Graduate & Professional Studies

Graduate and Professional Studies at Ouachita seek to be a source of ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth for those pursuing lifelong learning or career advancement. Ouachita fosters community through relationships with classmates and professors in all learning environments. Through innovative modalities, fields and approaches, these programs combine the very best of Ouachita’s more than 130 years of Christ-centered learning with meeting the ongoing and changing needs of the work force.

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Year Founded

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"Regional College in the South" by U.S. News & World Report

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Graduate Programs

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Satisfaction Rate in Ark., LA, & Texas by CollegeConsensus.com

“Ouachita will offer exemplary academic programs at reasonable prices from a place where community is fostered through relationships with classmates and professors. We desire for others beyond the traditional undergraduate population to have the Ouachita experience, becoming part of our family.”

Monica Hardin headshot Monica Hardin
Associate Vice President for Graduate and Online Education

CURRENT GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Master of Science degree

Low-residency: 4-day on-campus in-person intensive followed by online synchronous coursework.
15 months to complete
Applications open on Sept. 1, 2021 for enrollment starting in May 2022

A graduate certificate option is available for individuals with a master’s degree who are interested in the VCS course sequence. It includes the coursework without the field work.

Learn more at obu.edu/aba.

Master of Education degree

Fully online, asynchronous courses plus optional group sessions with the program director conducted both in-person and via Zoom.
12 months to complete
Applications are open year-round

A graduate certificate option is available to individuals with a bachelor’s degree or beyond who are interested in teaching as a calling. It includes a subset of the master’s degree courses.

Learn more at obu.edu/curriculum-instruction.

Dietetic Internship and Master of Science in Nutrition available

Both programs can be completed in 15 months
All but supervised practice can be completed online
Applications for August 2023 will open in Fall 2022

Learn more at obu.edu/dietetics/gradprograms.

APPLICATION & ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

graduate and professional studies students

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These preliminary admissions requirements are university wide. Each graduate program will have additional requirements. Please review the program-specific requirements on the webpage of your desired program.

Ouachita Baptist University General Graduate Admissions Requirements:

Conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution
2.5 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale (individual programs will delineate more specifics)
Completed application, which includes a personal statement
Three references
Minimum English proficiency requirements for international students are as follows:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
  At least 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
  At least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS):
  At least a 6.5 on the IELTS exam

If you’re interested in applying to graduate programs but you’re not a U.S. citizen, contact Angie Schleiff (schleiffa@obu.edu) before submitting an application. Due to visa requirements, requests from non-U.S. citizens are handled on a case-by-case basis and take extra time. Please inquire early in the process.

The State of Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist University requires students to show proof of immunity for MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella). Ouachita Baptist University must receive an immunization record that includes the MMR vaccinations. For more information please click here.

Dr. Ben Sells addresses students during ceremony honoring academic achievers

Ouachita student achievers honored May 5

Ouachita Baptist University students were honored for scholastic achievement Thursday, May 5, in Jones Performing Arts Center during an academic awards ceremony sponsored by Ouachita’s Student Senate.

Applied Behavior Analysis session at Pediatrics Plus

What is autism? What is ABA? Building understanding in Autism Awareness Month

April has traditionally been known worldwide as Autism Awareness Month, and is a time to focus on increasing understanding and awareness of people with autism. In 2021, the Autism Society of America changed the designated terminology to Autism Acceptance Month. Regardless of which name you use, I hope you’ll take time this month to become educated on autism and help to create a more inclusive and accepting world for the autism community. Here is some introductory information to get you started.

Dr. Terry DeWitt teaches a kinesiology class at Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita introduces Master of Science degree in exercise science

Ouachita Baptist University will expand its kinesiology program to include a Master of Science degree in exercise science, expected to launch in fall 2023.

A vision for change energizes DI grad student Latina Robinson

In March 2016, Latina Robinson, a Dietetic Internship graduate student from North Little Rock, Ark., lost her grandmother to Type 2 diabetes—a deadly disease that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, affects 37.3 million people in the United States

When a part-time job feeds a passion and prepares for a career

Hannah Martin, a senior psychology and business administration/management double major from Conway, Ark., always knew she wanted to serve the special needs community. Becoming a registered behavior technician (RBT) as a part-time job while pursuing her undergraduate degree provided her the opportunity to do just this.

GET IN TOUCH

Have a question about Ouachita? Want more information? Shoot our Graduate and Professional Studies team a message!

CONTACT US

Or schedule a chat with a graduate admissions counselor!