St. Mary's University of Minnesota

Founded in 1912, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota is also commonly referred to as SMU or SMOO. It is a coeducational private university with an undergraduate campus located in Winona, Minnesota. Professional and graduate programs are offered at campuses in Oakdale, Minnetonka, Apple Valley, Rochester, the Twin Cities and Winona, Minnesota. The university is affiliated with the Brothers of the Christian Schools and offers doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees. Both graduate and undergraduate programs are also offered online.

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Accreditation Details

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional institutional accreditors in the U.S. The HLC is responsible for accrediting degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in 19 states throughout the North Central region.

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota Application Requirements

Undergraduate applicants will need to submit a completed application, official high school transcripts, a writing sample or essay, SAT and/or ACT scores and additional documentation upon request. Graduate applicants must also submit a completed application, pay a nonrefundable $25 application fee and submit official transcripts from each college or university previously attended as well as a resume, a personal statement and academic and/or professional letters of recommendation.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition costs $33,020 per year or $420 per credit hour. Graduates pursuing a master’s degree will pay $485 per credit hour for an M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services, $505 per credit hour for an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy and $830 per credit hour for a Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology. Approximately 97 percent of all undergraduates at SMU receive some type of financial aid. Degree-seeking students who are enrolled on at least a part-time basis may be eligible for financial aid. Scholarship opportunities, grants and loans are possible components of a financial aid package. Students wishing to apply for financial aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, Veterans, reservists, active-duty service members and their dependents may be entitled to unique financial aid options and should contact the Office of Military and Veterans Services for more information.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees Available

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a number of degree programs in psychology and counseling at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can choose from a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services, a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology.

• Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the Midwest

The psychology department at St. Mary’s provides students with the opportunity to learn from faculty who have experience in the areas they teach. The study of psychology is useful in a wide range of careers, including counseling, social work, law enforcement and corrections, ministry, research, management and teaching. Students will take core major courses that cover topics such as personality psychology, social psychology, learning and cognition, abnormal psychology, developmental psychology and general psychology. In order to graduate, students are required to participate in a seminar, collaborative research course, special topics in psychology course and/or clinical and counseling psychology course.

Upon graduation, students will know, understand and apply psychological methods as well as the basic processes and principles studied in the curriculum. Students will also develop critical thinking, problem-solving, oral communication and written communication skills and be able to apply them to the field of psychology. Graduates will also promote and demonstrate ethical behavior in all aspects of the practice and science of psychology. In addition, psychology majors will also likely find it easy to transition to graduate programs at St. Mary’s, and students may choose from master’s degrees in counseling and psychological services or marriage and family therapy or pursue a Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology degree.

Students pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychological Services are given the flexibility to explore different areas of these topics. The program gives students a strong foundational knowledge of the complex nature of social interaction and human behavior. It also helps students to develop tools for assisting individuals and assessing human problems. The program is designed to give students the education they need in order to be eligible to sit for the Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) license in the state of Minnesota. Coursework is also offered for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) licensure in Minnesota.

St. Mary’s offers the opportunity for students who are enrolled in the M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services degree to apply for admission to the Psy.D. program before earning their M.A. degree. If admitted, students may enter the Psy.D. program after they complete one year of full-time coursework at the master’s level.

Through the Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at St. Mary’s, students will deepen their skills and understanding in facilitating relational health with a broad client base. This degree program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) with the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy. The M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy degree program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Students can complete the program in two years, and students will complete 48 credits in coursework that includes professional issues, research, human development, marriage and family therapy, marital studies, a capstone course and a practicum.

The Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology degree at St. Mary’s provides training for the professional practice of psychology. The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and prepares students for careers as licensed professional psychologists. Students will take foundation courses while focusing their studies in areas that are consistent with their professional goals and interests. The program integrates and emphasizes evidence-based practices, service to underserved and diverse communities and ethical practice. There is also a significant emphasis on individualized mentoring throughout the degree program.

Students can earn their Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology degree in five years. The program includes a minimum of two practicum placements as well as four years of coursework. The 85-credit-hour program includes 12 credit hours of advanced training for professional practice, 25 credit hours of foundations of professional practice, 20 credit hours of scientific foundations and 18 credit hours of other requirements. The Psy.D. program at St. Mary's University of Minnesota concludes with one year of a full-time pre-doctoral internship.