Global and Digital Learning (GDL) connects Oakland University to the world — and brings the world to our students. As a unit of the Office of the Provost, GDL unites three core areas under one mission: Global Engagement, e-Learning and Instructional Support (e-LIS), and Academic Compliance — expanding access to an Oakland education, wherever learning happens.

Through Global Engagement, GDL builds partnerships with universities and organizations around the world, opens doors for Oakland students to study abroad, and welcomes international students and scholars to a campus that values global citizenship and multicultural understanding. The International Students and Scholars Office provides the advising, support, and advocacy international students need to thrive, while international partnerships create new pathways for study, research, and cross-border collaboration.

Through e-LIS, GDL helps faculty design and deliver high-quality online, hybrid, and HyFlex learning experiences. Instructional designers, technology specialists, and support staff partner with instructors to build engaging courses, adopt proven teaching practices, and use learning technology with confidence — ensuring students receive a flexible, accessible, and active learning experience, whether on campus or learning from home.

Through Academic Compliance, GDL safeguards institutional integrity and student rights by ensuring university programs align with federal, state, and international regulations, as well as institutional accreditation standards. Key areas of oversight include state authorization, digital accessibility, global compliance, professional licensure and certification disclosures, and clear complaint and grievance procedures for out-of-state students.

Together, these three pillars make Oakland University a leader in global education and digital learning: empowering more students to learn in more places, supporting faculty innovation across all formats, ensuring regulatory excellence, and preparing graduates for an interconnected world. No matter where learning begins, a path is available to fit every goal.

Explore the programs, meet the teams and discover how far an Oakland education can take you.