New academic programs and courses enhance OU's repertoire

By Katie Land, news editor

With the start of the semester comes a myriad of new academic and online programs designed to enhance Oakland University’s educational repertoire.

The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies is making its debut, and new projects are on the horizon with a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science and a Master of Arts in Communication.

“Oakland University is developing exciting programs, such as the newly approved undergraduate program in cinema studies and a planned new master’s degree in mechatronics, a multidisciplinary engineering specialty,” said Susan Awbrey, senior associate provost. “These new programs are designed to capture the imagination of today’s students and meet the needs of Michigan’s changing economy.”

New courses in screenwriting, global cinema, film authorship, film genres and film theory were developed for the cinema studies major. Future plans include adding more courses in documentary film history, animated film history, independent and avant-garde cinema and advanced screenwriting.

“We hope that the cinema studies program contributes to the growing public visibility and recognition for the university and attracts even more outstanding students and top faculty to Oakland,” said Kyle Edwards, assistant professor in the English department and director of the cinema studies program.

The program has received a lot of interest from the community, with more students enrolled for the fall semester than the original projection of 12 spaces. The response has exceeded expectations, Edwards said.

Oakland’s online courses and partially online programs are growing as well. Many partially online programs have only one or two face-to-face courses. New partially online programs include a Master of Science in Nursing Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice, post baccalaureate graduate certificate in nursing education and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health.

New online courses have been added in biology, history, nursing, physics, rhetoric, anthropology, integrative studies and decision and information sciences.

The winter 2010 semester will see the launch of new online courses in nursing, electrical and computer engineering, reading and language arts, mechanical engineering, modern languages, communication, health sciences and management and marketing.

Oakland is continually added adding and enhancing its traditional programs. Projects currently under development include the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Science in Psychology, post-baccalaureate paralegal certificate, education specialist in early intervention, education specialist in school and community counseling, certificate in college teaching and educational studies, Master of Science in Nursing-Clinical Nurse Leader and a post master’s clinical nurse leader certificate program.

For more information about registering for new courses and programs, visit the Registrar’s Web site at oakland.edu/registrar or call (248) 370-3450.