Counseling & Psychology at Aspen University
Aspen University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Addiction and Rehabilitation Counseling.
There are three programs in psychology and counseling offered by Aspen University. Programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling, a Master of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology.
Students who choose the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling can graduate with their degree in under three years and be prepared to enter a career as an addiction counselor. Graduates will receive instruction in psychology, counseling theory, and sociology in the program’s curriculum. Students should note that the program doesn’t fulfill state licensure requirements.
Some of the courses students will take in the program include Substance Abuse in Education Settings, Addiction Counseling Theories, Medical Terminology, and Families & Health Psychology. Students will also take Social Work as a Profession, Child Abuse & Neglect Counseling, and Healthcare Ethics. The program concludes with a senior capstone course where the student will undertake a comprehensive research project.
Prospective students who already have a bachelor’s degree may want to consider the Master of Arts in Psychology and Addiction Counseling, which can help current addiction counselors advance their careers. The university is an approved education provider with the Association for Addiction Professionals, but the program does not fulfill state licensure requirements.
Courses students will complete in the graduate program include Psychopharmacology for Counselors, Clinical Supervision, Drug Enforcement, and Counseling Ethics. To earn their degree, students must complete a final exam, as well as conduct research for a final capstone project. Students may choose a topic of their choice for their research project.
Meanwhile, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology is open to students who have already earned a master’s degree. The program helps students learn how to address common challenges in areas like employee morale, management style, and productivity. Program starts are available every two weeks.
Courses required for the doctoral program include Leadership Theory, Human Potential & Motivation, Creating Strategic Change That Lasts, and The Social Psychology of Groups. A large portion of time will be spent writing the dissertation, and students must also pass a comprehensive final exam. Overall, the doctorate requires that students complete 20 courses that help students understand collaborative and ethical leadership, transformational leadership, and reflective scholarship.
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About Aspen University
Aspen University is a private university that focuses on online and distance-based learning. The university’s headquarters is located in Denver, Colorado, and the business that owns the university is a publicly-traded company. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at the university, which offers degrees in areas like information systems, education, counseling, criminal justice, and nursing. Around 3,600 students attend the university.
The school’s earliest roots date to 1960 when the institution was known as the International Academy. It would undergo some name and status changes throughout the decades and would eventually become Aspen University in 2003. At one point in its history, the university was known as the International School of Information Management. The school’s mission is a focus on hosting programs that feature emerging information technology.
Aspen University Accreditation Details
Aspen University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which is a member organization of the Council for Higher Education (CHEA). The CHEA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The nursing programs at Aspen University were accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education in 2014. Accredited degrees include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.
The Project Management Institute has approved the project management program. As a university in Colorado, Aspen University is accredited by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, which allows the institution to operate as a private university. The university is not regionally accredited, so students should take care in enrolling in programs where they might eventually wish to transfer credits to other institutions.
Aspen University Application Requirements
Aspen University has an open admissions policy, which means all students who can meet the application requirements can gain acceptance. The university accepts transfer credits from students who have already attended college, as well as credits from Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit classes, and life experience. Admission requirements vary somewhat based on the program a student wishes to enter.
For example, students interested in applying to the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration will need to complete the online application and have their official high school transcript sent to the university. The minimum GPA for admission is 2.00 on a 4.00 scale. Prospective students who have earned college credits at accredited institutions may be eligible for conditional acceptance with full acceptance status granted once the student has completed Introduction to Communications.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates at Aspen University vary based on the level of the program a student pursues, as well as the student’s area of study. As an example, the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education costs $9,000, and the cost per credit is $150. The university expects students will pay an estimated $1,000 in fees and $3,000 for books.
Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program requires an estimated $18,000 in tuition, which is a cost per credit of $150. Estimated fees are $2,000, and the cost of books is estimated at $6,000. For graduate degree programs, the cost per credit is generally $325, which means the total cost of tuition tends to hover around $11,700. Doctoral programs cost $450 per credit, and certificate programs are $325 per credit.
One of the interesting features of the programs at Aspen University is that the school charges a monthly fee for its programs, which is designed to help students afford their university program without taking extraordinary measures to apply for loans or other financial aid. The university also has an installment payment plan option, which is paid by the course and features a set of three monthly installments.
For students who decide to apply for financial aid, options are available to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, as well as to receive federal grants. The university is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federal student aid programs. Students who enroll in degree programs at Aspen University may qualify for Direct subsidized loans, Direct unsubsidized loans, or Direct plus loans.