Doctor of Education in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services

This Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services program aims to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills to be hired and retained as high-quality administrators in mental health and human service agencies or to start business of their own. The program will provide learning experiences that will help to develop students’ professionalism (e.g., ethical knowledge, values based decision making, critical and systemic thinking, leadership) in addition to coursework that provides the foundational knowledge for success in their discipline.

Clinical, academic and spiritual considerations are all central in the strong mental health and human services program. With a Christian faith foundation, HCU enables learners to explore healing and wholeness outcomes from a whole-person perspective. Program professors and presenters are seasoned professionals who have both the practical and research experience to guide high-level students.

Degree Plan: EdD in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services

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EdD Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

• Minimum GPA: Applicants must possess a cumulative 3.3 GPA for admission consideration.
• Video Submission: A required video submission must be included as part of the application package.
• Interview Process: Candidates will undergo an interview evaluated by an updated rubric specifically emphasizing professionalism and readiness.

Credit Requirements

The Doctorate in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services program consists of 54 credit hours with 11 hours in core leadership courses, 19 hours in core research courses, and 24 hours in executive mental health and human services leadership.

Academic Standing & Progress

• Course Completion: Each EdD student is expected to enroll in and successfully complete each course.
• GPA Maintenance: Students are required to maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for all doctoral-level coursework.
• Grade Standards: No grades below a B will be applied toward the degree requirements.
• Failure Policy: If a student receives two Fs, they will be officially removed from the program.
• Examination Attempts: The student must pass all required examinations within two attempts.

Candidacy & Disqualification

• Timely Advancement: Students are expected to advance to candidacy and complete all courses and examinations within the period specified by the EdD doctoral unit.
• Administrative Disqualification: A student who fails to make satisfactory progress may be officially disqualified from the university upon recommendation of the program faculty and in accordance with established university policies.

This program is 100% online.

A Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Executive Leadership with a focus on Mental Health and Human Services from Houston Christian University provides a distinctive preparation that integrates faith perspectives with professional excellence. This unique credential opens doors to leadership roles where your Christian worldview can meaningfully inform service delivery and organizational culture comparable to other doctor of behavioral health management programs.

Mental Health Leadership

• Executive Director of counseling centers or networks
• Administrator for faith-integrated behavioral health programs
• Clinical Director of church-affiliated counseling ministries
• Program Director for recovery organizations
• Mental Health Ministry Director for denominations or large churches

Christian University Administration

• Dean of counseling or human services programs at higher education institutions
• Director of student wellness and counseling services at universities
• Vice President of student development focusing on holistic wellbeing
• Program Director for education programs
• Director of campus ministry counseling initiatives

Your degree’s unique combination of executive leadership training, mental health expertise, and Christian formation prepares you to bring a holistic, faith-informed perspective to leadership roles. Your preparation allows you to address not just practical organizational needs but also spiritual dimensions of mental health and human services leadership, particularly valuable in contexts where faith mission and professional excellence must work in harmony.