Geneva College

Geneva College was named for Switzerland's second most populous city by Reformed Presbyterian Church minister John Black Johnston in 1848. Originally located in Northwood, Ohio, the Institute was closed during the Civil War and relocated to land donated by the Harmony Society in western Pennsylvania. Now endowed for $28.6 million, Geneva operates as a private, Christian liberal arts institution of the Presidents' Conference. Its main 55-acre campus in the Pittsburgh suburb of Beaver Falls accommodates 1,638 undergrad and 241 post-grad Golden Tornadoes. The U.S. News ranked Geneva as the North's 75th best university and third top value school. On Niche, Geneva College is America's 166th best standout college and 298th safest campus. College Factual specifically recognized Geneva for the 96th most value-added psychology education nationwide.

Geneva College Accreditation Details

Continuously since 1922, Geneva College has undergone institutional review from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This regional accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education extends to all Geneva's 34 bachelor's and seven master's majors at the Beaver Falls, East Liberty, and Cranberry Township locations. Geneva holds institutional membership to the Association of Reformed Institutions of Higher Education (ARIHE). The M.A. in Counseling degree also has accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Recommended: Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the Northeast

Geneva College Application Requirements

Becoming a B.S. in Psychology or Biopsychology major at Geneva College means passing the "selective" admission rate of 71 percent. Undergrads must have completed a 16-unit college-prep curriculum with two units of foreign language for a recognized diploma. Scoring at least 145 on each GED test subject would also qualify. Showing math proficiency is important with a minimum subject SAT score of 510 or ACT score of 19. On average, admitted freshmen present a secondary GPA of 3.54. Transferring to Geneva is simple with unlimited credits graded "C" or higher accepted from accredited schools. Bachelor's transfers with GPAs above 3.0 automatically earn the $10,000 Tower Scholarship.

Joining the Geneva Golden Tornadoes for the M.A. in Counseling will require finishing a four-year bachelor's degree in any major. The only curriculum prerequisite is an undergrad statistics course that must be graded "B-" or better. International students who've completed Form I-20 must have a baccalaureate equivalent and minimum TOEFL score of 550 or IELTS score of 6.5. Master's applicants must be able to pass the Act 34, Act 151, and Act 114 clearances without felony convictions. Full M.A. admission mandates a 3.0 cumulative GPA, but provisional status is available for 2.7-2.99 GPAs. Taking the Graduate Record Exam is never required.

Geneva College has established a deadline of November 15 for free applications, but the $40 fee is accepted afterward on a rolling basis. Besides the online application, extra materials could be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to 3200 College Ave. in Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Psychology and counseling programs typically request the following:

• High school and college transcripts

• College entrance exams (SAT or ACT)

• One academic and one character reference

• Short essay on Christian education goals

• Résumé or CV of education/experience

Tuition and Financial Aid

Traditional full-time B.S. students are charged $13,365 per semester or $26,730 for annual tuition. Studying part-time costs $900 per credit. Adult online courses are discounted to $548 per credit. Summer psychology courses also bill $333 per credit with a $95 administrative fee. Living on-campus in Beaver Falls will cost $10,170 for yearly room and board. Total annual cost of attendance for undergrads is $36,900. Earning the M.A. in Counseling sets post-grads back $675 per credit or $40,500 total over two years full-time.

According to the NCES, 98 percent of full-time Geneva Golden Tornadoes share $19.98 million in annual financial assistance for aid packages worth $13,986 on average. Psychology majors could receive institutional funds like the Pro Christo Scholarship, Founders Scholarship, Alumni Scholarship, Beaver County Scholarship, Northwood Award, Christian/Homeschool Grant, or Church Match Scholarship. The M.A. in Counseling program gifts full- and part-time graduate assistantships with stipends of $7,900. Federal financial aid resources like the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, Perkins Loan, and Grad PLUS loans are accepted. The PHEAA provides Pennsylvania residents the State Grant, Aid for Military, and Ready to Succeed Scholarship. Federal Work-Study jobs are listed for 7-10 hours weekly. Geneva College also offers five-month tuition payment plans with partner Nelnet Business Solutions.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees at Geneva

Chaired by Terri Williams, PhD, in Northwood Hall, the Department of Psychology and Social Services at Geneva College provides three degrees related to behavioral intervention. Taking a Biblically Christian worldview, the Department also offers a Human Services Minor or Career Counseling Certificate. Adults can even pursue the B.P.S. in Child and Family Services or B.P.S. in Aging Services online. With an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, majors interact closely with doctoral-level mentors from Michigan State, Penn State, Syracuse, Regent, and others. Pursue mental health professions with these Geneva degrees:

B.S. in Psychology

Matched to APA guidelines, Geneva's B.S. in Psychology offers a comprehensive, faith-infused curriculum in Beaver Falls for undergrads to synthesize their understanding on the cognitive, social, cultural, and developmental influences of behavior. The "College of Christian Distinction" requires 120 total credits from gender psychology to personality and sensation. Majors could also gain Psi Chi Honors, intern at Heritage Valley Health, volunteer with TRAILS Ministries, join The Mentoring Project, and take the Semester in Scotland.

B.S. in Biopsychology

Partnered with the Biology Department, the B.S. in Biopsychology at Geneva focuses on the scientific study of brain anatomy and neurological structure to ascertain the physical effects on people's behaviors. Open for Christian critique, the 120-credit program has an IACUC-approved animal lab for bringing courses like cellular neurobiology and cognitive science to life. Students might also declare the Pre-Medicine track, join Creation Stewardship Club, intern with the Lawndale Summer Medical Project, and attend STEM Day events.

M.A. in Counseling

Reporting a 99 percent NCE Exam pass rate, the M.A. in Counseling is an intensive, CACREP-accredited program where post-grads combine Christian tenets with evidence-based therapeutic methods to help God's children grow. Available in Beaver Falls or Cranberry Township, the 60-credit degree features three specializations: Mental Health Counseling, Marriage & Family Counseling, or School Counseling. Requiring ACA liability insurance, Geneva College arranges 600-hour internships at partners like Allegheny County Mental Health and North Hills School District.