College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
A Letter From the Dean
WELCOME TO ACU’S COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES! We will help you identify your giftedness and passion to make a positive impact on the world. You will learn from faculty experts with a Christian approach to teaching – then apply that knowledge through experiential learning; in other words, we’ll teach you the skills to make a difference in people’s lives! Earn a B.S.N. for a career in nursing, begin your studies in an allied health field, or continue with a graduate degree to become a licensed professional in occupational therapy, dietetics, speech-language pathology or athletic training. Studying psychology will give you an understanding of complex human behavior through a distinctly Christian perspective. Social workers provide knowledge and guidance to people in difficult situations. Students in kinesiology and nutrition emphasize health and wellness, finding opportunities to mentor others to live whole,
integrated lives. Whatever path you choose, you will benefit from a faith-based education that allows you to lead with purpose and conviction. Through hands-on learning, research opportunities, internships and small class sizes, you will gain the knowledge and expertise necessary to make a difference in the world. We cannot wait to have you join us.
J. Dirk Nelson, Ph.D. Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
PURSUING EXCELLENCE The College of Health and Behavioral Sciences offers students the experience of studying their field of interest through immersion. Students routinely work shoulder to shoulder with medical professionals, contribute to current research, work hands-on with student-athletes and much more, all accompanied by the highest accreditation in each given field. The Department of Psychology is accredited by The National Association of School Psychologists.
The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation inAudiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. U.S. News and World Report ranked the School of Nursing as one of the best nursing programs in the country. The athletic training program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.
The School of Social Work’s BSSW and MSSW programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
90%
90% of pre-occupational therapy, pre-physical therapy, pre-athletic training, dietetics, and communication sciences and disorders students who apply to professional schools are accepted. The dietetics program is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
WHAT TO STUDY Communication Sciences and Disorders
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Kinesiology and Nutrition
Kinesiology • Generalist • Sport and Recreation Management • Pre-Athletic Training • Pre-Occupational Therapy • Pre-Physical Therapy Nutrition • Didactic Program in Dietetics • Generalist
Psychology
Psychology • Child Emphasis • Counseling Related • General • Research Oriented
School of Nursing Nursing
School of Social Work Social Work
Scan for a complete list of majors, minors and pre-professional programs.
acu.edu/CHBS
DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE
Sydney Solberg is fascinated with science but also has a strong desire to make a personal difference in the lives of others. She has found a way to combine her two passions by majoring in psychology with a minor in biology, and she eventually plans to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology. While at ACU, she has plunged into the world of academic research, investigating subjects such as how sleep behaviors affect academic stress on college students. “With each of my projects, faculty mentors guided us in conducting psychological research worthy of publication and conference presentations,” she said. “It has been amazing to get to just dip my toes into the world of higher academic research as an undergraduate. At many other schools, this isn’t even possible until you are a graduate student!”
“So many people struggle with mental health or illness daily, and I hope to be able to give people a new perspective in how they can navigate these challenges within their life.” — SYDNEY SOLBERG
Psychological Research Students in the undergraduate curriculum are given the opportunity to aid professors by contributing to ongoing psychological research and to present their findings to boards such as the Southwest Psychological Institution, National Association of School Psychologists and more.
SYDNEY SOLBERG
Psychology major/Biology minor Spring, Texas Campus Activities: Cornerstone peer leader, Delta Theta sorority officer, Psi Chi psychology national honor society officer, Sing Song class director, Wildcat Week photographer
REBEKAH MULLINS
Instructor, School of Nursing
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Rebekah Mullins’ nursing students get more than a clinical education. They see firsthand the global impact of Christian health professionals at work. Each year, she takes groups on medical mission trips to places like Haiti and Rwanda, or Denver, Colorado, where they work with homeless youth. This past summer, her students helped launch a new maternal care wing for Rwanda Children, a nonprofit founded by ACU graduate Serge Gasore (‘09). While abroad, they learn about how medicine is practiced in other cultures and witness the challenges many face due to lack of medical care and resources. Whether they end up serving in their local communities or in other parts of the world, these experiences prepare them for a future of making a real difference.
“Watching students’ worldviews expand and grow is truly awe-inspiring. I learn so much from the students I travel alongside and am grateful for the opportunity to watch God work in their hearts and lives.” — REBEKAH MULLINS
LIVE OUT YOUR CALLING
It always goes back to relationships for Jerale Badon. Whether it’s on the college football field or in his successful career as a coach, he has always believed in the power of connections. During his college years, he made a name for himself as Abilene Christian’s all-time leading receiver, earning recognition in the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in 2019 and later in the prestigious Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023. Now, he dedicates his time to the health and performance of the current generation of Wildcats. He helps them reach their full potential on the field and, more importantly, carry those valuable skills into their lives after graduation. “A lot of the players that leave from here, they understand the camaraderie and the brotherhood that it takes to be able to not just win games but to be a good teammate. That carries with you throughout your life.”
“There’s going to be games that we lose and championships that we win, but we always go back to those relationships we’ve built along the way.” — JERALE BADON
JERALE BADON (’08)
Running backs coach, Abilene Christian University
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Hands-on Learning In the newly renovated Zona Luce building, home to the School of Nursing, students balance busy schedules between classes and practicums off campus. In and among their four different simulation labs, nursing students face challenges of working through various medical scenarios all made to emulate an environment and tempo found within health care centers. Off-campus, nursing students travel to and from local hospitals, in-home care and and other locations that provide real-world experience. Students work routinely alongside medical professionals, forming relationships and serving the community. Interprofessional Education (IPE) Around the globe, communication sciences and disorders (CSD) students, dietetic interns and social work students participate in an IPE experience in Kampala, Uganda, working with children with disabilities. They team up with Hope Speaks, a non-profit organization, to address children’s communication, nutrition and other physical or emotional needs. Additionally, CSD students volunteer time and service at King David’s Kids (a local support group for children and families with autism), equine-assisted therapy at Hendrick Medical Center and more.
Practical Experience In the Department of Kinesiology, though a career in sports medicine or occupational and physical therapy may be years away, the desire to work with patients hands-on could not be nearer. Students in this department can interact with ACU athletes during their treatment and recovery phases, offering real-life glimpses into the careers they will pursue, as well as the experience that graduate programs look for and value highly.
WHERE YOU’LL LEARN Student Recreation and Wellness Center Students studying nutrition will find, nestled in the heart of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC), the Laboratory for Experiential Activities in Nutrition dedicated to the education of students and the public concerning the world of nutrition. In this facility, students present nutrition information, complete food demonstrations and study food chemistry. Within the SRWC, students have unlimited access to the highest quality fitness equipment as well as the spaces, training and gear to accommodate dance, yoga, fitness courses, bouldering, racquetball, the expansive aquatic center and much more. Additionally, the SRWC hosts the high-intensity environment found in intramurals throughout the year, bringing with it the fun and tradition. Duncum Center At the Duncum Center, home to the Center for Speech, Language and Learning, graduate speech pathology students offer treatment services for issues such as speech delays and disorders and other cognitive linguistic disorders, under the direction of licensed and certified speech pathologists.
NEXT STEPS
SCHOLARSHIPS
ACU’s undergraduate application was designed specifically for motivated students like you. Take your next steps to ACU:
At ACU, we understand education is a significant investment for our students and their families. We’re committed to making the ACU experience as affordable as possible for everyone. All students admitted to ACU are considered for scholarships based on their application for admission. In addition to our merit-based awards, we offer several unique scholarships for specific interest areas such as service-learning and leadership and need-based aid for first-year students. You can view our scholarship offerings at acu.edu/scholarships.
Complete the application for admission* at acu.edu/apply** starting Aug. 1. Submit your application for free before Sept. 1.** After that date, there is a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Send your official high school and/or college transcript(s) to: Mail:
ACU Office of Admissions ACU Box 29000 Abilene, TX 79699 Email: info@admissions.acu.edu Electronic: Various sources through your high school counselor
Request your ACT, SAT or CLT scores be sent to ACU. If you do not intend to send your college placement scores, you can choose to apply test-optional. Test-optional students are not eligible for the Presidential Scholarship or Honors College. Should you be granted admission, you will be given access to confirm your admission, pay your $600 nonrefundable enrollment deposit and submit your housing preferences. The ACU enrollment deposit covers the cost of New Student Orientation, Wildcat Week and the First Year Experience. *Some programs may have additional application deadlines and admissions requirements. **Students who apply through ApplyTexas and/or CommonApp have a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
Scan for a complete list of available scholarships.
2023-24 Undergraduate Majors | Tracks and concentrations outlined beneath majors Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Art and Design Art* • All-Level Teaching • Graphic Design • Painting • Sculpture Art Therapy Graphic Design • Advertising • User Experience Interior Architecture and Design • Art and Design • Business Communication and Sociology Communication • Communication Studies • Corporate and Nonprofit • Persuasion and Advocacy Sociology History and Global Studies History* • Public History Global Studies Interdisciplinary Degrees and Majors Liberal Studies Journalism and Mass Communication Advertising/Public Relations Journalism* Multimedia • Film • Media Ministry Language and Literature English* Spanish* Music Instrumental Education Music* Vocal Education Vocal Performance Political Science and Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Political Science • International Relations and Comparative Politics School of Education Early Childhood/Elementary
Middle School • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • Social Studies Special Education with Early Childhood and Elementary Theatre Theatre* • Acting • Dance • Design/Technical • Directing • Musical Theatre • Theatre Ministry Biblical Studies Bible, Missions and Ministry Bible and Ministry • Biblical Languages • Biblical Text • Christian Ministry • Missions Ministry and Vocation • Children and Family Ministry • Vocational Missions • Worship Ministry • Youth and Family Ministry Marriage and Family Studies Child and Family Services • Child Life Business Administration Accounting Accounting • Analytics and Reporting • General Accounting Dukes School of Finance Finance • Financial Analysis • Financial Management • Fintech and Analytics • Wealth Management Management Sciences Information Systems • Accounting Systems • Analytics • Application Development
Management • Analytics • Business Leadership • Entrepreneurship • Human Resource Management • Interdisciplinary • Operations Marketing • Analytics • Digital Marketing School of Information Technology and Computing Computer Science* • Computing Theory • Game Development • Software Engineering Digital Entertainment Technology • Game Development • Virtual Production Health and Behavioral Sciences Communication Sciences and Disorders Communication Sciences and Disorders Kinesiology and Nutrition Kinesiology • Generalist • Health Promotion • Sport and Recreation Management • Pre-Athletic Training • Pre-Occupational Therapy • Pre-Physical Therapy Nutrition • Didactic Program in Dietetics • Generalist Psychology Psychology School of Nursing Nursing School of Social Work Social Work Science and Engineering Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Agribusiness Animal Health Professions Cooperative Animal Science • Livestock Production • Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Health
Environmental Science • Environmental Sustainability • Wildlife and Natural Resource Management Biology Biology* • Cellular/Molecular Biology • General Biology • Health Professions • Organismal Biology • Pre-Veterinary Medicine • Wildlife Biology Health Professions – Biology Chemistry and Biochemistry Biochemistry • American Chemical Society • Biomedical Science • Pre-Vet Health Professions – Biochemisty Chemistry* Engineering and Physics Engineering • Civil Engineering • Electrical Engineering • General Engineering • Mechanical Engineering Physics* • Computational Physics • Engineering Physics • Engineering Science Technology • Medical Physics Mathematics Mathematics* • Actuarial Science • Applied Mathematics • Pure Mathematics *Teacher Certification available
Visit acu.edu/undergraduate for a complete list of majors, minors and pre-professional programs.
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