School of Professional Studies

Joe L. Cope, Interim Dean
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

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

Business Administration

Phil Vardiman, Program Director
ACU Box 29327
Abilene, TX 79699

Phone: 325-674-2153
Email: pxv02b@acu.edu

Faculty

Ian Shepard, Professor
Jonathan Wilson, Associate Professor

Introduction

The mission of the Master of Business Administration is to prepare business professionals for administrative roles that call on them to demonstrate ethical management and decision-making skills informed by principles of Christian vocation. This is accomplished through equipping business leaders to:

Practice effective leadership of themselves, their teams, their organizations, and their external constituents;
Lead organizational innovation efforts through effective integration of strategy with appropriate organizational processes and technologies;
Engage in data-informed decision-making; and
Make ethical decisions informed by values and goals that are consistent with relevant laws and Christian principles.

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 or graduate GPA. Probationary admission may be given to students with a 2.5-2.99 cumulative undergraduate GPA, who would then be fully admitted to the program after the successful completion of three courses with a 3.0 GPA.
Course prerequisites for admission to the program include basic statistics, basic financial accounting, and economics.
Acknowledgement regarding the Christian identity of the university/program.
Minimum of two years quality full-time work experience.
Letter of Intent: In a 1-2 page, single-spaced letter addressed to the MBA Program Director, please describe your motivation and fit for ACU’s MBA program.
Résumé or CV.

International applicants to the MBA 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 of the United States (http://www.acu.edu/graduate/prospective-students/international/index.html).

Conflict Management

Kipi Fleming, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9451
Email: klw07b@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/conflict

Faculty

Garry P. Bailey, Associate Professor
Joe L. Cope, Associate Professor

Adjunct Faculty who teach in this program:
Joy Benjamin
Joey Halbert
Patty Wenetschlaeger

Introduction

The Master of Arts in Conflict Management and Resolution is a 36-credit hour non-thesis program. A 15-credit hour graduate certificate in conflict resolution is also available. The degree and certificate courses are offered in an online format with a mandatory residency session designed to concentrate on practical skill development. In addition, 6 credit hours are taken as a conflict practicum which is arranged in conjunction with the program advisor.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

The program is designed to prepare students to analyze, address and manage conflict effectively and professionally. The faculty and course materials emphasize the importance of reconciliation. The degree will serve professionals currently engaged in careers in business, education, counseling and ministry, as well as individuals engaged in dispute resolution professions.

Primary purposes of the program are to equip and enable graduates who:

Are recognized and utilized as peacemakers, regardless of their professional or career positions;
Are well-versed in conflict theory and are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage conflict;
Possess the capacity for advancement into positions of leadership and service in a wide range of professions; and
Mentor and challenge others to pursue godly lives of collaboration and reconciliation.

Course work in this program has been designed to provide students with a depth of knowledge in the theory of conflict and its management. The emphasis on reconciliation reflects the importance of maintaining relationships even when the parties disagree. Each student is introduced and immersed in practical skills that both foster those relationships and effectively move parties to agreement.

Admission Requirements

Entrance into the program is not limited to any specific undergraduate degree. The admission requirement for the Conflict Management and Resolution program are:

Complete an application and application fee (see online link to admission);
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;
Two letters of recommendation;
A purpose statement of no more than 1,000 words detailing the applicant’s motivation for undertaking a focused study on conflict resolution and reconciliation; and
Upon request, a personal or telephone interview with the program advisor or other departmental faculty or staff.

Certificate in Conflict Management

The graduate certificate in conflict resolution is offered for those students who are not seeking the graduate degree, yet desire specialized education in conflict management. The certificate is a 15-credit hour program. A residency session is required to successfully complete the certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Admission Requirements

All candidates for the Certificate in Conflict Management must complete an application for the certificate program and must submit an official undergraduate transcript that shows a completed bachelor’s degree.

Certificate in Conflict Management for Educators

The School of Professional Studies also offers a 12-credit hour graduate certificate in conflict management designed specifically for educators. This unique program includes online course work and a one-week residency session for the development of practical skills and for preparing trainers of mediators in the school setting. Special materials for trainers will be provided. Students may apply 12 hours toward the Master of Education in Instruction and Learning degree.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Conflict Management for Educators 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 in education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate approximate B average or above in the area of focus or related area and evidence of an overall productive GPA;
Submit a current résumé;
Two letters of recommendation;
A purpose statement (2 pages double spaced, typed) including philosophy of education;
An official document indicating 2 years of teaching experience in an accredited PK-12 public or private school and;
Have access to a K-12 school or school district.

Information Technology Leadership

Rob Byrd, Interim Program Director
ACU Box 28036
Abilene, Texas 79699-8036

Phone: 325-674-4914
Email: rrb07a@acu.edu

Faculty

TBD

Introduction

The mission of the Master of Science in Information Technology Leadership is to prepare IT professionals for administrative and technical roles enabled by organizational and technology skills and informed by principles of Christian vocation. This is accomplished through equipping technology leaders to:

Practice effective leadership of IT operations within their organizational and global context;
Create value through strategic use of data, information, and technology as organizational resources; and
Make ethical decisions informed by values and goals that are consistent with relevant laws and Christian principles.

Admission requirements for the MS in Information Technology Leadership are:

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.
Course prerequisites for admission to the program include programming, databases, and networking. A bootcamp course is available to train and assess students in the equivalent learning experiences if students have not taken the prerequisite courses.
Purpose statement addressing career goals and fit with the program, including the Christian identity of the university and program.
Current professional work experience for application of program knowledge (including a minimum of one year of full-time work experience before entering the program).
Résumé or CV.

International applicants to the MS ITL 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 of the United States (http://www.acu.edu/graduate/prospective-students/international/index.html).

Management

Phil Vardiman, Program Director
ACU Box 29327
Abilene, TX 79699

Phone: 325-674-2153
Email: pxv02b@acu.edu

Faculty

Ian Shepard, Professor
Jonathan Wilson, Associate Professo

Introduction

The mission of the Master of Science in Management is to equip aspiring business professionals and managers with leadership, innovation, and analytical skills informed by principles of ethics and Christian vocation. This is accomplished through equipping students to:

Develop and utilize leadership skills as the basis for effective self-management, collaboration with peers and teams, and oversight of people and tasks;
Participate in organizational innovation efforts through effective integration of functional strategies with appropriate organizational processes and technologies;
Engage in data collection, analysis, and interpretation that enables effective organizational decision-making; and
Make ethical choices consistent with values and goals that are consistent with relevant laws and Christian principles.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
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. Students with a 2.5-2.99 cumulative undergraduate GPA and quality full-time work experience may be granted probationary admission, with full admission granted after the successful completion of three courses with a 3.0 GPA.
Course prerequisites for admission to the program include basic accounting, economics, and statistics.
Acknowledgement of the Christian identity of the university and program.
Letter of Intent: In a 1-2 page, single-spaced letter addressed to the MS in Management Program Director, please describe your motivation and fit for ACU’s MS in Management program.
Résumé or CV.

International applicants to the MSM 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 of the United States (http://www.acu.edu/graduate/prospective-students/international/index.html).

Organizational Development

Jonathan W. Camp, Graduate Director
ACU Box 28156
Abilene, Texas 79699-8156
Sherrod Building - Don Morris Center, Room 215

Phone: 325-674-2191
Fax: 325-674-6966
Email: jonathan.camp@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/grad

Faculty

Faculty from various departments who teach in this program:
Garry Bailey, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution
Jonathan Camp, Associate Professor of Communication
Joe Cardot, Professor of Communication
Joe L. Cope, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution
Cynthia Roper, Associate Professor of Communication
Ian Shepherd, Professor of Management Sciences
Phillip Vardiman, Associate Professor of Management Sciences
J. D. Wallace, Professor of Communication

Introduction

The School of Professional Studies offers the Master of Science (MS) degree in organizational development (OD). The MS in OD is an online 36-hour degree program that is interdisciplinary and includes courses from communication, conflict resolution, and management sciences.

The central objective of the degree program is to provide an advanced degree that synthesizes knowledge from diverse fields into a focused, yet flexible plan of study that is useful to leaders in all forms of organizations. The program is committed to applying the study of individual, group and cultural issues to meet the special needs of human resource professionals, administrators, managers, trainers, non-profit leaders, government leaders and others in the professional community.

Distinctive features of the program are breadth in understanding human behavior, development of leadership skills with multiple applications, adaptation of models to diverse organizational settings, and maximization of career mobility for holders of the degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MS in organizational development 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;
Two letters of recommendation;
A two-page, typed purpose statement describing the applicant’s career goals, professional interests and reasons for wanting to enter the OD program;
Current resume.

Programs

Master of Arts

Master of Business Administration

Master of Science

Certificate

Courses

Business Administration

Conflict Management