Wake Forest University

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Four WFU Degrees for Psychology and Counseling

Wake Forest University appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor’s in Psychology.

At Greene Hall, the Undergraduate College provides a B.A. in Psychology with a 120-credit, four-year plan directed by Dr. Wayne Pratt for Wake Forest University Demon Deacons to take 17 major courses like Biopsychology, complete Complex Brain Systems Lab projects, and travel abroad to Venice.

Chaired by Dr. Catherine Seta, the M.A. in Psychology builds a 36-credit doctoral preparation path with Winston-Salem courses from Human Cognition to Social Psychology and thesis research at a 2:1 student-faculty ratio. Since May 2012, the M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling has delivered its 60-credit, CACREP-accredited curriculum led by Dr. Nathanial Ivers online or at the Reynolda Campus for North Carolina licensure after 200 practicum and 600 internship hours. The M.A. in School Counseling follows a hybrid 60-credit, CAEP-approved sequence outlined by Dr. Erin Binkley with 700 field experience hours at Gibson Elementary, Meadowlark Middle, and others. There’s also an M.Div./M.A. Dual Degree.

About Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University originated on February 3, 1834, when the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina opened the Wake Forest Manual Labor Institute on Dr. Calvin Jones’ 600-acre plantation. In 1835, the Euzelian and Philomathesian Literary Societies were founded. In 1839, President Samuel Wait graduated the inaugural all-male class of nine. Closed in 1862 for the Civil War, Wake Forest was reopened in 1866 by President L.R. Mills. In 1902, Wake Forest College established its School of Medicine. Four decades later, Wake Forest became coeducational to admit the first 47 women. In 1946, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation pledged $330,000 annually for a move to Winston-Salem. In 1960, ten Wake Forest students participated in the famous Woolworth’s Sit-In. Integrated in 1961, WFU gained university status on January 13, 1967. In 1971, Wake Forest University created Casa Artom for studying in Venice.

Endowed for $1.3 billion, Wake Forest University now employs 690 faculty teaching 5,225 undergrad and 3,176 post-grad Demon Deacons from 46 countries online or at its 340-acre Reynolda campus in Winston-Salem with 250+ clubs like the Volunteer Service Corps. In 2010, WFU had the Chi Sigma Iota Outstanding Counseling Research Award recipient. In 2017, Wake Forest won the CASE District III Circle of Excellence Award. Wake Forest University accepted the 1998 ACES Outstanding Counseling Program Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Wake Forest the 27th best university and 25th top value. On Niche, WFU boasts America’s 53rd top psychology department and 50th best academics. Forbes placed Wake Forest University 56th overall with the 33rd best research. The Center for World University Rankings named WFU 73rd for alumni employment outcomes.

Wake Forest University Accreditation Details

On May 27, 2015, Wake Forest University started the reaffirmation process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to extend its Level VI accreditation through the next 2025-26 evaluation under President Nathan O. Hatch, Ph.D., who earned the NACE Career Services Excellence Award. Located 313 miles down Interstate 85 in Decatur, Georgia, this esteemed 11-state Southeast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to review WFU’s 51 baccalaureate and 53 graduate options. Further, the Department of Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through October 31, 2026. The M.A. in School Counseling was also approved by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in March 2017.

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Wake Forest University Application Requirements

Admission at Wake Forest University is classified as “very selective” by Peterson’s because only 3,803 of the 12,937 Fall 2018 applicants were welcomed for 29 percent acceptance. First-year Demon Deacons seeking the B.A. in Psychology usually must graduate with 16+ units of accredited high school credit. The Class of 2022 presented a mean GPA of 3.83. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 1270-1410. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 28-32. Since May 2008, Wake Forest has followed a test-optional policy though. Transfers must have overall GPAs of 2.0 or better in 12-90 college course credits. The M.A. in Psychology admits cohorts of 10-16 with minimum bachelor’s GPAs of 3.0. Three courses titled Introductory Psychology, Research Methods, and Statistics are prerequisites. On average, post-grads achieve a composite GRE score of 315. The M.A. in School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs require clean background checks plus volunteer/work experience.

Wake Forest University set freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Decision and January 1st for Regular Decision. Merit-based scholarship consideration ends on December 1st. B.A. in Psychology transfers can apply until March 15th for Fall or November 1st for Spring. The Department of Counseling requires campus post-grads file before January 15th. Online M.A. in Counseling entrants are processed until two weeks before the semester starts. The M.A. in Psychology has a February 1st final deadline. Accordingly, complete the WFU, Coalition, or Common Application online for $65. Forward official transcripts to PO Box 7305 in Winston-Salem, NC 27109. Send test reports via SAT/GRE code 5885 or ACT code 3168. Finish supplemental steps, such as the personal interview, criminal background check, resume, and teacher recommendation form. Contact (336) 758-5201 or admissions@wfu.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Wake Forest University is charging full-time Undergraduate College students $54,430 annually. Part-time B.A. in Psychology majors spend $2,256 per credit. Study abroad enrollment fees are $3,266 by semester. Bachelor’s students pay the $200 activity fee, $450 health fee, and $460 wellness fee yearly. Living at the Winston-Salem campus’ dorms like Babcock Hall adds $9,848 for housing. Standard meal plans for North Dining Hall are $5,796 extra. WFU budgets $1,500 for books, $1,550 for personal expenses, and $950 for travel. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $77,342 on-site or $56,592 at home. Graduate School of Arts & Sciences tuition bills $38,650 each year. Online M.A. in Counseling cohorts pay $1,465 per credit. Summer master’s courses are priced at $1,200 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Reynolda Hall Room 4 helps 46 percent of new full-time WFU Demon Deacons enroll with median tuition assistance of $41,719 for $21.40 million combined. University funds include the Guy Carswell Scholarship, Joseph Gordon Scholarship, Graylyn Scholarship, Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship, Stamps Scholarship, William Louis Poteat Scholarship, Egbert Davis Jr. Scholarship, Army ROTC Scholarship, Heritage Scholarship, George & Lila Bradford Scholarship, Marcus Miller Scholarship, Bobbie Fletcher Memorial Scholarship, O.W. Wilson Scholarship, and Randall Ledford Scholarship. The Louis Patton Hearn Scholarship for Human Service gifts $16,000 annually to freshmen with GPAs over 3.5 and volunteerism. The $5,000 Richter Scholars Program has an April 12th deadline for M.A./M.S. students who pursue enriching research projects. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and SEOG Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 002978. North Carolinians could also earn the NC Need-Based Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Shaver-Hitchings Scholarship, Katherine Baich Scholarship, and more.

Continue learning about Wake Forest University at the Department of Counseling website.

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