Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public university in Norfolk, Virginia, United States. It was established in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. ODU awarded its first bachelor's degrees in 1956, became Old Dominion College in 1962, and attained university status in 1969.

ODU offers a full range of degree programs and is one of the nation's largest providers of online distance learning courses. Old Dominion University derives its name from one of Virginia's state nicknames, "The Old Dominion," given to the state by King Charles II of England for remaining loyal to the crown during the English Civil War.

Academics:
As a comprehensive university, Old Dominion University offers and develops liberal arts, science, technology and professional programs. The University offers 70 bachelor's degrees in various fields and 60 master's and 35 doctoral degrees.

ODU's TELETECHNET distance learning program is one of the nation's largest and accounts for nearly one third of student enrollment.ODU Distance Learning is affiliated with the Southern Regional Education Board's Electronic Campus. ODU is the only university in the US to offer MBA concentrations in Maritime, Transportation, and Port Logistics Management and has well-respected programs in Marine Science and Coastal Engineering.

College of Arts and Letters:
This college maintains 13 departments, which offer degrees in the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. The departments include Art, Communications, English, Theatre Arts, Foreign Languages & Literature, International Studies, Music, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Sociology and Criminal Justice, Political Science and Geography, and Women's Studies.

Within the Theatre Arts Department, Film and Video Studies is offered. The Department of Communication and Theatre Arts offers two degree programs that meet the needs of most students interested in film and video studies.

College of Business and Public Administration:
This college offers graduate programs as well as Bachelor's degree programs in nine undergraduate majors, including Decision Sciences, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Insurance and Real Estate, International Business Management, Marketing, Information Technology, Urban Studies, and Public Administration as well as a new major, that of Maritime and Supply Chain Management.

Darden College of Education:
Offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in six academic departments.Programs include: Educational Leadership and School Administration, Counseling, Human Services, Higher Education, Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Sport Management, Physical Education, Recreation and Tourism Studies, Early Childhood Education, Speech Pathology, Special Education, Fashion Merchandising, Instructional Design and Technology, Business and Industry Training, Community College Teaching, and Technology Education.

The Darden College of Education also works in collaboration with other academic Colleges to prepare teachers in fields of secondary education, such as English Education and Biology Education, among others. Students complete a major in the field they wish to teach, in addition to Education coursework, practica, and student teaching.

College of Health Sciences:
This college is composed of five health-related schools and grants Certificates, Bachelor's Degrees, Master's Degrees, and Doctoral Degrees. The schools include the Schools of Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences, Community and Environmental Health, Nursing, Physical Therapy and the Gene W. Hirschfeld School of Dental Hygiene.

Student organizations:
Old Dominion University recognizes 250 student organizations. These groups include professional organizations, honor societies, religious organizations, minority students, and groups for students with common interests and majors as well as a variety of traditional, multicultural, and professional sororities and fraternities. The Student Government Association has direct authority over student organizations.

Athletics:
Old Dominion's 18 athletic teams are known as the Monarchs (men) and Lady Monarchs (women) and compete in the Colonial Athletic Association. Old Dominion University athletic teams have captured 28 team national championships and four individual titles. The school's best-known sports team is the Lady Monarchs basketball team, which has won three national championships in 1979 (AIAW), 1980 (AIAW) and 1985 (NCAA).

The Lady Monarchs also made it to the 1997 Women's NCAA Championship Game, losing to Tennessee. ODU athletic teams have won a further 28 national championships including 15 in men's and women's sailing and 9 in women's field hockey.The Lady Monarchs' nine national titles in field hockey are unprecedented in NCAA record books for most titles in that sport by the same school.In addition, Old Dominion's athletic teams have captured 49 championships in the Colonial Athletic Association.

The Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF):
The Old Dominion Athletic Foundation (ODAF) is the official booster club for Old Dominion Athletics. the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation was previously known as the Big Blue Club, or the The Old Dominion University Intercollegiate Foundation. The change from those to ODAF occurred March 1, 2011. The Old Dominion Athletic Foundation has an 501-C-3 designation as a non-profit organization.

Campus development:
The Perry Library Learning Commons:
After months of renovation, the Perry Library first floor was transformed into The Learning Commons which welcomed students Fall 2011. The Learning Commons motto: Connect, Discover, Succeed encompasses the mission of the Learning Commons to student success. Jointly operated by the University Libraries, Office of Computing and Communications Services and Academic Enhancement, the dynamic and collaborative space is great for students to learn and engage with their peers.

University Village:
Established in 1995, the Real Estate Foundation has taken the lead in the development of the University Village, a mixed use development including retail, residential and office buildings. The results of its work are visible to all in the form of the University Village Apartments, restaurants, shops, the North Village Parking Garage, the Innovation Research Park, Marriott SpringHill Suites Hotel, and Campus Bookstore.