University of Northern Colorado

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Counseling and Psychology Degrees Offered at the University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable School Psychology Online Degree Programs.

The University of Northern Colorado offers students several counseling and psychology degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree can choose from either an online or on-campus Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree that explores subjects such as the psychology of prejudice, cognition, theories of personality, and industrial psychology. Sample courses include Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Introduction to Physiological Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, and Psychological Statistics and Design. In addition, an accelerated, 141-credit 4+1 B.A. in Psychology and Master of Arts in Educational Psychology allows students to earn both degrees within five years. The educational psychology program includes the study of human motivation and learning and prepares students to either seek employment after graduation or pursue doctoral work.

At the graduate level, master’s degrees are offered in clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and marriage, couples, and family counseling/therapy. Other programs available at the master’s level include educational psychology as well as educational psychology with a concentration in teaching applications. An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered in the field of school psychology, and students may choose to specialize in applied behavior analysis. Prospective doctoral students may earn a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Counseling Psychology or pursue a doctorate in educational psychology or school psychology.

One of UNC’s more unique and notable programs is the Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Science: Social Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, a 64- to 67-credit, on-campus program and one of only a few of its kind in the nation. Students work with world-renowned researchers and leaders in the field to study the social influence on physical activity and sport behavior as well as the impact of co-workers, peers, teachers, siblings, parents, and community members on individual experiences and motivation in physical activity, exercise, and sport. Sample courses include Sport Pedagogy, Social Psychology and Group Dynamics, Motivation, Exercise and Sports Psychology, Sport and Higher Education, and Advanced Sociological Kinesiology.

About the University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is a public research university tucked between Colorado’s stunning high plains and the Rocky Mountains in Greeley, Colorado with extended campus locations in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Loveland. The state’s legendary outdoors are easily accessible, and UNC students may take a short one-hour drive west to Rocky Mountain National Park, or travel one hour south to experience Denver’s galleries, museums, and restaurants. Founded in 1889 as the State Normal School of Colorado, UNC boasts a long tradition of teacher education, and it offers more than 100 undergraduate and 120 graduate programs to more than 13,400 total students. UNC reports a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio that allows faculty members to develop one-on-one relationships with their students. This just-right size, combined with expert faculty and a history of hands-on learning and research, gives students a personalized education and exceptional opportunities to succeed in their respective fields. UNC is also recognized for its commitment to civic and community engagement, with its staff, faculty, and students volunteering and working within the community through events, recreation, research projects, and internships.

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University of Northern Colorado Accreditation Details

The University of Northern Colorado is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Accreditation is used to assure prospective and current students as well as the public of the quality of institutions of higher education and the academic programs they offer. In addition, accreditation provides several important benefits to students, including access to federal loans and grants to pay for their education and eligibility for employer-provided tuition assistance, for pursuing certification or licensure, and for transferring credits from one school to another. In addition to earning regional or national accreditation, a school may also pursue specialized programmatic accreditation for its degree programs. For instance, the doctorates in counseling psychology and school psychology at UNC are both accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits the doctorate in counselor education and supervision as well as the master’s degrees in school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, couples and family therapy, and clinical counseling.

University of Northern Colorado Application Requirements

First-year applicants are required to complete the Bear App or the Common Application and pay a nonrefundable $50 application fee. Required application materials include an official high school transcript sent directly to UNC from the prospective student’s high school as well as official ACT and/or SAT test scores. Graduate students seeking admission into UNC must hold a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college and show evidence of a minimum 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. UNC requires an official transcript from any accredited university or college from where the bachelor’s or master’s was earned. Depending on the specific program chosen, other application materials required may include a resume, letter(s) of recommendation, personal statements, writing samples, and/or official graduate standardized test scores.

Tuition and Financial Aid

UNC bases its tuition rates on a 30-credit academic year; students who take 15 credits per semester may graduate with a bachelor’s degree within four years. Colorado residents can expect to pay $9,918 per year in tuition alone, while nonresidents will pay $21,786 for their education. Students seeking enrollment through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program are eligible for reduced tuition rates of $16,758 per year; only students from certain states are eligible. Regardless of residency, UNC reports that the cost for books and supplies is $1,350 per year, and room and board costs approximately $11,200 annually. Graduate students pursuing a counseling or psychology degree can expect to pay between $560 and $615 per credit hour for a master’s degree and $665 per credit hour for a doctoral degree. In terms of financial aid, approximately 72% of incoming first-year students are awarded scholarships or grants, and UNC provides more than $30 million in institutional aid and scholarships each year. In addition, students may benefit from the College Opportunity Fund (COF), a state-funded program that offers a stipend for Colorado residents pursuing an in-state college degree.

Please visit the University of Northern Colorado’s website to learn more about the school’s undergraduate and graduate counseling and psychology programs.

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