Kutztown University

Kutztown University Psychology and Counseling Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Kutztown University offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology that provides students with an understanding of human behavior as well as the mental, emotional and physical processes related to behavior. The program offers two tracks or concentrations: General and Paralegal Studies. The General Track is the traditional undergraduate psychology program and is designed for students who are going into any field of psychology. The Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association and is offered in conjunction with Kutztown and the Lehigh Carbon Community College. Students gain an understanding of the paralegal professional as well as limitations imposed by unauthorized practice of law in combination with an understanding of psychology.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Kutztown University is a 60-semester hour program that consists of core counseling courses as well as specialty area courses. Students must also complete 700 hours of field experience. Upon completion of the program, students are qualified for state licensure. Students are provided an education that stresses personal development, knowledge of concepts used in psychology and counseling as well as the delivery of mental health services over a lifespan. Research and development skills are also stressed in order to promote discovery of innovative ways to manage mental illness.

Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

The Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling is a 60-semester program that qualifies students for licensing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students must complete a 700-hour field experience as well as specialty and core courses. The program helps students develop personal awareness while also providing them with a strong understanding of counseling concepts. Students are able to deliver counseling services across a lifespan and are provided in-depth training in order to work with individuals, couples, and families. Research skills are also emphasized in order to encourage innovative approaches to issues that face marriages, couples, and families.

Master of Science in School Counseling

The Kutztown University Master of Science in School Counseling prepares students for careers in K-12 school settings. The program is 51-credit hours and meets the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirements for certification. Students who also complete the School Certification and Licensure option are also eligible to become a Licensed Professional Counselor. Students must complete 700 field hours along with both core and specialty courses. Upon completion of the 51-credit hours, students are eligible to sit for the PRAXIS examination. Students develop personal awareness necessary to succeed as a counselor along with counseling and educational concepts. Students gain an understanding of the skills necessary to counsel students in an educational setting. The program also emphasizes the importance of research and assessment to determine the best approaches to student psychology.

More information about Kutztown's counseling programs can be found here.

About Kutztown University

When the Civil War ended, residents of Berks County realized that in order to turn their frontier into a modern civilization, they would need to provide quality education for those in the area. Unfortunately, there were not enough qualified teachers to provide such an education. In 1886, the Keystone State Normal School opened with a focus on training educators. In 1928, the school became known as Kutztown State Teacher’s College and was authorized to confer four-year degrees. Eventually, the area was in need of liberally educated personnel for industries and this need grew more necessary than trained teachers. In 1960, the school became Kutztown State College, providing education in other areas beyond education. In 1983, the school became known as the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania of the State System of Higher Education.

Today, there are approximately 8,329 full- and part-time students attending Kutztown. The majority of students who attend are Pennsylvania residents. Military Times named the school one of the Best for Vets in 2017.

KU appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the Northeast.

Kutztown University Accreditation Details

Kutztown University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This indicates to parents, students, and employers that the education received at Kutztown prepares students for leadership roles in their field of study. In addition, the school is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. This indicates that the counseling programs at Kutztown University are exceptional, that the school welcomes periodic review and strives to improve any areas that the accrediting agency determines needs improvement.

Kutztown University Application Requirements

Students who wish to attend Kutztown University who have not earned college credit after high school graduation are considered freshmen. They must complete an online application and pay an application fee. Students must submit official high school transcripts as well as SAT or ACT scores.

Students who have earned any credits after high school graduation may apply as transfer students. Students must apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions if their college credits were not earned at Kutztown and through the Registrar’s Office if they earned credits at Kutztown but did not complete a degree. Students must provide an official final high school transcript. Students who have earned less than 12 credits after graduation must submit official ACT or SAT scores. Students must also provide official college transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Each graduate program at Kutztown University has its own admissions requirements. Most require official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. One must indicate the conferring of a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students may also be required to submit official test scores. Letters of recommendation may also be required.

Students who wish to enter the Counseling programs at Kutztown must complete an application form found on the Graduate Admissions webpage and pay a processing fee. Three letters of recommendation are required and must have been written in the last two years. One should be an academic reference if the student graduated within the last five years. Students must provide official transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or a master’s level transcript with a 3.0 GPA. Students must provide a one-page, typed resume and education history as well as a 1,000-word, typed psychobiographical statement. Applications must be received by February 1 for early review and March 1 for regular review for the Fall Semester. For the Spring Semester, applications must be received by September 1 for early review and October 1 for regular review.

Kutztown University Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for full-time undergraduate students at Kutztown University is $3,746 for Pennsylvania residents. New, first-year non-Pennsylvania residents pay $5,619 while non-residents pay $9,365 per year. Graduate students pay $500 per credit hour if they are Pennsylvania residents while non-Pennsylvania residents who take distance courses pay $510 per credit hour. Non-Pennsylvania residents pay $750 per credit hour for traditional classes.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs. In order to qualify for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be renewed each year. Kutztown University also accepts military benefits as well as employer benefits for tuition.

For more than 100 years, Kutztown University has provided students with an education that is considered outstanding. Many of the programs offered through Kutztown University are available with flexible schedules that make it easier for working adults to achieve their higher education goals.