Nazareth College

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Updated December 1, 2022 · 3 Min Read

Learn more about the various counseling degree programs available at Nazareth College Rochester.

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Studying Psychology and Counseling at Nazareth

Nazareth College of Saint Louis appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Small Colleges for a Counseling Degree.

Nazareth College's School of Health and Human Services occupies Smyth Hall to deliver four academic programs suitable for students interested in psychology or counseling. Majors benefit from accessing state-of-the-art facilities like the Play Therapy Center and OT Neurological Clinic within the York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute. Thanks to the 9:1 student-faculty ratio, courses are highly engaging with practical application at 500+ partnering agencies. Lay the foundation for helping professions with these Nazareth degrees:

B.A. in Psychology

Retaining 82 percent of freshmen, the B.A. in Psychology at Nazareth applies empirical research on how people behave to foster solutions to key individual and social issues. The traditional, 10-course major offers a Cognitive Neuropsychology Minor, Gerontology Minor, or Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Certificate. Undergrads may also volunteer at Hillside Children's Center, serve abroad in Haiti, join Alpha Theta Kappa, earn AfterSchool Works! credentialing, and conduct research for the Eastern Psychological Association.

B.M. in Music Therapy

Satisfying MT-BC requirements, the B.M. in Music Therapy trains Nazareth Golden Flyers to utilize music for counseling interventions that effectively improve psychological well-being. The 125-credit curriculum involves four years of hour-long instrument lessons, courses like the abnormal psychology, a 1040-hour senior internship, and senior recital. Past placements have included Strong Memorial Hospital, Hospice Buffalo, and The Wildwood School. Majors could also join the AMTAS Chapter for events like A Night of Jazz.

M.S. in Creative Arts Therapy-Art Therapy

Leading to New York's LCAT license, the M.S. in Creative Arts Therapy-Art Therapy is an AATA-approved specialization for Nazareth graduates who seek counseling training with an emphasis in visual arts. The 60-credit curriculum delivers daytime or evening courses, such as clinical documentation and creative methods, with 1,000 hours of direct client contact. Majors also work in the on-site Art Therapy Clinic, take a one-week intensive at Sweden's NIARTE Institute, and land graduate assistantships.

M.S. in Creative Arts Therapy-Music Therapy

Accredited by the NASM and AMTA, the M.S. in Creative Arts Therapy-Music Therapy is the other specialization concerned with addressing clients' emotional, cognitive, or social needs through song. The 60-credit comprehensive curriculum fulfills New York's counseling licensure with a 1,020-hour internship, but there's also a 48-credit Advanced Standing track. Nazareth College of Rochester has helped alumni succeed at Golisano Children's Hospital, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Giant Steps Autism Treatment, and more.

Nazareth College of Rochester was established in 1924 by the Sisters of St. Joseph on Lake Avenue under Bishop Thomas Francis Hickey's appeal. Initially enrolling just 25 women, the college moved to its current 150-acre campus in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford to accommodate growth. By the 1970s, Nazareth had become a private, co-educational liberal arts institution independent of the Catholic Church. Endowed for $59.6 million, Nazareth now educates around 2,800 Golden Flyers in 60 bachelor's and 20 master's programs, including psychology and counseling. Named America's 206th "Best Small College" on Niche, Nazareth was ranked the 38th best Northern school and 20th top value by the U.S. News.

Nazareth College of Rochester Accreditation Details

Continuously since 1930, Nazareth College of Rochester has maintained regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This agency is accepted by the U.S. Department of Education to review colleges in six states, including New York, for Title IV eligibility. Programmatic accreditation has been extended by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Creative arts therapy education is also approved by the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) and American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

Nazareth College of Rochester Application Requirements

Enrolling at Nazareth College of Rochester will require passing the "selective" admission process with 76 percent of applicants. Freshmen pursuing the B.A. and B.M. degrees must have finished a New York State Regents diploma or the GED certificate. Preference is given for challenging curricula with AP or IB courses. On average, accepted undergrads achieved a secondary GPA of 3.4. Although Nazareth is test-optional, first-years present a mean SAT score of 1150 and ACT score of 24. Undergraduates interested in transferring must have completed 12 to 64 semester credits at regionally accredited schools with a minimum 2.7 GPA.

Graduate admission to the M.S. in Creative Arts Therapy specializations will require finishing a four-year bachelor's at an accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent. International students must be proficient in English with a minimum 550 TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS score. Master's applicants must fulfill 18 prerequisite credits, including general psychology and abnormal psychology. Music therapy candidates are asked to audition for basic proficiency on piano and guitar. Art therapy candidates must present a 20-piece artistic portfolio on Slideroom. Most Nazareth graduates hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours. If taken, optional GRE scores should be 146 or higher.

Nazareth College of Rochester has an Early Decision deadline of November 15th and Regular Decision deadline of February 1st for undergrads. Master of Science applicants should submit materials before April 1st for Fall or October 1st for Spring. The free online application on CollegeNET asks for the following attachments:

  • Official high school and college transcripts
  • SAT, ACT, and GRE test scores (optional)
  • Visual and performing arts portfolio if applicable
  • Current resume or CV of specialized experience
  • Typed, one to two-page professional statement
  • Three uploaded letters of recommendation

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Regardless of NYS residency, full-time undergrads at Nazareth College of Rochester are charged $31,924 for yearly tuition. Mandatory fees add $1,400 per year. Residing on campus will cost approximately $13,410 for room and board. Total annual cost of attendance is $46,734 for bachelor's learners. Those studying part-time can expect to pay $760 per credit with an $80 supplemental fee. Master's students in the Creative Arts Therapy program are billed $905 for each credit for an estimated tuition total of $54,300.

The NCES applauds Nazareth College for gifting aid to 100 percent of incoming, full-time students with an average amount of $17,603. Institutional awards like the Freshman Merit Scholarship, Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship, Campus Room Grant, Purple & Gold Grant, Williams-Lundeen Scholarship, and Veteran's Scholarship are numerous. The Yellow Ribbon Program offers veterans up to $7,500 yearly. Undergrads could receive the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. "Empire State" families making below $80,000 would qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Applications are accepted for full- and part-time graduate assistantships with tuition waivers. Students could work 10-12 hours weekly for Federal Work-Study. Borrowing Perkins, Stafford, PLUS, and private loans is a last choice.

See also: 35 Best Master’s Degrees in Art Therapy, Ranked by Affordability

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