Oklahoma Baptist University

What is the history of Oklahoma Baptist University?

Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) is a private Baptist university in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Founded in 1910 by Oklahoma Baptists, it opened for classes in 1911 and has remained associated with Baptist higher education throughout its history.

The university grew from its original emphasis on liberal arts and religious education to offer professional programs, including business, education and nursing, alongside graduate study. Its Shawnee campus is commonly called Bison Hill - a name that also appears in the university's athletic identity. For applicants, the enduring feature of that history is the combination of a broad academic curriculum with an explicitly Christian institutional mission.

What are the faculties and departments at Oklahoma Baptist University?

OBU offers undergraduate programs across the humanities, sciences, business, education, fine arts, theology and health-related fields, as well as selected graduate programs. Its academic organization includes the Dickinson College of Business and the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry; students should use the current academic catalog to identify the school responsible for a particular major.

Representative areas of study include biology, computer science, communication, music, nursing, psychology, teacher education, business and ministry. The choice of major matters beyond the course list: nursing and teacher-preparation students, for example, should check clinical or field-placement requirements, progression rules and the requirements for professional licensure in the state where they intend to work. A prospective graduate student should likewise check the credential and delivery format of the specific program rather than assume that undergraduate policies apply.

What is the location of Oklahoma Baptist University?

OBU's main campus is in Shawnee, a city east of Oklahoma City. The setting gives students a smaller-city campus environment while leaving Oklahoma City within reach for regional employment, services and travel.

Students considering internships or off-campus work should plan around the actual commute, not just the distance on a map. First-year students may register or park a car on campus, subject to university parking rules. Will Rogers World Airport serves the Oklahoma City area and is a practical air-travel option; reaching it from Shawnee generally requires a car or arranged transportation.

What is the mission and vision of Oklahoma Baptist University?

OBU states that its educational purpose is to combine academic study with Christian faith and service. Its mission emphasizes academic excellence, the integration of faith and learning, engagement with a diverse world, and life shaped by its understanding of Christian calling.

The university is affiliated with Oklahoma Baptists. That identity is relevant to campus life as well as coursework: applicants should review the current catalog and student handbook for expectations concerning chapel, religious study and community conduct. These are statements of institutional purpose and policy, not evidence that every student will have the same religious experience.