Bay Path University

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Psychology and Counseling Programs at Bay Path

Bay Path University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Online Developmental Psychology Online Programs.

In Longmeadow or online, the American Women’s College grants the BA in Psychology for Bay Path University undergrads seeking well-rounded liberal arts education for understanding human thoughts and behaviors. Advised by Dr. Sheila Foley, the 120-credit, APA-aligned curriculum tailors six-week courses with a 12:1 student-professor ratio into three concentrations: Child Psychology, Forensic Psychology, or Counseling Foundations.

Starting thrice yearly, the 60-credit MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling chaired by Dr. Mark Benander welcomes coeds into hybrid Alcohol & Drug Abuse or Early Intervention tracks for LMHC licensure prep. The MS in Genetic Counseling directed by Dr. Mary-Alice Abbott begins a 50-credit, 21-month cohort each October in East Longmeadow with four clinical rotations or 840 hours. Coordinated by Dr. Kristina Hallett, the 36-credit MS in Developmental Psychology involves 12 online/on-campus courses like Family Systems and Counseling Assessment plus 160 fieldwork hours. There’s also a 45-credit MS in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate for aspiring BCBAs.

About Bay Path University

Bay Path University originated in 1897 by the Massachusetts State Capitol as Bay Path Institute, a coed business school with an accelerated 48-week format. Named for the Native Americans’ initial Boston Post Road, Bay Path was moved to Chestnut Street in 1920. Twenty-five years later, Thomas Carr saved the nearly bankrupt Institute and formed the Bay Path Secretarial School for Women. By 1949, it received a Commonwealth charter for Associate of Science education. During Douglas Perkins’ 1960s tenure, its current 62-acre, 20-building Pioneer Valley campus with the Wallace Estate took shape. In 1988, the Board of Regents formally recognized Bay Path College for women’s four-year teaching. Given university status in 2014, Bay Path further expanded to East Longmeadow, Sturbridge-Charlton, Concord, and the World Wide Web. Bestowed the $3.5 million First in the World Grant, Bay Path University now trains 3,298 Wildcats, including Psychology and Counseling majors, with 389 faculty for 93 percent job placement.

The U.S. News & World Report ranked Bay Path the 105th best Northern university, 11th most innovative college, and 158th best online graduate education provider. On Niche, Bay Path boasts America’s 18th best women’s school, 20th top online degrees, 81st best test-optional admission, and 336th most liberal academics. Times Higher Education featured Bay Path University within its top 600 overall. Money declared Bay Path the 430th best buy with a $41,800 average starting salary. College Factual noticed Bay Path for the country’s 55th best child psychology and 77th top counseling psychology programs. In 2018, the Chronicle of Higher Education crowned Bay Path University the 13th most popular master’s choice. Washington Monthly honored Bay Path for the 113th best liberal arts schooling and 245th best buck. Online Psychology Degrees also placed Bay Path’s MS eighth nationally.

Bay Path University Accreditation Details

In April 2016, Bay Path University welcomed a visiting team from the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) to determine compliance with the 11 standards for Level V accreditation under its fifth president, Dr. Carol Leary, who earned the Springfield YWCA Women of Achievement Award. Located 97 miles northeast via Interstate 90 in Burlington, this superb six-state Upper Atlantic accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to certify the academic quality of Bay Path’s 51 baccalaureate, 28 master’s, and two doctoral majors. The MS in Genetic Counseling was specifically accredited by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) in 2017. The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis was also verified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) in Summer 2014.

Featured Programs

Bay Path University Application Requirements

Getting into Bay Path University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since just 924 of the 1,470 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for 62 percent acceptance. First-year female Wildcats eyeing the BA in Psychology must finish a solid college-prep curriculum with 3+ units of English and social science. On average, freshmen present a 3.21 GPA, 1050 SAT, and 22 ACT mark. Test scores are waived for transfers with 2.0 GPAs or better during at least one full-time college semester. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling only matriculates human sciences bachelor’s grads. Grades above “C” in prerequisites like Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, and Personality are preferred. Similarly, the MS in Developmental Psychology seeks East Longmeadow, Concord, and Sturbridge cohorts with minimum 3.0 GPAs. The MS in Genetic Counseling mandates nine prerequisites, such as Organic Chemistry, Cellular Biology, Embryology, and Biochemistry. Note that GRE and MAT entrance scores are optional though.

Bay Path University set freshman deadlines of December 15th for Early Action and May 1st for Common Enrollment. Hopeful BA in Psychology transfers apply until July 1st for Fall and December 1st for Spring entry. The MS in Genetic Counseling enforces a strict February 1st deadline. Other MS offerings have rolling admission until February, June, and October starts. Use the Common Application or Bay Path Application to file accordingly online for $25. Have official documents like transcripts mailed to 1350 Main Street 7th Floor in Springfield, MA 01103. Supplemental items include the original 500-word essay, two recommendations, signed program requirement form, and résumé. Interviews at Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center or on Skype might be requested. Please contact (413) 342-0122 or degrees@baypath.edu with further inquiries.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2018-19, Bay Path University is charging traditional full-time BA in Psychology women $34,225 annually. Studying part-time on-site incurs $1,140 per credit. Living at the Longmeadow campus’ dorms like Bollum Hall adds $12,799 for housing and dining. Residential costs total $47,024 per year. Online Bachelor of Arts courses drop drastically to $400 per credit. Former military receives a flat-rate discount to $350 per undergrad credit. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling bills $835 per credit or $50,100 overall. Likewise, MS in Developmental Psychology cohorts pay $835 per credit for $30,060 total. The MS in Genetic Counseling costs the most at $1,075 per credit, which equals $53,750. MS in Applied Behavior Analysis post-grads will pay $695 per credit or $31,275 total.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Services Office gives 99 percent of starting full-time Bay Path Wildcats $27,496 on average for $4.15 million university-wide. Available funds include the Carol A. Leary Scholars Award, Empowered Learner Award, Bold Leader Scholar Award, Changemaker Award, Special Puerto Rican Student Scholarship, Distinguished Scholars Award, and Academic Achievement Scholarship. Residential College alumni before Fall 2015 could receive the $10,000 Graduate Grant for MS study. The MS in Applied Behavior Analysis specifically qualifies for the $5,000 Town of Longmeadow Scholarship. Submitting the FAFSA form coded 002122 would consider BA in Psychology majors for Federal Pell and FSEOG Grants. Work-Study positions, such as the Counseling Center and Breck Fitness Center, require 10 hours weekly. ELM Select helps pick between Federal Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Plus, and private loans. Massachusetts residents for 12+ months also pursue the MASS Grant, Gilbert Matching Grant, Public Service Grant, and Educational Rewards Grant.

Read more about Bay Path University at the Counseling & Psychology Division website.

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