Psychology and Counseling Degrees at Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable School Psychology Online Degree Programs.
Psychologists and counselors provide an important service, providing assistance to those who may be dealing with a wide variety of issues. Substance abuse specialists work with those who are suffering from drug or alcohol addictions while school and career counselors work with young people and those who are in need of career guidance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, counselors in the substance abuse field earn $44,630 per year and careers in the industry are expected to grow by 23 percent over the next ten years. School and career counselors earn an average of $56,310 per year and careers are expected to grow by 13 percent. For most counseling and psychology positions, individuals must hold at least a bachelor’s degree while some require a master’s degree or higher. Eastern Washington University offers several degree programs that prepare individuals for careers in psychology or counseling.
The Addiction Studies Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management Certificate enhances effective clinical professional practice for those who wish to work with individuals dealing with addiction or suicidal tendencies. The program provides an overview of the addiction process and how to manage issues related to suicide as well as other mental health issues. Courses include Survey of Alcohol/Drug Problems, Where Suicide and Mental Health Meet, Suicide Prevention and Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management.
The Bachelor of Arts in Addiction Studies provides the education necessary to become a certified Chemical Dependency Professional in the state of Washington. Students learn to apply intervention and recovery knowledge into practice while also demonstrating basic knowledge of substance abuse disorders. They are able to demonstrate competency around issues related to self-awareness, diversity, ethics and lifelong learning. Students are also able to demonstrate familiarity with behavior change and recovery models. Some of the courses required include Counseling Theories for the Addiction Professional, Community Prevention Methods, Alcohol/Drug Case Management, Law and Ethics for Addiction Professionals as well as Relapse Prevention.
The undergraduate degree in Psychology at Eastern Washington University provides students with an understanding of human behavior and experience. They are provided an understanding of the different career options in the psychology field, giving students a broad understanding of the field. Students gain basic knowledge of psychology as well as analytical thinking. The program promotes psychology as a science and the curriculum is patterned after the recommendations of the American Psychological Association. Some of the courses required include Risky Behavior, Life-Span Development, Science of Stress and Coping, Adult Development and Scientific Principles of Psychology. Students must complete an internship as part of the degree.
The Master of Science in Counseling includes theoretical applied and research-based core curriculum designed to create professional counselors. Students may concentrate their studies in Mental Health Counseling, Counselor Education or School Counseling. The degree identifies the changing nature of society and professional requirements. An internship and final comprehensive examination are required to complete the degree.
The Master of Science in Psychology prepares students to pursue further graduate study in the clinical or experimental area although graduates have found employment as master’s level practitioners. The program takes two years to complete and students pursue core courses as well as research experiences in collaboration with a faculty advisor. An internship and final comprehensive examination are also needed to complete the degree program.
The Master of Arts in Behavioral Health provides students with an understanding of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Patient Placement Criteria. The program focuses on methods to prevent relapse and addiction group counseling. The program follows national and state education standards for addiction professionals, preparing students to begin the process of state licensing as a substance abuse disorder specialist. Some of the courses required include HIV/AIDS and Addiction Treatment, Case Management, Screening and Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders as well as Treating Co-Occurring Disorders.
About Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University was founded in 1882 as the Benjamin P. Cheney Academy. The school was named after the benefactor, a wealthy industrialist, who donated $10,000 to create an institute for higher learning in the community. In 1889, the school became the State Normal School at Cheney with the goal to educate teachers. The school became the Eastern Washington College of Education in 1937 although it had been a fully accredited four-year degree-granting institution for some time.
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After World War II, enrollment grew significantly as soldiers returned to take advantage of the GI Bill. The name was changed in 1961 to Eastern Washington State College and gained university status in 1977. Today, there are over 12,600 students attending the University.
Eastern Washington University Accreditation Details
Eastern Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality as determined by peer review. This means that Eastern Washington University has the necessary resources to achieve stated purposes and demonstrates that it will continue to do so in the future. In addition, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Programs
- American Chemical Society
- Association for Addiction Professionals Approved Education Provider Program
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
- Computing Accreditation Commission
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council on Social Work Education
- Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
- Planning Accreditation Board
Eastern Washington University Application Requirements
Applicants to undergraduate programs at Eastern Washington University must submit official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Applicants to graduate programs must meet the requirements of the Eastern Washington University Graduate Studies office. They must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester credits. They must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must also provide official GRE scores. Three letters of recommendations a cover letter, a resume and a personal statement are also required. Counseling students must also submit to an FBI fingerprint background check.
Eastern Washington University Tuition & Financial Aid
Undergraduate full-time tuition for residents is $6,522 per year and $24,018 per year for non-residents. Graduate tuition is $11,691 per year for residents and $27,153 for non-residents. Eastern Washington University has the lowest in-state tuition of any public university in Washington.
Eastern Washington University understands that every financial situation is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all answer for how to pay for college. The Financial Aid Office works with students to help them afford their higher education. In order to qualify for any financial assistance, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should complete the FAFSA regardless of income as some aid may be merit-based rather than need-based.
Eastern Washington University offers several degree programs that prepare students for careers in psychology and counseling.
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?
