As the first interdisciplinary Liberal Studies degree program in the country, the college was established in 1961 to fill the need for non-traditional students to continue their education while balancing external obligations.

[7] In 1957, OU received a grant from the Center for the Study of Liberal Education for Adults to sponsor a faculty seminar.

[8] In addition to studying these areas, students also participated in intensive seminars covering each field and extending over a period of several weeks.

[7] The College of Liberal Studies began changing shape in the 1990s when Dr. Susan Nash, Dean Emeritus Dr. George Henderson, and their teams extended the program to include online courses.

[3][8][10][11] In 2003, the college committed to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees totally online under the direction of current dean, Dr. James P.