CSU Psychology and Counseling Programs: Mile High Degrees
Colorado State University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Psychology Degrees Online (Bachelor’s).
Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, has several degree offerings in its psychology department, and through the School of Education, for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology and counseling. Some of these programs can be earned online, but most are offered in the traditional classroom format.
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology is an online degree that emphasizes a strong background in the sciences and stresses research and communication skills. The 120-credit-hour program is available with five specializations. The BS in Psychology, Addictions Counseling prepares students for level one certification as a certified addictions counselor. The BS in Psychology in Clinical/Counseling Psychology is a program that prepares the student for advanced study. Licensure requires a minimum of a master’s level education. The BS in Psychology, General Psychology is for the student who wants a foundational understanding of the principles of the science. The BS in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology is for the person who wants to affect organizational behavior. This degree prepares the student for more advanced study. The BS in Mind, Brain, and Behavior prepares students for advanced study in the field of neuroscience.
The MS in Addictions Counseling is a terminal degree in the discipline and can be completed in two years. The first year is spent on classroom coursework, and the second year is spent as an internship. The degree stresses research, though a thesis is not required. Graduates of the program can sit for a licensure examination.
The Master of Applied Science in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology is an online degree program that focuses on quantitative analysis and research. The program consists of 38 hours, and there is no thesis required. The program can be completed in two-to-four years.
Doctoral programs available include the Ph.D. in Applied Social and Health Psychology, the Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology, the Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience, The Ph.G. in Counseling Psychology and the Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
The Master of Arts in Counseling and Career Development is offered through the College of Education. The program includes 48 hours of core classes, 12 hours of specializations, 100 hours of practicum and a 600-hour internship. Students may specialize in Career Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling.
About Colorado State University
This school began in 1870 as a land-grant institution. There were several attempts at organizing the school but Colorado Agricultural College didn’t see its first classes until 1879, when five students attended. The next year there were twenty-five. The school became a university in the 1960s, but students are still nicknamed the “Aggies.”
Colorado State University is in Fort Collins at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The student body of almost 34,000 students contains about 26,000 undergraduates. There are eight colleges, 55 departments and 150 programs of study. Degree programs include 65 bachelor’s -level, 55 master’s and 40 doctoral degrees. Most classes at the university have between 20 and 49 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. The US News and World Report ranks this school as #140 of National Universities.
Colorado State University Accreditation Details
The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission.
There are several special accreditations including those for psychology and counseling programs. Those accrediting organizations include the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, The American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation and The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Colorado State University Application Requirements
All students must apply to CSU electronically. Those applying as freshmen must arrange for their high schools to submit their official transcripts. If they completed any college coursework for advanced standing, the college should submit a transcript of those grades as well. The testing agencies that administered the SAT or ACT must submit those official results to CSU. Additionally, there is a non-refundable $50 application fee that must be paid at the time of application to the university. The online form includes a personal statement portion and asks for a letter of recommendation from a high school counselor or teacher.
Graduate students apply directly to the degree program. Students accepted into the department are then recommended to be admitted to the university. There is a non-refundable $60 application fee. Students must arrange to have their official undergraduate transcripts sent to CSU along with their official GRE or GMAT scores. Most programs require letters of recommendation, resumes, personal statements or other documents as well.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition at Colorado State University for twelve credit hours is $5,988 per semester, but the state of Colorado Opportunity Grant pays $1,225 of that amount. The lowest-cost residence halls and meal plans range from $5,210 to $7,288 with a meal plan that allows ten meals per week.
Graduate tuition averages $6,184 per semester for nine credit-hours.
Additionally, all students must budget for program fees, miscellaneous materials and charges and personal expenses. Earning a degree is an investment, but it is an expensive one. Most students at CSU receive some type of financial aid. The first step in receiving help to pay school-related expenses is to complete the FAFSA form. The Free Application for Federal Student Assistance is a government program that awards grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, parent loans and work-study opportunities to students based on their financial need. It is important to complete this application even if a student believes he will not qualify for assistance because many schools use the data to award institutional assistance.
Colorado has several grants for those entering colleges and universities as well. The TEACH Grant, for instance, gives aid to education students who agree to teach for a specified time in high-risk locations and underserved populations. There are also grants for those going into manufacturing, agribusiness and other professions, for those of certain ethnicities, for people with learning disabilities and for many other special populations. Most of these are needs-based opportunities.
Colorado State University funds scholarships for students of exceptional academic merit as well as for those in specific departments, activities or in athletics. Most grants and scholarships are intended for undergraduate students. There are a limited number of graduate student scholarships and grants available, especially those offered by corporate sponsors and private individuals. Additionally, graduate students may apply for assistantships that offer stipends. Other assistance and opportunities may be found by searching the school website or searching for scholarships online.
Students who still have a debt may take out student loans that have a lower interest rate and offer a deferred repayment option. The university has a loan program and many banks and lending institutions offer student loans as well. Part-time employment and work-study programs are often last-resource options, but they are great ways to gain work experience and add to resumes for students earning degrees at Colorado State University.
