Washburn University

Psychology and Counseling Degrees at Washburn University

Washburn University in our ranking of The 25 Best Low-Cost Master’s in Counseling Online Programs.

Washburn confers four psychology or counseling degree options in the College of Arts & Sciences and School of Applied Studies. Noted for its 91 percent placement rate, the university builds on liberal education with hands-on experiences. As a Bonner High-Impact Institute, community service opportunities like Washburn Peace Works and Oxfam America are engaging. Small classes thanks to the 14:1 student-faculty ratio also foster mentorships with PhD-level professors. Students fascinated by the human mind, body, and spirit can earn the:

B.A. in Psychology

Available face-to-face in Topeka or online, the B.A. in Psychology draws approximately 200 Washburn majors who are compelled to further understand the biological, cognitive, social, and emotional influences on behavior. The 34-credit major covers several pillars of psychological thought, including educational, physiological, clinical, and developmental. Students complete at least one transformational experience (WTE), which could be volunteering at Breakthrough House, becoming a CASA of Shawnee County, conducting research in Stoffer Science Hall, or studying abroad in Kenya.

B.A.S. in Human Services

Washburn's B.A.S. in Human Services is an on-campus or online, transfer-friendly program that produces entry-level counselors for various "helping professions." The 33-credit major spans courses from human development to group dynamics and abnormal psychology. Students could specialize by adding the Career Ladder in Addiction Counseling, Minor in Gerontology, or Certificate in Victim and Survivor Services. Outside the classroom, majors can join the Morita Study Group and complete internships at sites like Kanza Mental Health.

M.A. in Human Services/Addiction Counseling

Approved by the NAADAC, the M.A. in Human Services/Addiction Counseling is delivered 100 percent online for Washburn graduates seeking holistic, integrative training for substance abuse treatment. The 36-credit curriculum can be completed full- or part-time for aspiring Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselors (LCAC) in Kansas. Online coursework will address pharmacology, group counseling, professional ethics, narrative practices, and addiction recovery. The two semesters of fieldwork for 400+ clock hours can be arranged in students' own communities.

M.A. in Clinical Psychology

Satisfying requirements for the Temporary Licensed Master's Level Psychologist (TLMLP) credential in Kansas, the M.A. in Clinical Psychology is a 60-credit, face-to-face program. Over two years full-time, graduates deepen understanding of behavioral patterns for informed leadership roles in clinical intervention. Before the capstone thesis, students take courses from marital therapy and child assessment to psychopathology and research design. The practicum experience is gained in the Psychological Services Clinic at Washburn University and off-campus facilities like Topeka Women's Prison.

About Washburn University

Washburn University was initially chartered as Lincoln College in 1865 on abolitionist John Ritchie's estate. After deacon Ichabod Washburn donated $25,000, the name was changed and a public, co-educational higher learning institution was born. Belonging to the AASCU, Washburn now carries a $156 million endowment to enlighten over 6,100 undergraduate and 800 post-graduate students. Occupying 160 urban acres, Washburn University stands in Topeka, Kansas, near the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site. The U.S. News ranks Washburn as the Midwest's 94th best college and 24th top public school. Graded B+ for value, Washburn is also named America's 199th "Most Liberal College" on Niche.

Washburn University Accreditation Details

Reaffirmed through 2018, Washburn University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC-NCA). This means that Washburn's 21 associate, 78 bachelor's, and 18 master's programs are Title IV eligible under the U.S. Department of Education. Addiction counseling coursework also holds discipline-specific accreditation from the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).

Washburn University Application Requirements

Even though Washburn University had an acceptance rate of 99 percent in fall 2015, their admission process is deemed "selective." Freshmen pursuing the B.A. in Psychology or B.A.S. in Human Services must graduate from state-approved high schools and home schools. Passing the GED exam with a 450 or better is also acceptable. Regular admission calls for first-year students with a minimum GPA of 2.5, but 3.4 is the mean. Undergraduates must achieve a composite ACT score above 16. Transfers are accepted with 24+ credit hours obtained at regionally accredited institutions with a 2.0 GPA or higher.

Graduate applicants for the M.A. in Human Services/Addiction Counseling or M.A. in Clinical Psychology must already hold an accredited baccalaureate degree. Majors should preferably be in related fields like psychology, social work, or even nursing. The last two years of undergrad study must present a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Provisional admission could be extended for lower GPAs if no courses are graded below "C." Clinical psychology candidates need 15 credits of prerequisites, including statistics and abnormal psychology. Washburn also looks for intellectual and personal attributes that characterize human services professionals. International students with F-1 or J-1 visas must score 550 or better on the TOEFL pBT.

The Office of Admissions at Washburn University has a priority deadline of November 15th and a regular deadline of February 15th for fall enrollment. Interested psychology and human services majors should log onto the online application from CollegeNET. Don't forget to also file the following:

• Payment for the $20 fee ($40 for graduate programs)
• Official transcripts from all previous schools
• Standardized testing scores (ACT, GRE, and TOEFL)
• Two to three letters of recommendation
• Personal statement of purpose and intent

Tuition and Financial Aid

Kansas residents taking traditional undergraduate courses are charged $273 each. Non-resident undergraduates will pay $617 per course taken. Therefore, the cost of full-time tuition is $6,350 (in-state) and $14,222 (out-of-state) yearly. Online education follows a different pay structure at $352 per course regardless of residency. Room and board is estimated to add $6,830 each year. Traditional graduate students from Kansas will pay $375 per course. Graduate courses cost $763 each for non-residents. On average, Washburn master's students pay $6,426 (in-state) and $13,086 (out-of-state) annually.

The NCES reports that 94 percent of full-time Ichabods receive financial aid packages with a median worth of $6,454. Students could be disbursed Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, PLUS, or Perkins loans with low interest. Federal programs like the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, or Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant can help. "Sunflower State" residents could obtain the Kansas Comprehensive Grant, Ethnic Minority Scholarship, or Military Service Scholarship. Certain learners may benefit from the Foster Child Education Assistant Program or Interstate Tuition Waiver. Federal Work-Study (FWS) jobs and graduate assistantships provide bi-weekly paychecks. Washburn University also has numerous institutional awards, including the Bryden Scholarship, Finnup Scholarship, First-Generation Scholarship, Garvey Competitive Scholarship, and Mary N. Fix Memorial Scholarship.