In 1873, with the help of their father, Joseph A. Clark, brothers Addison and Randolph Clark began Texas Christian University which began as a children's preparatory school in Fort Worth. Initially, the school was known as the Male & Female Seminary and the brothers nurtured a vision for advanced education based in Christian beliefs but offered in a non-sectarian manner. This led to the founding of AdRan Male & Female College, the first coeducational institute of higher learning in Texas.
What would eventually become the Disciples of Christ took over the school in 1889 and renamed the institution AddRan Christian University. Eventually, the campus of Waco Female College was purchased, and the school was renamed Texas Christian University. When the main building on the campus burned, a group of Fort Worth businessmen offered the university 50 acres and $200,000 to return to Fort Worth. The school opened at its current location for the 1910-1911 school year.
Today, there are 10,489 students enrolled at Texas Christian University. The school ranks as one of the top 100 in national universities, best colleges for veterans and best value schools by US News & World Report. Texas Christian University ranks in the top 200 private colleges by Forbes. In addition, Forbes ranks it the 36th best university in the south and in the top 100 research universities in the country.
Texas Christian University Accreditation Details
Texas Christian University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation indicates that the university meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the accrediting agency that indicate students are receiving excellence in education and that they will be well prepared for their careers upon graduation. Texas Christian University also holds accreditations for various degree programs:
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Accrediting Council of Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse-Anesthesia Educational Programs
- American Association of Intensive English Programs
- American Chemical Society
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
- Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
Arts programs at Texas Christian University are accredited by the following organizations:
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Dance
- National Association of Schools of Music
These accreditations indicate that art, design, dance and music all provide students with the knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen profession and that the school strives to improve any areas identified as needing improvement by the accrediting agency.
Texas Christian University Application Requirements
Texas Christian University does not have minimum requirements for GPA or test scores. Students must complete an application and pay the application fee. Students must also provide an official high school transcript. Students must provide an essay based on the prompts found in the application and must also provide an activities resume. Students must provide a teacher evaluation as well as SAT or ACT scores. Transfer students must also provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Admission is competitive and students are only accepted based on openings in each program. Students must submit official GRE or GMAT scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition is $44,670 while graduate tuition is $27,990 per year. Financial aid is available in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study and loans. In order to qualify for any financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are also encouraged to complete the CSS Profile in order to be considered for funded aid programs through Texas Christian University.
Scholarships available include:
- TCU Freshman Academic Scholarships
- TCU Transfer Academic Scholarships
- TCU Performance-Based Scholarships
- TCU Special Eligibility Scholarships
- TCU Graduate Financial Aid
- Outside and Private Scholarships
There are also many loan programs available to help students pay for college. It is important to remember that loans must be repaid while scholarships and grants do not.
Online Degrees Available
Entrepreneurial Management
The Entrepreneurial Management program provides opportunities for students to explore the strategic, organizational and people aspects of the business as well as the skills employed in today's organizations, including strategic planning. Students are provided an understanding of leadership, negotiation, team building and other aspects of entrepreneurship. Students are able to gain hands-on experiences through the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization. Students gain an understanding of managing people, money, information systems, raw materials and finished products. They understand how to make decisions, handle conflict, communicate and work in teams.
Communication Studies
The Communication Studies program provides students with an understanding of the intricacies of personal and professional communication. The program requires 124 semester hours which include nine hours of electives. The program provides an understanding of communication processes necessary for a wide range of careers, including teaching, research or business. Students develop competencies in public speaking, listening and interviewing as well as human relations. Students must complete all courses in the major with a grade of "C" or better.
History
The Bachelor of Arts in History provides students with an understanding of the forces that drive change while also helping them understand how analytics can differentiate between true history and fads. Students gain a perspective of success and failure through time, helping them to gain a unique understanding of the human condition. Students gain a better understanding of contemporary politics, cultures and institutions by learning how to interpret the past. Graduate are then able to help communities make better decisions, especially related to public policy. Students gain a strong understanding of today's increasingly global world. Students learn skills in research, writing and critical inquiry, allowing them to better manage the unfamiliar and approach it with empathy.
Related Resource: 50 Best Masters Degree Online Programs 2018
Texas Christian University offers many online programs that are designed to provide individuals who may have barriers that keep them from attending traditional classrooms achieve their higher education goals. Through the Texas Christian University's online programs, students who have work, family or social obligations can move into a new career or advance in their current career.