Counseling and Psychology Degrees at Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Online Developmental Psychology Online Programs.
Students pursuing a degree program in counseling or psychology have a wealth of options from which to choose at Azusa Pacific University (APU), including undergraduate and graduate degrees. All programs explore the intersection of psychology and Christian faith as well as a Christian’s role in the psychological sciences.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology program is designed for students looking to prepare for career pathways that require a strong foundational knowledge of neuropsychological functioning and the human brain as well as a strong skill set in psychological research. Graduates are well-equipped to pursue graduate education and careers in neuroscience, psychology, and allied health fields such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy as well as a variety of research-related careers.
APU also offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology program that provides a broad training in the study of human behavior, enabling students to analyze and solve problems in the community, home, and workplace. This program is designed for students interested in the study of human cognition and behavior. In addition to fieldwork, the curriculum emphasizes the system aspects of human behavior, giving students the flexibility to design specific training methods in a number of psychological disciplines. Graduates are prepared for careers in public relations, administration, human resources, and social services as well as for graduate study in applied aspects of the field, including management, law, social work, education, school psychology, and clinical or counseling psychology.
In terms of graduate studies, APU recognizes the need to provide high-quality academic programs for students with differing educational needs and divergent professional goals. The graduate counseling and psychology degrees are designed for a small number of students who are interested in pursuing a Master of Arts as well as a credential program at the same time. These embedded credential/degree programs are restrictive, and APU requires faculty advisement prior to enrolling graduate students in the following graduate programs:
- M.A.Ed. in Educational and Clinical Counseling with an embedded credential in school counseling: Prepares candidates to serve as professional counselors in both clinical and school settings. Educational requirements for California state licensures as a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential are embedded within the program.
- M.A.Ed. in Educational Psychology and an Ed.S. in School Psychology with an embedded credential in school psychology: Prepares school psychologists to treat and evaluate students of all backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, and cultures. Requirements for both the Pupil Personnel Services Credential and the post-master’s Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree are embedded within the program.
- M.A.Ed. in Educational Counseling with an embedded credential in school counseling: Prepares school counselors to guide and communicate with students of all learning abilities, socioeconomic levels, and cultures. Requirements for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential are embedded within the program.
APU also offers a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certificate as well as a four-course clinical counseling certificate, which is an addendum to a student’s current master’s degree coursework. The clinical counseling certificate helps prepare school psychologists and school counselors for the mental health and clinical fields.
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About Azusa Pacific University
Located in Azusa, California, Azusa Pacific University (APU) is a private, evangelical Christian university. Founded in 1899, APU offered its first classes in March 1900 in Whittier, California and its first degrees 39 years later. APU now provides more than 100 doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate programs online and on-campus as well as at seven regional locations throughout southern California. APU is organized into seven schools and three colleges, and the school reports an annual enrollment of around 9,900 students from all 50 states and 55 Christian denominations.
Azusa Pacific University Accreditation Details
Azusa Pacific University (APU) is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) and also provides 13 professional accreditations for various degree programs in different industries. The school’s school psychology program is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), while the Doctor of Psychology program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Accreditation is a voluntary activity initiated by a school that requires a rigorous self-evaluation and an objective, independent appraisal of its overall educational quality by a team of peers. Accreditation not only helps students determine acceptable institutions for enrollment, but it also helps schools determine the acceptability of transfer credits, helps employers determine the validity of programs, and helps determine if a school meets or exceeds minimum standards of quality.
Azusa Pacific University Application Requirements
First-year undergraduate students must submit a completed application for admission, a personal statement, and a statement indicating they agree with the institution’s policies. Also, applicants must pay a $45 nonrefundable application fee and request that official transcripts be sent directly from the high school from which he or she graduated as well as any previously attended post-secondary institutions. ACT or SAT scores are also required as well as a personal reference or letter of recommendation, contact information for a character recommendation, and a copy of the applicant’s passport.
Students pursuing graduate studies must submit a completed graduate application and pay a $45 application fee, although the fee may be waived for students who previously earned a degree from APU. Graduate applicants are required to submit proof of an earned undergraduate or master’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college. Specific programs may require additional supplemental items such as written essays, a resume or curriculum vitae, academic references, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in counseling or psychology will pay $38,300 for two semesters of 12 to 18 units of coursework as well as a $580 university service fee. Graduate tuition costs range from $701 per unit for an M.S. in Research Psychology and Data Analysis to $1,090 per unit for a Doctor of Psychology degree. Azusa Pacific offers a number of ways for students to finance their program or degree, including grants, scholarships, loans, and opportunities for employer reimbursement. In addition, APU offers tuition discounts as well as military and veteran education benefits. G.I. Jobs named Azusa Pacific University a “Military Friendly School” for 2017, placing the institution among the top 15 percent of schools in the U.S. dedicated to helping military students reach their education and career goals.
Related Resources:
- 5 Tips for Landing Your First Job after Earning a Psychology Degree
- Is an Online Psychology Degree Cheaper Than a Traditional One?
- Should One Expect to attend Graduate School with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology?
- What Can I Do With a Bachelors Degree in Psychology?
- What Can I Do with a Master’s Degree in Psychology?
- What Interests Would Lead One to Obtain an Online Degree in Psychology?
- What is the Future Job Outlook for Careers with an Online Degree in Psychology?
- What is the Future Outlook for Careers in Psychology?
