Houston Christian University

The General Business program is designed to offer students the opportunity to maximize the benefit of attending a University with a strong liberal arts focus, while simultaneously gaining marketable skills in the business disciplines. The BA in General Business infuses the market value of a business major into the broad liberal arts preparation of a Bachelor of Arts degree. A liberal arts foundation allows students in this discipline to develop strong skills in interpersonal communication, writing, and critical analysis.

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - Business Track - Online

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - Humanities Track - Online

In this rapidly changing global economy, employers seek graduates who possess business skills and who are specifically trained for the international business environment. The BBA in International Business at HBU provides students with a solid foundation in business with courses in management, marketing, accounting, finance, information systems and business analytics. In addition, students learn the international cultural environment through the study of history, geography, government, religion, language and communication. Finally, students will participate in the international study abroad program to gain a first-hand understanding of international business practices.

Houston, the fourth largest city in the USA, is a hub for international business. The city is home to more corporate headquarters than any other city in the country, except for New York City, and also boasts one of the largest port facilities in the country. With a highly educated and diverse population, Houston is a great center for international business, and Houston Baptist University is a great place to expand your understanding of the global business environment.

In addition to the university general education requirements, a study abroad trip is required as part of the major, and is taken during the junior or senior year. (The cost of the trip is not covered under financial aid.) Students can also gain a competitive edge in the job market by participating in our internship program.

Students interested in focusing their study on a particular region of the world (for example, Latin America) will work closely with their adviser so that the student fulfills the language requirement and selects history, literature, and other courses that complement their chosen region of international business activity.

Internship Opportunities

Academically qualified students in the latter part of their major have the opportunity to participate in the internship program. Employers consistently report that student participation in internships provides a competitive edge when seeking employment. Positive student feedback on internships supports our own assessment that this work experience is enriching.

Highly Qualified Faculty Members

Faculty members at Houston Baptist University are committed to teaching as their first priority, and are highly qualified in their respective fields. All have practical experience as well. In addition to teaching, many members of the faculty are also involved in a variety of scholarly activities, conducting research and publishing in professional journals.

Diverse backgrounds of faculty members further enrich both their teaching and the learning experiences of students. This diversity is reflected in the faculty’s academic backgrounds (ranging from economics to engineering to applied mathematics, with many holding multiple advanced degrees or professional qualifications) and their heritages, making ours a truly multinational department. This diversity is still bound by the commonality of Christian values. In today’s global economy with diverse organizational workforces, this type of exposure helps to give our students an added edge.

Marketing is a very broad field with a wide variety of tasks and functions involving the analysis, planning, implementation, and control of marketing programs. Marketing positions are to be found in all types (profit and nonprofit) and sizes of institutions. Students majoring in marketing may select a number of career paths. These include sales, advertising, retailing, or market research.

Advantages and Opportunities

Almost one-third of all Americans are employed in some form of marketing-related position. The number of opportunities in marketing are, therefore, enormous. Because of the basic knowledge of products and consumers gained in these jobs, marketing is often viewed as the training ground for top management in the modern corporation. Studies have shown that, on average, more top executives have come out of marketing than any other area.

Lucrative potential is an issue with many of today’s career-minded students. Beginning salaries usually rank only slightly below those for engineering and chemistry but equal or exceed those for economics, finance, accounting, general business, and the liberal arts. Since many marketing positions are tied to commissions or performance, the sky is the limit when it comes to earning potential.

After Graduation

Below are just a few of the fields commonly associated with marketing and marketing training. Call the marketing area coordinator at Houston Baptist University for more information on this exciting career area.

    Advertising: copywriters, art directors, account executives, media buyers
    Brand and Product Management
    Customer Affairs
    Industrial Marketing
    International Marketing
    Marketing Management Science and Systems Analysis
    Marketing Research
    New-Product Planning
    Marketing Logistics (Physical Distribution)
    Public Relations
    Purchasing
    Retailing Management
    Sales and Sales Management
    Other career areas: Sales Promotion, Wholesaling, Packaging, Pricing, and Credit Management

The Accelerated MAP offers the same critical examination of the field of psychology as the standard undergraduate track, but also provides the student the opportunity to begin working toward a Masters of Arts in Psychology during their senior year. Students who are accepted into this degree plan will complete two graduate level courses during their final semester as an undergraduate.

This degree plan allows students to complete both a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology as well as a Master of Arts in Psychology in a five-year period. This program provides students with an excellent opportunity to start a terminal degree in psychology a full year sooner than the traditional track. Students cannot choose this program as Freshman, but can apply once they reach Sophomore status.

Students will apply during their Junior year (minimum 60 credit hours) for admission into the program for their Senior year. Only students who meet the following requirements will be considered:

    3.5 GPA or above
    Letter of recommendation from a professor
    Proposed thesis topic
    Successful interview with admission committee

Leading to Licensure as a Professional Counselor

Program Overview

The MAC program prepares students for careers in counseling-related fields by offering advanced preparation in counseling, testing and research methods. The program also includes completion of a practicum consisting of a University-approved counseling setting under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or licensed professional counselor-supervisor (LPC-S). Graduates go on to work in a variety of settings, including private practices, universities, clinics and hospitals. Other graduates have completed doctoral study in psychology at leading research universities across the country.

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas. Before becoming an LPC, graduates need to pass the National Counselor Exam, Texas Jurisprudence Exam, and complete an internship under the supervision of an LPC-S.

Requirements**

Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0, complete all courses with a grade of “C” or higher, be admitted to candidacy, and satisfactorily complete an oral comprehensive examination.

Additional Application Requirements

In accordance with best practices in the field of psychology/counseling, applicants who meet the requirements specified by the graduate school will be invited to an in-person interview. These interviews are typically held about once per month and may take up to four hours depending on the applicant pool. Interview spaces are limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, we encourage you to apply early. We remind you to turn in your application before the deadline set for the semester to which you are applying.

**Note: Those entering the program will be required to take PSYC 5300 General Psychology, PSYC 5301 Introduction to Statistics in Behavioral Sciences and PSYC 5302 Abnormal Psychology their first semester, if they have not acquired a “B” or higher in their undergraduate classes with credits less than seven years old.

Master of Arts in Human Services - Professional Life Coaching Track - Online

Master of Arts in Theological Studies - Biblical Languages Track - Online

Master of Arts in Theological Studies - Entrepreneurial Leadership Track - Online

Master of Business Administration - Accounting Track - Online

Master of Business Administration - General Management Track - Online

Master of Business Administration - International Business Track - Online

Master of Business Administration - Organizational Development and Change Track - Online

The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is offered as an integrated approach to Christian theological graduate education designed to prepare students for ministry in their churches. Accordingly, the degree program is highly focused on personal formation and practical experience in ministry settings, in addition to more traditional classes, in order to prepare learners for serving in a church or parachurch ministry.

We value and draw from our Baptist heritage, but our faculty and students represent a range of evangelical traditions and denominations. Thus, we welcome anyone who would wish to study with us.

As a preparation for vocational ministry, our MDiv classes focus on giving you the core skills needed to understand and apply the Bible in your particular cultural context. So, whether your specific classes focus on biblical, systematic, or practical theology, our goal is to help you integrate these so that your ministry is holistically faithful to God’s Word and relevant to our culture.

Our 72-hour program is built upon study in core areas (Practical Theology, Biblical Studies, and Systematic Theology), but you have a large amount of electives within each of these areas, as well as further general electives, which can be in one of the areas above or in our other MA program areas: Biblical Languages, Apologetics, and Philosophy.

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program is a 36-hour program that provides expertise related to curriculum content and instructional methodology. In this program, individuals can increase their knowledge and skills without pursuing a certification or specialization. You do not need to be a certified teacher to complete this degree, and while it does not provide additional certifications, knowledge and skills in the area of teaching and learning will be gained.

This degree program offers the student 18 hours of core curriculum in the area of school reform, curriculum development, teaching methodology, research, and technology integration. Then the student is given 18 hours of electives in the area of education. These elective areas can include coursework related to educational administration, special education, instructional technology, reading, or ESL. The student will be recommended for graduation when they have completed 36 semester hours and passed a comprehensive examination.

The Master of Science in Human Resources Management (MS-HRM) curriculum provides students with a strategic business perspective. Students gain an understanding of the core processes of business organizations, the ability to effectively apply the theory and principles of contemporary human resources management for improving individual and organizational performance, and a grounding in the ethical considerations relevant to the business decisions HR professionals are asked to make.

The MS in Human Resources Management offers a global view of the HRM function and helps students appreciate the impact that HR changes can have on the organization. The curriculum and course content continue to evolve to provide students with the latest and most valuable knowledge and skills needed by high-performing HR professionals.

Doctor of Education in Mental Health and Human Services - Online