School of Health and Human Services

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Services

Sara Salkil, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9459
Email: seb04b@acu.edu

Faculty

Sara Salkil, Associate Professor

Introduction

The goal of the BS in Child and Family Services program is to equip students to serve the needs of children and families in a variety of roles such as social service providers, family service workers, child life specialists, child, and adult protective service providers, youth services and program directors, child development center directors, and family life educators. Through this degree, students will be trained to strengthen and promote the emotional well-being of individuals, families, and relationships across the life span. The Child and Family Services major requirements examine ten content or subject areas prescribed by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR).

Majors in Child and Family Services should be people-oriented, sensitive to the concerns of children and families, effective in communication and listening skills, and have strong potential for leadership and management.

Admission Requirements

Abilene Christian University’s Online Baccalaureate programs are intended for non-traditional students interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree online. Students may enroll four years after completing high school. Students who have earned a GED must be at least 22 years of age. Exceptions to these requirements may be made for transfer students matriculating from an institution with an articulation agreement with ACU.

Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Rebecca Weaver, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9508
Email: raw20c@acu.edu

Faculty

Rebecca Weaver, Instructor

Introduction

The goal of the BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders program is to prepare students to pursue graduate study in communication disorders (speech-language pathology or audiology). This pre-professional undergraduate program lays the foundation for future graduate study and covers communication processes such as normal language development, speech sound development, anatomy, physiology, and audiology.

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to the university may enroll with the intent of pursuing the BS Communication Sciences and Disorders degree. All students must apply to the major after successful completion of the first several Communication Science Disorders courses. Admission to Abilene Christian University does not guarantee admission to the upper-level Communication Sciences and Disorders coursework.

Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance

Kathy Carroll, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9508
Email: kkc20a@acu.edu

Faculty

Kathy Carroll, Assistant Professor

Introduction

The BS in Health and Human Performance provides students with an education in the human movement sciences aimed at the enhancement of health and human performance in society. Students will study the psychological, structural, physiological and mechanical aspects of health and human movement activities. This program serves to prepare the student for entry-level careers in health, wellness, human movement and sport as well as for further study in graduate programs of allied health or areas of kinesiology, exercise science, sport management or sport and exercise psychology.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration

Meghan Hope, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9508
Email: meh17f@acu.edu

Faculty

Meghan Hope, Assistant Professor

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degree program provides students with the scholarly and professional skills vital for impactful healthcare careers. The degree will prepare students for administration roles in the industry through an emphasis on leadership, ethics, community and public health, and knowledge of healthcare environments and operations. The program offers a Christian worldview and allows students to gain the fundamental skills and expertise to navigate this rapidly evolving, multifaceted industry. The program offers a track in community and public health as well as change management, allowing students to customize their program based on relevant areas of interest necessary in the modern healthcare industry.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Program Director: TBD
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9500

Faculty

TBD

Introduction

The goal of the Online Bachelor of Science in Psychology program is to equip non-traditional students seeking a bachelor’s degree for Christian leadership and service in a variety of professional and societal contexts. Specifically, the program seeks to develop graduates with foundational knowledge in psychology and the critical thinking and communication skills required to apply psychological principles to complex individual, organizational, and societal problems. This is accomplished by preparing students to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding representing appropriate breadth and depth in the following content areas: History/Personality Theory, Tests and Measurements, Abnormal Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Learning and Cognition, Developmental Psychology, Counseling, and Social Psychology.
Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
Be able to effectively communicate via writing in a professional manner.

Admission Requirements

Pre-Nursing Track

J. Scott Self, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9508
Email: jss00c@acu.edu

Faculty

TBD

Introduction

All students accepted for admission to the university may declare the pre-nursing track of the nursing major and complete lower-level university requirements and nursing prerequisite courses. Declaring the pre-nursing track and completing lower-level courses, however, does not guarantee that students will be admitted to the nursing track and upper-level coursework for the School of Nursing’s BSN program. All courses under University Requirements and Supplement for Major must be completed before students enter the nursing track and upper-level nursing courses (those courses designated with the NURS prefix.)

Students may not graduate from the pre-nursing track and must be admitted to the nursing track to continue in the program, or they may change majors in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Students who wish to complete the nursing track must do so in residence in Abilene.

Admission Requirements

A separate admission process is required for students to be admitted to the School of Nursing’s BSN program. Admission is competitive, and the size of the classes is determined by the Texas Board of Nursing. Admission to Abilene Christian University does not guarantee admission to the upper-level BSN coursework in the School of Nursing.

Graduate

Healthcare Administration

Meghan Hope, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 940-642-2220
Email: meh17f@acu.edu

Faculty

To be determined.

Introduction

The School of Health and Human Services in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree. The mission of the Master of Healthcare Administration program is to prepare leaders in health organizations by focusing on innovation in the healthcare industry and exploring how faith shapes the ethical challenges of patient care. This is accomplished through preparing students to:

Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external healthcare constituents;
Provide effective leadership through inspiring excellence, attaining shared vision, and achieving strategic goals;
Align personal and organizational conduct with ethical and professional standards including responsibility to the patient and community grounded in one’s Christian identity;
Demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare system and the environment in which healthcare leaders function; and
Apply administrative principles to the healthcare environment.

The MHA consists of 36 credit hours.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college, university, or equivalent.
A 3.0 or better cumulative undergraduate GPA. Provisional admission may be given to students with a 2.5-2.99 cumulative undergraduate GPA, with full admission granted after successful completion of three courses with a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Acknowledgement of the Christian identity of the university and program.
Resume or CV.

International applicants to the MHA will be required to complete the standard graduate application requirements for all international students applying for an ACU graduate degree, including TOEFL scores and transcript assessment for degrees completed outside the United States.

Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine Administration

The Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine Administration is offered for those students who are not seeking a graduate degree but desire specialized training in key scientific, leadership and operations skills necessary for the administration of precision medicine technologies and clinical applications. This certificate will provide an introduction to the science of precision medicine through teaching the biology of cancer, while also emphasizing key concepts in healthcare administration, such as health policy, revenue cycle management, informatics, and innovations and trends in healthcare. The certificate is a 15-credit-hour program.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Precision Medicine Administration are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) from the regionally-accredited college or university that awarded the baccalaureate degree to the applicant.;
A 3.0 or better cumulative undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0 scale). A GPA of 2.5 to 2.99 may be considered for probationary admission;
Purpose statement addressing career goals and fit with the program, including the Christian identity of the university and program.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Marriage and Family Therapy Online

Sara Salkil, Program Director
Jackie Halstead, Associate Program Director
Phone: 214-305-9500
Fax: 214-602-5307

Email: seb04b@acu.edu
Web: https://www.acu.edu/online/graduate/marriage-and-family-therapy.html

Faculty

Jackie Halstead, Associate Professor
Andrew Jamieson, Assistant Professor
James Morris, Associate Professor, Clinical Coordinator
Sara Salkil, Associate Professor

Introduction

The School of Health and Human Services in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers an online Master in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) degree.

The 60-hour Marriage and Family Therapy degree plan is designed to be completed in a minimum of 33 consecutive months. Students will register for one online 7-week course at a time.

The primary objective of the degree is to provide professional training for persons intending to occupy positions in community mental health agencies, child and family service agencies, church ministries, institutional settings, and private practice, as well as those desiring advanced academic degrees. The Marriage and Family Therapy program is committed to a value system that espouses a Christian worldview in terms of human nature, the development of interpersonal or intrapersonal problems, and the context within which those problems can be solved.

The curriculum is intended to prepare graduates for membership in the AAMFT and state licensure in marriage and family therapy. Students may elect to complete a general MFT track or choose from tracks in Medical Family Therapy, Treatment of Trauma, Child and Adolescent Therapy, or Therapy with Military Families.

Each graduate will earn a minimum of 500 hours of direct clinical experience and 100 hours of supervision, both of which are graduation requirements. Students are responsible for identifying their own internship sites and for providing their own recording technology to record samples of their clinical work. Supervision is provided by departmental faculty and local clinical supervisors identified by the student. Group supervision provided by the MFT faculty will utilize video and case presentation approaches. The supervision experience focuses on integrating the student’s academic training with the clinical skills of marriage and family therapy.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. The admission requirements for the online MMFT are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Three letters of recommendation;
A written purpose statement addressing three prompts:
- What do you know about the field of marriage and family therapy?
- Why are you drawn to the field?
- How will a degree in marriage and family therapy advance your career or ministry goals?
A quality of life that reflects high moral standards;
A video-conference interview with the Program Director may be requested.

Students are admitted six times a year and begin their program of study in the spring, summer, or fall semesters. All application materials MUST be completed at least two weeks in advance of when the student would like to begin the program.

No specific undergraduate major is essential for admission. Applicants are encouraged to have undergraduate credit in subjects that embrace human development, family relations, theology, sociology, psychology and statistics.

Applicants without adequate preparation may be accepted upon the condition that they register for additional courses deemed necessary by the Program Director.

Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Family Therapy

The Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Family Therapy is offered for students who are seeking advanced clinical training in medical family therapy.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Family Therapy are as follows:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
Official transcript indicating the successful completion of a Master’s degree from a COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy program. If a Master’s degree was earned from a MFT degree not accredited by COAMFTE, the transcript must be evaluated by the Program Director to demonstrate the student’s achievement of the COAMFTE foundational curriculum requirements;
Purpose statement;
Two professional recommendation letters attesting to the applicant’s clinical competence.

Programs

Master of Healthcare Administration

Master of Marriage and Family Therapy

Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing, Pre-Nursing, BSN (NURO-PREO)

Certificate

Courses

Healthcare Administration

Health & Human Performance

Marriage and Family Therapy-Online

Precision Medicine

Biology Online

Communication Sciences and Disorders Online

Family Studies Online

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