Old Dominion University is a state-assisted metropolitan university located in Norfolk, VA. A Doctoral Research University - High Research Activity in the Carnegie classification system, ODU is governed by a 17-member Board of Visitors.

Founded in 1930 as the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, the school became Old Dominion College in 1962 after severing its ties to the venerable Williamsburg institution. Old Dominion attained university status in 1969.

ODU offers 66 bachelor's, 56 master's and 41 doctoral degrees through its six colleges: Arts and Letters, Business and Public Administration, Education, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences and Sciences. Academic programs that rank in the top 25 nationally include Oceanography, Nuclear Physics and Modeling and Simulation.

 

The main campus is located in Norfolk, Virginia, which is part of the historic and internationally-oriented Hampton Roads metropolitan area, which has a population of more than 1.4 million. Hampton Roads, a popular tourist destination, is a major mid-Atlantic port, a commercial and banking center, and home to important research facilities that focus on aerospace, modeling and simulation, nuclear physics, and oceanography. Several significant military commands are located in the region.

The 188 acres of Old Dominion's campus stretch from the Elizabeth River to the Lafayette River, and watching sunsets on the water is a natural pastime for our students. A sailing center on campus, located a stone's throw from the student residences Whitehurst Hall and Powhatan Apartments, is an excellent home for our national championship sailing team and offers any student or faculty member the chance to enjoy sailing and rowing throughout the year. A 60-foot boardwalk, pier, gazebo, picnic tables and sand volleyball courts complete this popular area for recreational and student activities. For those wanting to venture just beyond the confines of campus, Old Dominion is located just 20 miles from the resort city of Virginia Beach and 40 miles from historic Williamsburg.

 

Gardens, reflecting pools and a majestic lion fountain punctuate the grounds, and tree-lined walkways border a seven-acre green space at the center of campus, known as Kaufman Mall. Recent facilities that have been renovated or built include the Gornto TELETECHNET Center, Oceanography and Physics Building, Constant Hall (the home of the College of Business and Public Administration) and the Engineering and Computational Sciences Building. The recently expanded Perry Library, fully automated with more than 2.8 million items, features dazzling two-story glass windows that create an outdoor ambiance and provide a sunny home for students and faculty in any season.

Old Dominion's 8,600-seat Ted Constant Convocation Center, which opened in fall 2002, has quickly become a popular landmark for both the campus and regional community. The centerpiece of ODU's University Village, a 75-acre development at the east end of campus, "The Ted" hosts everything from basketball games to commencements to concerts by nationally known performers. Nearby, students can choose to live in the attractive University Village Apartments, located above shops, restaurants and offices along Monarch Way.

 

There's a special sense of excitement you'll feel about the students at Old Dominion, derived in part from the rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures and ages represented here. Our students hail from all 50 states and more than 110 countries. Minority enrollment is at 33 percent. Communication and leadership in a diverse environment, along with a guaranteed internship program, are hallmarks of the ODU experience - and offer a true competitive edge to our graduates.

More than 18,965 undergraduates and 5,500 graduate students study at Old Dominion. Several thousand students take classes at 50 sites throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, Washington and Arizona - even on Navy ships at sea. ODU offers more than 50 degree programs by satellite, online, video-streaming and CD-ROM. Classes taught at regional centers and military bases also attract a large number of students with military ties.

 

Over 770 full-time faculty bring a wealth of talents to our classrooms each day. Academic excellence is achieved through lively, provocative teaching, research and applied experience. Many faculty have been recognized with awards for teaching, research and service on both the state and national level.

Faculty serve as the primary academic advisors to our students, beginning in the freshman year. These relationships offer a special opportunity for new students to understand their chosen majors, thanks to the insight and expertise only an experienced professor can offer.