SHAWNEE—Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) has received formal approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer a 90-credit-hour Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration, a fully online program designed for working professionals and adult learners.
The approval authorizes OBU to deliver the degree in a reduced-credit format.
“We are one of the first in the nation and the first in Oklahoma to be approved for the reduced credit,” said Micah Meek, OBU dean for online, nontraditional and graduate education.
The university expects the innovative design to make earning a bachelor’s degree more attainable for students who balance education with career and family responsibilities.
The 90-hour degree provides flexibility and efficiency while maintaining OBU’s academic standards and Christian liberal arts mission. A key feature of the program is a directed work experience, requiring students to document 600 hours of work in the field of business. This built-in experience allows students to gain valuable industry exposure while earning their degree.
“This approval represents a significant milestone for Oklahoma Baptist University,” said Larinee Dennis, OBU provost and chief academic officer. “It expands our ability to serve students who want a high-quality business education that reflects OBU’s values and academic excellence, delivered in a format that fits their lives.”
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration integrates foundational business principles with leadership, ethics, and applied learning. Housed within OBU’s Paul Dickinson School of Business, the program builds on the university’s legacy of preparing graduates for leadership and service in business and community settings.
This program is uniquely developed with faculty partnering with industry leaders featured in courses to demonstrate real-world application. For example, B.R. Dunk, assistant professor of business and Dickinson Chair of Business, collaborates with Ricky Dickson, former CEO and president of Blue Bell Creameries, and Jeff Madison, local Chick-fil-A owner, to build courses connecting business principles to leadership in practice.
University officials emphasized that this online program is designed to meet the needs of adult learners and does not replace or alter any of OBU’s traditional, on-campus programs.
“Our goal is to meet students where they are—geographically, academically, and professionally,” said Heath A. Thomas, OBU president. “This new format enables OBU to deliver rigorous, faith-integrated business education with the flexibility today’s learners expect.”
Unlike traditional programs, OBU’s online degrees do not include standard university fees such as technology or student services charges. Only graduation and course-specific fees apply. Scholarships are not available for online programs, but eligible students may apply for federal financial aid.
More information about the program can be found at okbu.edu/programs/business-administration-online.
