Career-aligned academic programs offered in partnership with Rize Education are available now for declaration
BROWNWOOD – Aug. 6, 2026 – Howard Payne University (HPU) has added three new career-aligned academic program areas beginning in fall 2026.
HPU is introducing a minor in data science, a minor in cybersecurity, and a minor in nutrition. Nutrition is also offered as an area of emphasis within HPU’s kinesiology degree programs. Current and incoming students may declare the new programs now.
“These new programs expand the academic opportunities available to our students while preserving the relationships, Christian formation and close-knit campus experience that distinguish a Howard Payne education,” said Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president. “They reflect our commitment to academic excellence and responsible innovation as we prepare students to serve faithfully and effectively in professions increasingly influenced by technology, data and health sciences.”
Each of these programs is offered in partnership with Rize Education through the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC). The programs combine HPU’s Christ-centered, on-campus educational experience with selected online courses in specialized fields. The new degree paths are credit-bearing components of HPU’s curriculum, and all academic credit applies toward requirements established by HPU.
“These programs were selected because they complement HPU’s existing academic strengths and provide meaningful opportunities for students across several disciplines,” said Dr. Chad Gann, associate vice president for academic affairs. “Data science and cybersecurity will equip students to navigate a professional environment shaped by data, artificial intelligence and digital security. Nutrition creates an important connection among kinesiology, health, human performance and service to individuals and communities. Across all three areas, students will be challenged to develop professional competence, exercise ethical judgment and use their knowledge in service to others.”
Data science minor
The data science minor will help students develop the analytical and technical skills needed to interpret complex information and communicate evidence-based findings. Students will study subjects such as data analytics, data visualization, Python programming, predictive modeling, machine learning and applications of artificial intelligence.
The curriculum also addresses the ethical and responsible use of data, including accuracy, interpretability and bias. Because organizations in nearly every professional sector increasingly rely on data-informed decision-making, the minor can complement studies in computer science, business, mathematics, the natural sciences, social sciences and other academic fields.
Cybersecurity minor
The cybersecurity minor will prepare students to understand and respond to evolving digital security challenges. Through applied assignments and practical tools, students will examine areas such as network and systems security, cybercrime, risk assessment, threat detection, security planning and incident response.
The program is intended both for students pursuing technology-related careers and for those entering professional settings in which protecting information and managing digital risk are increasingly important. Rize’s cybersecurity curriculum emphasizes hands-on projects and the application of recognized security frameworks to real-world challenges.
Nutrition minor and kinesiology area of emphasis
The nutrition program will be available as a stand-alone minor and as an area of emphasis for students pursuing degrees in kinesiology. The curriculum will examine the relationship among food, nutrition, health, wellness and human performance across the lifespan.
Students may study topics such as introductory nutrition, food science, food economics, lifecycle nutrition and medical nutrition therapy. The program can support students interested in health and wellness, fitness, community health, food systems and related graduate study. Students seeking to become registered dietitian nutritionists would need to complete the additional education, supervised practice and credentialing requirements associated with an accredited dietetics pathway.
New programs offered in a new partnership with the Lower Cost Model Consortium and Rize Education, Inc.
Courses powered by Rize are designed in collaboration with academic and industry subject-matter experts and delivered online through accredited, Title IV-eligible LCMC member institutions. Qualified faculty from consortium institutions teach the online courses, evaluate student work, provide feedback and offer academic support. Students remain enrolled at HPU, receive advising and support from HPU faculty and staff, and earn their credentials and degrees from HPU. The LCMC model is designed to supplement the traditional residential college experience with flexible access to specialized online instruction.
The hybrid format will allow students to continue participating fully in HPU classes, athletics, student organizations, ministry opportunities, service activities and campus life while completing selected specialized courses online. The online coursework includes assignments developed for the virtual environment and regular interaction with instructors who grade student work, provide feedback and maintain scheduled opportunities for academic assistance.
Current HPU students interested in adding one of the new programs should consult their academic advisor. Incoming students may contact the HPU Office of Admissions for information about incorporating a new minor or emphasis into their intended degree plan.
Classes in the three program areas will begin during the fall 2026 semester.
About Howard Payne University
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values – centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship – Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.
About Rize Education
Rize Education partners with colleges and universities to launch career-focused academic programs through an innovative program-sharing model. Rize-developed curricula incorporate project-based learning, real-world assignments and career preparation and are designed in collaboration with academic experts and industry leaders. More than 125 institutions use the Rize model to expand academic opportunities and equip students with in-demand professional skills.