Counseling & Psychology at Northcentral University
Northcentral University appears in our ranking of the 5 Best Online Ph.D. Marriage and Family Counseling Programs.
Northcentral University offers ten ways to study counseling and psychology at virtually every level of collegiate study. Programs are housed within the university’s School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Master of Arts in Psychology, Master of Science in Educational Psychology, a Master of Science in Health Psychology, and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology. Students can also enter programs that include a Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Psychology, Master of Science in Forensic Psychology, Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, or a Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychology.
The programs offered by the university aren’t meant for licensure, but the programs are regionally accredited. The bachelor’s degree program in psychology requires that student complete at least 60 credit hours, which translates into 20 courses overall. The expected time to completion is 21 months, and students can begin their classes every week as the university offers rolling admissions and starting dates. The bachelor’s degree program is considered a completion program, so students are expected to transfer into the university with at least 60 credits already earned at another institution.
Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related area may choose any one of six programs at the graduate level in psychology. Like the bachelor’s degree program, students can begin their master’s degree at any time of the year since start dates occur every Monday. Total credit hours required for the Master of Arts in Psychology varies from 30 to 36 credits and depends on whether the student chooses Gender Diversity as his or her concentration or focuses on General Psychology for the program. Students who aren’t interested in a complete master’s or bachelor’s degree program can choose one of the certificate programs, which may be completed in just six months with four courses required.
For advanced students of psychology, the Ph.D. in Psychology is available and offers an estimated timeline for completion of 48 months. Students must complete at least 60 credit hours to complete their Ph.D., which translates into 20 courses. Specializations available in the Ph.D. program include Addictions, Health Psychology, General Psychology, and Mental Health Policy & Practice. Students may also specialize in Gerontology, Trauma & Disaster Relief, Gender Diversity Studies, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Courses a student may take while enrolled in a psychology program at Northcentral University include History & Systems of Psychology, Human Development & Functioning, Social Psychology, and Professional Ethics, Law, & Psychology.
About Northcentral University
Northcentral University is an online institution with headquarters in San Diego, California. The university offers programs in psychology, education, business, technology management, and marriage & family therapy. The school’s official colors are blue and gold, and the mascot is the Roadrunner. The school was established in 1996 by Donald Hecht, and the school received regional accreditation in 2003 from the Higher Learning Commission. Classes are offered from five schools that include the School of Business, School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, School of Education, School of Technology, and the School of Health Sciences. Around 10,000 students attend the virtual campus. The school is currently owned by Falcon Investments, LLC and Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC.
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Northcentral University Accreditation Details
When it was first recognized, Northcentral University was regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, but it would gain a new regional accreditation organization with approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Business programs offered at Northcentral University are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, and the graduate and Ph.D. programs in psychology offered by the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences are accredited by the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. The Project Management Institute has recognized Northcentral University as a Registered Education Provider for its bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in project management. The university is also part of the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Northcentral University Application Requirements
Northcentral University offers students admissions opportunities for doctoral, master’s, and baccalaureate programs, as well as for its certificate programs and for students interested in non-degree admission status. Students interested in admission as a first-year or bachelor’s degree seeker must complete the online application and have official transcripts sent to the university. Once all application items are received by the university, an Enrollment Advisor will examine the materials and make a determination for acceptance. Admission as a graduate student requires similar items, but students will send transcripts from their bachelor’s degree program instead of their high school transcripts. For students interested in the school’s doctoral program in psychology, applicants must have already earned a master’s degree in psychology or a related area.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees for students at Northcentral University vary based on the program in which the student is enrolled. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology requires tuition at a base rate of $1,383 per course, and the total estimated cost of the program is $30,310. The total estimated cost may vary based on how many credits a student already has available for transfer. The Master of Arts in Psychology is $2,454 per course and costs an estimated $25,090 for the entire program. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Psychology costs an estimated $2,454 per course and an estimated total of $26,090. Students in the Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology program will pay $3,360 per course and an estimated $69,750 for the entire program. Students will also pay a course materials fee per course that ranges from $85 to $110 for programs offered by the School of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Northcentral University was eligible to participate in the Federal Student Aid program as of 2009, so students can qualify for federal student loans when they submit their FAFSA form. Some of the loans available to students include Unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans, Federal PLUS loans, Subsidized Federal Stafford loans, and Federal Pell Grants. Grants do not need to be repaid after the student has completed his or her degree program. Military students may qualify for waivers and tuition assistance, and employees of certain businesses may qualify for tuition assistance through company partnerships with the university. Students in programs offered by the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northcentral University who require additional aid over what the university has offered may investigate private education loans for additional assistance in paying for college.
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?
