Emporia State University

Emporia State University was chartered by the State Legislature in 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School with Lyman Beecher Kellogg as the sole teacher. After three subsequent name changes, Emporia State was born in 1977 as a public, co-educational teaching institution on a $91.82 million budget. Boasting the Sunflower State's smallest, most intimate population, ESU educates around 3,800 undergrad and 2,200 post-grad Hornets yearly. Its 234-acre rural campus stands proudly off Route 50 in Emporia between Topeka and Wichita. Named America's 140th "Best College for Education" on Niche, ESU is ranked the 108th best Midwestern school by the U.S. News.

Emporia State University Accreditation Details

Initially granted in 1915, Emporia State University holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). This agency is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to certify ESU's 69 baccalaureate, 31 master's, and two doctoral/specialist degrees. Programmatic approvals are also given by:

• American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
• Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

Emporia State University Application Requirements

Even with a Fall 2015 acceptance rate of 87 percent, Emporia State University is classified as "selective." To compete, freshmen must have concluded a high school diploma, earned the GED, or passed the HiSET test with a 75 or higher. Completing a pre-college curriculum with no grades below "C" is expected. Out-of-state students are held to a minimum 2.5 GPA. Emporia also requests an ACT score over 21 or SAT score above 980. Transfers with 23+ credits at accredited colleges need a 2.0 GPA or better too.

Becoming an ESU graduate student involves finishing at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Master of Science programs mandate having at least 12 prerequisite credits, including abnormal psychology. The M.S. Art Therapy also requires 18 studio art credits. Holding an overall GPA of 3.0 or upper-division GPA of 3.25 is expected. Graduate applicants need to score at least 181 on the GRE or 400 on the MAT. The Ed.S. program requires Kansas teacher certification and 2+ years of experience.

Admission is rolling at Emporia State University, but the final deadlines are May 1st for Fall, October 1st for Spring, and March 1st for Summer enrollment. Prospective students must apply online or submit the paper application to Campus Box 4034 with the following materials:

• Check or money order for the $30 fee
• Transcript requests for each school
• Official college entrance exam scores
• Two professional reference forms
• Typed personal statement of purpose
• Portfolio of 15-20 artworks if applicable

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergrads from Kansas and Corky Plus counties are charged $3,213 per semester. Out-of-state bachelor's students may pay the MSEP rate of $4,434 or non-resident rate of $9,280 each term. Room and board is estimated to add $4,196 each semester. Total term cost of attendance is presently $7,909 (in-state) and $14,516 (out-of-state). The ESU Graduate School charges Kansans $325 per credit while non-residents are billed $845 per credit.

The NCES reports that 75 percent of full-time Emporia Hornets receive financial aid packages with an average worth of $5,912. Institutional awards like the Presidential Scholarship, Jones Foundation Grant, Headrick Scholarship, Endly Memorial Scholarship, Undocumented Student Scholarship, and Clegg Scholarship are plentiful. The Capitol Federal Savings program could provide up to $3,300 yearly. Low-income students could receive the Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. Living in-state qualifies you for the Kansas Comprehensive Grant and Ethnic Minority Scholarship. Federal Work-Study jobs are available along with graduate assistantships providing a minimum $7,059 stipend.

Studying Psychology and Counseling at ESU

At Emporia State University, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences partners with the Teachers College to deliver seven degrees in psychology and counseling. On-campus and online courses stay small with the 18:1 student-faculty ratio for stimulating discussion. Students also glean real-world practice in state-of-the-art counseling rooms in The Earl Center off State Street. Budding mental health professionals may consider these ESU degrees:

Psychology Major

Conferring a B.A. or B.S., Emporia's Psychology Major lays a foundation of research-based knowledge on the brain and behavior to open careers positively impacting others' lives. During the 43-credit major, undergrads can conduct research in the Industrial/Organizational Lab, intern at agencies like the Kansas Department for Children and Families, join Psi Chi, and study abroad in Granada.

M.S. Art Therapy Counseling

Approved by the AATA, the M.S. Art Therapy Counseling produces Registered Air Therapists with the creative skills to integrate media and visual expression for addressing individuals' social, emotional, or vocational impairments. Ranging from 54-57 credits, the program blends courses like art therapy techniques and counseling ethics with 750 clinical hours in at least two different populations.

M.S. Clinical Counseling

Meeting CACREP standards, the M.S. Clinical Counseling is a 60-credit program turning ESU graduates into Licensed Professional Counselors with the therapeutic skills to guide multicultural students toward improved welfare. With concentrations for Addictions Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or Mental Health Counseling, the curriculum includes 100 pre-practicum hours and a 600-hour internship.

M.S. Psychology

Consisting of 60 credits, the M.S. Psychology covers the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board's LMLP requirements with specialized training about the underlying causes of behavior and an applied 750-hour internship. Housed in Visser Hall, the thesis or non-thesis tracks allow for concentration in Experimental, Clinical, School, or Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling

Since 1975, the M.S. Rehabilitation Counseling has been Kansas' only CORE-accredited, 48-credit program with thesis or non-thesis tracks for Emporia graduates seeking to help clients overcome or manage the psychological effects of disabilities. Courses span from case management to vocational assessment and group processes with a culminating 600-hour field internship.

M.S. School Counseling

Known for producing 40 percent of Kansas PreK-12 counselors, the M.S. School Counseling at Emporia State is a 48-credit, thesis or non-thesis program focused on giving guidance throughout students' academic careers. Graduates complete at least 800 practicum hours at local schools like Timmerman Elementary and El Dorado High to complete the Parallel Pathways licensure.

Ed.S. School Psychology

Featuring an optional Early Childhood Certificate, the Ed.S. School Psychology is an NASP-approved, 34-credit program for post-master's students to learn the methods for treating childhood conditions like autism, dyslexia, and mental retardation. Tracing back to 1952, this Emporia State University degree also includes four internship credits and an Ed.S. Capstone.

See also: 35 Best Master’s Degrees in Art Therapy, Ranked by Affordability