Avondale University is an Australian tertiary education provider affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world’s second largest Christian school system.
Avondale University has two campuses, the Lake Macquarie campus being the primary campus situated in Cooranbong, New South Wales. The other campus is located at Sydney Adventist Hospital in the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga and is the main campus of the nursing school.
Avondale University primarily focuses in the areas of teaching, theology, and nursing, but also offers bachelor’s degrees in business, science and the arts as well as certificate studies in outdoor recreation. The nursing program commences at the Cooranbong campus for one or two semesters and is completed at the Sydney Adventist Hospital with hands-on experience gained in the hospital. Master’s degrees are offered in theology, education, nursing, ministry, and some business related fields by distance education, including a one-month on-campus component in the winter semester. Research doctoral (PhD) programs are offered in selected areas.
Avondale University runs Avondale Academic Press, a small academic publisher.
Avondale University worked toward full University status from the Australian government for many years. It was granted full University status on the 1st of July 2021. It is an international affiliate of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Avondale University is an institution of the South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists. The library on its Lake Macquarie campus houses a local research centre of the Ellen G. White Estate.