Education Online

Undergraduate

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.

Graduate

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Darlene Breaux, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-513-6262
Email: deb16a@acu.edu

Faculty

Darlene Breaux, College Assistant Professor
Jennifer Butcher, College Professor
Twyla Williams-Damond, College Associate Professor

Introduction

The mission of the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is to prepare professionals for school leadership roles. A distinguishing feature is a focus on the vocation of leadership in school cultures to develop effective practice.

This is accomplished through equipping leaders to do the following:

Lead with purpose based on the foundation of vocation, rooted in Christian principles;
Effectively develop educational resources;
Build effective communication structures and collaborative relationships;
Apply school improvement and evaluation strategies; and
Demonstrate healthy leadership practices to influence school culture.

Consisting of 60 credit hours, the online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership serves practitioners from schools, districts, higher education, and other educational environments. The program is divided into three key parts. Foundational courses enhance universal, broadly applied leadership skills for educational organizations. A concentration translates these skills to the students’ particular school leadership field to better understand how to empower staff and meet the needs of the students. Research courses help examine leadership from observational and data-gathering perspectives and prepare students to develop their dissertation.

At the program’s core, the foundational courses advance what students know about classic and contemporary educational leadership theories, weave in human resources, finance and technology development concepts and school improvement culture while diving into the latest political and social issues influencing educational leadership applications. From here, students will select from one of two concentrations:

Principal Leadership (PRN)
School Superintendent (SPT)

Admission Requirements

Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.

Official transcripts in English of all previous colleges attended. The transcripts must indicate an earned Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
A statement of interest in the EdD in Educational Leadership describing your doctoral education and research areas of interest, potential research questions, and your professional career objectives. Your statement should be well organized and concise, and be no longer than two to three pages in length. Keep in mind that you are not committed to studying this topic as will be presented. Applicants may consider including topics such as the applicant’s view of leadership, a continuous pursuit to improve education, a propensity to take risks in the best interest of others, perseverance and demonstrated achievements, future career/life objectives, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral program. The purpose of this statement is to share an example from your life that illustrates your commitment to continued intellectual and professional development and demonstrate to the admissions committee that you have a clear direction in mind.
Completion of a three to five-page writing sample that clearly communicates what the applicant’s beliefs are about educational leadership, your philosophy of education, why they hold these beliefs, and how they translate their beliefs into practice. Provided by ACU Dallas. This prompt should demonstrate scholarly writing since effective academic writing is an essential skill in doctoral study, students who do not demonstrate the necessary writing skills to be successful may be placed on academic probation and be required to participate in writing enhancement tutoring.
Professional CV or résumé.
Video conference interview with the program director may be requested.

International applicants to the EdD will be required to complete the standard graduate application requirements for all international students applying for an ACU graduate degree, including TOEFL or IELTS scores and transcript assessment for degrees completed outside of the United States (http://www.acu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/international/international-graduate-application-information.html). All students in the EdD, regardless of their language background, are held to the same standard of written English proficiency.

Students who choose the superintendent concentration must already possess the superintendent certification or the equivalent courses.

Master of Education in Higher Education

Twyla Williams-Damond, Program Director
ACU Box 29009
Abilene, Texas 79699-8252

Phone: 325-674-2830
Fax: 325-674-2123
Email: taw22b@acu.edu
Web: highered.acu.edu

Faculty

Twyla Williams-Damond, College Associate Professor

Introduction

The Master of Education in Higher Education is a 33-hour program designed to prepare students for a professional career in a broad range of higher education settings. The program has four concentrations, 1) Academic Advising, 2) Enrollment Management, 3) Student Affairs Leadership, and 4) General.

Higher education is understood increasingly as a holistic enterprise that requires not only a traditionally organized discipline-oriented faculty but also a cadre of professionals trained in co-curricular concerns—matters that command great importance in the lives of college students but are not commonly the focus of classroom experiences. This program is designed both for working student development professionals who reside in a higher education setting and need advanced training and for recent college graduates who have an interest in working in higher education.

The program will prepare students to incorporate faith-based principles in professional practice. Graduates will be qualified for roles such as residence life director, academic advisor, international student coordinator, financial aid counselor, intramurals director, career services advisor, and many others. The degree will also provide a solid foundation for future doctoral work in higher education.

This program is designed to provide learning that is both content-based and experiential and that is intentional in its consideration and integration of the role of Christian faith in the work of a higher education professional. Upon completion of this program, students will be knowledgeable about and competent in:

Resource management in higher education
Diversity and intercultural issues
Assessment and evaluation
Student development
Legal and ethical issues in higher education
Student spiritual formation
Research methodology
Enrollment management
Higher education leadership
Academic advising

Available Concentrations

Academic Advising

Academic Advising is a primary function for institutions of higher learning. This concentration prepares higher education practitioners currently serving in academic advising roles or, or those desiring to enter this field. Courses in this concentration are designed to provide a general overview of the academic advisor’s role as well as with specific knowledge and skills that will equip the advisor to promote student success.

Enrollment Management

Enrollment professionals are key personnel in the ever-changing world of marketing, recruiting, and retention of students in higher education. Coursework in this concentration provides students with a depth of knowledge in the theory and practice of enrollment management, helping them develop a holistic view of enrollment management within the academy.

Student Affairs Leadership

Student Affairs practitioners have a significant impact leading student services units and administrative areas of institutions of higher education. Courses in this concentration focus on helping practitioners learn to lead and manage within a higher education context.

General

For students with diverse interests outside our other concentration tracks, the General concentration provides a more flexible and individualized option. All non-core higher education courses are eligible to meet the requirements of this concentration.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MEd in Higher Education 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;
A written purpose statement describing the applicant’s reasons for wishing to enter the higher education program and future career plans; and
A résumé or curriculum vita.

Master of Education in Instruction and Learning

Alline Sada, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-513-6262
Email: asa22a@acu.edu

Faculty

Alline Sada, College Assistant Professor

Introduction

The Master of Education program prepares individuals who have a thorough mastery of the technical and practical aspects of education and are skilled in both the art and science of teaching and learning. The faculty and staff seek to accomplish this within the context of Christian values and principles.

The mission of the MEd in Instruction and Learning is to improve an educator’s professional craft through the utilization of his/her faith-based vocational calling: seeing and experiencing work as participants in the life and mission of God. The program’s curriculum prepares educators to effectively serve their learners through (a) implementing evidence-based teaching practices; (b) understanding complex processes of teaching and learning; (c) making data-driven decisions that strive towards continuous improvement to meet accountability expectations; (d) providing meaningful engagement for all learners across culturally diverse settings; and (e) promoting a positive learning culture for all learners.

Students in the Instruction and Learning program may also be able to complete the requirements for a graduate certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies or in Conflict Management for Educators.

Faculty members author teaching materials, publish articles and papers, present at state and national conferences, serve as officers in professional organizations, and conduct numerous workshops and seminars for school professionals.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Master of Education in Instruction and Learning 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 GPA of 3.0 or above;
A current résumé.

Certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies

The Certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies is a 15-hour online program designed to prepare students to be instructional designers, trainers, and leaders of professional development in education and in other industries.

Faculty

Leah Wickersham-Fish, Associate Professor

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies are as follows:

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 GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
A current résumé;
A purpose statement (2 pages double spaced, typed) including philosophy of education.

Programs

Doctor of Education

Master of Education

Bachelor of Science

Psychology, BS (PSYO)

Certificate

Learning with Emerging Technologies Certificate (LET)

Courses

Higher Education

Education Online

Psychology Online