American School of Psychology at Argosy University, Washington, DC

Argosy University began when the American School of Professional Psychology, the Medical Institute of Minnesota and the University of Sarasota joined forces to create one institute of higher learning.

Initially, the American School of Professional Psychology was known as the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. The school was founded in 1976 by a group of psychologists, educators and other professionals. It was one of the first schools to develop a clinical psychology degree with a focus on teaching combined with practice training.

The University of Sarasota was founded in 1969 under a different name. The school was a pioneer in online study while also offering intensive on-campus courses. The focus of the university was to provide higher education options for working adults.

The Medical Institute of Minnesota was established in 1961 and offered students programs focused in the medical professions.

The word argosy is a noun which means “rich supply,” and was a term often used in shipping and railway transportation to indicate that the ship was carrying a “rich supply” of goods. Argosy strives to provide students with a rich supply of knowledge in keeping with the name.

As part of this university, The American school of Professional Psychology, located just outside of the nation’s capital in Arlington, Virginia, is committed to offering students an integrative approach to clinical practice. Interest in the field grew after the development of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) in 1983. A founder of the organization, Dr. George Stricker, is a member of the faculty at the American School of Professional Psychology and Dr. Barry Wolfe, another founder of SEPI is a retired faculty member.

Students on the campus are provided an approach that goes beyond the confines of a single-school approach so that they can learn from other perspectives. Programs at the college offer diverse theories and techniques and students are encouraged to develop outside of the program requirements through research, conferences, workshops and internships.

American School of Psychology at Argosy University Accreditation Details

The American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University is accredited, like all campuses in the Argosy University system, by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition, the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program at the school is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association.

American School of Psychology at Argosy University Application Requirements

In order to apply for admission at the American School of Professional Psychology, students must complete an application for admission. Students applying for graduate studies must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. Many programs require minimum grade point averages in order to be accepted. For all graduate programs at the university, students must provide a professional goal statement, current resume, three recommendations and official transcripts, one of which must show the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher.

American School of Psychology at Argosy University Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition, although it varies between programs, averages $13,500 per year for full-time attendance at American School of Psychology at Argosy University. Graduate tuition averages between $686 and $764 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available at American School of Psychology at Argosy University through grants, loans and scholarships. In addition, the university accepts military benefits and tuition reimbursement from employers. In order to be eligible for any financial aid at the school, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

American School of Psychology at Argosy University Degrees Available

Clinical Psychology: Master of Arts Program

The Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology degree program provides students the tools and skills necessary to work in clinical settings as well as to pursue advanced degrees in the clinical psychology field. Students develop strong clinical orientation with an emphasis on psychological assessment. Students receive instruction in scientific methodology as well as the basics of scientific psychology. The program can be completed in as little as two years. If the student chooses to advance to the doctorate program, all master’s level coursework taken at the school applies toward the doctorate degree at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University.

In order to apply for the program, students must have a 3.0 GPA in undergraduate studies and must submit to an interview with a member of the program’s Admissions Committee.

The program requires 47 credit hours that includes six credit hours of practicum and practicum seminar as well as one credit hour of Integrative Paper. Students must complete the Clinical Presentation Evaluation as well. Students must complete the degree within the fifth year of matriculation.

Clinical Psychology: Doctor of Psychology Program

The doctoral program at American School of Psychology at Argosy University promotes the philosophy of integration that exists throughout Argosy University. Students learn through integration of theoretical perspectives, theory and scholarship through practice as well as diversity and ethical issues that exist in psychology today. Students may choose to concentrate their studies in specialized areas. The degree is a five-year program requiring three full-time academic years and two years of practicum training. Students must complete 98 credit hours and 88 credit hours must be completed by the end of the fifth year of matriculation. Students must also complete a Clinical Research Project and the program must be completed in no less than seven years after matriculation. Courses required for the degree include:

• Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
• History and Systems
• Cognition and Affective Processes
• Lifespan Development
• Physiological Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
• Adult Psychopathology
• Issues in the Assessment and Treatment of Diverse Populations
• Clinical Psychopharmacology
• Consultation and Supervision
• Cognitive Behavior Theory and Therapy
• Psychodynamic Theory and Therapy
• Integrative Approaches and Therapy
• Family and Couples Therapy
• Statistics and Research I & II
• Professional Issues: Ethics, Conduct and Law
• Professionalization Group I & II

In order to apply for the program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate studies and must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.25. Students must submit to an interview with a member of the Admissions Committee.

Students who wish to begin a new career in clinical psychology or who want to advance in their current career would benefit from the master’s and doctorate degree programs at the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington, DC. The school has a history of providing flexible schedules for those who may have work, family or social obligations that prevent them from attending traditional classrooms.