College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
The mission of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is to prepare students to be effective citizens and professional educators, administrators, counselors, and researchers who reflect Christ in their work and service.
To accomplish this mission, we will provide students with the following:
- the courses and mentoring necessary for a solid pedagogical grounding in their discipline;
- essential learning experiences that will provide opportunities to develop knowledge, skills and wisdom; and
- an understanding of their Christian mission and calling to influence individuals and the larger society.
The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (COEBS) houses the School of Education and the School of Behavioral Sciences for undergraduates and graduates. Small classes taught by university professors within a positive climate for learning are a key focus of the college.
The School of Education
The School of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs for educators and prospective educators. Local school districts actively seek our graduates as the best qualified to be in the classroom. The programs are noted for field-based training, integration of technology, and student-centered approach to teaching. The School of Education programs provide coursework leading to both Standard and Professional Certifications issued through the Texas
Education Agency (TEA).
Bachelor of Science Programs
Education Majors
- Elementary Education (EC-6) with Special Education Certification and ESL (residential)
- Elementary Education (EC-6) with Bilingual Certification (residential)
- Elementary Education (EC-6) with ESL (residential)
- English, Language Arts & Reading (4-8) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- English, Language Arts & Reading (7-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- Mathematics (4-8) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- Mathematics (7-12) with Teacher Certification (residential)
- Science (4-8) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- Science (7-12) with Teacher Certification (residential)
- Social Studies (4-8) with Teacher Certification (residential)
- Social Studies (7-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- History (7-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- Life Science (7-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- Physical Science (6-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL (residential)
- Spanish EC-12 with Teacher Certification (residential)
- Kinesiology with EC-12 Physical Education Teacher Certification (residential)
- EC-12 Art with Teacher Certification (residential)
Music Education Majors
- Bachelor of Music Education (BME) in Vocal/Keyboard (residential)
- Bachelor of Music Education (BME) in Instrumental (residential)
Graduate Programs
Master of Education Majors
- Curriculum and Instruction (residential and online)
- Curriculum and Instruction with (EC-6) Certification (residential and cohort)
- Curriculum and Instruction with (EC-6) Bilingual Certification (residential and cohort)
- Curriculum and Instruction with (EC-6) and Special Education (EC-12) Certification (residential and cohort)
- Curriculum and Instruction with Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies (4-8) Certification (residential and cohort)
- Curriculum and Instruction with English, Language Arts and Reading (4-8) Certification (residential and cohort)
- Curriculum and Instruction with (7-12) Certification (residential and cohort)
- Curriculum and Instruction with Certification in All Level Art, Spanish, Music or Physical Education (residential and cohort)
- Reading with Reading Specialist Certification (residential and cohort)
- Professional School Counseling (residential and cohort)
- Bilingual Education (residential and cohort)
- Educational Diagnostician (residential and cohort)
- Educational Administration (online)
- Higher Education with Business Management specialization (online)
- Higher Education with Christian Studies specialization (online)
- Higher Education with Counseling specialization (online)
- Higher Education with Learning, Technology and Design specialization (online)
Master of Science Major
- Master of Science in Learning, Technology and Design (online only)
Texas Certifications
- Alternative Certification Program (residential and cohort)
- Principal (residential, online, and cohort)
- Superintendent (residential and cohort)
- Professional School Counselor (residential and cohort)
- Reading Specialist (residential and cohort)
- Diagnostician (residential and cohort)
Doctoral Programs
- Doctor of Executive Educational Leadership (EdD) (residential and online)
- Doctor of Special Education Leadership (EdD) (residential)
- Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services (EdD) (online only)
The School of Behavioral Sciences
The School of Behavioral Sciences promotes active learning by setting clear and high expectations, and providing students with timely feedback on their progress. The undergraduate and graduate programs provide multiple settings for learning – classroom, computer laboratory, field placements, co-curricular activities – which produce graduates who think scientifically, speak and write well, and respect and appreciate others.
Psychology Majors
- General Psychology (residential and online)
- Psychology – Christian Counseling (online only)
- Psychology – Marriage and Family (online only)
- Pre-Professional Art Therapy (residential)
Masters of Arts Graduate Programs
- Psychology (residential)
- Psychology – Specialist in School Psychology (residential)
- Christian Counseling (residential)
- Christian Psychology (residential)
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (residential and online)
- Marriage and Family Therapy (residential and online)
Human Services Tracks
- Marriage and Family Studies (online only)
- Professional Life Coaching (online only)
Features of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
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Why HCU's College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences has a vision of our students enlightened, enriched and empowered by the education they receive at HCU. Programs are designed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to promote experience within students’ chosen professions in the local community. Students are able to actively engage with children in classrooms, clients in therapeutic settings, and decision-makers in academic and organizational settings.
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What to expect
Teaching is a sacred trust, and that is modeled throughout COEBS. In teacher education courses, professors know the interactive, spiritually enriching pedagogy that is experienced at HCU will find its way into the lives of the next generation. Care is taken to ensure that students experience best practices, constructivist learning environments, and technology integration in courses. TEACH Grants provide greater access for students from throughout the region through available funds for areas of high need such as math and science teachers, special education, or ESL teachers. COEBS empowers its students through sponsorship of the Association of Student Educators, the Council for Exceptional Children, and Kappa Delta Pi, so that they, too, will excel in their roles as servant leaders.
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What we believe
It is the growth of each individual student that is the impetus for action in COEBS. As a college that deals with the development of one’s God-given gifts in the service of others, whether through teaching or psychological counseling, COEBS faculty realize their responsibility in not just shaping and molding each student, but in the long-term effect a Christ-centered curriculum will have on the children and adults who will be impacted by these future professionals.
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How you will benefit
Conscientious application marks those who work in COEBS. This dedication is exemplified in the quality of the education that students receive, which is reflected in the high pass rates on both teacher certification and psychology licensure exams. Upon graduation, students are highly sought by employers who have learned to value the moral caliber of HCU COEBS graduates.
Programs in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
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The Master of Education
The Master of Education program offers a variety of degrees leading to initial certification and additional certifications. Students have the opportunity to earn both a MEd degree and the standard state certification for Texas schools. The program focus is to develop teachers and leaders in school administration and special services to be successful assets in school operations.
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Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
The Alternative Certification (ACP) program is an option for attaining initial teacher certification in Texas.
This program is approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The ACP provides the opportunity for a student with a bachelor’s degree who meets the ACP admission requirements to be employed as a full-time teacher in an area school district while completing the course requirements. All 18 hours of graduate coursework may be applied toward a HCU Master of Education degree. -
EdD Programs
The EdD programs in COEBS will prepare doctoral candidates to perform in a variety of executive leadership positions.
- The EdD in Executive Educational Leadership (residential and online) can lead to leadership positions such as Human Resource Directors in private companies and non-profit organizations, superintendents, principals in public, private, and charter schools, university faculty, and community college administration.
- The EdD in Special Education Leadership can lead to various positions in special education and student support services in both the public and private school settings.
- The EdD in Mental Health Leadership can lead to any number of administrative positions in mental health, social, and emotional leadership organizations. The 63-hour program provides students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills immersed in a Christian-based scholar-practitioner educational setting.
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Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Office is housed in the School of Education, provides a number of different services for students seeking to become educators in both Texas Public and private schools. For additional information about field experience, applying to the EPP, preparing for and taking TExES certification exams, applying for clinical teaching, and other services, please contact our EPP Office at EPP@hbu.edu.
Student Organizations
The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences offers many student organizations to expand the learning experience of our students and prepare them for their professional careers.
View the student organizations related to the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
Departments
Departments in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences