Ģ����ý is offering $80,000 in scholarships and grants to local high school students who complete the Hendrick Healthcare Academy and choose a health care-related major at Ģ����ý upon high school graduation.��

The new program is designed to encourage Abilene and Big Country-area students to study psychology, social work or one of several health professions, and stay local for their college and future career opportunities.

“We want to expose students to health- and behavioral-sciences-related disciplines at Ģ����ý and encourage them to stay as a licensed provider in Abilene and improve the quality of life for people here,” said Dr. Dirk Nelson, dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Ģ����ý. “There’s a need right here to help students and positively impact our community’s health, well being and productivity. This is one great manifestation of that.”

, launched in 2023, allows high school students to learn about multiple career options in the broad field of health care. The academy is part of Hendrick Health’s long-term workforce development strategy to partner with local and regional colleges and universities to grow its employee ranks in Abilene and Brownwood. The program exposes students to rewarding career opportunities close to their West Central Texas roots. for the academy are open from Jan. 1 through April 30.

“Hendrick Health is grateful for Ģ����ý’s partnership in the Hendrick Healthcare Academy. We are able to offer these incredible hands-on experiences for our students because of the resources offered by institutions like Ģ����ý,” said Toni Brockway, director of workforce development at Hendrick Health. “This generous scholarship makes a significant impact for students in the Big Country pursuing futures in health care.”

Eligibility requirements to receive the scholarships from Ģ����ý:

• successfully complete the Hendrick Healthcare Academy program, including attending lab days on the Ģ����ý campus
• apply and be accepted to Ģ����ý’s residential campus
• select a major in an academic program within Ģ����ý’s College of Health and Behavioral Sciences or major in the health professions track or biomedical science track within the Onstead College of Science and Engineering

Students who meet those prerequisites will receive:

• priority eligibility for Ģ����ý dual credit course offerings online��
• discounted tuition for dual credit courses at Ģ����ý
• guaranteed $80,000 in Ģ����ý scholarships and grants toward tuition for eight long semesters ($20,000 per year)

For more information, contact Sheila Jones in Ģ����ý’s College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at joness@acu.edu or Toni Brockway at Hendrick Health at tbrockway@hendrickhealth.org.

— Wendy Kilmer
Feb. 28, 2025

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Ģ����ý has been recognized by

The Best Online Program rankings highlight the top universities that provide online bachelor’s degrees in various disciplines, including Ģ����ý’s online Bachelor of Science in business management, designed for those seeking to boost their skills and improve their understanding of business tactics, as well as the online Bachelor of Science in psychology, developed for those interested in building a versatile skill set rooted in observation, communication and analysis with hopes of applying to a graduate program.��

U.S. News & World Report ranked each university on a scorecard comprising four components: engagement, services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, and peer assessment. Compiling results from a statistical and peer assessment survey, the rankings indicated the best online bachelor’s programs across the country for working professionals looking to advance in or change their careers. ��

“This is a significant milestone for Ģ����ý Online, as we are once again acknowledged for consistently elevating standards both statewide and nationally,” stated Dr. Stephen Johnson, chief executive officer of Ģ����ý Dallas. “With one of the top business programs and the only nationally ranked psychology program in the state, we are eager to see how our university will continue to evolve and positively influence our students as they pursue their academic and professional aspirations at Ģ����ý.”��

Ģ����ý’s online programs are administered through its branch location in Dallas and include 14 bachelor’s degrees, 16 master’s degrees, four doctoral degrees, five undergraduate certificate programs, and 11 graduate certificate programs. Learn more about Ģ����ý Online’s degree programs at acu.edu/online.

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Ģ����ý (Ģ����ý) has launched a new online Pre-Nursing Certificate that equips students interested in pursuing a nursing career with the required

“Ģ����ý has always been at the forefront of researching and developing a rigorous curriculum to meet our students’ educational needs for their future career goals,” said Dr. Stephen Johnson, chief executive officer of Ģ����ý Dallas. “We firmly believe this certificate will attract students across the state, not only because of its versatility in preparing students for nursing school but also because of the industry’s demand for well-trained nurses.”����

The certificate will lead students through a set of core courses required of applicants for most ADN programs in Texas. In just 16 months, students will take various science credits, including anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, along with social science coursework. The overarching focus of this certificate is to prepare students to serve and lead in their careers and communities while simultaneously developing a patient-care mindset and professional development.��

The program is accepting applications for the Spring term beginning January 14, 2025. With the demand for registered nurses increasing by 38.8%, the program aims to address the significant and critical need for nursing professionals by leading prospective students one step closer to their desired health careers.��

For more information on the fully online Pre-Nursing Certificate, please visit acu.edu/pre-nursing-certificate/��

Ģ����ý’s online programs are administered through its branch location in Dallas and include 14 bachelor’s degrees, 16 master’s degrees, three doctoral degrees, five undergraduate certificate programs and ten graduate certificate programs. For more about Ģ����ý Online, visit acu.edu/online.

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A common misconception surrounding vocation and calling is that a Christian’s calling from God is mostly related to vocational ministry. While some may be called into vocational ministry, this concept stretches far beyond the traditional confines of ministerial roles. Everyone has a calling, and this calling can and should be lived out in everyday life- even in your work. As describes, vocation is not always connected to leaving your “day job” to follow Jesus but involves “learning to serve God and love neighbor in the very place where God called you”.

However, though you may understand what vocations are, you may still be wondering, what is my calling and how do I figure it out. How does my calling connect to my career and everyday work life? Surprisingly, the answer is most likely to be found not through inward searching but by looking outward.��

As Bolsinger states, “vocation does not begin with a search, but in a heart of service.” Suppose you are searching simply for personal or professional fulfillment. In that case, you will likely come up empty, as calling is most often formed in the context of serving others and fulfilling God’s command to love your neighbor.��

Still, however, the main question remains: why should I pursue a leadership degree?��

��A leader defines the values and realities of an organization and should seek to empower and equip the members of their organization as they pursue their goals. A truly good and effective leader is one who not only influences organizational success but also and serve the people they are leading.�� Ģ����ý’s online Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership is designed to not only equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and strategies that you will need to pursue a career in management but also aims to help you further discern your vocational calling and be formed into a well-rounded professional who exemplifies Christian leadership in the workplace.

��In many circumstances, it can be difficult to determine what it looks like to be a Christian leader, especially in the workforce. However, when you are working in your giftings and using your position to serve and advocate for others, you are in the best position to bring glory to God, no matter the industry or type of work. As the late author said, “The only Christian work is good work well done.” By doing good work, you are bringing honor to God and fulfilling the command found in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”����

If you have a temperament fit for leadership and feel a calling to serve God and love others in your everyday work, Ģ����ý’s program may be right for you. With a focus on vocational formation integrated into every course and a structure combining management theory with communication, strategy, and analytical principles, the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership program helps you explore your identity, relationship to the world, and connection to the life and mission of God.����������������

Learn more about the program and take the first steps to pursue a rewarding leadership career.��

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Known as one of the oldest forms of human interaction and connection, the study of communication is considered one of the most popular degrees and disciplines in most universities. Typically tied to broader categories such as liberal arts or humanities, the National Center for Education Statistics has identified awarded were related to degrees in communication, sociology, and other social sciences – ranging to about 400,000 degrees. And though the study of communication has shifted over the years from radio and television studies to how we communicate via social media and the internet, the essential reasons for studying communication have remained the same. A degree in communication studies not only offers you opportunities to study the various branches of public discourse and communication ethics and dynamics, but it also prepares you for Whether you’re looking to become an English teacher, marketing specialist, or public relations practitioner, the reasons to study communications can go beyond your imagination with Ģ����ý Online’s Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication.��

Reason 1: Enhance Your Communication Skills

Learning and developing good communication skills can help you succeed in your career, make you a competitive job candidate, and build your overall network. While it takes time and practice, can certainly be increased and refined. By studying communications, you will refine the main types of communication you use daily including verbal, nonverbal, and written. Through classes such as Speech and Rhetoric, Communicating Professional Identity and ePortfolios, and Interpersonal Communication, you will develop knowledge, skills, and effective practices to better communicate with coworkers, supervisors, and families in a verbal and nonverbal fashion. By combining rhetorical theory alongside proven listening and observing techniques, you can enhance your communication skills via email, text, in person, or through body language; making you a more well-rounded communicator��

Reason 2: Become a Better Active Listener

, oftentimes referred to as appreciative listening or mindful listening, is defined as paying close attention to who you’re communicating with. Whether by engaging with them or asking questions and rephrasing what they have said, becoming a better active listener starts by building respect and trust with your colleagues in the workplace. In classes such as Introduction to Communication and Organizational Communication, you will learn a wide range of terminology, methods, and topics within the discipline of communication-related skills. As you become more well-versed in communication practices and skills, you will grow in understanding how to become an active listener personally and professionally. Focused on making you an active listener, you will learn how to read and understand people more deeply by paying attention to people’s facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.��

Reason 3: Amplify Your Confidence and Leadership Skills

In the workplace, people are more likely to respond to ideas that are presented with confidence.��

And while many people have the notion that confidence equals arrogance, employers believe that having healthy self-confidence can make you a better employee and team leader, all the way around. In fact, one of the many ways you can and leadership skill sets is by clearly communicating your needs and goals. When employees are confident in their work, they’re more willing to speak up and share ideas. After all, employers don’t just want people who show up to work for a paycheck. They want leaders who are excellent decision-makers, great at handling pressure, and encouragers. Through classes like Crisis Management in Organizations, Leadership and Communication, and Training and Development, you can better understand how to lead from both a social science and a rhetorical perspective. Using a variety of approaches, you will explore how to communicate with stakeholders confidently. Communicating confidently is considered the of successful leaders in the workplace.��

With the help of degree programs like Ģ����ý Online’s bachelor’s in Organizational Communication, you can start forming the communication skills needed to effectively impact and influence those around you positively. Pinpointing communication’s various branches including organizational, interpersonal, intercultural, and persuasive communication, you can become a primal figure in your future or current place of work because of your understanding of how communication influences crisis management, leadership, and human resources functions. Divided into three parts, the degree program allows you to take core courses (30 credit hours) alongside electives (22 credit hours) in an Organizational Change concentration (12 credit hours).��Don’t wait for another moment to pass you by. Apply today and start cultivating your inner communicator with classes and concentrations designed to make you into the career-driven employee you’ve always wanted to be. Visit our website and see what’s possible.

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Enlisting in the military is a major accomplishment and honor for anyone. Today, there are over 1.3 million active duty U.S. Department of Defense members, including military servicemen, officers and enlisted personnel. Because of the sheer amount of active members joining the military for a variety of reasons, it brings up the question of what degrees would most benefit military servicemen and women. Whether it be degrees focused on increasing their communication skills, strengthening their business knowledge, or their passion for conflict management, there are a wide variety of programs that can provide lasting benefits for those interested in rising up within the ranks or seeking post-secondary education.��

Ģ����ý Online offers dozens of degree programs and personalized academic advising opportunities for military personnel. With flexibility, cost, and relevant programs in mind, it’s no wonder why Ģ����ý Online has opened the door for military men and women to earn their degrees from the comfort of their homes or duty stations. Interested in learning now? Here are our top versatile degrees for military soldiers.��

Business Management��

Business management is the process of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the activities of a business or organization to achieve its goals and objectives. Though it involves overseeing all aspects of a business, from finance and operations to marketing and human resources, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Business Management can provide military personnel with a deeper understanding of human motivation and behavior. Applying management models in real-world situations, you can learn how to conduct business in various settings including internationally and stateside. In fact, besides taking courses in accounting, finance, marketing, business law, and management, – a transferable skill into the military. Whether working on team projects or with industry partners, a degree in business management can take you far even as a serviceman or woman.��

Through Ģ����ý Online, you can obtain your bachelor’s degree in business management in as few as four years (120 credit hours) via our three concentrations: human resources management, leadership, and operations. With classes like managerial accounting, business statistics, global strategy, and principles of marketing, you will earn a degree that can make you a more qualified job candidate. While there are many management jobs, the job outlook for managers is projected to grow 8% between 2021 and 2031, meaning that the need for exemplary managers will become equally critical.����

Cybersecurity

Technology is an integral part of our everyday lives, and the rate at which individuals worldwide rely on it continues to grow. As the tech world expands, the threat of data breaches and cyberattacks increases, putting crucial personal and military-related information in jeopardy. Because of this, the demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals is greater than ever. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of information security analysts is projected to , faster than any other occupation. With close to 20,000�� open positions projected annually across the country, the need for educated and trained professionals is at an all-time high. And that’s where Ģ����ý Online comes in.��

With our bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, you can learn the latest skills to ensure confidentiality and protect cyber threats from affecting your branch’s infrastructure or secured network. Taking classes related to information technology, computing system integration and administration, cybersecurity policies, and cloud and network defense, you can gain insights into the vulnerabilities found on a local, national, and global scale as well as understand the latest trends and policies for highly complex networks without losing sight of your promising career goals in cybersecurity.��

Criminal Justice

Regardless of the branch you serve in, we know your goal is to build a safer world for all. Holding strong to your values for justice, earning your degree in criminal justice can help you expand your understanding of sociology and political science fields. Preparing you to enrich society through an understanding of ethics and leadership, this degree is ideal for those interested in comprehensive perspectives of the legal and justice systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a for those holding criminal justice degrees, upwards of 7% between 2020 and 2030. With a wide range of potential opportunities in law enforcement, probation and parole services, emergency management, homeland security, and social services, military men and women can feel at ease knowing they hold the necessary skills and requirements to meet the challenges needed to excel in such professions.��

Under Ģ����ý Online’s Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, you will take classes such as law enforcement leadership, professionalism and ethics in criminal justice, crime and delinquency, and domestic violence. Aimed at building the next generation of ethically driven enforcers of the law, the degree can be applied to many career paths in and out of the armed forces.��

Organizational Communication

Communication is key in any situation. The has noted that the skills taught in communication courses help students and professionals become “valued assets in a variety of contexts—from organizations to politics, from families to multinational corporations.” As a result, students with a communications degree learn to think critically about interpersonal interactions, making them great communicators and managers. In fact, getting a degree in communications can enhance your skills in leadership, organizational communication, persuasion, public speaking, small group communication, training and development, and crisis communication – all of which are vital for today’s leaders. Providing students, like you, with practical hands-on experiences to exercise your training, you will become an excellent facilitator of information in little to no time.��

With our online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication degree, the knowledge and experience obtained can be applied to almost any industry and career. By offering tools and courses related to administering conflicts, crisis management, and organizational analysis, you can explore your passion in a faith-filled environment.��

To further assist our active duty military service members, Ģ����ý offers a Military Tuition Assistance program to recognize the financial challenges of pursuing a higher education. Don’t wait any longer! Within the span of four years (or less), you can walk the stage knowing you have served your county, community, and family well.��

As a national supporter of our country’s military men and women, Ģ����ý understands the difficulties that come with demanding schedules and frequent relocations. By hosting several military service members in our collaborative online learning platform, Ģ����ý aims to champion our military students who need assistance balancing their military duties and educational aspirations.��

For more information about our Military Tuition Assistance program and how Ģ����ý seeks to provide opportunities for service members across the country, visit acu.edu/admissions-aid/military-students. Or, you can give us a call directly at 855-219-7300.

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Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing industries across the United States. With over working in cybersecurity, cybersecurity has been considered a around the world. And that shouldn’t be a surprise. Today, over 60% of all corporate data are stored in cloud systems like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and DropBox. And while these are simple and effective ways of managing data, cyber threats are becoming not only more common but also more pervasive to infrastructures, information systems, and networking databases resulting in high costs and higher damages if a cyber attack is successful. Add on top the fast-paced industry, the demand for qualified cybersecurity analysts and technical experts is at all-time high. From private to public entities, companies are on the hunt for qualified applicants who are interested in aiding in the halt and cease of cyber attacks and hackers. However, the question remains – how can applicants get started in this exciting field?��

While most IT like becoming a Systems Security Manager, Network/Cloud Architects, and Data Security Analysts require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field, there are a multitude of other cybersecurity careers that merely require the completion of a certificate program.��

And that’s where Ģ����ý Online comes in.��

Through our two complementary online undergraduate cybersecurity certificates in Fundamental System Security and Essential System Forensics and Defense, future IT professionals like you can learn the basics of computer programming and system defenses in order to understand how to better protect information systems without the need of a four-year degree. Focused on teaching you the necessary and unique skills in coding languages, network infrastructure, and professional skills such as project management and effective communication, you will be prepared not only for the workforce but also for an additional certificate. Through these dual certificate programs, you will be equipped and fully capable of applying current tools and techniques to support client/server softwares, as well as re-establish vital communications infrastructures for your company.��

The Certificate in Cybersecurity 1: Fundamental System Security

Unlike most Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degrees, our 16-credit hour Certificate in Cybersecurity 1: Fundamental System Security can be completed in less than a year and provides you with the most foundational pieces of knowledge you need to get started in the field of cybersecurity. During your first few months, you will learn basic security techniques used today to promote additional protection for systemic vulnerabilities on a local, national, and global scale. Gaining a deeper understanding on how to strengthen and create more secure networks, you will also obtain the ability to comprehend systematic issues to better protect intellectual property – something that is highly important for any major corporation dealing with confidential information.��

Through classes like Introduction to Information, Technology, and Computing; Introduction to Programming Using Scripting; and Cloud and Network Defense, you can expect to be challenged to quickly learn the fundamentals of system security in order to become more proficient in computer softwares. And if that wasn’t enough, you will also be even more prepared by being prepped to take the CompTia Security+ certification exam, a global certification that validates your understanding of the baseline skills needed to perform core security functions.

In just a matter of months, you will have covered a lot of ground within the field of cybersecurity; a sweet deal for those looking to get started in their next career move sooner rather than later.��

The Certificate in Cybersecurity 2: Essential System Forensics and Defense

Within our Certificate in Cybersecurity 2: Essential System Forensics and Defense, you can pick-up right where you left off in Cybersecurity 1. Honing in on the essential techniques required to control data for computer softwares, you will begin to understand more about how networks should be organized, defended, and addressed should a breach or cyber attack occur. Expanding beyond the basics of computer science, this second certificate is more applied toward those who are interested in knowing more about internal vulnerabilities and how those can cause serious issues for networks both big and small.��

Through coursework like Networks and Security Administration, System Forensics, and Incident Detection, Prevention, and Response, you’ll gain an immense amount of knowledge in cyber attacks, threats and hacking strategies – ideal skills to know if you plan to work for any type of corporation. Plus, you will also have the chance to take the CompTia Security+ certification exam, if you didn’t take it during the first certificate.��

Potential Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for information security analysts and cybersecurity experts is projected to , faster than any other occupation worldwide. With close to 20,000 open positions every year, companies are in desperate need for educated and trained professionals in various types of settings and sectors. Some of those high-demand jobs requiring a certificate include:��

• , is someone responsible for the centralized efforts of ensuring the security of an organization. SOC analysts work as a part of the team and are mainly responsible for proactively monitoring, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents. In many cases, they are seen as the first line of defense against cyber attacks. Average Salary | $78K��

• , primarily seeks to understand how cyber threats like viruses, worms, and trojans function and create possible impacts. These analysts examine and investigate malware in systems and networks to understand the nature of cyber attacks while conducting reverse-engineering techniques to help build defense lines to prevent cyber threats and improve system hardening. Average Salary | $88K��
• , who are mainly responsible for preventing and preempting data breaches on systems and networks by monitoring, analyzing, and responding to cyber threats. They are also seen as some of the front line of defense personnel in combating cyber crimes like stealing data and information. Average Salary | $99K

Plus, with our partnership with InfoSec, Ģ����ý Online will award academic course credit to students who successfully complete CompTIA certifications through Infosec’s boot camps. This partnership is designed to elevate the professional journeys of students and professionals alike as well as position them as leaders in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.��

A career in IT and cybersecurity is possible for those looking to make a change in their career. Through these two exciting certificates, you can even save over thousands of dollars in tuition and fees without needing to pause your current work or goals. With the possibilities of starting your future career in as little as 12 months, your journey can begin with just one simple phone call.��

Visit our website or call our admissions team today at 855-219-7300.��

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Oh, the places you’ll go with a college degree. Well, it should actually be, oh the places you’ll go with a cybersecurity degree. With over working in cybersecurity, and nearly 5 million people globally, cybersecurity is one of the best (and most profitable) degrees in the world. As cyber threats become more pervasive and pertinent to infrastructures, information systems, and networking databases, experts conclude that the cybersecurity workforce is growing fast, and the demand is growing even faster. This rapidly growing workforce and expanding demand is making jobs and the options for different workplace environments more and more available to aspiring cybersecurity analysts. Knowing this, many are cashing in on this flexible opportunity by finding places to work that appeal to their lifestyles and career goals including corporations, nonprofits, academic institutions, businesses, and contracting agencies.��

And with only a small percentage of offering a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (or related degree), the possibilities for work are almost endless for those who have the chance to gain such an education.��

Work For A Large Company

With over 100 companies being cited as the by Forbes Magazine, you can rest assured that they all are mega-corporations and thus, all need cybersecurity support.��

Corporations hold more data and information than one can imagine. From private healthcare files to solutions for the government, to housing personal photos and memories of their clients, mega corporations’ is often cyber-attacks. These attempts can (and have) cost mega corporations millions of dollars in damages. Companies like are prime examples of what can happen when hackers get a hold of internal emails and accounts resulting in a significant amount of data being stolen and used in national security breaches. As such, there is much and employees who are interested in working for massive and collaborative companies. Plus, the can be pretty nice too. From free memberships to gyms to quality mentors, working for a large company can be a great career move with a cybersecurity degree.��

Work For A Non-Profit

Like national corporations, nonprofits equally suffer from cybersecurity attacks and internal issues with their critical infrastructure. collect and store sensitive personal information that is protected by law as confidential. When there is a breach of the confidentiality of those data, the risks are liable to individuals and the organization, as a whole. This, of course, has propelled many institutes to urge nonprofits to or – at a minimum – a component of their organizational building. Whether big or small, working for a nonprofit can have its ups and downs especially financially. However, many believe that the rewards are worth it. Nonprofit organizations do have that can cover the losses from breaches affecting their own information. However, more are interested in hiring in-house technological experts to assist in repairing, maintaining and/or restoring their networks in order to decrease costs and save their public image. With over in the United States and approximately 10 million worldwide, you can earn a position in the nonprofit sector seamlessly.

Work For A Third-Party Agency

Are you interested in working remotely or like the idea of travel? Then working for a third-party contracting agency could be the right fit for you. As an employee at a cybersecurity firm, you can automatically gain hands-on experience in incident response, systems analysis, and related efforts. In fact, to become a cybersecurity firm employee, would prefer if you could demonstrate expertise in current security methods and have a broad understanding of common threats and vulnerabilities as well as hold some form of advanced certifications such as CISSP or CNNP. When working at an agency, you can work in a multitude of settings including government agencies, universities, and software companies, and even become an independent contractor in the future. Currently, there are more than in the world, with many more sprouting out as we speak.��

Why Ģ����ý’s Cybersecurity Degree?

With Ģ����ý Online’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree, your skills and knowledge will be enhanced through our 120 credit hour program, resulting in closing the job market gap and earning a sizable living wage post-graduation. Under the B.S. in Cybersecurity program, you will take courses like System Vulnerability Testing and Networks and Security Administration geared to helping you learn tools and methods to secure organizational data and communication infrastructures for corporations large and small. Alongside Ģ����ý’s top-rated faculty, our program offers courses ranging from basic understandings of data science to observing the latest trends and compliance policies required for modern-day networks and systems.��

With courses like Introduction to Computer and Information Security and Cybersecurity Policies, Standards, and Compliance, students like you can dive into the fundamental concepts of computer and information security, including cybersecurity policies and technologies used to achieve more secured networks, systems, computing facilities, and information resources for organizations looking to increase their database security as a whole. Adding the additional layer of cyber-focused electives like data mining, database management, web technologies, cloud networking, information security, operating systems, systems administration, IT/IS recent trends and compliance policies, and statistics, you can have your fair share of employment picks with this highly demanding career. And with courses like Cloud and Network Defense and Risk and Incident Planning and Response, you will learn even more about the tools and methods needed to secure organizational data and communication infrastructures while minimizing risk incidents and internal challenges.��

By taking these courses, you can be better prepared to take on jobs like becoming:��

• Vulnerability Assessment Analyst or Security Systems Administrator | per year
• Cybersecurity Analyst or Information Technology (IT) Auditor | per year
• Information Security Analyst or Cybersecurity Engineer | per year

Learn more about this program and how you can start this next session by visiting our website.��

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For the fifth consecutive year, the student experience at Ģ����ý, both in and out of the classroom, was ranked as one of the nation’s best in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings released today – in the categories of Study Abroad, Learning Communities, Service Learning, First-Year Experience and Senior Capstone.

Overall, Ģ����ý performed better than any other university in Texas in the “Programs to Look For” benchmarks, ranking in five of eight categories focused on student experience and student success. Abilene Christian has been recognized as one of the country’s top each year since the benchmark’s debut in the 2020 edition. According to U.S. News & World Report, this designation highlights universities and colleges that offer “well-regarded study abroad, service learning and other programs that, research shows, are linked to student success and positive learning outcomes while fostering a successful undergraduate student experience.”��

Ģ����ý earned a top 10 national ranking in three “Programs to Look For” categories – the only Texas university to record three top 10 spots – and was ranked in five out of eight highlighted categories, more than any other Texas college or university. These rankings span all sizes and classifications of U.S. institutions.

Top 10 rankings:

• SERVICE LEARNING: (1) Berea College; (2) Tulane; (3) Duke; (3) Elon; (5) Boston College; (5) Notre Dame; (7) Abilene Christian; (8) Michigan State; (9) Georgetown; (10) Agnes Scott College; (10) Brown.
• FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE: (1) Elon; (2) South Carolina; (3) Agnes Scott College; (4) Georgia State (5) Amherst College; (5) Baylor; (7) Abilene Christian; (8) Berea College; (8) Boston College; (8) Brown.
• LEARNING COMMUNITIES: (1) Elon; (2) Yale; (3) University of Michigan – Ann Arbor; (4) Agnes Scott College; (5) Michigan State; (6) Georgia State; (7) Abilene Christian; (8) Princeton; (8) University of Maryland – College Park; (10) Baylor.

In the category of Study Abroad, Ģ����ý came in at No. 23 in the nation, tied with Yale. The Study Abroad opportunities offered to Ģ����ý students – in Germany, England and Uruguay – provide students with authentic international experiences in easily navigable cities where students can safely engage the local community. Programs are offered year round at three hub sites: an Ģ����ý-owned Victorian-era house in Oxford, England; an Ģ����ý-owned historic villa in Leipzig, Germany; and a leased property in Montevideo, Uruguay. Students choose from semester-long programs in the fall and spring or intensive, discipline-specific programs in the summer.��

Ģ����ý also ranked No. 26 nationally in Senior Capstone – the only Texas university named to this category. Experiential learning – or learning by doing – is an important part of an Ģ����ý education and is built into the curriculum for all undergraduate majors from their freshman through senior years. Their academic experience culminates with the Senior Capstone, in which students nearing graduation complete a project integrating what they’re taught in the classroom with real-life experience.��

One of the pillars of is to “provide a vibrant student experience that strengthens Ģ����ý’s commitment to spiritual formation and leverages Ģ����ý’s national leadership in student success.”

“The holistic student experience is a priority for us in our mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world, so it’s gratifying to see others recognize those Ģ����ý distinctives,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, president. “Our status as a national research university is coupled with faith development, impactful co-curricular experiences and the formation of lifelong relationships, and that sets Ģ����ý apart from most other universities.”

–Wendy Kilmer

September 18,2023

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A psychology major ranks as one of the most popular degrees in the United States. Part of the reason why this major has skyrocketed in popularity is due to the increasing number of general-level introductory psychology courses that universities offer to non-major students. What is so appealing about these psychology courses that has propelled the major to such national prominence?

Psychology is a broad, wide-ranging, and highly versatile field. Psychology courses fuse the focus of ‘hard’ science degrees, such as understanding and utilizing the scientific method, with the ‘softer’ skills of humanities degrees, like fostering critical thinking and developing empathetic solutions to problems. Along with these highly portable concepts, psychology students learn about human behavior, workforce dynamics, interpersonal relationships, practical research methods, and more. With all of this, it’s no surprise that a psychology degree can be highly beneficial for prospective students entering college.��

Are you thinking about diving into psychology? Read about what a psychology degree can teach you and how Ģ����ý Online’s B.S. in Psychology program can guide you toward your greatest potential.��

Expand your understanding of people and psychological theories.

Psychology is considered in academia today. Whether you’re interested in discovering how a child’s brain grows throughout infancy into adolescence or looking for more information about psychological treatments, obtaining a degree in psychology can be helpful when considering what future career you might want.��

Generally speaking, you will take classes such as child psychology, statistics in psychological research, theoretical history, and stress and management — giving you a wide assortment of courses and skills for future academic research should you pursue a graduate degree. And while an undergraduate degree only scratches the surface of what is possible within psychology, you can explore many additional things to become more specialized in psychology. For example, in the Introduction to Counseling class, you can increase your understanding of the theory and practice of counseling with a greater emphasis on how to interview and influence clients while maintaining a social/behavioral scientific stance.��

Increase your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

One of the many benefits of obtaining a B.S. in psychology is the amount of information given on how to handle conflicts and problems best. According to the , a degree in psychology will require you to think critically and objectively when evaluating information, clients, or projects. Because of the field’s focus on evidence-based arguments, you will be taught how to formulate an idea, combat false claims, and defend your thoughts by working with peers and expert faculty members like Dr. Stephanie Wanamaker.��

Aiming to harness your capacity to further understand quantitative methods via courses like Psychological Tests & Measurements and Statistics in Psychological Research, a bachelor’s in psychology will encourage you to think, analyze, test, and apply scientific methods to comprehend data better, work with people, and manage situations of all sizes.��

Increase your emotional intelligence and other critical skills to become an attractive prospective employee.

According to the , employees with a background in psychology can propel into managerial positions faster because of their understanding of organizational structures, the importance of motivation within the workplace, and the patience to train employees – all of which foster a healthy working environment. References like , , and acknowledge that the skills acquired in a psychology degree often transfer over to a workplace setting, resulting in improved work habits across the board.��

As more employers desire employees with high levels of interpersonal, mindfulness, and organizational skills, hiring managers have also concluded that is becoming one of the most critical skills. Defined as the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around, continue to stress the importance of hiring people who can lead while working under pressure, resolving conflicts, responding positively to constructive feedback, and working well with others.��

As an undergraduate psychology major, you will be challenged to understand what emotional intelligence is as well as comprehend how emotional intelligence can be detected within people and yourself. By harnessing this critical skill, as well as others like confronting opposing dynamics, administering support, and communicating effectively, you will not only become a more eligible candidate for potential employers seeking well-rounded individuals amidst the pool of over holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Interested in starting the exciting journey into psychology and human development? With , you will be provided an in-depth and comprehensive curriculum to prepare you for an entry-level position or future graduate degree. Regardless of your preferred path, a degree in psychology offers you numerous hidden benefits to help you gain the skills, concepts, and confidence to interact with humans of all ages.��

Give us a call at 855-219-7300 or visit acu.edu/online to learn more.

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