Graduate Online Application

Personal Information

Name

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Suffix

Preferred First Name

Maiden (Prior Last) Name

Failure to disclose prior last names (maiden names) and/or identities may result in the delay of the processing of your file, especially when coming from other academicinstitutions.

Address

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Email Address

Current Email Address

Phone Numbers

Primary Phone Number

Mobile Phone Number

I authorize HCU to send text messages and automated phone calls to my mobile phone to convey college information or other important information. (Standard message charges apply.)

Biographical Information

Birthdate

Gender

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Select one or more of the following races:

This information is used only for statistical purposes and to provide information required by the U.S. Department of Education under the provisions of the Title VI of the Civil Right Act. You are not required to answer; however, an answer would be greatly appreciated. Houston Christian University provides educational opportunities without regard to disability, age, race, sex, and national or ethnic origin.

Citizenship Information

Country of Citizenship

Are you a permanent resident of the United States?

Yes

No

Please be advised that if you are a Permanent Resident, proof of residency (in the form of a copy of the front and back of your permanent residency card) will be required as part of the admissions process.

Please select the appropriate status

Please select your current Visa Type

Your visa status does not qualify you to study as an online student.
Please submit a residential application here.

Do you plan to remain in your home country and study online from there?

Yes

No

Your plans do not qualify you to study as an online student.
Online programs are not visa-granting programs.
Please submit a residential application here.

Do you have a computer and a stable internet connection?

Yes

No

Are you currently eligible for and do you intend to participate in NCAA athletics?

Yes

No

Academic Information

Academic Intentions

What is the highest degree you will have earned by the time you enroll at Houston Christian University?

What type of program are you applying to?

A Bachelor's degree is required to apply for a graduate program. Apply for an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree program.

A Master's degree is required to apply for a doctoral program.

Please select the program you would like to apply to:

For Graduate Non-Degree Seeking Online Programs, please select the option that indicates the type of courses that you intend to take.

Please note: the application fee waiver is not valid for doctoral programs

NOTE: This program has been submitted for closure and is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Please select the specialization you wish to pursue

This program has an option to add a Certificate to your degree plan. Choose your Certificate (optional):

Which Type of Courses do you intend to take?

This program requires that applicants have a valid teaching certification and two years of teaching experience as the teacher of record as indicated on a service record. Please call 1-855-428-1960 option 2 with any questions regarding requirements.

This program requires that applicants have a valid teaching certification, a master's degree and two years of teaching experience as the teacher of record as indicated on a service record. Please call 1-855-428-1960 option 2 with any questions regarding requirements.

Are you a certified teacher in the United States?

Yes

No

In which State are you a certified teacher?

Are you a certified principal in the United States?

Yes

No

In which State are you a certified principal?

Are you a planning to pursue Superintendent Certification as part of your program?

Yes

No

This program requires that applicants have a valid principal certification and three creditable years of managerial experience in a public school district as indicated on a service record. Please call 1-855-428-1960 option 2 with any questions regarding requirements.

License and Certification Statement

For students seeking certification or licensure inside the State of Texas: Programs offered at HCU designed to fulfill the educational requirements for a specific professional licensure or certification do meet the educational requirements for the State of Texas.

Students seeking certification or licensure outside the State of Texas: Students seeking certification or licensure from any state other than Texas should check with their state licensing board to determine eligibility. Houston Christian University has not determined whether their program of study meets the students state licensure requirements. Please click the link below for more information.

Professional Licensure Directory

Please note: Our certification programs are designed for certification in the state of Texas with standards set by the Texas Education Agency. If you are pursuing certification in an alternate state, you may need to research their requirements.

Application to this program requires understanding and agreement with the university's Preamble. Do you understand and agree with the Preamble of HCU?

Yes

No

Jesus Christ died for the sins of all men, rising from the grave afterward to defeat sin and death. By the grace of God through repentance and the acceptance of and belief in Him, He offers eternal life to all who would believe. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Yes

No

When do you plan on starting classes?

Summer 2025

Fall 2025

Spring 2026

In which session would you prefer to start?

Do you plan on completing a degree with Houston Christian University?

Your selection indicates you may be considered a Visiting Student. Please proceed to our Visiting Student Application or make another selection.

I'm applying as:

Masters or Doctoral Graduate Student: You are applying to a graduate program as a degree-seeking student.

Non-Degree Seeking Student: You are applying to a certificate or licensure program and will not be completing a degree.

Have you previously attended Houston Christian University?

Yes

No

Are you looking to continue the same degree at the same level (Undergrad, Graduate, or Doctoral) that you were previously working on at HCU?

Yes

No

Are you applying to be readmitted after:

Being Academically Suspended or Dismissed

Breaking Enrollment (Not being enrolled in consecutive Academic Years)

I want to Change the Campus of my degree

Do you currently have an outstanding balance owed to Houston Christian University?

Yes

No

References

Applicants must provide references information on their application for the following:

Two (2) administrators from the school district or agency at a current place of employment (references from university administrators from former places of employment may be accepted. Include an explanation.).
One (1) current or former graduate professor (references from alternate administrators may be accepted. Include an explanation.)

Friends and family members should not be listed as references.

Applicants must provide contact information for two (2) references on their application. References must be a principal or supervisor, parents of a taught student, or professional colleague. Friends and family members should not be listed as references.

Applicants must provide contact information for two (2) references on their application. References must be professional or academic contacts. Friends and family members should not be listed as references.

If you do not submit reference information at this time, you will be required to do submit references via a form on your application status page prior to your application being considered for review.

First Reference

Prefix

Reference First (Given) Name

Reference Last (Family) Name/Surname

Reference Current Employer/Organization

Reference Current Job Title

Reference Phone Number

Reference E-mail Address

Context of Applicant's Relationship to Reference

If "other" please provide further information:

How long have you known the reference?

Has this reference been informed that they are listed as a reference for you?

Yes

No

Second Reference

Prefix

Reference First (Given) Name

Reference Last (Family) Name/Surname

Reference Current Employer/Organization

Reference Current Job Title

Reference Phone Number

Reference E-mail Address

Context of Applicant's Relationship to Reference

If "other" please provide further information:

How long have you known the reference?

Has this reference been informed that they are listed as a reference for you?

Yes

No

Third Reference

Prefix

Reference First (Given) Name

Reference Last (Family) Name/Surname

Reference Current Employer/Organization

Reference Current Job Title

Reference Phone Number

Reference E-mail Address

Context of Applicant's Relationship to Reference

If "other" please provide further information:

How long have you known the reference?

Has this reference been informed that they are listed as a reference for you?

Yes

No

Academic History

Have you graduated from a nationally or regionally accredited bachelor's program?

Yes

No

All of our master's programs require the completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. If you would like to apply to one of our online undergraduate degree programs, please apply here.

Have you graduated from a nationally or regionally accredited master's program?

Yes

No

All of our doctoral programs require the completion of a Master's degree from an accredited institution. If you would like to apply to one of our online Master's degree programs, please correct your program choice in the above section.

Master's Applicants - Please list ALL previously attended institutions. This information is necessary for processing your financial aid. Omission of transcripts may lead to a withdrawal of your admission.

Doctoral Applicants - Please list ALL institutions at which you completed any graduate-level coursework. This information is necessary for processing your financial aid. Omission of transcripts may lead to a withdrawal of your admission.

Certification/Licensure & Certificate Only Applicants - Please list ALL previously attended institutions. Omission of transcripts may lead to a withdrawal of your admission.

What college or university did you graduate from?

School Code

Level of Study

When did you graduate?

Have you attended any other colleges or universities, even if no college credit was earned?

Yes

No

College #1 Name

School Code

Level of Study

Last Date of Attendance

Add another school?

Yes

No

College #2 Name

School Code

Level of Study

Last Date of Attendance

Add another school?

Yes

No

College #3 Name

School Code

Level of Study

Last Date of Attendance

Add another school?

Yes

No

College #4 Name

School Code

Level of Study

Last Date of Attendance

Will you be requesting to transfer in graduate credits earned from another institution?

Yes

No

Financial and Military Affiliation Information

Financial Information

How do you plan on paying for school? (Select all that apply)

Please note that non-degree seeking applicants are ineligible to receive Federal Financial Aid.

If you are using Federal Financial Aid, please be sure to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov and use our school code 003576.

To expedite the processing of your aid and to avoid any potential delays, because you have indicated you will be using Financial Aid, Military Benefits, or Student Loans, please enter your Social Security Number (without dashes).

Military Affiliation Information

Have you served in the United States Military?

Yes

No

Has your spouse served or are you a dependent of someone who served in the United States Military?

Yes

No

Whose Military benefits do you plan on using?

Parent

Spouse

What is your (or your spouse's or parent's) current status with the Military?

Which branch of the Military did you (or your spouse or parent) serve in?

Did you obtain Joint Services Transcript credit for courses you took during your service?

Yes

No

Based on your answers above, you have indicated that neither you, your spouse, nor your parents have served in the United States Military. If this is correct, paying for your education using Military Benefits would not be an option. Please select a different option of paying for your education.

Upload Documents

Upload your Resume Optional: you can upload your resume now, or skip this section and upload it later to your status page.

Upload your Personal Statement
As part of the admissions process, a personal statement is required before an admission decision can be made.

You can upload your personal statement here, later to your application status page or email it to GradAdmissions@HC.edu.

Your personal statement should answer the following questions:
Why did you choose the Graduate School at HCU?
Why do you want to pursue your degree in this particular program?
What goals and aspirations have you set out for yourself?

The statement should also indicate the student's faith in Jesus Christ and general agreement with the university's preamble:
The Houston Christian University is a Christian liberal arts university dedicated to the development of moral character, the enrichment of spiritual lives, and the perpetuation of growth in Christian ideals. Founded under the providence of God and with the conviction that there is a need for a university in this community that will train the minds, develop the moral character and enrich the spiritual lives of all people who may come within the ambit of its influence, HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY shall stand as a witness for Jesus Christ expressed directly through its administration, faculty and students. To assure the perpetuation of these basic concepts of its founders, it is resolved that all those who become associated with Houston Christian University as a trustee, officer, member of the faculty or of the staff, and who perform work connected with the educational activities of the University, must believe in the divine inspiration of the Bible, both the Old Testament and New Testament, that man was directly created by God, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, as the Son of God, that He died for the sins of all men and thereafter arose from the grave, that by repentance and the acceptance of and belief in Him, by the grace of God, the individual is saved from eternal damnation and receives eternal life in the presence of God; and it is further resolved that the ultimate teachings in this University shall never be inconsistent with the above principles. Amended by the Board of Trustees February 22, 1974

Keep in mind that our main goal is to get to know you better, so you are not limited to these questions. Provide any additional information you would like the admission committee to know.

Your personal statement should be written in a professional tone with proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Upload your Personal Statement
As part of the admissions process, a personal statement is required before an admission decision can be made.

You can upload your personal statement here, later to your application status page or email it to GradAdmissions@HC.edu.

Your personal statement should answer the following questions:
Why did you choose the Graduate School at HCU?
Why do you want to pursue your degree in this particular program?
What goals and aspirations have you set out for yourself?

Keep in mind that our main goal is to get to know you better, so you are not limited to these questions. Provide any additional information you would like the admission committee to know.

Your personal statement should be written in a professional tone with proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Upload a Master's Level Research Paper
As part of the admissions process, submission of a master's level research paper is required for an acceptance decision to be made.

Applicants must submit a 5-7 page master's level research paper that was written and graded during their master's program. The submission must be a research paper covering any topic and should be authored only by the applicant.

You may submit your application without attaching your paper at this time. You will have the opportunity to upload your paper via your application status page during your application process.

Please attach your paper here, in a Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe PDF (.pdf) format. Be sure your name is included in the file name (eg: lastnamefirstname_papertitle.pdf)

Background Information

Have you ever been the subject of a disciplinary action or investigation including but not limited to suspension, dismissal, expulsion or denial of readmission at any high school, post-high school educational institution, college or university? Or do you have any of these disciplinary or judicial actions pending or unresolved against you at any high school, post-high school educational institution, college or university?

Yes

No

Please explain

Have you ever been convicted of a crime, or subject to an investigation under Title IX, even if incomplete?

Yes

No

Please describe completely the circumstances that lead to any/all convictions or Title IX investigations including all relevant details, dates, parties involved and outcomes of proceedings or disciplinary actions taken. Vague or incomplete responses may require additional screening.

How did you hear about us?

How did you hear about Houston Christian University?

Please explain:

Who is your employer?

Which event did you attend?

Which Alumni referred you?

Agreements and Signature

The mission of Houston Christian University is to provide a learning experience that instills in students a passion for academic, spiritual, and professional excellence as a result of our central confession, "Jesus Christ is Lord." Do you understand and agree with our mission statement?

Yes

No

By providing an electronic signature below, I promise to comply with all applicable Houston Christian University policies and procedures contained in the Academic Catalog. I certify that all the information in my application is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Houston Christian University is authorized to make whatever inquiries necessary to certify the accuracy of my records. I will not lie, cheat, or steal to gain academic advantage, nor tolerate those that do, and I will abide by the Student Code of Conduct policy.

As a student, essential functions for success include computer competency and use of Microsoft Office, email communication, internet research and basic functions of my PC or Apple computer.

In place of your signature, please type your full legal name:

Please note that the program you selected requires References. You can submit your application without listing them now, but you will be required to submit reference information via a form on your status page prior to your application being considered for review.

Please only click the submit button below once to submit your application.