Hearne ISD, Baylor’s Moody School of Education Partner to Expand Graduate Pathways
WACO, Texas — Baylor University’s Moody School of Education is teaming up with Hearne Independent School District to make graduate-level education more accessible and affordable for local school staff.
The new partnership is designed to meet working educators where they are. By offering flexible online, hybrid, and in-person programs alongside dedicated tuition scholarships, the collaboration helps teachers and administrators advance their careers while bringing cutting-edge, research-backed practices straight back to Hearne ISD classrooms.
“By expanding access to high-quality graduate education, we are supporting educators as they grow as leaders while advancing the mission of their schools and districts.” - Dr. Terrill Saxon, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Global Engagement
Through this agreement, Hearne ISD employees can easily apply to a wide range of Moody School of Education graduate programs. Many of these pathways feature significant, exclusive tuition discounts and streamlined admission benefits.
Academic Pathways and Scholarships
Hearne ISD educators are eligible for dedicated scholarships across several of Baylor’s premier graduate programs:
On-Campus Programs
- MA in Teaching with initial Texas teacher certification
- MSEd in Educational Psychology with Applied Behavior Analysis, Gifted and Talented, Special Education, Twice Exceptionalities, or General Educational Psychology tracks
- EDS in School Psychology
- MSEd in Higher Education and Student Affairs
- MSEd in Sport Management
Distance and Hybrid Programs
- Online EdD in Learning and Organizational Change Leadership **(exclusive 8% priority enrollment scholarship)
- Hybrid EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership (standard 50% scholarship) *can lead to Texas superintendent certification
- Hybrid MA in School Leadership (competitive scholarships available) *can lead to Texas principal certification
- Online MS in Learning Design and Technology** (exclusive 10% scholarship)
- Online Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Technology (exclusive 10% scholarship)
- Online Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning** (exclusive 10% scholarship)
- Dallas-based hybrid EDS in School Psychology (competitive tuition rate)
To make returning to school as seamless as possible, Baylor is waiving application fees for the online EdD in Learning and Organizational Change, the online MS in Learning Design and Technology, and both graduate certificate programs. Additionally, educators applying to these specific programs can seek graduate credit for their real-world classroom experience through Baylor’s prior learning assessment process.
Supporting Future-Ready Classrooms
Hearne ISD serves 764 students across two campuses in Central Texas, operating under a mission to prepare every child to become a lifelong learner and a productive citizen. By prioritizing strong instructional leadership and excellent learning environments, the district continuously looks for meaningful ways to support the teachers at the heart of its schools.
Partnering with Baylor's Moody School of Education—a nationally recognized leader in educator preparation—strengthens this mission. The Moody School offers five PhD programs, two EdD programs, an EdS, and nine master’s degrees, preparing teachers, school psychologists, and administrators to lead with integrity.
Dr. Terrill Saxon, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Global Engagement in the Moody School of Education, noted that the partnership reflects Baylor’s dedication to supporting public school educators as local leaders.
“Our collaboration with Hearne ISD reflects a shared belief that investing in educators is one of the most powerful ways to improve student outcomes,” Saxon said. “By expanding access to high-quality graduate education, we are supporting educators as they grow as leaders while advancing the mission of their schools and districts.”
As a Tier 1 research institution, Baylor is widely recognized for both academic excellence and practical, community-centered research. This newest agreement with Hearne ISD is part of the university's ongoing, faith-guided mission to serve Texas school districts by building clear, attainable paths to professional growth.
ABOUT THE MOODY SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
For more than 100 years, the Moody School of Education has advanced Baylor University’s mission across the globe while preparing students for a range of careers focused on education, leadership and human development. With more than 70 full-time faculty members, the School’s growing research portfolio complements its long-standing commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring. Baylor’s undergraduate program in teacher education has earned national distinction for innovative partnerships with local schools that provide future teachers deep clinical preparation. Likewise, the Moody School of Education’s graduate programs have attained national recognition for their exemplary preparation of research scholars, educational leaders, innovators, and clinicians. Visit the Moody School of Education website to learn more.
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 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.