The curriculum at Oakwood University reflects very distinctly the educational philosophy, purposes, and needs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. From its earliest history, Seventh-day Adventist education has been multipurpose—a combination of theory and practice. Strong emphasis has been given to providing students with an undergraduate program that would grant them job entry and provide opportunities for the development of a personal code of moral and social values for Christian living in contemporary society. It is for this reason that the curricular offerings at Oakwood University have a very pragmatic character. This is true in the humanities, social sciences, applied sciences, and natural sciences. Because of the needs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as well as society at large, Oakwood University has developed some disciplines that are almost exclusively professional. However, regardless of the amount of vocational emphasis, all baccalaureate and associate degree programs have been so organized that there is a common core of general education studies required of all students.
The mission of the University strongly emphasizes health, the importance of service to the world, the integration of spiritual instruction and understanding as a part of intellectual growth, and the facilitation of cultural and personal affirmation. The general education core curriculum includes courses in the philosophy of Christian education, basic computer literacy, health and recreation, the humanities, foreign languages, mathematics, natural sciences, religion and theology, and social sciences. Masters, baccalaureate, and associate degree programs also are designed to harmonize with the key elements of the university’s mission.
Oakwood has 14 academic departments offering the following degrees: Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Health. About 50 majors and 27 minors are included.
| Department | Degree | Major | Minor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Sciences | B.S. B.S. |
Biology Biomedical Science |
Biology |
| Business and Information Systems |
B.S. |
Accounting |
Accounting Entrepreneurship International Business Management Management Info. Sys. Marketing |
| Chemical and Biochemical Sciences | B.S. B.S. |
Biochemistry Chemistry |
|
| Communication and Art | A.S, B.A. B.A. B.A., B.S. B.A. |
Visual Media Communication Journalism Film and Television Production |
Graphic Design, Photography, Photojournalism Communication Arts, Public Relations Broadcast and Online Storytelling, Written Storytelling, Audio Storytelling, Photojournalism |
| Education |
B.S. |
Elementary Education |
|
| English and Foreign Language | B.A. B.A. |
English Spanish |
English Spanish Arabic** French** German** Italian** Portuguese** |
| Health and Human Sciences | B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. B.S. A.S. M.P.H |
Clinical Laboratory Science Child Dev./Family Stud. Fitness and Wellness Health Science Sports Management Sports Marketing Pre-Speech Language Pathology Public Health |
Child Development Fitness and Wellness |
| History and Political Science | B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. B.A. |
History International Relations Pre-Law Public Policy Legal Studies |
History Amer. Civil Rights Christian History Political Science |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | B.S. B.A. B.S. B.S. B.A., B.S. |
Applied Mathematics Computer Networks Computer Science Information Technology* Mathematics |
Mathematics Computer Science Physics |
| Music | B.A. B.M. B.M. |
Music Music Comp. & Rec. Arts Vocal Performance & Pedagogy |
Music Recording Arts |
| Nursing | B.S. | Nursing | |
| Nutrition and Dietetics | B.S. B.S. M.P.H. |
Dietetics Nutrition Public Health |
Dietetics |
| Psychological Sciences | B.A.,B.S. | Psychology General Psychology* |
Psychology Correctional Sci. Sociology |
| Religion | B.A. B.A. B.A. B.S. M.A. M.A. |
Biblical Studies & Languages Ministerial Theology Pastoral Care & Pre-Chaplaincy Church Leadership* Pastoral Studies Urban Ministry and Community Development |
Biblical Languages Theology |
| Social Work | B.S.W. | Social Work | |
| Non-departmental | A.S., B.S. A.S., B.A. |
General Studies Interdisciplinary Studies |
*Adult and Continuing Education degree programs.
** these minors can only be obtained through an Adventist Colleges Abroad year-long program