University at Albany

The University at Albany was first founded as the New York State Normal School in 1844 with 29 students. In 1948, UAlbany was acquired by the new State University of New York (SUNY) system by Governor Rockefeller. It has evolved into a premier public research institution serving over 12,900 undergraduates and 4,600 post-graduates. SUNY Albany is located on a main 586-acre suburban campus near the state's capital with satellite centers in Guilderland and Rensselaer. Endowed for $49 million, UAlbany has nine colleges to confer over 185 majors.

According to the U.S. News, the University at Albany is America's 129th best university, 62nd top public school, and 107th best college for veterans. UAlbany is recognized for the 57th best clinical psychology program nationwide. Forbes named it the 147th top research university in the United States. Kiplinger's Personal Finance ranked SUNY Albany the 64th best public value for in-state students. UAlbany was crowned the 80th best master's-level institution for civic engagement in Washington Monthly. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked six UAlbany doctoral programs within the Top 10.

University at Albany Accreditation Details

In 2010, SUNY Albany was reaffirmed for regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The University at Albany exceeds the standards established by the New York State Department of Education (NYSDOE). Within the Department of Psychology, Ph.D. programs are approved by the American Psychological Association (APA). The university also recently pursued accreditation from the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).

University at Albany Application Requirements

With an acceptance rate of 55 percent, the University at Albany has a selective admissions process. Freshmen applicants must have completed a college-prep curriculum for a Regents Diploma from a licensed high school. Enriched and Honors-level courses are encouraged. No minimum GPA is listed, but the mean for admitted students is 3.5. On average, first-years also achieve an ACT score of 24 and SAT score of 1095 (without writing). Undergraduate transfers must have at least 24 credits from a regionally accredited college with an overall 2.5 GPA.

Graduate students applying to UAlbany must already hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited, four-year college or university. Most master's and Ph.D. degrees require achieving a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. More competitive programs, including the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, will prefer a 3.5 GPA. Curriculum prerequisites will mandate 12 or more credits of psychology coursework. Applicants must have passed the GRE within the last five years. Non-U.S. citizens must score at least 550 (pBT) or 79 (iBT) on the TOEFL.

Before March 1st, applicants must submit the online SUNY application with following:

• Official academic transcripts
• Standardized testing scores
• Two to three recommendations
• Current resume or CV (graduate)
• Payment for $50 application fee

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates from NYS are charged $3,235 per semester or $6,470 annually. Non-resident students enrolling full-time will pay $9,795 per semester or $19,590 each undergraduate year. There's a $640 comprehensive fee, $187 academic excellence fee, and $100 student activity fee added. Room and board is estimated to cost $12,992 yearly. Graduate students from New York are billed $453 per credit or $4,077 per full-time semester. Non-resident master's and PhD students must afford $925 per credit or $8,325 each full-time semester.

Approximately 79 percent of full-time, beginning UAlbany students get financial aid. The Great Danes Dollars and Sense program offers one semester tuition free. Many institutional awards are available, including the University Honors, Frederick Douglass, Athletic, Social Welfare, and Transfer Scholarships. Financially needy students could earn the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. In-state students should apply for the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS), or EOP Grant. Up to $2,000 is offered to Native American tribal members. Federal Work-Study (FWS) and graduate assistantships can provide helpful paychecks. Loans can be borrowed with Federal Direct, Perkins, and Grad PLUS programs.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

Students interested in studying the bases of human behavior and emotion can select from seven psychology and counseling programs at SUNY Albany. The Psychology Department was awarded the ABCT's Outstanding Training Program Award in 2009. With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, the department blends didactic and research experiences. Among the University at Albany's cutting-edge institutes are the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Center for Problem Gambling, and Ford Occupational Health Psychology Lab. Available degrees are:

Undergraduate Psychology Major

The Undergraduate Psychology Major is offered to upper-division UAlbany students who have completed at least 60 credits. Students delve into the human mind by studying lifespan development, experimental psychology, biopsychology, cognitive science, personality, social cognition, and more. There's also a Honors Program in Psychology with an empirical-based senior thesis research project.

M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Using the scientist-practitioner model, the M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology prepares graduate students as I/O specialists to study behavioral and health issues affecting the workplace. The 36-credit program can be completed in two years full-time, including practicum and master's thesis research. Topics addressed will be group dynamics, work motivation, personnel psychology, psychometrics, employee training, and performance appraisal.

M.S. in Mental Health Counseling

Fully accredited by the MPCAC, the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program features 60 credits of graduate study to pursue LMHC licensure in New York State. With an emphasis on multiculturalism, the 18-month program trains students to apply behavioral science theory in resolving intra- and interpersonal human concerns. Students benefit from 210 hours of pre-practicum before a culminating 600-hour summer internship.

Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology

SUNY Albany's Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology program has been APA-accredited since 1980 using the scientist-practitioner model. The 76-credit, full-time program focuses on strengths, normative human development, self-reflection, and diversity. Aspiring counseling psychologists must pass a doctoral exam, submit a dissertation research paper, and complete a 2,000-hour internship. There's also a Health Disparities Certificate for working with minority groups.

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

Known for its "Apprentice Junior Colleague" model, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is one of America's premier cognitive-behavioral training programs. Full-time doctoral candidates tailor their curriculum with specializations in Adult Studies or Child Studies. The final fifth year is devoted to an APA-accredited clinical internship at sites like Albany Medical Center, Hutchings Psychiatric Center, and New York Presbyterian Hospital.

Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology

Affiliated with the Child Research and Study Center, the Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology is a research-based program for graduates to study mental function and reasoning. During the four-year curriculum, students take courses in memory, perception, psycholinguistics, visual attention, bilingualism, statistics, and more. With access to SUNY Albany's over 16,000 journals, students must complete a dissertation and fourth-year teaching fellowship.

Ph.D. in Social-Personality Psychology

The Ph.D. in Social-Personality Psychology program allows students to engage in full-time research focused on the interaction between individuals and their social environment. Courses in the four-year program will survey social cognition, attitudes, psychometrics, group processes, personality theory, neuroscience, interpersonal relations, cross-culture, and human sexuality. The University at Albany offers limited full-tuition academic assistantships.