School of Health and Human Services

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Services 

Brandy Chalmers, Program Director 
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-721-0097
Email: bxc20c@acu.edu

Faculty

Brandy Chalmers, College Assistant 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.

Available Concentrations

Child Life

The Child Life concentration will offer a focus for students who wish to pursue certification as a Child Life Specialist. The coursework will equip students with the knowledge to help children and families overcome challenging and traumatic events in the life cycle of a family. 

General

The General concentration will offer broad exposure to the discipline of child and family services and prepare you for a variety of careers serving children and families. You will be exposed to current research and theory about families and well-versed in developmental theory about individuals and families across the lifespan. This concentration provides you with a roadmap to possible careers in social services and nonprofits. This concentration may also serve as the foundation for graduate work in professional healthcare, counseling, or higher education.

Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Alicia Ramirez, Program Director  
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 945-230-6900
Email: alicia.ramirez@acu.edu

Faculty

Alicia Ramirez, Assistant Professor

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: 417-986-2765
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, or sport management. 

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.

Available Concentrations

Change Management

The healthcare industry is constantly changing. From new payer models, laws, and regulations to clinical advances and emerging technologies, healthcare administrators must be prepared to respond and lead through change. The Change Management concentration provides strategies and tools for healthcare managers to navigate the rapidly evolving healthcare industry. Students will select from courses in change management theory, crisis management in organizations, healthcare communication campaigns, conflict management in healthcare, and decision making in organizations.

Public and Community Health

The Public and Community Health concentration introduces students to population and public health theory and practices that contribute to the wellbeing of their communities and healthcare organizations.  Introductory courses in Epidemiology, Global Public Health, and Health Disparities examine the many ways in which healthcare is so much more than what is found within the four walls of the hospital.

General

The General concentration offers broad exposure to the fields of healthcare administration and leadership. Students can customize their degree by selecting from courses in both the Public and Community Health and Change Management concentrations. This concentration allows students to identify courses specific to their individual interests and professional goals.

Accelerated MHA Program

Undergraduate students in the Healthcare Administration program who are committed to obtaining a graduate degree in healthcare administration may choose to pursue an integrated degree plan with pre-admission into the Masters of Healthcare Administration program. Students who meet the admission requirements for the accelerated MHA program may take up to 6 hours of graduate coursework within their final 30 hours of the undergraduate program. To be eligible to participate in the integrated program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Interested students should apply during the last term of their junior year after consulting with their academic advisor. Admission to the accelerated degree plan does not guarantee full admission to the MHA program.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Stephanie Wanamaker, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 713-882-9986
Email: slw21b@acu.edu

Faculty

Stephanie Wanamaker, Assistant Professor

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.

Pre-Nursing Track

Theresa Naldoza, Executive Director of Nursing
ACU Box 28035
Abilene, Texas 79699-8035

Phone: 325-674-2081
Email: tmn05a@acu.edu

Faculty

Various instructors. 

Introduction

All students accepted for admission to the university may declare the pre-nursing track of the nursing major and complete lower-level general education 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 General Education 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

Meghan Hope, Assistant Professor

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.

Available Concentrations

Healthcare Operations

The Healthcare Operations concentration focuses on systems and practices necessary for the administration of healthcare services. Students will explore the unique considerations of leading healthcare interdisciplinary teams, tools for population health management, and the use of information systems to drive clinical and administrative decision support. Students completing this concentration will be prepared to manage a variety of healthcare organizations. 

Leadership

The Leadership concentration focuses on the tools and techniques that healthcare administrators use to inspire their teams and ensure the quality delivery of patient care. Coursework examines theoretical and practical models of leadership and strategies for leading organizational change. Students will also gain an awareness of their personal leadership and communication styles. 

General

The General concentration offers broad exposure to the field of healthcare administration and leadership. Students can customize their degree by selecting from courses in the Leadership and Healthcare Operations concentrations. This concentration allows students to identify courses specific to their individual interests and professional goals.

Admission Requirements

1. Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Acknowledgement of the Christian identity of the university and program.
5. 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 Healthcare Administration

The Certificate in Healthcare Administration is a 15-credit-hour, fully online program offered for students who are not seeking a graduate degree but desire specialized training in healthcare administration and leadership necessary for guiding delivery of healthcare services.  This certificate will provide an introduction to healthcare administration, leadership and health policy. Students then customize their experience by selecting 9 hours from a menu offering of various graduate healthcare administration courses. 

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Healthcare Administration are:

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
2. 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;
3. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Provisional admission may be given to students with a 2.5 to 2.99 cumulative undergraduate GPA. The program director will evaluate applications on a case-by case basis
4. Resume or CV that includes any related experience in the healthcare industry.

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
Maxine Notice, Assistant Professor
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 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 300 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 program faculty and local clinical MFT 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.

Available Concentrations

Child and Adolescent Therapy

The Child and Adolescent Therapy concentration provides students an opportunity to study systemic approaches to working with children, adolescents, and their families. The coursework will emphasize common presenting problems and evidence-based treatment modalities.

General

The General concentration provides students with a broad yet thorough exposure to the discipline and practice of marriage and family therapy. Students will learn traditional and contemporary models along with supportive theories about family development across the life cycle. Students in this concentration will be prepared to serve individuals, families, and couples with a variety of presenting problems. 

Medical Family Therapy

The Medical Family Therapy concentration provides students an opportunity to study the evidence base for medical family therapy. Students will learn about the development of this specialty and the common interventions used with families. Additionally, students will understand the landscape of healthcare and how marriage and family therapists may play a critical role in holistic care. 

Therapy with Military Families

The Therapy with Military Families concentration provides students an opportunity to study the nodal events common to military families. Additionally, students will understand the stressors of pre- and post-deployed families and how to foster resilience through a systemic lens.

Treatment of Trauma

The Treatment of Trauma concentration provides students an opportunity to study how traumatic events impact the family. Additionally, systemically-trained therapists will approach the family from a strengths-based perspective focused on healing and resiliency.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the online MMFT are:

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
2. 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;
3. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
4. Three letters of recommendation;
5. 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?
6. A quality of life that reflects high moral standards;
7. 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:

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
2. 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;
3. Purpose statement;
4. Two professional recommendation letters attesting to the applicant’s clinical competence.

Precision Medicine

Jon R. Wiener, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 855-219-7300
Email: jrw22e@acu.edu

Faculty

Jon Wiener, Assistant Professor

Introduction

The Master of Science in Precision Medicine, a fully online program, provides instruction in theory, techniques, and analytical processes for the development of targeted therapies through genetics/genomics, immunohistochemistry, and histopathobiology as applied through the field of precision medicine.

The mission of the Master of Science in Precision Medicine is to provide students with the fundamental theory, techniques, analytics and laboratory management skills practiced in today’s advanced molecular diagnostics laboratories.

The Masters in Precision Medicine consists of 35 credit hours.

Admission Requirements

1. Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Purpose statement addressing career goals and fit with the program, including relating to the Christian mission of the University.
5. Resume or CV.
6. The course prerequisite for admission is MATO 377 Statistical Methods I, which also may be satisfied by participation in a statistics bootcamp.
7. International applicants will be required to provide TOEFL scores (if applicable) and transcript assessment for degrees completed outside of the United States.

Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine

The Certificate in Precision Medicine is designed for medical professionals, clinical researchers, and healthcare administrators seeking foundational scientific and operations expertise applicable to the evolving clinical advances in precision medicine. Students will be drawn from individuals working in administration and research fields, as well as individuals who seek to enter this emerging field – all of whom would benefit from the convenience of a fully online program. The certificate is a 15-credit-hour program. 

Admission Requirements

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

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
2. 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.;
3. 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;
4. Purpose statement addressing career goals and fit with the program, including relating to the Christian mission of the University.
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

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:

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
2. 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.;
3. 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;
4. Purpose statement addressing career goals and fit with the program, including the Christian identity of the university and program.
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine - Analytics

The Graduate Certificate in Precision Medicine - Analytics is designed for future medical/research professionals seeking introductory experience applicable to the evolving clinical advances in precision medicine from the analytics point of view. Where this certificate differs from the other PCM credentials is that students will be drawn from individuals working in undergraduate computing fields, mathematical fields, and biomathematical fields – all of whom would benefit from the convenience of a fully online program. The certificate is a 15-credit-hour program. 

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Precision Medicine - Analytics are:

1. A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
2. 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.;
3. 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;
4. Purpose statement addressing career goals and fit with the program, including the Christian identity of the university and program.
5. Resume or Curriculum Vitae.

Programs

• Healthcare Administration, General Track, MHA (HCAD-HAGN)
• Healthcare Administration, Healthcare Operations Track, MHA (HCAD-HAOP)
• Healthcare Administration, Leadership Track, MHA (HCAD-HALE)

• Marriage and Family Therapy, Child and Adolescent Therapy, MMFT (MFTO-CATH)
• Marriage and Family Therapy, Medical Family Therapy, MMFT (MFTO-MEFT)
• Marriage and Family Therapy, MMFT (MFTO)
• Marriage and Family Therapy, Therapy with Military Families, MMFT (MFTO-THMF)
• Marriage and Family Therapy, Treatment of Trauma, MMFT (MFTO-TOTR)

• Precision Medicine, MS (PCM)

• Child and Family Services, BS (CFSO)
• Child and Family Services, Child Life, BS (CFSO-CLO)
• Communication Sciences and Disorders, BS (CMDO)
• Health and Human Performance, BS (HHP)
• Healthcare Administration, Change Management, BS (HADM-HACH)
• Healthcare Administration, General, BS (HADM-HAGE)
• Healthcare Administration, Public and Community Health, BS (HADM-HAPC)
• Psychology, BS (PSYO)

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

• Certificate in Healthcare Administration (HCAM)
• Certificate in Precision Medicine (PCMC)
• Certificate in Precision Medicine - Analytics (PMAN)
• Certificate in Precision Medicine Administration (PCMA)
• Medical Family Therapy Certificate (MFT)

Courses

• CSDO 319 - Speech Science
• CSDO 330 - Language Development and Disorders
• CSDO 352 - Audiology
• CSDO 353 - Hearing Rehabilitation
• CSDO 356 - Speech Sound Disorders
• CSDO 357 - Organic and Neurogenic Disorders
• CSDO 371 - Neurological Bases of Communication
• CSDO 380 - Clinical Methods in Speech Language Pathology
• CSDO 381 - Anatomical and Physiological Processes of Communication
• CSDO 471 - Intervention for Speech Language Disorders in Schools
• CSDO 485 - Communication Sciences and Disorders Capstone
• CSDO 493 - Pre-Clinical Experience
• CSDO 494 - Clinical Practicum in Speech-Language Pathology
• CSDO 495 - Clinical Externship in Speech Language Pathology

• FAMO 232 - Family Resource Management
• FAMO 251 - Introduction to Family Studies
• FAMO 262 - Intimate Relationships and Marriage
• FAMO 275 - Child Development Ages 0-11
• FAMO 280 - Child Development Ages 12-18
• FAMO 325 - Child Life
• FAMO 335 - Therapeutic Play
• FAMO 356 - Sexuality and Intimacy
• FAMO 362 - Families in Society
• FAMO 365 - Research Methods in Child and Family Services
• FAMO 385 - Family Theories: An Introduction
• FAMO 443 - Death and Bereavement
• FAMO 452 - Parenting and Family Skills
• FAMO 453 - Family Stress and Resilience
• FAMO 470 - Family Life Education Methodology
• FAMO 485 - Ethics and Professional Development
• FAMO 495 - Field Experience in Child and Family Services
• GRNO 352 - Adult Development and Aging

• KINO 232 - Structural Kinesiology
• KINO 302 - Medical Terminology
• KINO 311 - Motor Behavior
• KINO 342 - Exercise Testing, Evaluation, and Prescription
• KINO 360 - Leadership and Management for Health Promotion
• KINO 399 - Research Methods in Kinesiology and Nutrition
• KINO 498 - Biomechanics

• PSYO 120 - Introduction to Psychology
• PSYO 232 - Developmental Psychology
• PSYO 233 - Physiological Psychology
• PSYO 241 - Cognition and Learning
• PSYO 278 - Stress and Its Management
• PSYO 305 - Peacemaking
• PSYO 345 - Sexual Minorities: Identities and Communities
• PSYO 348 - Psychology and Christianity
• PSYO 351 - Experimental Psychology
• PSYO 356 - Health Psychology
• PSYO 368 - Psychological Tests and Measurements
• PSYO 370 - Social Psychology
• PSYO 382 - Abnormal Psychology
• PSYO 388 - Teams and Team Leadership
• PSYO 392 - Child Psychology
• PSYO 401 - Career and Calling
• PSYO 451 - Statistics in Psychological Research
• PSYO 485 - Introduction to Counseling
• PSYO 493 - History of Theories in Psychology

• SOCO 111 - Introduction to Sociology
• SOCO 388 - Crime and Delinquency
• SOCO 442 - Race and Racisms