Dec 13, 2024  
2015-2017 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2017 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Education at Oakland University


 

 

 

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning

520 O’Dowd Hall  (map)
2200 N. Squirrel Road
Rochester, Michigan 48309-4481
(248) 370-2700 • Fax (248) 370-3226

 

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning is dedicated to academic excellence in graduate education at Oakland University and advocates for support for graduate programs and graduate students. Under the direction of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and working in consultation with the Graduate Council of the University Senate, Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning has responsibility for ensuring the highest standards in student admission; for providing academic records management, academic standing and degree services for currently enrolled students; and for the authorship, maintenance and oversight of graduate policy and standards that promote high quality in educational programs and curricula.

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning works with faculty, academic departments and the deans of the college and schools to recruit and develop a graduate student body across disciplines and professional fields reflective of academic strength and the university’s commitment to diversity, and to design programs to support student achievement and success.

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning also partners with departments and university governance in program review, accreditation, registration, and evaluation efforts conducted locally and by external authorities, and thereby contributes to the ongoing campus-wide commitment to assessment.

Graduate governance

Oakland University graduate governance is shared by several decision-making bodies, each with areas of authority and responsibility. The following provides a guide to these decision-making bodies and helps to explain how the policies and procedures that govern graduate education are created and managed at Oakland University.

 

Board of Trustees

Oakland University is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees appointed by the governor to serve eight-year terms. The board provides general supervision of the university, including control and direction of all expenditures from the institution’s funds. The board also appoints the university president as well as the secretary to the board and treasurer.

University Senate

The University Senate is an all-university governance body whose membership includes administrative officers, students and faculty members elected for two-year terms to represent their academic units. The Vice President for Academic Affairs is its presiding officer. It serves as a legislative forum that meets monthly during the academic year. The Senate recommends new degree programs to the president and the board and must approve the constitutions of colleges and schools. It determines academic policies and provides opportunity for public deliberation on issues of importance to the university.

Graduate Council

The Oakland University Graduate Council is a permanent standing committee of the University Senate with responsibility for graduate education as established in Article VI of the Oakland University Senate Constitution. The Graduate Council is chaired by the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, with its membership otherwise consisting of one representative from each organized faculty currently sponsoring a graduate degree program, plus three other representatives to be appointed by the Vice Provost.

Graduate Catalog

The Graduate Catalog is the listing of academic programs, degree requirements, policies, and related information. All data in the Oakland University Graduate Catalog reflects information as it was available at the publication date.  

Graduate degree programs

Graduate programs, with philosophical foundations in the university’s role and mission, are directly linked to the research, scholarship and public service activities of the university. New knowledge is produced and directed toward the solution of technological, social, economic and political problems and issues. Students, educated in intellectual inquiry and critical analysis, are full partners in graduate programs structured to maximize personal growth and achievement as specific career-related goals are obtained. Dynamic relationships with regional companies provide real advantages in pursing career options through work-study, internships, project involvement and community action.

Program development and review

New programs are developed along established guidelines and within the framework of the university’s role and mission statement. The approval process is monitored by Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. It includes evaluation by and endorsement from several designated internal and external bodies. Once in place, graduate programs are reviewed on a regularly scheduled basis by faculty program review committees, Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning and Graduate Council. At the time of publication of this catalog, several programs are in various stages of review. Program or course changes resulting from these reviews will be announced. Students should maintain contact with their advisers and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning to be fully aware of the current status of programs to which they have been admitted.

Accreditation

University accreditation

Oakland University is accredited as a doctoral degree-granting institution by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools:

Higher Learning Commission of NCA
North Central Association
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602
Voice: (312) 263-0456 / Fax: (312) 263-7462

  • Accreditation - 1966 to present
  • Last comprehensive evaluation, 2009
  • Next comprehensive evaluation, 2018-2019
  • II programs: B, M, S, D (Bachelor, Master, Specialization, Doctorate)

Curricula and program accreditation

In addition, specific programs and curricula are accredited individually by specialized or professional accrediting agencies. The principal accreditation agencies are as follows:

 

Arts and Sciences

Chemistry:  American Chemical Society*
Linguistics:  American Association of Intensive English Programs
Music:  National Association of Schools of Music
Political Science (M.P.A.):  National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration

Business Administration

Accreditation Council of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Education

Teacher Education Programs: National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Graduate Counseling: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs

Engineering*

Division of Engineering (undergraduate): Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology - Engineering (ABET)

Health Sciences

Physical Therapy: Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Nursing

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nurse Anesthesia: American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs)


*Accreditation limited to only one degree per level per institution