Overview
Harding University was founded in 1924 as Harding College upon the merger of two junior colleges, Arkansas Christian College and Harper College. The University is located in Searcy, Arkansas; a community situated about 50 miles northeast of Little Rock. Harding boasts a prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program, which has utilized online classes from the beginning of the program in 1998 and which now can be earned completely online. The school's online MBA program is an excellent choice for professionals seeking an academically superior educational experience at a much lower cost than many other online MBA programs.
Points of Distinction
Areas of Study
Harding's Online Programs include a general Master of Business Administration (MBA), as well as MBA's in the following fields:
Admissions
Entrance into the masters-level graduate business program at Harding University is selective. However, the University makes decisions for enrollment based on academic records and work history, and thus no GMAT is required for admission. The application process can be initiated online with the creation of a new student login account.
Faculty
Harding boasts a spirited faculty comprised of 220 full-time members, 62% of whom hold a Ph.D. or professional degree. Instructors are highly knowledgeable in their field.
Student Body
Online MBA students are highly motivated individuals, most of them business professionals, seeking a curriculum that matches their life goals and career aspirations. The total university student population is in excess of 6,000 students representing 49 states and over 50 foreign countries.
Student Life
Harding’s Searcy campus has 45 buildings sitting on 275 acres. The online learning environment provides exposure to different cultures and business practices through class participation with international students and increased opportunities for networking among MBA students. Online classes are facilitated through use of WebCT, a software tool which allows students to manage each of their online classes, including assignments, discussions, tests, and presentations.
Searcy, AR is home to Harding. Searcy is a town not particularly near any major cities. Students select the school partly because it is a Churches of Christ school. Harding is a private, not-for-profit institution. Degrees at the school go up to the Doctoral degree.
Students at Harding can choose among many degree programs. Students commonly pursue studies in education and teaching.
Prospective students are advised that admissions are not open to all; the school selects from among qualified applicants. Three quarters of students in 2007-2008 had SAT verbal scores of at least 500. Half of math SAT scores of accepted students fell between 500 and 640.
Harding has 6,139 enrolled students (as of 2007-2008).
The school has a residential or campus feel. Harding offers dorm rooms to a higher percentage of its students than do most colleges. The school offers students meal plans. Harding values student athletics, and belongs to the Gulf South Conference.
More complete details are provided below.
Harding University
915 E. Market Ave.
Searcy, AR 72143
General Phone: (501) 279-4000
http://www.harding.edu
| General Category | Degrees | Most Common Majors [see all] |
|---|---|---|
| Education and Teaching | 362 | education, early childhood education, teacher ed, school counseling, middle school teaching, secondary teaching, English teaching, educational administration, ... |
| Business and Management | 245 | business management, accounting, marketing, business, fashion merchandising, sales and marketing, human resources, business communications, ... |
| Liberal Arts | 123 | general studies, English, Spanish language, history, French language, humanities, economics, social services, ... |
| Religion and Philosophy | 72 | bible studies, youth ministry, ministry, pastoral counseling, missionary studies, theology |
| Nutrition and Exercise Therapy | 47 | exercise science, dietitian, sports and fitness management, athletic trainer |
| Nursing and Emergency Medicine | 42 | registered nursing |
| Computer Science and Engineering | 38 | computer science, information technology, computer engineering, computer and info science |
| Family and Social Work | 38 | social work, human development and family studies, family and consumer science, public administration |
| Therapy and Counseling | 35 | psychology, marriage and family therapy, art therapy |
| Media | 35 | public relations, digital communications, communication studies, journalism, broadcast journalism, advertising |
| Science | 28 | biology, biochem/biophysics/molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics |
| Medical Support and Technology | 26 | speech pathology, clinical lab tech |
| Design | 18 | interior design, graphic design |
| Medical Administration | 12 | health care administration |
| Drama and Performing Arts | 9 | drama |
| Fine Arts | 7 | fine arts |
| Security and Law Enforcement | 6 | criminal justice and safety, corrections and criminal justice |
| Engineering | 6 | electrical engineering, mechanical engineering |
| Mathematics | 5 | mathematics |
| Music | 4 | music |
Number of programs and degrees for Harding in 2008-2009:
| Degree Level | Total Awarded | Number of Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 787 | 74 |
| Master's degree | 351 | 9 |
| First-professional degree | 10 | 1 |
| Post-master's certificate | 8 | 1 |
| Doctor's degree | 2 | 1 |
In 2007-2008, Harding had a total enrollment of 6,139 students (5,059 full-time equivalent).
Students in the Freshman Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Men | 45% |
| Women | 55% |
| Full-Time | 99% |
| Part-Time | 1% |
Students By Class:
| Group | Percent |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 65% |
| Graduate | 35% |
| Race | Percent |
|---|---|
| White | 85% |
| Black | 6% |
| Hispanic | 2% |
| Asian | 1% |
| American Indian | 1% |
| Unknown | 1% |
| (Foreign Students) | 4% |
Students by Age:
| Age | Percent |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | 1% |
| 18-19 | 27% |
| 20-21 | 26% |
| 22-24 | 14% |
| 25-29 | 8% |
| 30-34 | 5% |
| 35-39 | 6% |
| 40-49 | 8% |
| 50-64 | 5% |
| 65+ | 0% |
Incoming (Freshman) Students by Place of Residence:
(From available data sampling)
| Residence | Percent |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | 24% |
| Texas | 19% |
| Tennessee | 7% |
| Missouri | 5% |
| (International Students) | 4% |
| Florida | 4% |
| Alabama | 3% |
| Oklahoma | 3% |
| Illinois | 3% |
| Ohio | 3% |
| Georgia | 2% |
| Colorado | 2% |
| Indiana | 2% |
| Louisiana | 1% |
| North Carolina | 1% |
| Virginia | 1% |
| Michigan | 1% |
| Washington | 1% |
| Minnesota | 1% |
| Pennsylvania | 1% |
| California | 1% |
| Kentucky | 1% |
| Mississippi | 1% |
| Maryland | 1% |
| Oregon | 1% |
| Kansas | 1% |
| Nebraska | 1% |
| New York | 1% |
| Arizona | 1% |
| New Jersey | 1% |
| South Carolina | 1% |
| New Mexico | 1% |
Retention Rates (2007):
| Group | Returning From Previous Year |
|---|---|
| Full-Time | 80 % |
| Part-Time | 43 % |
Harding offers campus housing for 3,428 of its 5,059 (full-time) students. Freshmen are required to live on campus.
(Please refer to our profile of Searcy, Arkansas for details about the area surrounding the campus. Also see our list of other Arkansas Colleges).
The school offers students a meal plan with 21 meals per week.
Acceptances:
| Group | Applicants | Accepted | Percent Accepted | Enrolled | Percent of Accepted Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1,874 | 1,382 | 74% | 986 | 71% |
| Men | 840 | 620 | 74% | 445 | 72% |
| Women | 1,034 | 762 | 74% | 541 | 71% |
Standardized Test Scores:
| Test | 25th Percentile | 75th Percetile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT Verbal | 500 | 640 |
| SAT Math | 500 | 640 |
| ACT Verbal | 21 | 29 |
| ACT Math | 20 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 22 | 28 |
Application Requirements:
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| GPA | recommended |
| Class Rank | recommended |
| High School Record | recommended |
| College Prep Program | recommended |
| Recommendations | required |
| Formal Demonstration of Competence | not required |
| Standardized Tests (SAT and/or ACT) | required |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting SAT | 40% |
| Percent of Applicants Submitting ACT | 83% |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | required |
Expenses and Financial Aid:
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $ 13,130 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $ 13,130 |
| Room and board | $ 5,700 |
| Room charge | $ 2,824 |
| Board (meal plan) charge | $ 3,278 |
| Books and supplies | $ 900 |
| Other expenses | $ 2,470 |
Financial Aid:
Harding participates in Federal Title IV financial aid programs. (The school's OPE ID is 109700)
Salaries for full-time faculty:
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | calendar year | 1 | * | 1 | * |
| Associate professor | calendar year | 4 | $73,074 | 1 | * |
| Assistant professor | calendar year | 3 | $75,917 | 3 | $86,992 |
| Instructor | calendar year | 1 | * | 1 | * |
| All faculty total | calendar year | 9 | $70,787 | 6 | $84,207 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Full-Time Faculty (2008-2009):
| Full-Time Faculty Level | Contract Length | Number Men | Avg Salary Men | Number Women | Avg Salary Women |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professor | academic year | 65 | $69,531 | 11 | $64,930 |
| Associate professor | academic year | 44 | $60,468 | 14 | $56,632 |
| Assistant professor | academic year | 41 | $51,135 | 28 | $47,778 |
| Instructor | academic year | 13 | $43,734 | 20 | $40,187 |
| All faculty total | academic year | 163 | $60,400 | 73 | $49,981 |
*: salaries are not displayed where there are fewer than 3 professors in the category.
Athletic Conferences:
| Sport | Conference |
|---|---|
| Football | Gulf South Conference |
| Basketball | Gulf South Conference |
| Baseball | Gulf South Conference |
| Track | Gulf South Conference |
Students on Athletic Scholarships (2007):
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 145 | 63 | 208 |
| Football | 67 | 0 | 67 |
| Track | 14 | 11 | 25 |
| Baseball | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| Basketball | 13 | 9 | 22 |
| All Other Sports | 27 | 43 | 70 |
BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
Accounting
Business Administration and Management, General
Business/Commerce, General
Business/Corporate Communications
Fashion Merchandising
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
International Business/Trade/Commerce
Marketing/Marketing Management, General
Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Computer Engineering, General
Computer Science
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Information Technology
DESIGN
Graphic Design
Interior Design
DRAMA AND PERFORMING ARTS
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General
EDUCATION AND TEACHING
Art Teacher Education
Biology Teacher Education
Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Education, General
Educational Leadership and Administration, General
English/Language Arts Teacher Education
Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
Health Teacher Education
Junior High/Intermediate/Middle School Education and Teaching
Mathematics Teacher Education
Music Teacher Education
Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Secondary Education and Teaching
Social Studies Teacher Education
Spanish Language Teacher Education
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
ENGINEERING
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
FAMILY AND SOCIAL WORK
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other
Public Administration
Social Work
FINE ARTS
Fine/Studio Arts, General
LIBERAL ARTS
Economics, General
English Language and Literature, General
French Language and Literature
General Studies
History, General
Humanities/Humanistic Studies
International/Global Studies
Political Science and Government, General
Social Sciences, General
Spanish Language and Literature
MATHEMATICS
Mathematics, General
MEDIA
Advertising
Broadcast Journalism
Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
Journalism
Public Relations/Image Management
MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION
Health/Health Care Administration/Management
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND TECHNOLOGY
Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
NURSING AND EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN)
NUTRITION AND EXERCISE THERAPY
Athletic Training/Trainer
Dietetics/Dietitian (RD)
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY
Bible/Biblical Studies
Divinity/Ministry (BD, MDiv)
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
Pastoral Studies/Counseling
Theology/Theological Studies
Youth Ministry
SCIENCE
Biochemistry
Biochemistry/Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Chemistry, General
Physics, General
SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies
THERAPY AND COUNSELING
Art Therapy/Therapist
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
Psychology, General
(Details are provided further down on this page.)
What Sets Harding Apart:
| Category | Trophy | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of degree programs (vs. all colleges) | Top 7% | ![]() |
| Dorm rooms per full-time student (vs. all colleges) | Top 8% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in education and teaching (vs. all colleges) | Top 9% | ![]() |
| % of degrees in religion and philosophy (vs. colleges of similar size) | Top 13% | ![]() |
| Number of students (vs. all colleges) | Top 13% | ![]() |
| % of accepted students who choose to enroll (vs. colleges with similar degree levels) | Top 17% | ![]() |
Notable:
Churches of Christ affiliation
Accepts some high school credits
Grants credits for AP courses
Offers distance learning
Offers weekend classes
Career counseling
Career services
Student employment services
Remedial classes for students
Option to study abroad
Offers part-time study
On-campus library
Offers campus housing
Offers a board (meal) plan
Offers athletic scholarships
NCAA athletic conference member
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