University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Founded in 1891 as the State Normal and Industrial School, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro spent several years offering general classes for those who want to teach or work in the industrial arts. It then became the State Normal and Industrial College and offered programs that culminated in a diploma or certificate. Also known as UNCG, it spent more than seven decades as a woman's college. Its founders wanted a school that would help women develop practical skills that would help them seek employment without sharing classes with men. It wasn't until the 1960s that it finally admitted male students.

Though technically part of the University of North Carolina School System, UNCG is unique because it operates separately from that main campus. It has the right to award its own degrees and make it own decisions regarding the future of its campus and students. UNCG received some recognition over the years for individual programs and the university itself. Both Washington Monthly and U.S. News & World Report rank it within the 200 of all colleges in the United States. It is also home to one of the nation's best counselor education programs, one of the top public affairs programs and one of the best evening MBA programs. Its School of Nursing and School of Education both rank highly too.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro Accreditation Details

Taking classes and graduating from a university that does not have regional accreditation is potentially dangerous. It may prevent you from continuing your studies in graduate school and limit the type of financial aid you can get. If you decide to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, you don't need to worry. The university received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which means that it must update and renew its accreditation every decade. You'll also find that it has specialty accreditation from nearly 20 groups, including accreditation for its programs in dance, social work, counseling and computer science. Some of those organizations include:

• Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology, Inc.
• American Psychological Association
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Council for Interior Design Accreditation
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Recreation and Park Association
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

University of North Carolina at Greensboro Application Requirements

The requirements you must meet when applying to UNCG depend on whether you are an undergrad or graduate students. As processing of your application can take up to six weeks, the university recommends that you complete the online application and send it all documents weeks before the deadline. The undergrad application asks about the extracurricular activities you did in high school, your grades, hobbies and interests outside of school and general information like your social security number, home address and date of birth. Undergrads must also submit a high school transcript, transcripts from any colleges they attended and official tests scores. Those who did not graduate high school must submit a home school transcript or proof they obtained a GED.

The deadline for graduate students is July 1 for those entering in the fall and October 1 for those who want to start in the spring semester. You must visit the admissions website and create a free account, which lets you access the application. The application asks for background information, including your date of birth, social security number and whether you are a resident of the state. After paying the application fee, you can log back in later and see if the university requires any more information from you. Most departments ask for up to three letters of recommendation, scores from the GMAT or GRE and an essay. Some may also ask for a copy of your most current resume.

Tuition and Financial Aid

UNCG offers a payment plan that divides your total costs each semester into smaller payments that you make each month. Before signing up for that plan though, you should find out how much UNCG costs. Tuition and fees for undergrads who live in North Carolina come in at around $7,000 a year, but the cost for nonresidents is nearly $22,000 a year. The university charges more than $7,000 a year for a dorm room and meal plan. The cost for graduate students is around $7,800 a year for residents and around $21,000 a year for nonresidents. Those costs include all fees charged by the university.

Even if you think that you do not qualify for financial aid, fill out and submit the FAFSA. You may find that the university determines that you qualify for some of the scholarships it offers to undergrads or for an assistant position open to grad students. Your responses on the form can also help you get subsidized and unsubsidized loans as an undergrad or help you qualify for unsubsidized loans and alternative loans as a graduate student. The university also awards students grants, other types of loans, admission to its work-study program and scholarships.

Psychology and Counseling Options

The UNCG Department of Psychology offers both a BA and a BS in Psychology. BS students generally take more scientific and research courses. Both programs require that students maintain a portfolio throughout their studies that includes the papers and independent research work that they did. You'll show this portfolio during your last term before you graduate. Its MA in General Experimental Psychology helps you develop stronger research skills and can prepare you for enrolling in one of its PhD programs. UNCG offers a PhD in clinical psychology, general psychology and cognitive development/social psychology. Its PhD programs require more intense study and include 10 hours of general or course courses, 21 credits of clinical courses and a practicum training worth nine credits. UNCG designed its PhD programs to accommodate those who want to easily transition from a Master's program to a PhD program.

You can also earn a Master's or a PhD in counseling and educational development through the university's School of Education. Designed for those who want to work as school counselors, each program requires some fieldwork. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro encourages students to do internships outside of their required courses to gain even more experience.