Chestnut Hill College

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Updated December 2, 2022 · 3 Min Read

Learn more about the various counseling degree programs available at Chestnut hill College.

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Chestnut Hill College was initially established in 1924 as Mount Saint Joseph College by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Through most of its history, Chestnut Hill has been a private four-year Roman Catholic liberal arts college for women. It wasn't until 2005 that the non-profit institution became co-educational. Since then, enrollment has risen by 80 percent to educate over 2,400 undergraduates and 720 post-graduates each year.

CHC is located on a secluded 45-acre suburban campus overlooking Wissahickon Creek and Fairmount Park on the northwestern edge of Philadelphia.

As a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE), Chestnut Hill College has more than 10,000 living alumni. The U.S. News and World Report ranked CHC as the 131st best regional college and 90th top school for veterans in the North. Consistently, CHC is included within the Princeton Review's "Best in the Northeast" schools. Washington Monthly honored Chestnut Hill College as the 297th best bang for the buck in the Northeast. In 2012, the American Planning Association also named Chestnut Hill one of the top 10 best neighborhoods in the United States.

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Chestnut Hill College Accreditation Details

At the institutional level, Chestnut Hill College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE). This is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CHC holds membership with the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) and Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU). Certification programs are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The PsyD program is also accredited through the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (CoA).

Chestnut Hill College Application Requirements

Getting into Chestnut Hill College can be difficult with the selective acceptance rate of 61 percent. For undergraduate programs, first-year applicants must have earned an accredited high school diploma or passed the GED equivalency. Admissions counselors look for a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, but the average for admitted students is 3.13. Scoring at least 20 on the ACT and 1000 on the SAT (Math/Verbal) is strongly preferred. Transfers can utilize up to 75 approved college credits from other regionally accredited colleges. Having at least 24 credits with a minimum collegiate GPA of 2.5 is necessary.

Eligible graduate applicants wishing to study at Chestnut Hill must already hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. university or foreign equivalent. The PsyD program mandates having at least 12 undergraduate credits in psychology. Possessing a master's degree in a closely related major qualifies candidates for Advanced Standing. Graduate students should have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Satisfactory scores for the GRE or MAT taken within the last five years are required. International learners studying on F-1 visa must score at least 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS.

Before the application deadlines on July 1st, November 1st, and April 1st, aspiring psychology and counseling majors at Chestnut Hill College must submit:

• Completed online or printable admission form
• Official sealed transcripts of all academics
• Standardized testing score reports
• Three letters of recommendation
• Proof of English language proficiency
• 600-word professional goals essay
• Payment for the $55 application fee (unless waived)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time B.A. in Psychology students will pay $33,930 for yearly tuition and $305 for additional fees. Room and board is estimated to cost $10,300 per academic year. Textbooks and personal expenses will add approximately $3,075 every year. Total cost of attendance for full-time undergraduates is $48,882 (on-campus) or $37,997 (off-campus). Part-time undergrad learners are charged $725 per credit hour. Graduate students pay $18,090 in full-time tuition yearly. Room and board will be $14,238 if needed. With books and supplies, total estimated cost is $45,552 every year. The PsyD program specifically costs $995 per credit.

Around 93 percent of beginning full-time CHC students receive financial aid. Interest-free payment plans are offered through Nelnet Business Solutions. Students can borrow funding with Federal Subsidized Direct, Federal Unsubsidized Direct, Federal Perkins, or Grad PLUS loans. Federal Work-Study (FWS) offers bi-weekly pay checks for part-time employment. Some low-income students could qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. In-state residents should apply for the PHEAA State Grant or Ready to Succeed Scholarship (RTSS). Military benefits are available with the Yellow Ribbon Program. On average, students earn $11,500 in scholarships, such as the Student Leadership Award, Athletic Scholarship, and Freshman Merit Scholarship.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

Following the motto "Faith, Charity, Knowledge," CHC creates an inclusive Catholic community for holistic, liberal arts education. Of the 35 majors, there are three programs related to psychology and counseling. Thanks to the low 9:1 student-faculty ratio, over 85 percent of courses have fewer than 20 students. The Chestnut Hill College Internship Consortium also makes it simple to find hands-on practicum in Greater Philadelphia. Aspiring mental health professionals can pursue:

B.A. in Psychology

As one of CHC's largest majors, the B.A. in Psychology program allows undergraduates to study how behavior and mental processes are affected by an organism's external environment. Requiring at least 120 credits, the curriculum involves courses in research design, statistics, psychological measurement, social psychology, physiology, abnormal psychology, group dynamics, lifespan development, and cognitive psychology. Majors complete a senior seminar with an applied psychology internship. Any students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 could be invited to join the college's Psi Chi chapter.

M.S. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology

Offered at the main campus or DeSales University, the M.S. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology program is for CHC graduate students seeking to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT). The 60-credit curriculum exposes students to science of counseling interventions with emphasis on psychodynamic theory. All M.S. students complete 100 hours of practicum and a culminating 600-hour clinical internship. Concentrations are available in Child and Adolescent Therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Co-Occurring Disorders, Diverse and Underserved Communities, Couple and Therapy, or Trauma Studies.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Fully accredited by the APA, the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program uses a cohort model to prepare advanced graduate students for applied professional practice in identifying, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders. Optional concentrations are available in Psychological Assessment or Couple and Family Therapy. Courses in the 117-credit curriculum are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with practicum on other weekdays. Before graduating from Chestnut Hill College, PsyD students must complete a year-long internship placement.

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