Vincennes University is a small university that started as an academy and still offers a number of degree programs that students can finish in two years. Founded as Jefferson Academy in 1801, it changed its name to Vincennes University just a few years later. William Henry Harrison helped found the university after noting the lack of educational opportunities for students in Indiana. Prior to Indiana becoming a state, many referred to the school as the Territorial University. The unusual border between Indiana and Illinois is because of the location of Vincennes and because Indiana wanted to retain control of both the city and the university.
Though the university offered a few bachelor's programs in its early years, most of the programs it offers award graduates an associate degree. VU brought in different options for bachelor's degree students in more recent years. To meet the needs of students focusing on technical and technology programs, VU established a deal with Ivy Tech State College that allowed students to take class on campuses run by either school. This partnership ended in 2005 when the school became Ivy Tech Community College and opened multiple branches across the state. VU operates four campuses in the state and has an enrollment of around 4,500 students.
Vincennes University Accreditation Details
Whether you want to enroll in one of the four-year or two-year programs that VU offers, you should look at whether the program has accreditation and whether the university has general accreditation too. VU has accreditation from both the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as well as a number of specialty organizations. These organizations accredit some of the degree programs that the university offers in subjects like nursing, funeral services and physical therapy. Accreditation comes from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, American Board of Funeral Service Education, National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, National Association of Schools of Art and Dance and American Physical Therapy Association.
Vincennes University Application Requirements
When you apply to VU, the application that you use depends on whether you are want to earn a degree or just take a few classes. As long as you plan on earning a degree, you can apply and enroll as a full-time or part-time student. The first time that you work on your application, the university will assign you both a pin number and an ID that you can use to log back into the system later. You can use that same information to log in and check on the status of your application. The university also has a $20 application fee that you must pay before it will process your application. You will also need to submit a copy of your GED certificate or a high school transcript. If you earned up to 24 credits from any college or university, you can use a transcript from that school.
If you want to take some classes before transferring to another university, you can use the paper application that the university offers. You'll need to visit the admissions website, click on the link to open the application and print a copy off. Once you complete the application, you can send a copy to the university.
Students who want to live on the VU campus will need to fill out a housing application and answer some questions, which the university uses to determine where to place students. You will also need to file the FAFSA and submit a form from your doctor that shows you recently had a physical and that all your immunizations are up to date. VU recommends taking a tour of its campus before classes start too. As a student with no college experience, you must take placement exams that determine where you will start in different subjects.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Vincennes University charges different rates based on where you live and the level of classes that you take. Indiana residents pay around $175 per credit for courses at the 299 level or lower and $204 per credit for courses above this level. It has a remission policy for Illinois residents that drops their costs down to this same amount because of the close proximity of Indiana to Illinois. The cost for nonresidents is around $437 per credit for lower level classes and $508 per credit hour for upper level classes. You'll need to put down a deposit to hold your spot in one of its residence halls and pay at least $5,000 a semester for room and board to live on the VU campus.
As long as you list VU as your school on the FAFSA, you should receive at least one type of financial aid, though what you qualify for will depend on how much your family can contribute to your total costs. Indiana hands out awards and grants to students based on their merit, and the federal government offers both loans and grants as well as loans for the parents of college students. You can fill out an online application to apply for all the scholarships the university offers too.
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Psychology Options
VU offers just one full degree program for psychology students, which is an AA in Behavioral Sciences with a Psychology Concentration. This program includes 60 credits of courses. You'll take 36 credits of core classes and 24 credits of psychology classes. The university offers courses on social problems, social psychology, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology and general psychology. You'll also need to take a class on sociology and a behavioral sciences elective.
The university offers a Behavioral Services Community Rehabilitation certificate program too. This program takes just a single year to complete and can prepare you for working in rehabilitation centers with patients who have mental health problems and other conditions. Though it does not help you meet any state or local licensing requirements, it can help you find an entry-level position in a rehab center.
Vincennes University also has a transfer program available for students who want to finish a psychology bachelor's degree from another college. This program includes many of the same psychology courses that look at others of the field like social and abnormal psychology as well as general education requirements. Vincennes University designed this program to help you earn a psych degree without taking as many classes on other subjects.