Wilmington University

Psychology and Counseling Programs

This school appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the South.

Wilmington University offers two psychology degree programs and a counseling program that appeal to students with an interest in human behavior. Undergrads can major in either behavioral science or psychology. Its Bachelor of Science in Psychology is available as a traditional program on its Wilmington, Delaware campus and as an online program. Students can also complete this program on one of the regional campuses operated by the university. It features a psychology core that is worth 42 credits. The classes in this core include Ethics and Values in Behavioral Science, Research Methods in Psychology, Tests and Measurements and Learning and Cognition.

The university added a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science to its catalog that focuses on both psychology and sociology. This program looks at what affects human behavior, why people act and think in the ways that they do and the ways in which groups and individuals interact. Students enrolled in this program can earn a certificate in child advocacy studies, criminal justice, conflict resolution or nonprofit management while working on their degrees. This program allows students to take electives from any of those disciplines. Students can also take electives from the political science department like Health Care Policy and Public Policy and Social Issues.

One of the only fully accredited counseling degree programs in Delaware is the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offered by Wilmington University. The program requires that students take two full years of classes and then spend an additional year doing a practicum. Students have the option to work in agencies and facilities across the city and in other parts of the state. They will spend 600 hours doing an internship and 100 hours doing two practicums in their earlier years. Students also take 44 credits of required classes that include Theories of Counseling, Human Development, Addictions Counseling, Family Counseling and Counseling Diverse Populations.

About Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private university that has its headquarters in New Castle, Delaware. Founded in 1968 as Wilmington College, it opened that same year with an enrollment of fewer than 200 students. Despite having such a low initial class size, the college grew rapidly in the coming years. Some credit its growth with the large course catalog that it adopted over the years. Citing its commitment to its students and the fact that it offered degrees beyond the undergrad level, the college petitioned for and received approval to change its name to Wilmington University in 2007.

Forbes and Washington Monthly both rank Wilmington University as one of the best colleges in the United States. It also appeared on other lists put out by Forbes, including its lists of the best colleges in the northeast, the best research schools, and the best private colleges. U.S. News & World Report recognized the university as having some of the best online bachelor's degree programs in the country. The seven colleges that operate under the Wilmington University banner offer more than 100 degree programs today.

In addition to its main campus in New Castle, the university also operates six other campuses in Delaware. It has partnerships with six colleges in New Jersey and Maryland that allow students to take classes from the university too.

Wilmington University Accreditation Details

Wilmington University has specialty accreditation from organizations like the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) that applies to specific degree programs. It also has accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) that applies to its mental health counseling graduate program. Students can also transfer credits and use financial aid to pay for their university costs because the school has regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The university's business and nursing programs have specialty accreditation too.

Wilmington University Application Requirements

Wilmington University hosts information sessions on its campuses each year that allow students to ask questions they have and get help applying for admission and for financial aid. Incoming freshmen must submit the undergrad application and pay the $35 attached to that application. The university asks for an official high school transcript, but students can now submit a transcript online or through the mail. Transcripts sent through the mail must come from the student's high school and arrive in a sealed envelope. The university offers math and science skills assessment tests that determine whether students need to take those classes and where they should start in each discipline. Those accepted must also submit their immunization records and sign the university's code of conduct. Wilmington University typically notifies undergrads within two weeks of their application status.

The graduate application that the university offers also has a $35 application fee. Students can submit this application online, and it takes most students an hour or less to complete it. They must also look at the two questions that the Social Work Department asks and write detailed and thorough responses to each question. MSW students must provide the university with two letters of recommendation and a professional resume too. Once they sign and date the program retention form, they can submit their applications.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergrads attending Wilmington University pay $363 per credit hour. The university runs campuses on several military bases that charge a lower tuition rate. Wilmington also offers a discount for military students that lets them take classes and pay just $250 per credit hour. Prospective students should check the campus they want to attend to see the exact tuition charged at that campus. The university encourages students to file the FAFSA as soon as they decide that they want to attend Wilmington University. Undergrads can use grants from both the state and federal government, federal student loans, and scholarships to pay their costs.

Wilmington University charges a tuition rate of between $300 and $466 per credit hour for graduate students. The exact rate that these students pay will depend on the campus they attend. Active duty military students qualify for a discounted rate that brings their tuition down to just $300 per credit hour, no matter where they attend classes. Online and distance learning students pay $466 per credit hour. Graduate students can use the FAFSA to apply for federal, state and institutional financial aid. Many Wilmington University graduate students use unsubsidized federal loans and/or alternative student loans.