Oklahoma State University #36

Oklahoma State University #36

 

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Oklahoma State University was created, until the Morrill Act in 1890, as Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural & Mechanical College. During World War II, OSU was famously one of six colleges selected for the Navy Electronics Training Program. Today, Oklahoma State is a public, land-grant and sea-grant RU/H research institution.
Based on a 1,489-acre campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma State University has extension centers in Okmulgee, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa. The entire OSU system enrolls more than 35,000 students yearly. According to the U.S. News, Oklahoma State is America’s 149th best university and 79th top public school. In particular, OSU offers the 87th top clinical and 117th best psychology programs nationally.

Oklahoma State University Accreditation Details

Recently evaluated in 2015, Oklahoma State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA). This regional agency accredits universities in the 19-state Midwestern region for the U.S. Department of Education. Notable specialized accreditations include the:
• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA)
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)

Oklahoma State University Application Requirements

Becoming an Oklahoma State Cowboy is moderately tough with the selective acceptance rate of 75 percent. For the B.A./B.S. in Psychology, freshmen must be graduating from a licensed high school or homeschool program. Finishing the 15-unit core with four years of English and three to four years of math is mandatory. Assured admission is offered to applicants with a minimum 3.0 GPA or class rank in the top 33.3 percentile. OSU prefers first-years scoring above 21 on the ACT and 980 on the SAT (reading and math). Undergraduate transfers must have attempted at least seven credits at a regionally accredited college with a 2.25 GPA.
Master’s in counseling programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s from an accredited U.S. college or foreign equivalent. Holding a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 is required. Ph.D. programs accept either bachelor’s or master’s-level graduates with a GPA higher than 3.25. Major isn’t predetermined, but satisfying prerequisites in introductory psychology, research methods, statistics, and abnormal psychology with a “B” or better is critical. Competitive candidates will have scored at least 294 on the GRE or 394 on the MAT. International scholars from non-English speaking countries must achieve a 550 TOEFL score or 6.5 IELTS score.
Oklahoma State University’s application process opens July 1st and lasts until February 1st. During this time, interested students should submit the following:
• Completed online OSU application
• Non-refundable $40 application fee
• Official record of testing scores
• Copies of high school and college transcripts
• Two to three letters of reference
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statement of professional goals
• Scores for English proficiency exams (if applicable)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates from Oklahoma are charged $4,160 per semester. Non-resident students taking 12 to 18 undergraduate credits pay $11,221 each term. Part-time learners are billed $189 (in-state) or $635 (out-of-state) per credit. Mandatory expenses include the $5 student activity fee, $5 health services fee, and $17 technology fee per credit. Total estimated cost of attendance is $22,308 for Oklahomans and $35,508 for non-residents. At the graduate level, in-state residents pay $209 per credit. Out-of-state graduates must afford $825 per credit.
Approximately 89 percent of starting, full-time OSU students get assistance. The average financial aid package is worth $8,750. Institutional awards like the President’s Leadership Scholarship, Regent’s Distinguished Scholarship, Cowboy Covenant Scholarship, and Transfer Achievement Scholarship are numerous. In-state residents could receive the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship or Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant. Federally, there’s the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, and TEACH Grant available. Needy students taking 12+ credits could obtain the OSU Opportunity Grant too. Federal Work-Study (FWS) awards pay at least minimum wage for campus employment. Graduate assistantships can provide full or partial waivers. Learners could also wisely borrow Federal Stafford, Perkins, and Graduate PLUS loans that must be repaid.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

In North Murray Hall, the College of Arts & Sciences houses six degrees in psychology and counseling to promote behavioral science. The student-faculty ratio of 20:1 means one-third of classes have under 20 students. Oklahoma State University offers several special opportunities such as the Psychology Diversified Students Program and Summer Science Academy for High School Students. Aspirant mental health professionals could pursue the:
Psychology B.A./B.S.
As Oklahoma State’s second largest major, the Psychology B.A./B.S. program develops a fundamental grounding in psychological principles. The 50-credit major studies the cognitive, biological, social, developmental, cultural, and clinical aspects of human behavior. Students benefit research practicum, teaching assistantships, hands-on learning in the Psychology Museum and Resource Center (PMRC), and Psych Club meetings.
Counseling M.S.
Following CACREP guidelines, the Counseling M.S. program uses a practitioner model to prepare graduate students for licensed professional counselor positions in Oklahoma. The 60-credit program is delivered at OSU’s Tulsa and Stillwater campuses with Community Counseling or School Counseling tracks. After the culminating, 600-hour internship, graduates achieve a 100 percent NBCC exam pass rate.
Marriage and Family Therapy M.S.
Admitting a small cohort of eight students yearly, the Marriage and Family Therapy M.S. at Oklahoma State develops the holistic counseling skills for fostering growth in relationships. The 60-credit program requires 500 contact hours, half of which are completed at the OSU Center for Family Services. For seven years, 100 percent of alumni have passed the LMFT exam.
Counseling Psychology Ph.D.
Devoted to multiculturalism and social justice, the APA-accredited Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program at Oklahoma State uses a scientist-practitioner model to prepare graduates for therapeutic intervention. The five-year, 129-credit program includes a qualifying exam, dissertation, four practicum placements, and a predoctoral internship. The Counseling Psychology Clinic also provides on-campus training in Stillwater.
Clinical Psychology Ph.D.
The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program transforms OSU graduate students into scientific clinicians with the theory-based strategies to address mental health disorders. Four specializations are available for Clinical Child, Health, Pediatric, and Adult. Most complete the program’s seminars, clinical practicum, dissertation, and APA-approved internship in six years with 100 percent tuition waivers.
Experimental Psychology Ph.D.
Offering tracks for Cognitive, Comparative-Neurobiology, Developmental, and Social-Personality, the Experimental Psychology Ph.D. program sharpens research and quantitative reasoning skills for contributing to psychological science. The full-time, four-year program examines factors affecting behavior with master’s thesis and dissertation research. Oklahoma State University has produced faculty at leading U.S. colleges like Kansas State and UMass.

#36 Oklahoma State University

Ball State University #37

Ball State University #37

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Located in the city of Muncie, Indiana, about an hour northeast from Minneapolis, Ball State University is a public university established in 1918. Here, on this suburban campus of over 1,000 acres, world-renowned faculty conduct research, the NCAA Division I Cardinals varsity teams compete, and approximately 20,000 students pursue their educational and career goals in a variety of academic programs.
Ball State University believes that experiential learning is the future of higher education and the saving grace of traditional universities, and their commitment to this belief takes the shape of “immersive learning” experiences and programs. The psychology and counseling degree programs at Ball State University are among the many of the university’s programs that provide these immersive learning opportunities, as well as the university’s unique Degree 3 program that strives to help undergraduates finish their studies and prepare for employment in three years instead of four. It’s these and other innovations that has earned Ball State a spot on the Princeton Review’s “Best of the Midwest” ranking list every year for the past decade.

Ball State University Accreditation Details

In 2014, Ball State University’s continuously accredited status was reaffirmed by the Higher Learning Commission. The university is now accredited until the 2023-2024 academic year, and based on its long-term good standing is now eligible to maintain its accreditation through the less intensive “open pathway” option.
In addition to Ball State University’s institutional accreditation, its various educational programs have been accredited by the relevant accreditation organizations where applicable. This includes the university’s several client-contact psychology and counseling programs. The Ph.D. program in counseling psychology at Ball State University is accredited by the American Psychological Association(APA.) The clinical mental health and school counseling tracks have been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP.) The rehabilitation counseling track is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE.)

Ball State University Application Requirements

For Undergraduate Students

• Ball State University practices rolling admissions for undergraduate students. This means that the university’s admissions officers review and decide on an application after receiving all of the required materials and continue to admit students as long as space remains for that year’s incoming class.
• When making admissions decisions, Ball State’s admissions staff considers factors such as grade trends, strength of the high school curricula and participation in extracurricular activities.
• Prospective freshmen will need to submit high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores and a form completed by their high school guidance counselor. A one-page personal statement is optional
• Transfer applicants with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 out of 4.0 in all transferable college coursework will be considered for admission to Ball State. Prospective transfer students should submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• Transfer students who have earned at least 24 transferable college credits and all applicants age 23 or older may have the SAT/ACT score requirement waived.

For Graduate Students

• Graduate degree candidates apply first to Ball State University’s Graduate School, then to the specific academic program they intend to pursue.
  Prospective graduate students will need to submit their official undergraduate college transcripts.
• The Graduate School will review applications until one week before the academic term applied for begins, but individual programs and departments reserve the right to set their own deadlines for admission. Graduate applicants should contact the program director of their intended degree track before applying.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For Undergraduate Students
As of the 2016-2017 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition for Indiana residents was $7,698. For out-of-state students, that number was $23,472. Through the Midwest Student Exchange Program and the Ohio Reciprocity Agreement, students from certain Midwestern states and from certain counties in western Ohio may be eligible for tuition discounts.
In 2016, the costs of room and board started at $8,715. The comprehensive yearly cost of attendance at Ball State University, covering tuition, fees and housing, was $18,589 for a resident student and #34,363 for a non-resident student. Students should also budget roughly $4,500 to $5,000 for books, supplies and personal expenses.
About four out of every five Ball State undergrads receives some type of financial assistance. This assistance may come in the form of federal grants and loans, work-study or one of the over 500 merit-based scholarships Ball State offers to incoming students each year.
For Graduate Students
For the 2016-2017 academic year, Indiana residents paid $7,902 per year or $3,546 per semester for full-time graduate study at Ball State University. The cost of tuition for non-residents was $19,404 per year or $9,702 per semester.
Ball State graduate students have the option of living in on-campus housing. Rates started at $8,715 in 2016.
Graduate students in good standing and enrolled in at least six credits per semester are eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship, of which over 900 are available at Ball State. These assistantships require approximately 20 hours of teaching, administrative or research work per week and provide a stipend and partial tuition waiver, with exact amounts decided upon by the offering department.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees at Ball State University

Department of Psychology
The Department of Psychology offers an undergraduate degree in psychological sciences. The Department fully embraces Ball State’s campus-wide commitment to experiential learning through signature immersive programs. For psychological sciences students, these immersive learning experiences take the shape of internships, undergraduate teaching assistantships, undergraduate research assistantships and community outreach.
The psychological sciences majors is also one among the roughly 30 programs on Ball State’s campus that participate in the university’s Degree 3 initiative. This initiative allows ambitious students to shave one year off of the normal time required to complete a bachelor’s degree by taking summer courses while exploring career options.
The major in psychological sciences requires 39 credit hours of coursework in introductory studies, statistics, research methods and electives selected from topics including learning and cognition, motivation and emotion, abnormal psychology, diversity, personality and social psychology. For students who intend to become psychology teachers, the 44-credit teaching major in psychology includes coursework required for teaching licensure.
Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services
The Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services at Ball State University emphasizes learning through research, practice, teaching and service in each of its masters and doctoral degree programs. In keeping with the university’s commitment to experiential learning and community service, graduate students provide supervised counseling services to area residents at the Counseling Practicum Clinic.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track
This CACREP-accredited, master’s level program prepares graduates for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. Candidates complete 60 credits of coursework in counseling, psychology and approved electives while gaining real-world experience through two semesters of practica and a 600 to 900-hour field internship.
School Counseling Track
This CACREP-approved master’s level program requires a minimum of 51 credits in counseling, educational psychology and approved electives. All candidates in the program complete a one-year internship at an area school and develop a portfolio of professional work.
Rehabilitation Counseling Track
The 48-credit, CORE-accredited Rehabilitation Counseling Track is the only master’s program of its kind in Indiana, and prepares graduates for certification in the growing field of rehabilitation counseling. Candidates learn ways to foster independent living skills, improve employment chances and enhance the psychosocial functioning of clients with a wide range of disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Ph.D. Program in Counseling Psychology
This APA-accredited doctoral program prepares candidates to work as psychologists in a variety of settings. The program blends academic training with hands-on experience in research and collaboration with faculty. The program stresses outreach opportunities whether at the Counseling Practicum Clinic on the Ball State University campus or through an internship at a hospital, school, correctional facility or military setting.

#37 Ball State University

Cleveland State University #38

Cleveland State University #38

 

 

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Cleveland State University was originally founded in 1923 as Fenn College in honor of the YMCA president Sereno Peck Fenn. Today, CSU is a public, co-educational research university endowed for $66.2 million.
Cleveland State educates more than 17,700 students annually in 200+ diverse academic programs. Spread across 85 urban acres, CSU is located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, on Lake Erie’s southern shoreline.
Cleveland State University was ranked the 256th best public college and 251st top research university nationally by Forbes magazine. The Brookings Institution also named CSU the #3 public university in Ohio for value and return on investment.

Cleveland State University Accreditation Details

Last reaffirmed in 2011, Cleveland State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA), one of six agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CSU’s specialized accreditations include:
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
• National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA)
• International Association of Counseling Services (IACS)

Cleveland State University Application Requirements

Admission to Cleveland State University is selective with a 67.1 percent acceptance rate. For the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, first-year students must have completed a diploma from a licensed high school. Finishing the Ohio Core curriculum, an out-of-state equivalent, or GED is mandatory. Freshmen must have maintained a cumulative secondary GPA of 2.3 or better. The School of Science and Health Professions requires a minimum SAT (reading and math) score of 770 or ACT score of 16. Transfers from other regionally accredited colleges must have a 2.0 GPA on all attempted coursework.
Graduate psychology and counseling programs will require holding at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent. The Ph.D. in Urban Education requires a master’s degree in counseling, clinical psychology, or similar field. In general, CSU applicants must achieve a minimum collegiate GPA of 2.85. Ph.D. candidates need a 3.5 graduate GPA for consideration. Competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores would be 156 (verbal) and 151 (quantitative). International students from non-English speaking countries must score 213 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL.
During the rolling admissions, interested students should apply to Cleveland State University by sending:
• Completed online application
• Check or money order for $30 fee
• Transcripts of all academic work
• College entrance exam scores
• Two to three letters of recommendation
• Resume or curriculum vitae (graduate)
• Proof of English language proficiency

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates from Ohio pay $4,818 per semester at Cleveland State. Non-resident students enrolled full-time must afford $6,843 each term. Part-time undergraduates are charged $401 (in-state) or $570 (out-of-state) per credit. Total annual cost of attendance ranges from $26,436 to $29,678. Graduate programs at CSU bill Ohio residents $6,908 per full-time semester. Out-of-state master’s students must pay $11,770 each term. Enrolling part-time will require paying $531 (in-state) or $905 (out-of-state) per credit.
Approximately 89 percent of beginning, full-time CSU students earn assistance. Financial aid packages value $6,486 on average. Those taking 6+ credits could borrow Federal Perkins, Stafford, or Grad PLUS with interest. Free gift money is available with the Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Residents with EFC below $2,190 could obtain the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. Federal Work-Study is granted to student employees for 10-20 hours weekly. Graduate assistantships also provide tuition waivers. Many institutional awards are given, including the Viking Voyager Scholarship, Ruth Ann Moyer Scholarship, and Athletic Scholarship.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

The College of Sciences and Health Professions partners with the College of Education to award seven accredited degrees in psychology and counseling disciplines. Cleveland State University’s learner-faculty ratio of 18:1 means students work closely with experienced psychologists. Research in CSU’s 10 state-of-the-art labs, including the Mood and Emotion Regulation Laboratory, is ongoing. Students fascinated with human behavior can pursue:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Cleveland State’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology contains a 42-credit major to equip undergrad students with the behavioral science knowledge for human services or graduate study. Along with the four-year, daytime program, there are evening-only and transfer partnership options with Lakeland Community College. Several bachelor’s courses are accessible online.
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Requiring 50 credits, the Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program gives CSU graduates two tracks: Practitioner or Doctoral Preparation. Over two years full-time, students master the methods for assessing mental and behavioral development in clinical contexts. Courses like psychopharmacology and clinical interviewing culminate in a 450-hour field experience.
Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Research
Rooted in personnel psychology, the Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Research program spans two years full-time to prepare CSU graduates for studying workplace climates. The 39-credit curriculum involves researching job training, recruitment, corporate leadership, teamwork, employee motivation, and more. Students with SIOP-member faculty to complete a master’s thesis project.
Master of Arts and Psy.S. in School Psychology
Featuring dual NASP and NCATE approval, the Master of Arts and Psy.S. in School Psychology program at Cleveland State focuses on children’s functioning in school systems, especially urban. The 51-credit, lock-step curriculum produces licensed school psychologists within three years full-time. School-based practicum leads to a nine-month supervised internship.
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Satisfying Ohio Counselor license laws, the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepare students to deliver customized, consumer-oriented therapy in diverse mental health capacities. The 60-credit, CACREP-accredited program includes courses from personality and intelligence testing to psychopathology with 600 internship hours. Cleveland State maintains a 95 percent LPC exam pass rate.
Master of Arts in School Counseling
For 48 credits, the Master of Arts in School Counseling program at CSU trains students for passing the Ohio Assessments for Educators School Counselor Exam. Students can further their preparation for PreK-12 positions with certificates in Early Childhood Mental Health Counseling or Chemical Dependency. The second-year internship requires 600 total hours in school districts.
Ph.D. in Urban Education – Counseling Psychology
APA accredited since 2010, the Ph.D. in Urban Education – Counseling Psychology program follows a scientist-practitioner model to train skilled psychologists for therapeutic interventions in multicultural, urban communities. The five-year program includes four semesters of practicum, dissertation research, and a predoctoral internship. Cleveland State University has placed Ph.D. candidates in top facilities like Cleveland Clinic and Wexner Medical Center.

#38 Cleveland State University

Texas Tech University #39

Texas Tech University #39

 

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  Texas Tech University, commonly referred to as Texas Tech and TTU, is a public research institution of higher learning residing in Lubbock, Texas. It is the state of Texas’ sixth biggest university.

The university was founded in 1923 as Texas Technological College. It started offering graduate instruction in 1927 and a division for graduate studies was founded in 1935, which went on to become the Graduate School in 1954. In 1969, the college became Texas Tech University and the schools of agricultural sciences, arts and sciences, business administration, education, engineering, and home economics became colleges.
Today, Texas Tech is home to about 36,000 students and 2,500 faculty and staff members, and it offers over 150 academic programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels.

Texas Tech University Accreditation Details

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools regionally accredits Texas Tech University.
The American Psychological Association nationally accredits the Department of Psychology.
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society accredits human factors psychology programs.
The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accredits the counseling programs.
The Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education accredits the doctoral program in marriage and family therapy.
The Council on Rehabilitation Education accredits the rehabilitation counseling program.

Texas Tech University Application Requirements

Undergraduate
• Fill out and complete the ApplyTexas Application by visiting www.applytexas.org
• $75 application fee or fee waiver
• Official transcripts from secondary and post-secondary institutions
• Official SAT and/or ACT scores
Graduate
• Fill out and complete the ApplyTexas Application
• $60 initial application fee or $50 subsequent application fee
• Necessary requirements as deemed by specific program
• Official documents required upon admittance

Tuition and Financial Aid

Texas Tech University determines the cost of attendance, including tuition and related expenses, such as room and board, books, transportation, and personal costs. The expenses for individual students vary by majors, courses, living, and personal habits. Tuition and fees are based on 15 hours per semester for undergraduate and law students and 10 hours per semester for graduate students.
Texas Resident and Bordering County (NM or OK)
• Undergraduate: $25,626
• Graduate: $24,545
• Law: $33,925
Non-Texas Resident
• Undergraduate: $37,866
• Graduate: $32,705
• Law: $50,275
Texas Tech University participates in an array of financial aid programs, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study. Texas Tech University offers a variety of scholarships based on a range of criteria, including merit-based scholarships and athletic, band, fine arts, choral, and department awards. The grants are offered at the federal and state levels and include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal TEACH Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, TTU Grant, Texas Grant, and the Texas Public Education Grant. The loans include Federal direct loans, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Parent PLUS Loan, and Texas B on Time Loan. Private loans are also accepted. The university also participates in both federal work-study programs and it has a variety of campus-based jobs for students.

Texas Tech University Psychology and Counseling Programs

Psychology

Undergraduate
The College of Arts and Sciences at Texas Tech University offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts program and a minor program in psychology through the Department of Psychological Sciences. The program is intended to provide students with a fundamental understanding of topics in theoretical, experimental, and applied psychology. It offers flexibility to enable students to apply meaningful abilities for future careers or further study in psychology or related area. The program requires the completion of 120 credits including general education courses, major courses, and second language requirements. Students have the ability to choose from a variety of psychology courses that meet their interests and objectives. Examples of major courses include general psychology, ethnic minority psychology, health psychology, child psychology, forensic psychology, abnormal psychology, psychology and religion, and research in personality and social psychology.
Graduate
The Department of Psychological Sciences also offers various graduate programs in psychology, including clinical psychology, counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, social psychology, and human factors psychology. The programs are offered at both the master’s degree and doctoral degree levels. All programs include advanced courses in psychology and specialty area. Master’s degree programs include thesis and non-thesis options, research projects, and internships. Doctoral programs include practicum, internship, externship, research, comprehensive examination, and dissertation requirements. Some programs also require students to select a specialty area.
• Clinical psychology: doctoral with credits required depend on specialty
• Counseling psychology: doctoral with 102 credit hours
• Cognitive psychology: Terminal masters with 36 credit hours with optional thesis and required research project. Doctoral with credits depend on individual students.
• Social psychology: masters with 36 credit hours with optional thesis and required research project. Doctoral with 81 credit hours, including 51 advanced coursework, 18 research coursework, and 12 dissertation courses.
• Human factors: master’s with 36 credit hours, including 30 hours of coursework and six hours of research courses. Thesis and non-thesis option available. Accelerated master’s which combines a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Arts in general experimental psychology with concentration on human factors. Doctoral with 75 credit hours, including 45 hours of advanced coursework, 18 hours of research coursework, and 12 hours of dissertation.
The Department of Psychological Sciences also offers a graduate certificate in psychological methods and analysis.
In addition to the graduate programs offered by the Department of Psychological Services, the College of Education offers a master’s degree in educational psychology, which requires completion of 36 credit hours.
Counseling
Counseling programs are offered at the graduate level at Texas Tech University. The College of Education offers programs in clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and counselor education. The clinical mental health counseling programs include a graduate certificate and a master’s degree. The master’s degree program requires the completion of 60 credit hours. The school counseling programs include a professional certificate and a master’s degree. The master’s degree program requires 48 credit hours. The counselor education program is a doctoral degree and requires 93 credit hours. The College of Human Sciences offers both a master’s degree and doctoral degree program in marriage family therapy. The master’s degree program has a thesis option that requires 63 credits or a non-thesis option that requires 66 credits. The doctoral program requires the completion of 78 credits. A rehabilitation counseling master’s degree program is offered from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professionals. The program requires the completion of 36 hours of coursework and 12 hours of practical experience.
With its vast program options and financial aid options, Texas Tech University is an excellent choice for students seeking a career in the psychology or counseling fields.

#39 Texas Tech University

Indiana State University #40

Indiana State University #40 

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Initially founded by the Indiana General Assembly in 1865 as a teachers’ college, Indiana State University has since evolved into a comprehensive public higher learning institution. ISU is classified as a doctoral-granting research university by the elite Carnegie Foundation. From a main 235-acre campus in the small city of Terre Haute within the thriving Wabash Valley, ISU offers a blend of traditional on-site and online programs. Indiana State is divided into six academic colleges providing more than 100 different majors. Each year, Indiana State University enrolls more than 11,200 undergraduates and 2,300 post-graduates. It’s renowned for being the first public college in Indiana to carry out a Laptop Initiative.

Thanks to its illustrious history of academic excellence, Indiana State University has been named on the Princeton Review’s “Best in the Midwest” list for 12 straight years. ISU was chosen as one of the “322 Green Colleges” for its commitment to sustainability. In addition to being placed on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, ISU was crowned the Non-Profit Leadership Campus of the Year in 2013. Washington Monthly magazine also ranked Indiana State #1 for community service and #3 for service learning in America. In particular, the U.S. News and World Report has honored ISU for housing the country’s 129th best graduate education school.

Indiana State University Accreditation Details

Last reaffirmed in 2010, Indiana State University has formal accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA), one of six regional accrediting bodies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. ISU is wholly licensed by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education. Furthermore, the Bayh College of Education has received discipline-specific accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). All school-related programs have approval from the Indiana Department of Education for certification. Counseling degrees also meet the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Indiana State University Application Requirements

Even though ISU has a less selective acceptance rate of 82 percent, incoming students must fulfill certain criteria for admissions. For the master’s program in school counseling, applicants are required to already hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in all undergraduate coursework or minimum overall GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of studies is mandated. Graduates should have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.0 in their major. It’s preferred that students have a background in education, counseling, psychology, sociology, and/or anthropology. Teaching experience will be viewed favorably.
Applicants will be reviewed by the admissions committee based on their achievement, previous experience, willingness to grow, and motivation for career success. Meeting the above minimum standards doesn’t guarantee admissions. All prospective school counseling students must pass an interview and show great promise in the behavioral science of education. Before the annual February 1st deadline, interested applicants must submit the following materials to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies:

• School Counselor Program departmental application
• Official transcripts for all college coursework
• Current, up-to-date professional resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• A maximum 1,000-word personal statement
• Graduate Record Examination scores (optional)
• Payment for the $45 application fee

Tuition and Financial Aid

Indiana State University has been ranked as the 12th most affordable public non-profit college in Indiana. Graduate students who reside in-state can expect to pay $388 per credit hour. Eligible out-of-state learners will pay higher at $762 per credit hour. Thanks to the Midwest Consortium, graduates residing in Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wisconsin can pay $485 per credit. Online courses will also be $485 per credit hour for all out-of-state students regardless of residence. However, online graduate students must budget for an extra $50 online education delivery fee for each course. Textbooks and other learning supplies aren’t included.
For help covering these expenses, 93 percent of matriculated, degree-seeking students at Indiana State University are supported by some form of financial aid. Filing the FAFSA form between January 1st and March 1st is required. Graduate students can borrow money that must be repaid through Perkins loans, Direct Stafford loans, Graduate PLUS loans, or private alternative loans. Certain learners may qualify for free gifted money with the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, TEACH Grant, or Indiana National Guard Supplement Grant. Federal Work-Study (FWS) and graduate assistantships are available to fund tuition in exchange for employment. Indiana State also provides abundant scholarship opportunities, including the Minority Teacher Scholarship, Mitch Daniels Early Graduation Scholarship, and 21st Century Scholars Award.

Online Degrees Available

Through Indiana State University’s Extended Learning Division, it’s possible for graduate students to select from 17 fully online master’s degrees. Six doctoral programs can also be completed online with little campus requirements. Indiana State Online offers access to the same quality, accredited education via high-speed Internet connections. Most courses utilize web-based video conferencing to interact from a distance. Full-time working adults can fit learning within their busy schedules thanks to 24/7 online contact with course materials. In the Bahr College of Education, students can pursue the:
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling
Highly regarded for being one of the nation’s first “Transforming School Counseling Programs,” the M.Ed. in School Counseling at ISU is designed to provide rigorous training that prepares competent counselors for K-12 school environments of the 21st century. Graduate students develop the skills to become advocates and agents of change in closing the educational achievement gap in diverse schools. Within the 48-credit program of study, students will progress through courses in lifespan development, counseling techniques, individual appraisal, group dynamics, multicultural counseling, career development, program evaluation, and counseling children. Students are admitted each spring and remain together as cohorts over two years.
Featuring a unique hybrid format, the School Counseling M.Ed. blends predominantly online coursework with on-campus cohort meetings just one weekend per month. Class will be held from 9am – 5pm on a chosen Saturday in Terre Haute. Gaining extensive hands-on school counseling experience is built within the program. Students will develop a two-year relationship with an elementary, middle, or high school in their local region. The entire program requires at least 160 hours of practicum and 540 hours of supervised internship starting in the first semester. Graduates from this CACREP-accredited program at Indiana State University will be qualified for receiving initial school counselor licensure in Indiana.

#40 Indiana State University

West Virginia University #41

West Virginia University #41

 

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West Virginia University is a public university that was founded in 1867. It is a land-grant institution that offers innovative, high-quality educational programs. West Virginia University has a rich tradition of inclusion, diversity and community partnerships.
The university is located in Morgantown, which is relatively close to Pittsburgh, Columbus and Washington, D.C. The West Virginia University has campuses in Keyser, Charleston, Montgomery and Martinsburg. The West Virginia University systems spans throughout the state and includes 518 buildings on almost 16,000 acres. The historic Morgantown campus has almost 250 buildings, 11 of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The university system also operates four forests and 10 experimental farms throughout the state.
West Virginia University is comprised of 14 colleges that offer over 350 majors in diverse topics. This includes dentistry, economics, journalism, pharmacy, agriculture, creative arts, natural resources, human services, mineral resources, sport sciences, public health and psychology and counseling. There are hundreds of distance education classes available. Students can choose from almost 470 student organizations and intramural programs. These include the Student Government Association, the Mountaineer Maniacs group and The Rack, which is a student run community resource and support program. Between 900 to 1,000 students travel abroad to study in another country every year.

West Virginia University Accreditation Details

-West Virginia University Higher Learning Commission
-The American Psychological Association has accredited the Clinical Psychology program since 1966.
-The Clinical Psychology program is also a member of nationally recognized organizations, such as the Academy of Psychological Clinical Science, the Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs (CCHPTP) and the Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP).

West Virginia University Application Requirements

Admission is based on the student’s high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores. New applications are processed in the fall for the following year. First-time freshmen must have taken the following high school units: four units of English and math, three units of science and social studies, two units of the same foreign language and one unit of fine arts.
West Virginia University has special residency requirements for admission.
Residents must have at least a 2.0 GPA, an ACT score of 19 or a math/reading score of 910. Nonresident must have at least a 2.5 GPA and a super scored ACT score of 21 or a super scored math and reading score of 990. Essays and letters of recommendation are not required and are not part of the admissions decision process. Most graduate programs have additional admission standards that exceed the basic admission requirements.

West Virginia University Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition rates for residents are some of the lowest in the country. The annual undergraduate tuition for residents is approximately $8,000, but out-of-state students will pay around $22,500. Students will spend around $900 a year on books and supplies. All students are required to carry health insurance coverage.
Each year, the university awards over $430 million in financial aid, which includes $50 million in scholarships. Grants are a gift, do not have to be repaid and are based on financial need. Scholarships are academic awards that are based on grades, skills, abilities, test scores and class rank. In order to determine eligibility for financial aid, students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In order to receive the maximum amount of aid, FAFSA applications must be submitted by March 1st of each year. High school seniors who want to apply for internal scholarships must apply before February 1st. Students who miss the deadlines may still apply for Pell Grants and Direct Loans. Work-study programs are available through the library, copy centers, career services center and the Office of Student Employment.

West Virginia University Psychology and Counseling Degrees

The undergraduate psychology program is very popular. The curriculum covers the methods and principles that are used to understand human behaviors and thought processes. Students who choose this major can select a liberal arts degree, so they can customize their courses to meet their future career needs. These generally fall into three choices: graduate studies, psychology based career or a career in a non-related discipline. These students are allowed access to unique academic experience courses. This includes a teaching practicum that allows students to grade activities, proctor exams, hold review sessions and tutor students. Students also complete teaching related projects, such as researching test anxiety and performance challenges. A field experience option is basically a psychology internship. Students are placed in a local organization or facility and then submit a report on their experiences. The independent study option allows students to work in an on-campus research lab under the supervision of a faculty mentor and graduate student. They may work on literature reviews, recruit participants for experiments and enter data into programs.
At the graduate level, there are five doctorate programs available that include clinical, clinical child, developmental and
behavior analysis and neuroscience. For example, the life-span developmental psychology program provides in-depth training for the next generation of life-span developmental psychologists. Graduates go on to work in academia, foundations, government, research institutions and applied settings. The life-span developmental psychology program combines a broad array of training areas and a variety of perspectives on normal development across the entire life span. Students may choose an area of specialization and develop individualized plans of study. The research training occurs in labs or applied settings with many different age groups. In the beginning, the faculty provides strong guidance and structure that is customized to the students’ research design plan. At the end of training, students will have developed the skills needed to successfully design and execute a research project. The teacher training programs allow graduates to receive supervised teaching experiences in set areas, such as human development, social psychology and psychology basics.
West Virginia University is a leader East coast higher learning institution that offers hundreds of on-campus and online programs covering almost every possible field of study. West Virginia University is an excellent academic resource for students of all ages.

#41 West Virginia University