Counseling and Psychology Programs at LU
Liberty University appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Counseling Psychology Online Programs.
The Department of Psychology at Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology that students can complete online or on its campus. Students can study different areas of psychology and counseling based on what they want to do with their degrees. The university offers concentrations in substance abuse counseling, sport psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, development psychology, criminal psychology, and general counseling. Some concentrations are only available for traditional students. Most students will take courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Personality, Statistics in Psychology and Social Psychology. Students can also earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the university.
While there are two graduate psychology programs available, only the Master of Science program is available on the Liberty University campus. The MS program awards students for the research they do into their thesis topics and for the work they do as they write that thesis. They also earn credits for classes they take, which can include Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Advanced Social Psychology, and Psychology and Christianity. Liberty offers a Master of Arts in Psychology program online with concentrations available in developmental psychology or industrial and organizational psychology.
Liberty University also offers a few counseling programs such as a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. This accredited program is available online, but the university recommends that students check the licensing requirements in their states before they apply. In addition to taking classes, students must do an internship over the course of two semesters and complete a practicum. Students have the chance to do their practical work offline in their own communities. They can customize their degrees to focus on marriage and family counseling, addiction counseling, school counseling or clinical mental health counseling. Some of these concentrations are only available online or on the Liberty campus.
Another online program available from the university is its Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Students will earn nine credits for the internships that they do and three credits for a practicum. They will also receive up to nine credits for their dissertation work. Many of the courses in this program require that students spend a week on the Liberty University campus to complete an intensive residency program.
About Liberty University
Liberty University is a private university with the main campus in Lynchburg, Virginia. Founded in 1971, the university used the name Lynchburg Baptist College for many years. Jerry Falwell helped establish the college because he wanted to offer more opportunities for students of the Christian faith. Falwell served as the President of the university for many years. His son now operates the university. The university has an enrollment of more than 100,000 students, including both undergrad and post-graduate students as well as online and traditional students. Its current online campus grew out of the old distance education program it founded, which allowed students to view lectures via video and submit assignments through the mail.
As a Christian university, Liberty has a strong reputation among Falwell’s followers and church members. Incoming undergrads must take several courses on religion during their first year. All students must agree to follow a strict ethics code that the university calls the Liberty Way. This code prohibits students from engaging in sexual activities and bans certain clothing on its campus. The majority of students attending Liberty University today are very conservative and belong to the Baptist Church in the south.
Featured Programs
The online EdD in Community Care and Counseling offers three specializations: Marriage and Family, Pastoral Care and Counseling, and Traumatology.
Liberty University Accreditation Details
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) granted regional accreditation to Liberty University. This gives students the chance to apply for financial aid at any level and to transfer credits to the school. Its counseling programs also have accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Liberty University Application Requirements
Liberty University bases its admissions decisions on how well students perform in five key areas, including their test scores, their essays and what grades they received in school. Most students have a grade point average of at least 3.15 and an ACT score of 20 or higher. Liberty looks for students who took classes in high school that prepared them for college. Undergrads should submit transcripts that show they took at least two years of math, social science, life science and foreign language classes as well as four years of English courses. Undergrads must complete the university’s online application, which includes an essay component and submit their test scores and transcripts.
Graduate and doctoral students must complete some of the same steps and requirements when they apply. This includes filling out the Liberty online application and sending the university their transcripts. Many of the psychology and counseling programs ask for a resume that shows any practical or professional experience the student has and a writing sample that shows the student can write and research topics at the college level. Students typically need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school to enroll in a graduate program and both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree to start a doctoral program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Traditional students attending Liberty University pay around $23,000 a year for their classes. Residential students also face fees of at least $8,500 a year for room and board. The cost for any part-time undergrad is $815 per credit. Graduate students pay $545 per credit for any psychology classes they take. Those in a counseling program pay $410 per credit hour as a part-time student. Full-time students pay $2,850 per semester to take a block of courses. The university charges lower rates for its online programs that start at $390 per credit for undergrads and $565 per credit for graduate students.
Any student currently attending Liberty and those who want to enroll can apply for financial aid. All students must use the FAFSA and use the Liberty school code. Those who submit the FAFSA prior to the deadline in the early spring may qualify for one of the university’s scholarships. Students may also receive funding from the state and/or federal government in the form of grants and loans. Any student or the parent of a student can apply for federal loans too. The Liberty University Department of Psychology offers more information on the cost of these programs and the financial aid available for students.
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?
