Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University - Phoenix

The Arizona School of Professional Psychology is a college campus in Phoenix owned and operated by Argosy University. The American School of Professional Psychology was a small campus in Illinois that offered graduate degree programs and advanced certificate programs for working professionals. When its founder left to chair a growing education company, the campus became part of the Argosy Education Group. This group acquired two other campuses in the country and operated those colleges under the Argosy name. Though the Education Management Corporation later acquired the Argosy name, it continued using Argosy University for many of its campuses.

Argosy University is a for-profit school, but it offers some great opportunities for students. Classes typically meet outside of traditional hours, which allows students to work on their degrees as they continue working their jobs. The university also offers programs designed for parents and those enlisted in the military. Many students take nontraditional classes that meet on weekends or at night, but students can also take traditional classes on campus or take online classes too. The Arizona School of Professional Psychology is an Argosy University campus that offers advanced graduate and doctoral level programs for psychology students who want to study specialized topics, earn a higher degree or gain some on the job training. All of its graduate programs require that students do research and gain real experience in the field.

Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University – Phoenix Accreditation Details

Argosy University has several types of accreditation. Many students will want to know more about its institutional accreditation. This is a type of accreditation that comes from a major agency and gives enrolled students the right to request financial aid and complete the FAFSA. This comes from the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education gave the university a license to offer graduate courses and professional programs in the state. It also has accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) for its doctoral program. The doctoral program consists of both fieldwork and work in the classroom.

Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University – Phoenix Application Requirements

Though the Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University offers both a graduate and doctoral program, those hoping to enter one of those programs will still need to complete the same steps. Those interested in one of the graduate programs will need a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related topic from an accredited university. They will need to submit a transcript that shows they have a degree and the grades they received in past classes. Argosy University requires that all grad students have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on the standard 4.0 scale and that the transcript submitted shows that GPA. They must also take a language test that ensures they can understand the English language. Grad students must also complete the online application, provide a summary of their future goals, submit a resume and arrange for the submission of three letters of recommendation.

Those hoping to enter one of the doctoral programs must complete all the same steps and have a master's degree in counseling, psychology or a similar field. Unlike other colleges, Argosy University does not require that students take a standardized test like the GMAT. The admissions board will look at a student's grades, the courses the student took and other factors instead of focusing on test scores.

Tuition and Fees

Argosy University charges a tuition rate based on the number of credit hours a student takes. This is true of all colleges operating under the Argosy name, including the Arizona School of Professional Psychology. Graduate tuition comes in at $750 per credit hour. Doctoral students pay closer to $1,000 per credit hour. Graduate students typically take six or more credit hours each semester. Students will also need to make arrangements to pay for their supplies, including transportation to campus and textbooks. Those who do fieldwork may also need to pay for clothing that they wear in the field and transportation to their internships or fieldwork experiences.

New students entering any program offered by Argosy University can apply for scholarships. The Dean's Scholarship is available only to those studying clinical psychology at the doctoral level. Students must fill out an application, have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and present a list of their accomplishments to apply. Those who complete the FAFSA may qualify for loans from the government. These loans do accumulate interest while the student is still in school, but students can borrow more than $10,000 a year. Argosy University financial aid counselors can also help students find out about private student loans that are available for both enrolled students and their parents. These loans are open to both full-time and part-time students.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

The Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University – Phoenix offers two different psychology programs. Both of these are clinical programs that require students do work and research outside of their required classes. The Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology program is open to those with a bachelor's degree. Students learn how to assess the needs of others, make use of the skills they developed in the program, work with actual clients and transfer skills from the classroom into the professional world. Full-time students can complete all requirements in just two years, but Argosy gives students up to five years to complete the program. They take courses like personality assessments, statistics, clinical interventions and consulting with others. All grad students must take two practicum courses and two seminars.

The university also offers a Doctor of Psychology program that is suitable for those who already have a graduate degree and want to continue their studies or gain a license to practice in Arizona or another state. This program usually takes five years for students to finish. The first four years of the program require that students take 98 credit hours of courses like cognitive assessment, human development, advanced research and professional conduct. Students spend the last year doing an extensive internship and fieldwork project that lets them work under the supervision of a counselor and complete the steps necessary to get a license. The Arizona School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University – Phoenix recommends that students talk with an admissions officer before applying to one of these programs.