The HBU Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the addition of a new doctoral program to HBU’s academic offerings. The EdD in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services will be offered beginning in the fall of 2019 through The Global Center for Mental Healthcare and Ministry in the HBU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. The innovative program brings the comprehensive University’s programs to 69 undergraduate and 41 graduate degrees, along with 19 certificate programs.
The EdD in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services will allow mental health leaders to not only reach individuals and groups, but to serve as influencers within the mental health field. Graduates are suitable for director roles, professorships and general leadership positions in the mental health arena. This doctorate program is unique among universities, making the Global Center the ideal place to grow one’s skills for practice, academia, scholarship and service.
“One of the many aspirations of HBU’s vision document, The Ten Pillars, has been the expansion of our graduate programs at both the master’s and doctoral levels. This new EdD brings to three the number of doctoral programs at HBU,” said Dr. Robert Sloan, HBU president. “It is truly gratifying to work with such an amazing faculty and for all of us to be so faithfully and creatively supported by the strong leadership of HBU’s Board of Trustees as we reach another milestone in the fulfillment of the University’s academic goals.”
Dr. Julie Fernandez, dean of the HBU College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, said, “The program was developed based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ report, ‘National Projections of Supply and Demand for Selected Behavioral Health Practitioners: 2013-2025.’ Specifically, it pertains to those working in various community and institutional settings to develop, guide and deliver services for vulnerable populations. Key findings of this report estimate a shortage of 10,000 full-time employees for mental health practitioners since 2013. Without a notable increase of these leaders moving forward, and due to the predicted rise in mental health issues in the country, the need for these professionals will significantly increase by 2025.”
Ritamarie Tauer, associate provost for Academic Operations, said, “The EdD in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services is the third doctoral program at Houston Baptist University in as many years. HBU is very pleased with the progress the University has made in the development of cutting-edge doctoral programs. The new EdD in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services is a program that provides students the opportunity to prepare for careers as practitioners in the mental health arena where they may directly affect the lives of vulnerable populations.”
Program courses consist of an Educational Leadership Core component, a Research Core, and a Mental Health and Human Services for Communities focus.