Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University Psychology and Counseling Degrees

Gonzaga University appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the West.

Numerous psychology and counseling degree options are available at Gonzaga. At the undergraduate level, students may choose a major in psychology. Coursework explores human behavior and the science that underpins it in this intensive and challenging program. It's possible to choose this major with a research concentration for students who are interested in entering academia. In addition to introductory-level psychology courses, students take classes such as Statistics for Psychology, Scientific Principles of Psychology and Biological Psychology. Opportunities for directed study, the permission for which is granted by the Department Chair, are possible. The university provides access to study abroad programs, mainly at Chimfunshi Wildlife Sanctuary in Zambia where there is an affiliated education center.

At the graduate level, Gonzaga offers several counseling degree options. These include Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Counseling, Master of Arts in School Counseling and Master of Counselling, which is a site-based, cohort program in Canada.

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a two-year program that equips students to counsel clients in a manner that is ethical and moral. Through their studies, students develop their theory of counseling. This means that they have the opportunity to apply theories and research to practical, real-world experiences. Graduates may go on to be family counselors or provide counseling services in hospitals and clinics. Other graduates find employment in mental health and social service agencies. The site-based Master of Counselling is the same general program. However, it is designed for Canadian students.

With the Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Counseling, students prepare themselves for a career as a professional counselor who provides assistance to families and couples. Coursework places a heavy emphasis on human relationships with classes such as Theories of Couples Counseling, Advanced Family Systems and Marriage and Family Counseling. Internships and a professional seminar are parts of this 60-credit program.

Students who desire a career offering counseling services in a K-12 school setting are ideal candidates for the Master of Arts in School Counseling degree. With 600 hours of supervised internships and 100 hours of practicums with agencies in the community in addition to classroom education, graduates will be prepared for a challenging career. Courses include Child and Adolescent Counseling, Psychopathology & Psychopharmacology, Human Growth and Development, Assessment in School Counseling and Chemical Dependency in Schools among others for a total of 60 credits.

About Gonzaga University

Gonzaga is a liberal-arts university with a Jesuit heritage. Accordingly, the institution emphasizes community service and self-improvement. It was established in 1887 in Spokane, Washington. The current campus comprises more than 152 acres and in excess of 100 buildings. It's located on the shore of the Spokane River in a residential setting that is less than half-a-mile from the city's downtown.

Approximately 7,500 students are enrolled at Gonzaga in any academic year. This includes undergrads as well as master's, doctoral and law students. Overall, the institution provides 75 fields of study for undergraduates in addition to more than 20 master's degrees and four doctoral degrees. With more than 400 full-time faculty members, the average class size is just 24 students.

In 2018, U.S. News & World Report ranked Gonzaga in fourth place among regional universities in the West. The publication also named the university the seventh best value in the western U.S. while the Princeton Review's Colleges That Pay You Back decreed that Gonzaga was among the best-value universities thanks to its superior career preparation and outstanding academics.

Gonzaga University Accreditation Details

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities provides Gonzaga with comprehensive accreditation for all of its degree programs. Various of Gonzaga's schools are additionally accredited by specialized organizations. Master's degree programs at the School of Counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The Canadian master's degree programs in counseling are accredited by the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education and the Alberta Ministry of Education and Technology.

Gonzaga University Application Requirements

Applicants to undergraduate programs at Gonzaga are expected to hold a diploma from an accredited high school. Suggested high school coursework includes four years of English, three to four years of mathematics, three years of history or social studies, two to three years of a foreign language and three to four years of science. The student's curriculum will be considered as a part of admissions as well as the student's GPA, SAT or ACT scores and college essay. A review of the student's activities and honors and character also will be conducted.

Prospective students fill out an online application, submitting it along with a $50 fee, a teacher evaluation, and a school report. Official transcripts are mailed to the Office of Admissions. SAT or ACT scores are required.

Applicants who are interested in a master's degree program must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. An application is completed online and submitted with a $50 fee. Official transcripts from all prior college credits are required. Additionally, a complete application requires two confidential recommendations that the recommending individual sends directly to Gonzaga. Applicants submit a resume, a written statement of purpose and TOEFL scores if English is not their first language as well.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For one academic year, undergraduate students can expect to pay approximately $42,400 for tuition. Graduate students in the counseling programs will pay nearly $60,000 for their two-year education.

Gonzaga is recognized as an affordable institution that offers plenty of financial aid options to its students. Financial aid includes approximately $31 million dollars that Gonzaga awards to students in scholarships and grants every year. Moreover, a family discount is offered when multiple siblings are simultaneously enrolled. Federal grants including the Pell and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant further are available. The Washington State Need Grant may be awarded to students who are Washington residents and have a demonstrated financial need. Work study programs are widely offered, and loans are available from numerous sources.

The counseling and psychology degree programs at Gonzaga University are designed to prepare students to enter a challenging career field. Individuals who want to make a difference in their community are encouraged to apply to these programs.