Neumann University

Neumann University was originally opened as Our Lady of Angels College in 1965 by the Sisters of St. Francis. Given a $25,000 grant from the Koch Brothers, Neumann prospered into a private, coeducational Catholic ACCU member with university status by 2009. The Colonial States Conference member currently teaches 3,011 Knights to "Live the Truth in Love." Linked to 7,938 alumni on LinkedIn, including Connie Green-Johnson and Neil Trimm, Neumann University occupies 68 acres in Aston within the Metropolitan Province of Philadelphia. On Niche, Neumann is ranked America's 324th safest college and 534th most conservative school. College Factual also placed Neumann University for the 214th best psychology value nationwide.

Neumann University Accreditation Details

Renewed in 2016 under president Chris E. Domes, EdD, Neumann University achieved 10-year accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). This regional body is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit Neumann's 26 bachelor's and 15 graduate programs. All programs are recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The Pastoral Counseling M.S./Ph.D. options are also specifically accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

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

Neumann University Application Requirements

Admitting 94 percent of applicants in Fall 2016, Neumann University has admission criteria deemed "least selective." Pursuing the Psychology B.A. requires traditional students to be finishing a secondary diploma or GED certificate. Dual credits, CLEP credits, and AP credits are accepted if graded at least 3. Most admitted psychology majors rank in the upper 50th percentile of their class with an average GPA of 3.04. Neumann freshmen present a mean SAT score of 980 and ACT score of 19. Undergrad transfers can also apply up to 90 credits graded "C" or greater from regionally accredited institutions for the Bachelor of Arts.

Pursuing the Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. is reserved for Neumann applicants with an accredited Bachelor of Arts or Science. Curriculum prerequisites mandate introductory courses in general psychology, statistics, social science, lifespan development, and abnormal psychology. Successful master's Knights need a cumulative GPA above 2.5 and satisfactory GRE/MAT scores. Non-native English speakers add a step for scoring at least 70 on the Internet-based TOEFL exam. The Pastoral Counseling Ph.D. welcomes Neumann post-grads who hold Pennsylvania LPC or similar out-of-state credentials. At least two years of clinical experience and 3.0 overall GPAs are expected for this post-master's option.

Neumann University has established rolling admission for undergrads, but M.S. or Ph.D. applicants must apply before August 1st for Fall or December 1st for Spring. Hopeful psychology and counseling majors will submit the Common, CAPS, or Graduate Applications online for free. Extra attachments could be mailed to 1 Neumann Drive in Aston, PA 19014 or emailed to [email protected] if necessary. Don't forget the following essential materials:

• Official high school/college academic records

• Standardized test scores via the testing agency

• Typed, 650-word spiritual journey statement

• Three letters of recommendation on letterhead

• Résumé or curriculum vitae of experience

• Verification of language proficiency if applicable

Tuition and Financial Aid

The B.A. in Psychology at Neumann charges full-time tuition of $13,670 per semester or $27,340 annually. Studying part-time costs $625 per credit. Neumann University requires paying the $360 general fee and $160 technology fee each term. Living on-campus in Aston costs an additional $3,329 for housing and $2,422 for unlimited meal plans each semester. Total annual undergrad attendance costs $44,196 for residential and $32,538 for commuting students. The M.S. in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling currently bills $670 per credit. Ph.D. counselors at Neumann must afford $793 per credit.

According to the NCES, 84 percent of full-time Neumann Knights share $25.70 million in annual financial aid for an average worth of $12,737 apiece. Psychology and counseling majors may earn institution funds like the Mother Francis Bachmann OSF Scholarship, Sister Eleanor Sister Corda Marie Bergbauer OSF Scholarship, Jane Morris Browning Scholarship, Nora T. Carr Memorial Scholarship, Joseph J. Coffey Scholarship, and Riley Scholars Award. The University Housing Grant can cover $5,000 of room and board costs. Work-Study positions generally provide $8.50/hour for part-time campus employment. Neumann majors can carefully borrow Perkins, Stafford, and Grad PLUS loans. The FAFSA form might qualify some for the Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Keystone State residents should also make applying for the PHEAA Grant and PA-TIP programs key.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees at Neumann

The College of Education & Human Services attracts budding mental health professionals to Neumann University for three degrees. Housing the accredited Child Development Center (CDC), the College chaired by Dr. Barbara Mongelli Hanes uniquely integrates spirituality into counselor preparation for holistic healing. Thanks to the 14:1 student-professor ratio, 62 percent of courses for psychology and counseling majors have fewer than 20 pupils for personalization. Considering attending this "College of Distinction" for the following Neumann degrees:

B.A. in Psychology

Developed according to APA guidelines, Neumann's B.A. in Psychology builds the undergrad platform for majors to apply knowledge on human behavior, thought, and spirituality in respectful social service that values diversity. Culminating with the senior project, the 61-credit major introduces empirical findings in courses like addiction psychology, media psychology, I/O psychology, and positive psychology. Students might also publish in the Catalyst Research Journal, declare Psi Chi Honors, attend the LEAD Conference, volunteer with Women Against Abuse, spend summers in London or Toledo, and minor in Franciscan Studies.

M.S. in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Rooted in the holistic values of St. Clare of Assisi, the M.S. in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Neumann fulfills CACREP criteria for training Tri-State graduate students for applying clinical psychology in faith-based settings to relieve human suffering. Directed by Sr. Suzanne Mayer, the 60-credit degree launched in 1982 has courses that include marital counseling, clinical assessment, trauma and crisis, and career guidance. Post-grads also gain AAPC membership, take the NCE exam, complete four field practica semesters in settings like Holy Redeemer Counseling, and review the PCMHC Newsletter.

Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling

Taking a 12-month, weekend seminar format, the Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling is one of the most flexible CACREP-accredited programs for licensed counselors to fit 14-week Saturday sessions into their practice for advancing into supervision and academia. The four-year, 60-credit sequence carries the same spiritual integration into mental health research with courses from qualitative analysis to group theory. Neumann University lets doctoral candidates conduct dissertation work, lead the Alpha Omega Nu Chapter, attend the Pastoral & Theological Studies Lecture Series with speakers like Dr. Emmanuel Lartey, and practice in the on-campus Wellness Center.