College of Health Professions

Dean

Dr. Janelle O’Connell

(325) 670-1339

HSU Box 16004

joconnel@hsutx.edu


The College of Health Professions was established in 2019 and includes programs at the undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, master and doctoral levels. The College offers undergraduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Exercise Science, and Fitness, Recreation & Sports Management.  It is anticipated that a bachelor's degree in nursing will begin in Fall 2025.  A post-baccalaureate program leading to preparation for entrance into graduate programs in the health professions can be pursued after the bachelor's degree. It is anticipated that a bachelor’s degree in nursing will begin in Fall 2025.  Master dergrees in the College include Athletic Training, Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation, Physician Assistant Studies, and Speech-Language Pathology.  The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a certificate program in Clinical Anatomy are also offered.  Training students in both didactic and clinical education in a Christian environment, prepare individuals to enter the healthcare field and carry out the mission of Christ in a compassionate and loving manner. Clinical research is integrated into most programs, and the opportunity to participate in mission trips across the United States and abroad to serve others is one of the hallmarks of this college. Medical ethics are an integral part of most curriculums. Faculty within the College conduct and collaborate on research and encourage and provide internship and shadowing experiences with numerous healthcare providers. 

Undergraduate Programs

Department of Communication Science and Disorders (CSD)

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders’ goal is to provide an academically challenging pre-professional education in the fields of speech-language-hearing pathology and audiology in an environment that encourages intellectual and spiritual growth and preparation for graduate school.
The program encourages students to lead lives of service to individuals across the lifespan who have communication delays or disorders by providing clinical opportunities in a variety of settings. Both a major and a minor can be pursued in CSD for preparation toward a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a Doctoral degree in Audiology, or as the terminal degree for an SLPA (Assistant) license.

For more information regarding the CSD program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors-minors/communication-sciences-disorders-degrees/

Exercise Science (EXSC)

The HSU Exercise Science Program, guided by Christian faith and values, prepares students for a variety of career opportunities in health and human movement.  The wide range of subject matter within Exercise Science prepares students for many career pathways both entry-level positions in the exercise science/human performance field and entrance into allied health professional programs (Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic), medicine, and graduate programs in Exercise Science or Kinesiology.  Students will learn how to best utilize exercise to improve health and human performance for different populations across the lifespan.
Foundational to the Program is the multidisciplinary study of human movement involving components of biological, physical, psychological, and health sciences to explain structural and functional changes that occur on the physiological, biochemical and biomechanical levels.

For more information regarding the Exercise Science program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors-minors/exercise-science-degrees/

Fitness, Recreation & Sports Management (FRSM)

This flexible degree offers a wide array of employment options after graduation such as Personal & Group Fitness Training, Recreation in the city, church, university or military settings or Sports-related communication/marketing, Exercise Facility ownership, Athletics Administration and Parks Management, to name a few options! Program flexibility allows you to select courses from other Colleges at HSU to develop a degree plan to suit your interests. However, this degree does not provide an opportunity toward teacher certification. Guided by Christian faith and values, this degree option is committed to promoting excellence in education and professional preparation within the disciplines of health, wellness and movement sciences.

For more information regarding the Fitness, Recreation & Sport Management program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors-minors/fitness-recreation-sports-management-degree/

Nursing (NURS)

The Hardin-Simmons University School of Nursing offers an exceptional undergraduate-level professional program that aims to produce clinicians who are dedicated to providing compassionate and individualized patient care, serving their communities, advancing their profession, and engaging in lifelong learning and professional development. Students who complete the program can sit for the national licensure exam, NCLEX-RN®.   This full-time BSN program spans eight college terms and requires 120 credits. The curriculum is designed on a foundation of the arts, science, and humanities and incorporates The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (AACN, 2021). Students must successfully achieve all course and program learning outcomes.

The program is rooted in servant leadership principles, focusing on serving others as the number one priority. Servant leadership aims to nurture, foster, and empower others to create a community of creativity, collaboration, satisfaction, and successful performance. Nursing is considered both an art and a science, requiring the connection of the heart and mind. At the heart of nursing is a deep devotion to people, while the mind employs a rigorous commitment to learning. Registered Nurses perform comprehensive physical exams and histories before making critical decisions, provide health promotion and personalized interventions, and coordinate care using the nursing process: assessment, analysis, outcome/planning, implementation, and evaluation. The Hardin-Simmons University School of Nursing program is an excellent choice for individuals committed to providing quality patient care, pursuing professional development, and positively impacting their communities.

For more information regarding the Nursing program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors-minors/nursing-degree/

Post-Baccalaureate International Health Program

This course of study aims to assist internationally trained healthcare professionals, especially nurses, understand the American healthcare system and work toward professional licensure in the United States.  Prospective students must have completed a bachelor's degree and have professional licensure in their home country before applying.  For instance, international nurses must have a bachelor’s degree and be a registered nurse before coming to the U.S. The curriculum will help prepare the nursing student for the NCLEX exam so they can become licensed to practice in the United States.  Other health professions may qualify for this post-baccalaureate program.

The curriculum in this unique program consists of 24-credit hours, completed over two semesters, and explores topics such as patient care, culture, pharmacology, communication, and healthcare policy. Clinical experiences in a healthcare profession are incorporated in the curriculum so students can apply what is being learned in the classroom to real patient experiences.

This is a cohort designed curriculum and requires a minimum of 25 students to be enrolled to begin the course of study.    

 

Graduate Programs

Master of Athletic Training (MAT)

Hardin-Simmons University offers the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program in a hybrid format.  This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Athletic Training Education. The MAT program strives to provide unique opportunities to grow personally and professionally as an athletic trainer through an education enlightened by faith. 

This 24-month program prepares students to become entry-level athletic trainers.  During the first year of this program, courses are delivered in an asynchronous online format, although students are required to attend six 1-week on campus, intensive laboratory sessions.  The skills and knowledge obtained online are applied during the laboratory sessions.  The second year of the program entails clinical rotations where your skills are further developed in different clinical settings. A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into the program, although HSU undergraduate students can participate in a 3 + 2 program and earn both the bachelor's degree and MAT degree in 5 years.

A new cohort begins each June.  You do not have to move from your current location to participate in this program. While we cannot guarantee availability of clinical sites everywhere, typically clinicals can be completed near your home. Even though this is primarily an online program, this is an intense program requiring your primary attention be given to your academic studies. 

For more information regarding the Master of Athletic Training program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/masters-of-athletic-training/

Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation (KSPR)

This fully online degree, which can be completed in one year, is guided by Christian faith and values, is designed to provide theoretical learning that is integrated into real life experiences of students. Courses within the degree use evidence-based research to 1) enhance the careers of students who are currently working in the field; and 2) prepare students for future educational endeavors and professional growth in the field of kinesiology, sport, and recreation. Courses are offered over 8 weeks during the long semesters and 7 weeks during the summer semesters.  There are three concentrations and one multidisciplinary option; 1) Exercise Science and Human Performance, 2) Sport Coaching, and 3) Recreation and Sport Administration.  The multidisciplinary option allows students to select a variety of courses. The Exercise Science and Human Performance concentration is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association Education Recognition Program.  This means that the program meets the established educational graduate program criteria for strength and conditioning. The degree prepares graduates for careers in areas of wellness, sport performance enhancement/strength and conditioning, health, fitness and recreation, facilities and programs, athletic administration, sport marketing, recreation, professional sport management, and coaching. This program can be pursued on a part-time or full-time basis.

For more information regarding the Master of Science in Kinesiology, Sport and Recreation program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/kspr/

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

The Hardin-Simmons University Physician Assistant Program is dedicated to academic excellence in medical education. Their mission is to develop compassionate PA leaders who are committed to lifelong learning and community service. Working together as part of a greater healthcare team, our graduates will deliver exceptional healthcare to patients in West Texas and worldwide. There is an emphasis on Rural Health and healthcare delivery to underserved populations globally.

This is a full-time, 27-month, face-to-face program.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Hardin-Simmons University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Hardin-Simmons University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program complies with the ARC-PA Standards.

Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2032. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at Accreditation-History-Hardin-Simmons-U-272.pdf (arc-pa.org)

For more information on the MPAS program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/physician-assistant-program/

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

Speech-language pathologists work with individuals throughout the lifespan and in a variety of educational and health care settings. This program provides individuals who are self-motivated, dedicated and self-driven with an outstanding education by highly qualified and engaged faculty who are dedicated to your success. Excellence and integrity are developed and demonstrated in this program through lifelong learning, service and faith. The program prepares students for national licensure as an SLP.

This is a full-time, 22 month, face-to-face program; however, it can be completed on a part-time basis. 

For more information regarding the SLP program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-of-science-in-speech-language-pathology/

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Hardin-Simmons University offers a seven-semester Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The program prepares individuals who demonstrate excellence in the practice of physical therapy and are enlightened by Christian faith and values. Excellence and integrity are developed and demonstrated through lifelong learning, service and faith. Students who are self-motivated, dedicated and self-driven are provided an outstanding education by a highly qualified and engaged faculty who are dedicated to student success. An excellent, well-equipped facility, and numerous integrative learning experiences within the curriculum result in outstanding, exceptionally qualified practitioners.

This is a full-time, 28 month face-to-face program.

This entry-level professional degree prepares the graduate to be eligible for licensure and entry into the profession as a physical therapist. It is not necessary for applicants to hold a master’s degree to pursue the DPT. A new cohort of 40 students begins each fall semester. Over the last 25 years, the program has demonstrated excellent graduation, licensure and employment rates. The Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Hardin-Simmons University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; email: accreditation@apta.org; website: http://www.capteonline.org.

For more information on the DPT program, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/doctorate-physical-therapy/

Certificates

Certificate in Anatomical Studies

This hybrid 12-hour certificate will prepare individuals to teach gross anatomy in a variety of health professions including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, nursing, medicine, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, radiological sciences, dentistry, optometry, podiatry, dietetics, athletic training, exercise physiology/sport sciences and chiropractic.  A strong science foundation and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required for admission. The purpose of this certificate is to meet the shortage of qualified professionals to teach anatomy. This unique certificate program includes 4 online courses with a final, week-long, intensive course on campus, where human cadaver dissection leads to increased knowledge, skills and new ways of teaching anatomy. Unique to this certificate is incorporation and application of differential diagnosis and diagnostic imaging utilizing clinical anatomy as well as teaching techniques, exam writing, and unique dissections.

This is designed as a 9-month online asynchronous program with one full-time week on campus.

For more information on the Certificate in Clinical Anatomy, please visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/graduate-programs/graduate-certificate-in-human-anatomy/