Board of Regents Approves New Master’s Degrees; Discusses Comprehensive Resource Strategy to Support New Strategic Plan

Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
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At its regular fall board meeting, the Baylor University Board of Regents approved new master’s degrees in burgeoning fields in engineering and education and received updates on future areas of academic focus for the University. In addition, the Board discussed strategies to fund the needs identified in the University’s new Baylor in Deeds strategic plan, which launched in September.

As Baylor continues to make advances in engineering and health sciences, the Board approved a Master of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering in the Graduate School. The program will begin in Spring 2025 and complements the interdisciplinary doctoral program in Materials Science and Engineering. The new degree will offer students research opportunities with top Baylor scholars that prepare them for successful entry into the rapidly growing research and development workforce.

The Board also approved a Master of Science degree in Learning Design and Technology in the School of Education (Online Learning), beginning in Fall 2025. This program will help address the growing need for learning design professionals prepared to create digital learning experiences across various sectors, including corporate, K-12, higher education, government and nonprofit institutions.

“Health and engineering are some of the fastest growing programs at Baylor, and the opportunity for us to impact those industries is tremendous as we lead in developing unique solutions through our scholarship and research as a Christian R1 university,” Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “These new degrees, as well as others recently approved by the Board, will only serve to deepen our footholds in areas of high demand in the state, nation and world.”

Baylor Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., shared a wide-ranging academic presentation with the Board, which included an update on the School of Engineering and Computer Science that demonstrated how Baylor can build upon the interdisciplinary aspects of engineering and applied sciences outlined in the new strategic plan while also bolstering existing strengths in health sciences. She also described future areas of strategic focus for the University, such as continued investments in faculty; broadening international collaboration and enrollment; and growing graduate and professional education.

Provost Brickhouse updated the Board on continuing efforts to increase the University’s four-year graduation rates, which are at a record high of nearly 73%. She noted that fall-to-fall retention is on the rise as a record 90.9% of last year’s freshman class returned this fall. She added that retention of freshmen Pell grant recipients jumped more than three points to 91.5%, nearly half of Pell freshmen also received the Baylor Benefit Grant covering full tuition for students from demonstrated household incomes less than $50,000, and those students retained at an even higher rate of 94%.

Comprehensive resource planning

Due to increasing economic strains in higher education, the lingering impacts of inflation, and the changing economics of Power 4 college athletics, the Board reviewed a five-year comprehensive resource plan presented by the Administration to support the new Baylor in Deeds strategic plan. With the success of Illuminate and Give Light, Baylor’s recently concluded strategic plan and philanthropic campaign, respectively, and prudent fiscal management internally, Baylor remains financially strong. In fact, the institution’s Fitch Ratings were recently reaffirmed as AA-. However, the Board and Administration signaled the importance of greater financial vigilance and stewardship institution-wide for the upcoming fiscal years.

“We are blessed that Baylor is a strong and stable institution, including its financial position. We also recognize that there are many financial pressures and uncertainties facing higher education and our Baylor Family that must be managed with diligence and care. We remain focused on being good stewards of our resources and maintaining our commitment to Baylor as a distinct Christian research 1 university participating at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics,” said Board Chair William “Bill” E. Mearse, B.B.A. ’78, M.B.A. '79, of Houston. 

President’s report

In her regular report to the Board, President Livingstone shared an update on her annual goals and areas of focus – including the launch of Baylor in Deeds, elevating Baylor’s academic reputation among peer institutions, and continuing to foster alignment with the University’s Christian mission. She highlighted the University’s renewed Civil Discourse Series and notable fall enrollment gains, including a marked increase in freshman male enrollment.

President Livingstone celebrated Baylor’s Top 10 U.S. News rankings for “Programs That Enhance Student Experience” and the fact that Baylor is one of just 13 universities to rank in the top 30 nationally for both undergraduate teaching and undergraduate research – one of just six that compete in Power 4 athletics. She noted the University’s recognition as a 2024 Great College to Work For and the inclusion of 43 current or retired Baylor faculty members and postdoctoral researchers on a prestigious list of the top 2% most-cited researchers in the world, which measures the global impact of faculty research.

“Guided over the next five years by the Baylor in Deeds strategic plan, Baylor will continue to bring an important Christian perspective in an increasingly complex and challenging world,” Livingstone said. “We are blessed at Baylor to be a Christian Research 1 university where academic excellence is elevated, a Christian commitment is celebrated, and research is cultivated.” 

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.