Oakwood University

What is the accreditation of Oakwood University?

Oakwood University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, commonly called SACSCOC. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it does not mean that every individual program holds a separate professional accreditation.

This distinction matters for federal financial aid, graduate-school applications, and credit transfer. Institutional accreditation is an important eligibility consideration, but another college decides which credits it will accept. Students pursuing nursing, education, or another licensed profession should separately check the program's current professional accreditation and the requirements of the licensing authority in the state where they intend to work.

What are the admission requirements at Oakwood University?

First-year applicants to Oakwood University generally need an application and a secondary-school record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent. The university considers high school GPA and transcripts; recommendations may be considered but are not generally required. SAT and ACT scores are not listed as required or recommended in the 2024-25 admissions reporting.

English-proficiency documentation is relevant for applicants whose prior education does not establish the required level of English; reported admissions requirements include the TOEFL. Applicants should confirm which tests or other evidence the admissions office currently accepts. Health-professions and other selective programs may have requirements beyond general university admission.

Oakwood is not an open-admission institution. It admitted 847 of 1,873 first-time applicants in the reported admissions cycle, an acceptance rate of about 45%. Admission to the university should not be confused with admission to a particular major, and applicants should check current deadlines and document requirements for their applicant category.

What are the application fees and waivers at Oakwood University?

Applicants should check Oakwood University's current application portal for the charge that applies to their application type before submitting it. An application fee is separate from any later enrollment or housing payment.

Students for whom an application charge would be a hardship should ask admissions about waiver eligibility and the required request process before paying. Applicants should not assume that a fee paid through the portal can be refunded after a waiver is approved.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Oakwood University?

Students interested in ROTC should confirm a current cross-enrollment arrangement before planning their Oakwood schedule around it. Participation in an ROTC program at another Huntsville-area institution should not be mistaken for an ROTC unit operated by Oakwood University.

Ask the prospective host unit whether Oakwood students may enroll, which branch is available, how courses and travel fit into the degree plan, and whether participation affects financial aid. ROTC scholarships have separate selection rules, and accepting certain benefits or completing a commissioning track can carry a military service obligation.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Oakwood University?

Oakwood University generally accepts transfer credit from accredited institutions, but admission as a transfer student and acceptance of particular courses are separate decisions. Transfer applicants should be prepared to submit official transcripts from every college attended and meet any additional requirements for their intended program.

The university also reports accepting some credit through Advanced Placement, CLEP subject examinations, and assessment of prior learning. None of these routes means every examination or experience will count toward a chosen degree. Before enrolling, a transfer applicant should request a written evaluation showing which courses satisfy general education, major, and elective requirements, and how many Oakwood credits remain to graduate.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Oakwood University?

Oakwood students interested in international study should start with academic approval, not simply a program application. The key question is whether a proposed experience - including a program offered through an Adventist or other outside provider - will earn credit that applies to the student's Oakwood degree.

Students should obtain advance confirmation of course equivalencies, enrollment arrangements, costs, and any effect on scholarships or federal aid. Nursing, education, and other programs with sequenced courses or placements may have less scheduling flexibility, so early planning is particularly important.