eastern border of Nebraska, near the Missouri River that we share with Iowa, the city of Omaha is a center of creativity, business and philanthropy. This is where Fortune 500 companies, visionary nonprofits, award-winning arts and culture, and innovative start-ups flourish, and attract a range of world-class talent—from entrepreneurs to artists.

You can take in a concert at the Century Link Center or the world famous Holland Performing Arts Center, catch an art house film at the internationally recognized Film Streams, stroll the more than 100 acres at the Lauritzen Gardens, or shop and dine to your heart's content in the Old Market, Midtown Crossing or Aksarben Village. Take a walk from Nebraska to Iowa—and back again on the Bob Kerrey Bridge. This landmark offers a memorable view of Omaha's skyline and is a prominent feature of our newly reinvigorated waterfront. We're also proud to say we've been the home to the NCAA Division I College World Series for more than 60 years as well as the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials. Omaha, along with UNO, is a vibrant environment with lots of momentum. And together, our visions for the future are bright.

Recent Graduate Profile:

Alanah Mitchell, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Appalachian State University

“I couldn’t be happier about my decision to get my Ph.D. from the College of IS&T at UNO. I not only learned how to be a good researcher and teacher, but I was even given the opportunity to take part in service activities which has really benefited my career.”