University of Hartford

The University of Hartford was initially founded in 1877 as the Hartford Art School by several notable women, including Harriet Beecher Stowe and Olivia Langdon Clemens, Mark Twain's wife. It wasn't until 1957 when the Hartford Art School merged with Hillyer College, a technical school for automotive technology, that the University of Hartford was born. Today, UHart stands as a premier private non-sectarian and co-educational institution. The university attracts around 5,300 undergraduates and 1,600 post-graduates annually from over 40 countries. UHart is nestled on a 320-acre suburban campus in West Hartford just five miles from downtown Hartford, Connecticut's capital city.

According to the U.S. News, the University of Hartford is ranked as the 92nd best regional college and 66th top school for military veterans in the North. In particular, UHart is acclaimed for hosting the 156th best clinical psychology program nationwide. Forbes named UHart the 184th best school in the Northeast and 363rd top private college in America. Consistently, the University of Hartford is included among the Princeton Review's "Best in the Northeast" schools. Washington Monthly also placed UHart as the 494th best master's-level university nationally for research, service, and social mobility.

University of Hartford Accreditation Details

Last reaffirmed in May 2012, the University of Hartford is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). UHart is fully licensed by the State of Connecticut Board of Higher Education (CTOHE). The PsyD program meets the standards of the American Psychological Association (APA) Commission on Accreditation (COA). The School Psychology program is approved through the National Council on Accreditation for Teacher Education (NCATE) and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

University of Hartford Application Requirements

With an acceptance rate of 72 percent, the University of Hartford holds a selective admissions process. First-year students must be graduating with a diploma from a state-approved high school or earning GED equivalency. Following a college-prep curriculum of 16 credits is highly encouraged. Credits can be given for earning a 3 or higher on AP examinations. On average, admitted freshmen achieve a high school GPA of 3.36. Applicants also have a mean SAT score of 1053 (Critical Reading and Math only).

Undergraduate transfers wishing to study psychology at UHart must have earned credit from another regionally accredited institution. If less than 30 credits, SAT scores must be included. A maximum of 65 credits can transfer with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Graduate applicants must possess at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year university. UHart requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Taking the GRE or MAT isn't required. International students from non-English countries must score at least 550 on the paper-based TOEFL.

Interested students applying to the University of Hartford must submit the following to the Admission Office in Bates House:

• Online Common Application form
• Official secondary and collegiate transcripts
• Results for the SAT test via code 003436
• At least two letters of recommendation
• Evidence of English proficiency (if applicable)
• One-page statement of intent
• $35 non-refundable application fee (unless waived)

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduates at the University of Hartford will pay $16,870 per term or $33,740 each year regardless of state residence. 3/4-time undergraduates taking nine to 11 credits are charged 12,654 per term or $25,308 annually. Paying the $230 technology fee and $1,100 student support services fee is mandatory each term. Room and board is estimated to cost $3,774 and $2,380 respectively per semester. Full-time doctoral students in the PsyD program must afford $10,005 each term. All master's students in psychology are charged $556 per graduate credit.

98 percent of beginning full-time students at UHart receive financial aid. Financially needy students often qualify for the Federal Pell Grant or FSEOG Grant. In-state residents should apply for the Connecticut Governor's Need Scholarship or Connecticut Independent Colleges Student Grant (CICSG). Undergraduates borrow an average of $24,000 in Federal Direct, Federal Perkins, and PLUS loans during their career. Hartford offers a monthly TuitionPay plan with interest-free installments. Veterans benefits through the Yellow Ribbon program can be matched for up to $8,793 annually. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is available for $10 per hour. Scholarships, including the Merit Scholarship, Hartford Scholars Award, Talent Scholarship, and Transfer Scholarship, are abundant.

Psychology and Counseling Degrees

In the College of Arts and Sciences, the University of Hartford currently five psychology and counseling degrees for students interested in the human services. Most major classes and research facilities are housed in the newly renovated East Hall. With a student-faculty ratio of 10:1, over 71 percent of classes have under 20 students. Aspiring psychologists can pursue the:

BA in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program at UHart has a 125-credit curriculum rooted in the liberal arts to prepare undergraduates with the "people" skills and understanding of human behavior for diverse career paths. Students select courses from six domains: developmental psychology, biopsychology, cognition, personality, social psychology, and applied psychology. At least 100 hours of field-based internship experience is required.

MS in Organizational Psychology

Offered on-campus during evenings or 100 percent online, the MS in Organizational Psychology program is designed for Hartford graduates seeking to apply psychological theories in enhancing workplace effectiveness and promoting teamwork. The 36-credit program includes courses on I/O psychology, personnel psychology, experimental design, conflict resolution, and intercultural communication before a capstone project or internship. There's also an Accelerated BA/MS in Organizational Psychology.

MS in School Psychology

With joint NASP and NCATE approval, the MS in School Psychology at UHart is a three-year program striving to produce ethical, competent school psychologists who can maximize learning and developmental opportunities for children. The 66-credit curriculum includes a Clinical Child Counseling specialty to fulfill requirements for LPCC and NCSP credentials. MS students receive in-school experience with two practica and a semester-long internship.

MA in Clinical Psychology

Consisting of 54 credits, the MA in Clinical Psychology program is available for full-time UHart graduate students to develop the competencies for psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and clinical research before starting doctoral training. Coursework will also satisfy the qualifications for master's level LPCC certification in Connecticut. The second year includes half-time practicum under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.

PsyD in Clinical Psychology

Fully accredited by the APA, the PsyD in Clinical Psychology prepares doctoral students for effectively delivering client interventions, consulting with human service agencies, designing mental health services, and assuming clinical leadership positions. The practice-oriented degree requires at least 96 credits, including field practicum, dissertation research, and a one-year APA internship. PsyD students help run the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at the University of Hartford too.