University of Arkansas

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Updated November 30, 2022 · 3 Min Read

Learn more about the various counseling degree programs available at University of Arkansas.

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After President Lincoln signed the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, the University of Arkansas was established in 1871 during the post-Civil War Reconstruction. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, UArk's beautiful 412-acre urban campus maintains its Second Empire style in Fayetteville within the Ozarks. Endowed for $948 million, the flagship public, land-grant and space-grant RU/VH research institution has enrollment over 27,100. According to the U.S News, UA is America's 135th best university and 64th top public college. The Princeton Review noted UArk among its "50 Best Public College Values." The University of Arkansas also confers the 141st best graduate psychology degrees nationwide.

University of Arkansas Accreditation Details

Continuously since 1924, the University of Arkansas has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). This means UA's 74 bachelor's, 77 master's, two specialist, and 40 doctoral degrees are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The following professional agencies also extend their approval:

• American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA CoA)
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)
• Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP)

University of Arkansas Application Requirements

The University of Arkansas has an overall admission rate of 60 percent, so psychology and counseling majors need to impress the committee. Undergraduate selection criteria requires finishing a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Following a 16-unit college preparatory curriculum with four units of English and math is crucial. On average, UArk freshmen achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.62. Admitted students also present a mean SAT score of 1190 and ACT score of 26. Transfers into the B.A. in General Psychology must have completed 24+ credits at accredited institutions with a "C" or higher.

The Graduate School implements tough criteria for degree-seeking students too. Finishing at least a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or foreign equivalent is necessary. Psychology and counseling students must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA during the last 60 undergraduate credits. Scoring at least 4.5 on the GRE Analytical Writing section is highly encouraged. International students can demonstrate their English proficiency with a TOEFL score above 600 or IELTS score over 7.0. Other program requirements vary, such as the M.S. in School Counseling program prefers two years of teaching experience.

Before the priority deadline on November 1st or final deadline on August 1st, interested learners should apply to the University of Arkansas by submitting:

• Online UArk application for admission
• Official transcripts from high school or college
• Original standardized testing reports
• Three uploaded letters of recommendation
• Tests of English as a foreign language (if compulsory)
• Current resume or curriculum vitae of experience

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate psychology majors from Arkansas are charged $8,820 per year. Non-residents enrolling full-time will pay $23,168 each undergraduate year. Room and board is estimated to add $6,620 and $3,712 respectively. Annual undergraduate cost of attendance is $24,302 (in-state) and $38,650 (out-of-state). For full-time master's and doctoral students, the Alabama resident rate is $11,132 annually. Non-resident graduate students must afford paying $26,416 yearly. Pursuing graduate psychology education part-time costs $463 (in-state) and $1,100 (out-of-state) per credit.

NCES Statistics determine that 79 percent of new full-time students earn assistance. The average UA financial aid package is worth $6,779 yearly. Learners could cautiously borrow Perkins, Stafford, and Grad PLUS loans for interest-incurring funds. The UA Emergency Loan provides a maximum of $500 when necessary. Federal financing comes via the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. In-state residents should apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge, GO! Opportunities Grant, and Governor's Distinguished Scholarship. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is offered for employment with tax benefits. Graduate assistantships provide full-tuition waivers and monthly stipends. Institutional awards like the Chancellor's Scholarship, Transfer Scholarship, and Military Service Scholarship are abundant.

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.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees Available

The J. William Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences administers six psychology and counseling degrees primarily in Fayetteville's Memorial Hall. UArk's doctoral-trained faculty hail from exceptional schools like the University of Minnesota and Indiana University. There's a student-faculty ratio of 19:1 for personalized mentoring and instruction. Students also benefit from the cutting-edge Intervention Sciences Lab and Cortical Dynamics Lab. These degrees are most suitable for future mental health professionals:

B.A. in General Psychology

Undergraduates earning the B.A. in General Psychology benefit from a broad-based survey of coursework across the Social Sciences Division to better understand behavior. This 33-credit major examines the human condition from biological, cognitive, social, and clinical perspectives. UA students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher would qualify for the Departmental Honors program too.

M.S. in Counseling

Offering specializations in Clinical Mental Health or School, the M.S. in Counseling program is CACREP-accredited to produce licensed Arkansas counselors who design effective interventions for human betterment. The 60-credit program boasts an impressive 100 percent licensure rate and 98 percent employment rate. Students benefit from pledging Chi Sigma Iota, participating in the Razor C.O.A.C.H. Program, and taking play therapy workshops.

M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling

Established in 1974, the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling program exceeds CORE guidelines to train competent counselors who improve well-being for disabled persons. Along with the General track, the 48-credit curriculum offers an Emphasis in Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist Training. Graduation will require finishing 100 practicum and 600 internship hours for supervised rehabilitation experience.

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

Holding APA accreditation, the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program offers generalist training from a scientist-practitioner model for UArk students interested in assessing and treating mental illness. Beginning the first semester, doctoral candidates will engage in practicum at the on-site Psychological Clinic. The four-year program culminates with a clinical clerkship and doctoral dissertation for 81+ credits.

Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology

Prospective students not seeking licensure may consider UA's Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology program, which emphasizes laboratory research more heavily. This four-year option prepares highly competitive scientists for the academic market with a rigorous master's thesis, oral defense, candidacy exam, and doctoral dissertation. The program's nine full-time faculty mentor Ph.D. candidates with diverse interests from language acquisition to stereotyping.

Ph.D. in Counselor Education

Another doctoral option is the Ph.D. in Counselor Education, which is suitable for graduates seeking careers in academic teaching, research, or clinical supervision. With a scholar-practitioner model, the full-time program includes 98 semester credits, including extensive practicum and an IRB-approved doctoral dissertation. The University of Arkansas typically only selects three to five students per cohort, so selectively is high.

See also: The Best Undergraduate Degrees in Art Therapy Ranked by Affordability

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