Long Island University

Founded in 1926, Long Island University began with a mission to provide moderately priced education to people of all income levels, genders and races. This philosophy was progressive during an era when women and minorities were not afforded advanced education. The college began in downtown Brooklyn with an enrollment of 312, mostly immigrants or the children of immigrants from surrounding neighborhoods who wanted to better themselves. Courses included accounting, retailing and secretarial studies that would prepare students for the working world. However, the college also included liberal arts studies in order to provide a well-rounded education. In 1929, the school joined with the Brooklyn College of Pharmacy in order to offer students another career option.

During the Great Depression, the financial health of the university deteriorated and growth slowed. The school was dealt another blow with the start of World War I when enrollment dropped considerably as men and women focused on the war effort. Debt grew significantly and it seemed the university was destined to fail. The school went as far as filing for bankruptcy protection and the original building on Pearl Street in downtown Brooklyn was sold. Classes were moved to various locations throughout the area, allowing the school to continue. With the passage of the G.I. Bill after the war, enrollment grew considerably as soldiers returning from the war sought higher education.

Demographics in Brooklyn were changing at this time, becoming more ethnic and racially diverse. This helped grow enrollment even more as students from underrepresented groups began to take advantage of low tuition, flexible schedules and the open enrollment policies. To deal with the growing enrollment, the school purchased the Brooklyn Paramount Theater which was eventually converted to the Metcalf Building.

In the 1960s, the Board of Trustees began discussing the sale of the Brooklyn campus, to the ire of students and faculty. At the same time students were protesting the war in Vietnam, students marched on City Hall, protesting the sale. Lawsuits were filed to stop the sale and there were public hearings held against it. With the support of Mayor John Lindsay, the board decided not to sell the campus and to preserve it as a private institution.

Today, more than 11,200 students attend Long Island University, studying in more than 200 programs.

Long Island University Accreditation Details

Long Island University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Accreditation indicates that the university meets or exceeds standards set forth by the agency that indicate excellence in higher education. In addition, many of the programs offered at LIU are accredited by specialized accreditation agencies.

Long Island University Application Requirements

Freshmen who wish to attend Long Island University must submit either an online or paper LIU application as well as the Common Application. Students must provide an essay and letter of recommendation as well as an official high school transcript. SAT and ACT scores are optional but may be helpful in determining scholarships. Transfer students must submit the applications, an essay and a letter of recommendation. They must also submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Students with less than 24 credit hours must also submit a high school transcript.

Graduate students must complete an online application and a personal statement. Applicants must provide a current resume and two letters of recommendation as well as official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Some programs require supplemental application as well as GMAT or GRE scores.

Long Island University Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate and undergraduate tuition at Long Island University is $16,839 or $1,051 per credit hour. Doctoral tuition is $23,986 for full-time study or $1,535 per credit hour. Because LIU believes that investing in a college education is important, the Office of Enrollment Services provides information on financial aid that is designed to make college affordable. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to be eligible.

Long Island University Degree Programs Available

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology provides students with an understanding of emotions and behavior. The major requires 31 credits in psychology as well as courses in statistics and experimental design. Students develop and understanding of personality assessment, mentalization and reflective functioning as well as emotional regulation cultural and ethnic issues, community violence and cognitive-behavioral models of treatment. Students also develop an understanding of racial stereotypes, prejudice, psychological problems with political refugees and psychodynamic approaches to treatment.

Master of Arts in Psychology

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Psychology program at Long Island University are provided a combination of theoretical and applied coursework. The program provides a broad grounding in psychological principles students may use in a leadership position related to mental health or to pursue higher education at the doctorate level. The program requires 12 credit hours of core curriculum and 18 to 24 credits of advanced clinical, developmental and social or cultural psychology courses.

Master of Science in Education in School Counseling

The M.S.Ed. in School Counseling program provides students with the tools and knowledge necessary to address academic, personal, social and career development needs for people in an educational setting. The program is 48-credit hours and provides knowledge in ethics, counseling theories, human development, counseling skills and group work. Graduates are prepared to work in today’s schools or to conduct school-based research.

Master of Science in Education in Bilingual School Counseling

Students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with diverse students and families in a school setting. Students who complete the program are uniquely qualified to address the academic, personal, social and career development needs of students for whom English is a second language. The program is 51-credit hours and includes studies in counseling theories, professional ethics, human development and assessment for ethnic students.

Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy

The 60-credit hour Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program at Long Island University provide students with the knowledge to work with individuals, couples and families. Students are required to complete extensive clinical training with 1,500 hours of supervised experience included in the program. Students are able to provide individual, couple, family, relational and group therapy to a diverse community. Students learn to focus on context and relationships rather than individuals as part of therapy. Graduates are able to treat a wide range of problems, including depression, anxiety and mental disorders.

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program at Long Island University is 60-credit hours and provides students with the core knowledge necessary to become effective helpers in a variety of clinical settings. Students learn to work in a variety of clinical settings and develop and understanding of group work, career development, human development and counseling theories.

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology prepares students to function as clinical psychologist in a variety of settings, providing training in research skills through coursework and mentoring by highly-qualified staff members. The program provides clinical training at the Psychological Services Center where university faculty, staff, students and their families are able to receive psychological assessment and treatment at no cost.

Long Island University has a long history of providing higher education to students regardless of their income, race, gender or national origin. Long Island University works with students to create an educational plan with flexibility that will allow them to meet their family, work and social obligations while achieving their higher education goals.