Oakwood University

What is the history of Oakwood University?

Oakwood University is a historically Black, Seventh-day Adventist university founded in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1896. It began as Oakwood Industrial School, established to provide education for Black students in the post-Reconstruction South.

The institution later became Oakwood College and adopted the name Oakwood University in 2008. Those changes reflect its development from an industrial school into an institution offering undergraduate and graduate study. Its religious affiliation and historical mission remain central to understanding its academic programs and campus life.

What are the faculties and departments at Oakwood University?

Oakwood University offers programs across the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, religion, and health professions. Prospective students can explore fields such as biology, computer science, business administration, social work, theology, music, and nursing.

Program choice matters beyond the major name. Students considering nursing, teacher preparation, or another profession with licensing requirements should check the current catalog for admission standards, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and the states in which a program prepares graduates for licensure. Applicants should also distinguish a full degree program from a preprofessional track intended to prepare students for later study.

What is the location of Oakwood University?

Oakwood University is in Huntsville, Alabama. Its campus is part of a city with employers in aerospace, engineering, health care, education, and other fields, although access to a particular internship or job depends on the student's qualifications and the opportunities available.

Most students will need to plan local transportation rather than assume that every destination is walkable. This is especially relevant for commuters and students with off-campus clinical placements or jobs. Huntsville International Airport serves the region, but students should check travel time and ground-transportation options for their own itinerary.

What is the mission and vision of Oakwood University?

Oakwood University describes its educational purpose in explicitly Seventh-day Adventist terms, combining academic study with spiritual development and service. Its identity as a historically Black institution is also an important part of its mission and history.

For applicants, that philosophy has practical implications: worship, religious programming, and service can be visible parts of campus life alongside coursework. Students evaluating the fit should review current policies on chapel, residence life, and student conduct rather than assume that a religious affiliation affects only theology classes.