Eastern Washington University

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Updated November 30, 2022 · 3 Min Read

Learn more about the various counseling degree programs available at Eastern washington University.

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Eastern Washington University was founded as Benjamin Pierce Cheney Academy in 1882 before becoming the State Normal School seven years later. Fast-growing after World War II, the institution transitioned into a comprehensive public, four-year Big Sky Conference member. Endowed for $18.5 million, EWU now enrolls 13,453 Eagles seeking to "Start Something Big" in four colleges, including the College of Social Sciences. With multiple satellites, EWU is based upon 300 rural acres in Spokane County overlooking the Channeled Scablands. Named America's 263rd most conservative school on Niche, Eastern Washington was ranked the West's 61st best university and 14th top public college by the U.S. News.

Eastern Washington University Accreditation Details

Reaffirmed in 2015 under President Mary Cullinan, Eastern Washington University holds 10-year regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). In the College of Social Sciences, the M.S. in Counselor Education is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Ed.S. is also meets the standards of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

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Eastern Washington University Application Requirements

Majoring in psychology or counseling at Eastern Washington University means passing the "selective" admission rate of 74 percent first. Both the Psychology BA and Applied Developmental Psychology BS require a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Those with a 3.3 GPA, 1110 SAT, and 24 ACT or better are automatically accepted. Finishing a high school diploma with CADR requirements, including one year of algebra, biology, chemistry, and foreign language, is prerequisite. AP Psychology exams could count if scored 4 or 5. Undergrad transfers with a 2.0 GPA from accredited colleges must have at least 55 upper-division credits remaining.

Becoming an EWU Eagle for a Master of Science requires having an accredited bachelor's in psychology or an equivalent social science. Curriculum prerequisites include inferential statistics, lifespan development, abnormal psychology, and physiological psychology. The Graduate School strongly prefers post-grad applicants with a 3.0 GPA in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester hours. Academic excellence should be displayed with GRE scores in the upper 50th percentile. Clinical Psychology (MS) majors must submit to the WSP background check. The on-campus Educational Specialist degree accepts bachelor's grads, but the Online Respecialization option stipulates a master's or 5+ years of relevant experience.

Undergrads should apply before the Fall priority deadline of February 1st. Graduate applicants can apply between January 15th and March 1st. Extra materials for the EWU Online Application should be mailed to 304 Sutton Hall in Cheney, WA 99004. Hopeful psychology and counseling majors shouldn't forget the following:

  • Non-refundable $50 application fee
  • Completed FAFSA form by code 003775
  • Official transcripts from every school
  • College entrance exam scores taken
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Cover letter and resume (grad only)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Washington residents studying as full-time undergrads pay $6,110 for tuition and $841 for fees annually. Out-of-state bachelor's students must afford $22,502 for full-time tuition and $841 for fees each year. Room and board adds $10,945 along with $900 for textbooks and $2,055 for miscellaneous expenses. Total annual cost of undergrad attendance is $21,976 in-state and $38,368 out-of-state. The Graduate School bills $559 for residents and $1,299 for non-residents per credit taken with a $35 service fee for online courses.

According to the NCES, 93 percent of beginning, full-time EWU Eagles obtain financial aid packages worth $8,416 on average. Over $5.5 million in institutional awards, including the Presidential Scholarship, Eastern Advantage Scholarship, Running Start Scholars, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, and Athletic Scholarship, are available. Low-income learners obtain the Federal Pell Grant and SEOG Grant. Evergreen State natives could utilize the Washington State Need Grant for up to 225 attempted credits and College Bound Scholarship. The Western Undergrad Exchange (WUE) tuition waiver cuts costs. Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Graduate Service Appointments (GSA) extend paychecks for at least $11/hour. Many also borrow low-interest Perkins, Stafford, and Grad PLUS loans.

Studying Psychology and Counseling at EWU

Chaired by Dr. Nick Jackson, the College of Social Sciences' Psychology Department is located in Martin Hall to deliver six degree options in psychology and counseling. There are also certificates for Addiction Studies or Suicide Assessment and Treatment. At a 22:1 ratio, students interact with PhD-level faculty trained at Kansas State, Gonzaga, Seattle Pacific, Biola, and more. Majors get hands-on training in cutting-edge facilities, including the Turnbull Lab and Idaho Child Welfare Research & Training Center. Future mental health advocates should consider these EWU degrees:

Psychology Major (BA)

EWU's Psychology Major (BA) is the generalist, 70-credit undergrad major embracing a liberal arts foundation for pursuing curiosities about human behavior in well-founded theories. Leading to a senior capstone, the bachelor's spans courses from cultural psychology to personality with opportunities to join Psi Chi, attend the Honors Program, and study at Bellevue.

Applied Developmental Psychology Major (BS)

Emphasizing the processes of lifespan changes, the Applied Developmental Psychology Major (BS) prepares undergrads for entry-level human services work or graduate study with courses from learning to adjustment. The 79-credit major injects two quarters of fieldwork at Spokane Area agencies like Free Rein Therapeutic Riding, Discovery School, or Arbor House.

Master in Clinical Psychology (MS)

Admitting cohorts of 10-15 each Fall, the Master in Clinical Psychology (MS) takes 2.5 years for EWU post-grads to prepare for doctoral study or become practitioners with advanced knowledge of clinical pathologies and their everyday effects. The 84-credit degree includes 240 hours of direct service practicum, graduate assistantships, and master's thesis research.

Master in Experimental Psychology (MS)

Available in Cheney with daytime or evening courses, the Master in Experimental Psychology (MS) at Eastern Washington focuses on training post-grads for researching and teaching behavioral science after doctoral-level study. The 68-credit program must be completed in six years with advanced courses like human neuropsychology and a thesis or research report.

Master of Science in Counselor Education (MS)

Accredited by the CACREP with an NCE pass rate of 100 percent, EWU's Master of Science in Counselor Education develops therapeutic intervention skills via eight practica and a 600-hour internship. Satisfying the LPC requirements in Washington, the 93-credit degree takes six or seven academic quarters in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling tracks.

Educational Specialist in School Psychology (EdS)

Adopting a preventative focus, the Educational Specialist in School Psychology (EdS) is a 104-credit, NASP-approved major for graduates to fulfill the training standards for strengths-based school intervention as nationally certified psychologists. Delivered on-site at Eastern Washington University or online via Canvas for respecialization, the degree integrates 1,200 internship hours and the final comprehensive exam.

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