Introduction

One of the largest and fastest growing academic units at Baylor University, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is preparing leaders in health and quality of life through science, scholarship, and innovation. The College includes five academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and, Public Health—along with a Physician Assistant program and a number of graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army.

Committed to providing undergraduate and graduate students with a truly transformative education, Robbins College emphasizes real-world training and experiences, offering internships, research opportunities, study abroad, and coursework that address practical skills and contemporary issues. These applied learning experiences are designed to equip future servant leaders to improve health and quality of life across all populations.

History

In May 2014, the Baylor University Board of Regents voted to establish a new college at the University—one that would bring together academic units that shared a common purpose of improving health and quality of life; thus, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences was born.

While the College itself was established in 2014, its history stretches back even further. The anchor units of Robbins College—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; and, Human Sciences and Design—have existed at Baylor since the 1940s. These foundational units laid the groundwork for the College’s eventual formation and its further development as new departments and programs—Public Health; Physical Therapy; Occupational Therapy; Physician Assistant Studies—have been established.

Facilities

Learning and research in Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences takes place in facilities across the Baylor University campus, and beyond. The Baylor Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic is a two-story hub for clinical practice, research, and education where comprehensive evaluation and treatment is provided for patients of all ages with difficulties in communication processes or swallowing. The Mooney Lab for Exercise, Nutrition, and Biochemistry allows Baylor faculty and their students the opportunity to conduct a vast array of biochemical and molecular biology techniques used in exercise physiology and nutrition research. The Parker Design and Technology Center provides the Apparel Design and Product Development and Apparel Merchandising students access to state-of-the-art apparel software, equipment, and technology. Courtesy of the Parker family, Baylor University has the most extensive collection of apparel design, merchandising, and product development software and technology of any university in North America.

Research

Across Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, faculty and students are engaged in transformational research inspired by their calling as Christians to serve others. With a focus on health, quality of life, and human flourishing, Robbins College research is conducted in the lab, in the classroom, in the community, and around the world. In particular, Robbins College research focuses around four signature initiatives—behavioral and human Sciences, chronic diseases and conditions, health access and quality, and (re)habilitative sciences.

Endowed Positions in the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences

Chairs

Brown Foundation Endowed Chair
The Mary Gibbs Jones Endowed Chair in Family & Consumer Sciences
The Martin Family Endowed Chair in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Scholarships

An asterisk (*) denotes that the scholarship also is listed under another department.

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders

The Dr. Madalene Barnett Scholarship in Communication Sciences and Disorders
The James F. and Beverly H. Eberts Scholarship in Speech Pathology and Audiology
The Abbey and Ann Elliston Scholarship
The Don and Faith Martin Scholarship
The Speech Pathology/Audiology Scholarship
The Hallie Mae Holman Scholarship in Speech Pathology
The Rhonda S. Reynolds Scholarship Fund
Communication Disorders Scholarship

Department of Human Sciences and Design

The Human Sciences and Design Department Scholarship
The Florence M. Allen Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Sally B. Burkett Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Wilma Pitts Griffin Scholarship
The Mary Gibbs Jones Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Tommie and John Lawhon III Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Launa A. Morrow Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund
The William and Laverne Nelson Scholarship
The Alma Holmes Nichols Scholarship
The Mr. and Mrs. Clyde R. Robertson Memorial Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Retha Sanders Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Eunice Clark Scaief Memorial Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Mr. and Mrs. T.D. Stevens Academic Scholarship in Human Sciences and Design
The Melba Justice Scholarship
The Greta and Murray Watson Scholarship
The Terry L. Brown Scholarship
Lelda C. Walker and Granddaughter Kelly L. Walker Endowed Scholarship Fund
Shannon Pratt Gledich Endowed Scholarship Fund
Apparel Design and Product Development Endowed Scholarship Fund

Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Brenda Boiles Scholarship
Myra Millard Scholarship
Lloyd Russell Scholarship
“Dutch” Schroeder Scholarship
Olga Fallen Scholarship
Eveline Kappes Scholarship
Halye & Norman Frederick Scholarship
T’Dee L. Bracken Scholarship in Elementary or All-Level Physical Education
Frank “Pogo” Smith Scholarship in Recreation
Roper Family Scholarship in Outdoor Recreation
LT & Genevieve Halbert Scholarship in Recreation
Red & Sandra Covington Scholarship in Athletic Training
Red & Sandra Covington Scholarship in Health Science Studies, Pre-Med/Pre-Dent
Brendon Chase Mooney Scholarship in Exercise Physiology
Burna F. Battles Scholarship in Recreation
Mary E. Tindle Endowed Scholarship
Joan Karel Mooney Endowed Scholarship

Honor Societies

Kappa Omicron Nu

Kappa Omicron Nu is a national honor society in the field of family and consumer sciences, which has been on campus since 1972. Human Sciences and Design majors are eligible after completing twelve hours in Human Sciences and Design courses with a 3.2 GPA and a 3.0 overall GPA. The goals of the organization include recognition of scholarship, development of leadership, association of students with faculty, and encouragement of research. New members are initiated in the fall and spring, and meetings are held monthly.

Eta Sigma Gamma

Eta Sigma Gamma is a National Health Education Honorary which promotes the discipline by elevating the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of professionally prepared men and women in Health Education. Membership is open to any Baylor student who has completed at least two semesters and officially declared a major or minor in community health education. Candidates must earn a grade point average of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 grade point system) in one semester followed by an average of at least 2.5 in the next semester to be eligible for election in the Baylor chapter, Epsilon Alpha.

Professional Organizations

Baylor Apparel Professionals

Baylor Apparel Professionals is the organization for apparel design and product development and apparel merchandising majors. It offers a wide variety of educational and leadership opportunities. Through monthly programs, the students may network with professionals from the fashion field to learn more about career opportunities in the industry. The organization initiates two field experiences yearly.

Baylor Interior Design Association (BIDA)

The Baylor Interior Design Association is the student organization representing both student membership and involvement with the professional organizations of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Members participate in monthly meetings, professional-sponsored student events and programs, and various other learning experiences that support and enhance their academic training.

Baylor Student Nutrition Association (BSNA)

The Baylor Student Nutrition Association provides nutrition information and career information to the students in the organization as well as anyone else interested in dietetics. The membership of BSNA is open to any student with a declared major in nutrition science. BSNA is the student organization of the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Child and Family Studies Organization (CFSO)

The Child and Family Studies (CFSO) organization is open to Child and Family Studies Majors and all other students interested in topics related to Child and Family Studies.  CFSO holds monthly meetings, in which students learn about current trends in the field and engage with professionals from a variety of career paths.  The organization further provides professional development opportunities by providing service to organizations who work with children and families and engaging in annual professional conferences.

National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

The Baylor Chapter of the National Student Speech Hearing Language Association (NSSLHA) is an organization of students in the field of Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology. The purpose of the organization is to teach students to serve their profession and to encourage continued involvement in professional organizations. The organization addresses new directions and conflicts which arise within the field. In addition, NSSLHA provides opportunities for students to interact with professionals working in the field. Membership is open to students enrolled in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Phi Theta

Phi Theta is Baylor University’s club for students interested in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or sports medicine. It serves as a resource for students who are seeking information about physical therapy and occupational therapy schools and job opportunities. Guest speakers include representatives from physical therapy and occupational therapy schools and local physical therapists and occupational therapists. Field trips to local rehabilitation clinics and professional schools are also made.

Athletic Training Student Association

The Athletic Training Student Association was organized and chartered in 2006. Its purpose is to promote and enhance athletic training both on and off campus through education, community service, team building and leadership development, funds development, and recruiting and promotion. Membership is open to all athletic training students.