Barry University is a private college in Florida that has a deep connection to the Catholic Church. The Adrian Dominican Sisters had a hand in its formation. It opened in 1940 as the Barry College for Women, a name it retained for a number of years. When classes first started, the campus had just five buildings and offered limited opportunities for students. That slowly changed over the years as the college brought in new programs and obtained more funds that paid for the construction of new campus buildings. Though it retains it connection to the Roman Catholic Faith, it now accepts students of all religious beliefs. After gaining approval from the state to offer higher degrees in the early 1980s, the college adopted the name Barry University.
The university now has several colleges operating on its campus, including a School of Law, School of Business and School of Arts and Sciences. Each of those colleges is home to various departments that provide students with more than 60 different bachelor's programs and just over 50 graduate programs. Many of its graduate programs offer classes on weekends and at night to accommodate working professionals and adult learners. Forbes added the university to its 2015 list of the nation's top schools.
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Barry University Accreditation Details
Though Barry University has an affiliation with the Catholic Church, it has the strong regional accreditation that you need. Unlike religious institutions that only have accreditation from private religious organizations, it has its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Also known as SACS, this type of accreditation lets you apply for financial aid and assistance from the federal government and lets you easily transfer credits between colleges with the same accreditation. You'll also find that Barry University sought accreditation for a handful of its programs too. Its Montessori teacher education program has accreditation from the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, and the Council on Social Work Education Office of Social Work Accreditation accredited the Barry University program in social work. Some of its other degree programs have accreditation from:
- Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools
Barry University Application Requirements
As a first-time college student, you can use the basic application on the Barry University admissions website to apply. The application includes sections on your general background, educational background and your hobbies/interests. You'll need to supply the university with your social security number, date of birth, parents' names, current address, any high schools or colleges attended and other basic details. You must also mail an official transcript from any colleges or high schools you went to and your score on either the ACT or SAT. The university recommends that you complete the FAFSA after submitting your application. If the university accepts your application, you must put down a deposit to hold your spot, sign up for a college orientation session and apply for campus housing.
Barry University has a separate online application available for graduate students and charges a $30 processing fee due at the time of submission. You must supply a transcript from each college you attended, even if you only took summer classes there and did not graduate. The university also asks for one to three letters of recommendation, a score from one of the college entrance exams like the GMAT and a short essay that you fill out on the application. The application includes forms that you must download and give to those writing your letters of recommendation.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The flat tuition rate charged by Barry University is right around $14,400 and lets you take between 12 and 18 credits each semester. If you take fewer classes, you pay per credit hour, and if you take more classes, you face additional fees. Undergrads must also pay fees for using the student health center, technology services and other things that can add a few hundred dollars to your overall costs. Its graduate programs charge between $699 and $990 per credit, based on the program you choose. The cost of all doctoral programs starts at $1,125 per credit, which does not include the university's fees.
The type of financial aid package that you receive will depend on your year in school, the financial assistance provided by your parents and the number of classes you take. Full-time students qualify for more aid than those who enroll on a part-time basis do. You'll also find that you can borrow more money in graduate school than you can as an undergrad. Undergrads have access to a work-study program, but grad students may work as a research or teaching assistant on campus. The university will also let you know if you qualify for any grants or scholarships.
Psychology and Counseling Degree Options
The Department of Psychology at Barry University offers both BS in Psychology and an MS in Clinical Psychology. Its BS program allows students to choose a concentration in forensic psychology or industrial/organizational psychology. The forensic program looks at issues like the criminal justice system, drug addiction and human development. It prepares students for working as corrections officers, parole officers and in the criminal justice system. Its industrial and organizational program looks at issues affecting working people today and how employers can better help those workers. Students can also take five or more psychology electives.
Its clinical psychology graduate program is available as a standard grad program that includes 36 credits or a theoretical option that includes 60 credits. The theoretical option is best for those who want to earn a PhD because it ensures that they fulfill all prerequisites and can include some required PhD classes. Though it includes both an internship and a thesis, many of the classes are available on weekends and at night.
You can also earn either an MS or a PhD in counseling through Barry University. Its MS has specializations available in clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, school counseling or marriage, family and couple counseling. Its PhD program includes classes like counseling for change, quantitative methods and counseling procedures. Barry University lets MS counseling students choose multiple specializations or concentrations based on the patients they want to work with and their future career goals.