Ouachita Baptist University

Named for the river that runs down its eastern campus boundary, Ouachita Baptist University is a private liberal arts institution that provides distance education through the Moodle e-learning platform. Online courses use an accelerated eight-week format, enabling students to maintain a full-time job and still obtain their degree in less time than in a traditional program. In addition to one low tuition price, the university offers funding opportunities such as the Pryor Scholarship for Arkansas residents and the Abbott and Fenner award for out-of-state students. OBU delivers online associate and bachelor's degrees in Christian studies. These programs feature core classes such as biblical preaching, Christian ethics, and advanced Christian ministry. Candidates develop the communication and program planning skills to support their churches as administrators and spiritual leaders. Distance learners can also enroll in a bachelor of interdisciplinary studies program. This completionist track allows students to craft their own degree plan. Alternatively, candidates can choose from designated emphasis areas such as social sciences, kinesiology, professional writing, and business administration.
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Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
67% of students
were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools
with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but
are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
79% of full-time
students stayed to continue their studies the following academic
year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall
2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
53% of students
graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their
studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are
not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners.
Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scores: | Required | High school transcript: | Required |
High school rank: | Recommended | Letter of recommendation: | Not required or recommended |
High school GPA: | Required | Open admission: | No |
Completion of college prep program: | Recommended | Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL): |
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Yes
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*:
ⓘ
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials,
or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a
portfolio to earn credit.
Learning Environment
13k
Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
75%
Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
14:1
Student to faculty ratio
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
# | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
2 | Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
3 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ |
4 | Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies | ✕ | ✔ | ✔ |
5 | Biological And Biomedical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
6 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
7 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
8 | Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
9 | Education | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
10 | Engineering Technologies/Technicians | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
11 | Engineering | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
12 | Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
13 | English Language And Literature/Letters | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
14 | Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences | ✕ | ✔ | ✕ |
15 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
16 | Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
17 | Health Professions And Related Programs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
18 | History | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
19 | History | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
20 | Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
21 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
22 | Mathematics And Statistics | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
23 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
24 | Natural Resources And Conservation | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
25 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
26 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
27 | Philosophy And Religious Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
28 | Physical Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
29 | Psychology | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
30 | Public Administration And Social Service Professions | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
31 | Security And Protective Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
32 | Social Sciences | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
33 | Visual And Performing Arts | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |