Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies

The Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies supplies a noticeably Christian environment in which students learn how to build a life of meaning within the context of a business or educational career, acquiring the skills necessary to find a job, to run a successful business or be a successful educator, and to accumulate wealth. Students are equipped to:

  • Understand the function of private industry in the national and world economies.
  • Understand the various business functions, how they interact, and how they contribute to organizational objectives.
  • Integrate legal, ethical, and personal considerations into business decision-making.
  • Work effectively as a team-member and as a team-leader for projects, functional divisions of the company, and the entire organization.
  • Understand how data is collected, reported, and analyzed to manage organizations and make better business decisions.
  • Communicate analysis, results, decisions, and recommendations.
  • Identify business opportunities, and learn how to raise and manage the capital to finance them.
  • Market themselves as well as their organization, its mission, and its products or services.
  • Build a satisfying career and grow toward financial independence.

The Kelley College of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

KCOB Strategic Plan

Irvin School of Education

The Irvin School of Education is part of the Kelley College of Business and Professional Studies. Irvin School of Education provides life-long learning opportunities through innovative and reflective scholarly experiences for undergraduate and graduate students. Through thoughtful engagement discovering new ideas or solutions, students develop a passion for seeking personal and professional transformation through physical and mental health, education, technology, science, service, leadership, and community.  Irvin supports excellence in scholarly pursuits that explore complex issues related to education and leadership among individuals, families, educational institutions, and our global society.

Our mission is to prepare transformative leaders, educators, global citizens, and excellence in research, education, and science. We are dedicated to building a community and providing excellence in education enlightened by Christian faith and values.

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas Education Agency (TEA) Office of Accountability has awarded Hardin-Simmons University Teacher Education Program a rating of “Accredited” under the Accountability System for Educator Preparation authorized by Texas Education Code 21.045 every year since the rating of teacher preparation entities has been awarded.

Evan Pipkin and Victoria Walters receive Outstanding Finance Student Award

Student Achievement

The Kelley College of Business demonstrates estimated data and evidence for student achievement for the 2021-23 period:
• Attrition: 40%
• Retention: 70%
• Graduation:  60%
• Licensure pass rates: 90-100% (first time and second time)
• Job placement rates: 100% of students seeking employment are employed.
• Acceptance into graduate programs: 100% of students seeking graduate programs are accepted.
• Successful transfer of credit: ACBSP institutions accept our transfer credits.

1. Retention rate of full-time, first-time freshmen that majored in the business school in Fall 2021: 62.50%
2. 6-Year Graduation rate of full-time, first-time freshmen that graduated in the business school:
a. Fall 2013 cohort (graduated in or before August 2019): 45.90%
b. Fall 2014 cohort (graduated in or before August 2020): 43.10%
c. Fall 2015 cohort (graduated in or before August 2021): 48.33%
d. Fall 2016 cohort (graduated in or before August 2022): 66.18%

Featured Facts and Information

CSD student painting a kid's face at an HSU event.

Irvin School of Education

Irvin School of Education provides life-long learning opportunities through innovative and reflective scholarly experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.

Learn About Education Degrees
Dr. McIntyre teaches a business class.

Master of Arts in Management

The fully-online Master of Arts in Management program provides our students with the managerial and technical business skills to enhance the lives of the people and organizations they influence. No GMAT or GRE is required. Prepare for a job in:
• Human Resources
• Management Consulting
• Finance Management
• Business Development
• Production/Operations Management
• Marketing/Sales Management

Explore the M.A.M. Degree
Kennedy Connor Criminal Justice and Psychology Program Student
HSU professor standing behind a podium with a document in hand speaking to his students

Our Business Faculty

Our faculty includes CPAs, lawyers, PH.D.s ... who also happen to be novelists, programmers, team ropers, and former city councilmen. Not only are they highly educated, but they've put their educations to work in the real world as real people tend to do. They'll teach you and nurture inside and outside the classroom.

Meet Your Business Professors