Houston Baptist University

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Customized, Close-Knit Christian Education at HBU

Houston Baptist University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Online Christian Colleges for Future Missionaries.

Named the West’s 69th best choice by the U.S. News & World Report, Houston Baptist University is a nonprofit, coed BGCT partner in Southeast Texas that awards 52 bachelor’s, 25 master’s, and three doctoral degrees, including 19 fully online, at a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Chemistry BS builds a 120-credit, ACS-certified curriculum headed by Dr. Treacy Woods where undergrads can become Welch Scholars, conduct Weather Station research, join Iota Sigma Pi, and complete the Pre-Pharmacy Track. Chaired by Dr. Michael Bates, the 120-credit Practical Theology BA upholds Matthew 28:19 online or on-campus with opportunities to serve as Covenant Fellows, attend the A.O. Collins Lecture Series, travel to Kenya, and volunteer via the Center for Exploring Ministry Careers.

Online on Blackboard Ultra since June 2019, the Marriage and Family Therapy MA admits cohorts of 5-25 for a 60-credit, LMFT-aligned sequence overseen by Dr. Julie Fernandez with 100 percent certification success after three practicum semesters at sites like Family Houston. Directed by Dr. Jeffrey Green, the 30-credit History MA immerses post-grads in thesis preparation with opportunities to work at Dunham Bible Museum, attend the Society of Christian Philosophers Conference, pledge Phi Alpha Theta, and earn the Guild Scholarship. Other Houston Baptist degrees include the Accounting BBA, Cinematic Arts BFA, Cyber Engineering BS, Kinesiology BS, Medical Humanities BA, Music Education BME, Psychology MA, Nursing MSN, Apologetics MA, and Special Education Leadership EdD.

About Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University originated in 1960 when the Texas Legislature chartered a four-year liberal arts institution on Fondren Road for the Baptist General Convention. In September 1963, President William H. Hinton welcomed an inaugural class of 191 for bachelor’s degrees. By 1975, its five academic colleges combined for an estimated worth of $22 million. In 1977, the Texas Education Agency approved the college’s first master’s program. In 1978, Houston Baptist established the School of Fine Arts. During the 1980s, HBC notably offered off-campus teaching at Bergstrom Air Force Base. In 1992, President Edward Douglas Hodo founded the 180,000-volume Moody Library. The next year, the Houston Baptist University name was adopted to signify growing Master of Arts options. In 2013, Houston Baptist University joined the NCAA Division I Southland Conference with 15 varsity teams.

Endowed for $102.8 million, Houston Baptist University now employs 152 full-time faculty teaching 2,321 undergrad and 1,111 post-grad Huskies from 40 countries online or on the 158-acre “Space City” campus in Sharpstown Section 3A with 65+ clubs like The Navigators. In 2006, HBU received the Red River Atlantic Conference’s All-Sports Excellence Award. In 2017, Houston Baptist had a Texas Music Educators Association Collegiate Award recipient. The U.S. News & World Report applauded HBU for the 150th best online bachelor’s degrees. On Niche, HBU boasts America’s 95th best kinesiology, 189th best Christian, and 226th most conservative education. Christian Universities Online crowned Houston Baptist the 25th most beautiful campus. College Factual placed HBU 179th for biochemistry and 61st for religious studies. Washington Monthly declared HBU the 411th top master’s institution too.

Houston Baptist University Accreditation Details

In December 2012, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees took action to extend the Level V accreditation at Houston Baptist University through the next 2021 evaluation visit under President Robert B. Sloan, ThD, who received the Michael S. Stevens Faithful Citizenship Award. Located 810 miles east via Interstate 10 in Decatur, Georgia, this giant 11-state Gulf Coast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The Institutional Effectiveness Office also lists these degree-specific accreditations:

  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
  • American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Houston Baptist University Application Requirements

Getting into Houston Baptist University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 4,459 of the 6,461 Fall 2018 applicants were selected for only 70 percent acceptance. First-year Huskies must exhibit academic achievement and Christian service throughout a college-prep high school career. Meeting the minimum eligible total GED score of 500 would qualify. Half of the admitted freshmen rank in the top 50th percentile of their class with a median 3.42 GPA. On average, undergrads age 21 or younger have a 1114 SAT and 23 ACT composite score. The Honors College prefers students with at least 1280 SAT or 29 ACT marks. Transfers are test-optional with 12+ college-level credits and GPAs above 2.0. The Graduate School seeks four-year bachelor’s completion with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better. Psychology MA cohorts need four prerequisites, such as Abnormal Psychology and Introduction to Statistics. Biblical Languages MA entrants must exhibit proficiency in Greek or Hebrew. Doctoral programs require 30 master’s credits and three years of full-time work experience. GRE General Test scores of 291 and higher are mandated.

Houston Baptist University conveniently has rolling undergrad admission. U.S. residents can file until August 15th for Fall, January 17th for Spring, and July 3rd for Summer. International students should apply before June 1st, October 1st, or March 1st respectively. The Houston Theological Seminary has April 1st, July 1st, and November 1st deadlines. Other graduate programs close on August 1st, January 1st, and May 1st. The Studio Art MFA only considers Fall cohorts through April 1st. Accordingly, complete the HBU Application online for free ($35 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 7502 Fondren Road in Houston, TX 77074. Use SAT/GRE code 6282 or ACT code 4101 for testing results. Attach supplemental materials, such as the personal essay, moral character reference, teacher evaluation, resume, and teacher or RN license. Contact (281) 649-3211 or admissions@hbu.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Houston Baptist University is charging full-time undergrads $15,700 each term or $31,400 annually. Part-time campus study costs $1,300 per credit. Bachelor’s majors pay the $605 general fee and $420 technology fee by semester. The international fee is $75 per term. Room and board at the Sharpstown housing like Rebecca Bates Philips Hall is $8,064 yearly. HBU budgets $1,000 for books, $2,802 for personal expenses, and $1,760 for transportation. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $47,076 on-site or $44,452 at home. Online bachelor’s courses are $415 per credit with a $250 semester fee. RN-BSN tuition is $465 per credit. The Graduate School bills master’s students $575 per credit. The MSN is one exception costing $500 per credit. Doctoral candidates spend $625 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Brown Administration Building Room 138 helps 91 percent of full-time HBU Huskies get median assistance of $20,089 for $42.31 million combined. Institutional funds include the BGCT Ministerial Scholarship, Project Adelante Scholarship, William Lane Craig Scholarship, Hartman Hall Scholarship, Bice Scholarship, Riverside Scholarship, Gideon Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, Christian Forensics Scholarship, Eta Sigma Alpha Scholarship, Stewart Morris Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, and Founders Scholarship. The President’s Scholarship gifts $20,000 annually to outstanding freshmen with a minimum 1180 SAT or 24 ACT score. The $6,000 Transfer Grant supports individuals with 15+ post-secondary credits and GPAs of 2.5-2.99. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant and Direct Unsubsidized Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 003576. Texans could also pursue the Tuition Equalization Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Fifth Year Accounting Scholarship, John Buller Scholarship, Nancy Palm Scholarship, Houstonian Scholarship, and more.

Explore eight Christ-centered colleges conferring 80+ value-added degrees ranked 299th overall by The Economist at the Houston Baptist University website.

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