About Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University (ACU), founded in 1906 and affiliated with the Church of Christ, has a long and proud heritage dedicated to educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. Instructors teach students how to think critically and globally in each of their respective programs, while still maintaining a focus on their particular program of study.

ACU is an academically notable institution ranked within the top 20 schools in the West in “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. ACU has also received praise in the following categories:

• #1 in a new category saluting innovation among schools that peer institutions believe “everyone should be watching"
• #12 in the West for Great School, Great Price (Best Value) by U.S. News & World Report
• #2 in the West for a Strong Commitment to Teaching by U.S. News & World Report
• Ranked as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by Forbes in its 2012 rankings list
• Ranked as one of the “Best in the West” by The Princeton Review in its 2012 rankings list

Abilene Christian University offers a number of innovative graduate programs which are unique in their focus on preparing graduates to take on leadership roles in a variety of settings. If you are looking for a new opportunity to help you meet challenges and become a leader, then look no further. ACU’s programs offer the opportunity to gain personal achievement, career fulfillment and the chance to build strong, long-lasting relationships with your fellow students and our faculty and staff.

Abilene Christian University currently offers a select number of faith-based master’s degrees and certificate programs. Each program is designed to help prepare you for professional careers and leadership roles in your chosen field, all while balancing your responsibilities of family, work and home. Explore the opportunity to be a part of ACU’s community.

Our M.A. in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation online program prepares you to analyze, address and manage conflict effectively and professionally. You will gain in-depth preparation that is invaluable to you if you are seeking a career in dispute resolution or find yourself with significant peacemaking opportunities in your chosen career. The program will prepare you for leadership roles and careers in dispute resolution and in a wide range of disciplines requiring the effective management of conflict.

Our M.S. in Organizational and Human Resource Development (O.H.R.D.) online program prepares you for leadership roles in organizations. You will become decision makers skilled in critical thinking, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and gain an appreciation for diversity. The O.H.R.D. program incorporates the following disciplines: Communication, Psychology, Business and Management Sciences, and Conflict Resolution courses - making it one of the most integrated graduate programs in the United States.

Our Master’s in Higher Education online program designed to prepare you for professional careers in a broad range of higher education settings. This program, with an emphasis in College Student Affairs and Conflict Management, is designed for the recent college graduate, or the working student development professional who resides in a higher education setting and needs advanced training. This degree prepares graduates for roles such as residence life director, academic advisor, international student coordinator, financial aid counselor, intramural director, career services advisor, and many others. This degree will also provide a solid foundation for future doctoral work in higher education.

You learn how to effectively negotiate, to manage conflict, and work with people. In anything that you do, there is conflict… I’ve had the opportunity to take the skills I’ve learned in this program and apply them to my business.
Griffin Gonzalez, Student, Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation

ACU has prepared me to go out into the working world with the program that I want to be in. And gave me a better sense of what students are really going through and what student’s really need.
Jessica Bohn, Student, M.Ed. in Higher Education

I had put off grad school for years, not knowing exactly what the right field was and where the right school was. After a sleepless night of Internet searching, I came upon the distance learning option at Abilene Christian University. The feeling that this was the right choice was instant—I knew Abilene had a solid reputation, and I knew that the Master of Science in Organizational and Human Resource Development would not only help me in my current job, but would also be a good base for furthering my education with a doctoral degree. My decision to take the leap into distance learning at Abilene has changed my life, given me more focus, and made me feel a renewed sense of purpose.
Bethany Huxford Davis, Student, Master of Science in O.H.R.D. and Certificate in Conflict Resolution