Governors State University Counseling & Psychology
Governors State University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Addiction and Rehabilitation Counseling.
Options for studying counseling and psychology at Governors State University include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a minor in psychology, a Master of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Counseling, and a Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision. The university also offers some certificates in areas like clinical mental health and family counseling.
The university indicates that its bachelor’s degree program in psychology follows the curriculum recommended by the American Psychological Association. Students will receive instruction on critical thinking, research, communication, and collaboration as well as develop cultural awareness, learn about personal development, and consider ethics within the field of psychology.
The program requires that students complete 120 credits, and there are three concentrations available. Students can specialize in forensic psychology, pre-clinical psychology, or mindfulness studies. Psychology classes students will take include Thinking & Writing in Psychology, Introduction to Research Methods, Life-span Developmental Psychology, and Ethics in Personality.
Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related area may consider one of the graduate programs in counseling or psychology. For the psychology program, students will complete 54 credits in classes like Theories of Psychotherapy and Ethical Legal Issues in Psychology. For the counseling graduate degree, program completion requires 60 credits.
Some of the classes offered at Governors State University are available online, and the university also has a handful of programs offered fully online. For counseling and psychology students, an online program to consider is the Master of Health Science in Addiction Studies. Students may also choose one of the many certificate programs as their focus.
Certificates available include a Post Master’s Certification in School Counseling, a Post Master’s Certification in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Post Masters College Career Counseling Certificate. Additional certificates are available in addictions screening, assessment, & referral, marriage & family counseling, and mindfulness in the helping professions.
Students interested in doctoral study will choose the Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision, which may be completed in as few as eight semesters. Classes are offered in the evening, so working professionals can complete their degrees. Classes in the program include Assessment and Treatment Planning, Lifestyle & Career Development, and Beginning Counseling & Human Relations Skills.
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About Governors State University
Governors State University is a public university in Illinois. Located about 30 miles south of Chicago, the university has been in operation since 1969. The university is divided into four colleges that include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Business, and the College of Health and Human Services. The official colors of the university are black and white, and students are nicknamed the Jaguars.
The first class of students started attending the university in 1971, and there are around 3,500 students enrolled today. The university began as an institution that didn’t award grades but instead focused on core competencies, but it eventually transformed into a more traditional school. Students who participate in sports do so in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and games are played within the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Governors State University Accreditation Details
Institutional accreditation for Governors State University comes from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Regional accreditation allows students to participate in the federal student loan program and ensures degrees are transferrable to other institutions. The university is also a member of the Illinois Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs, and some of its individual programs are also accredited.
The School of Business has seen its programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) has accredited the public administration program. The Illinois State Board of Education has accredited the university’s degrees in education. Those degrees are further accredited by program-specific agencies.
Governors State University Application Requirements
First-time freshmen who want to attend Governors State University will create an online account with the university to begin the application process. Students will also submit an application fee, official standardized test scores, and official transcripts. The university accepts ACT or SAT scores, and it also allows students to submit optional supplemental materials like Advanced Placement transcripts. Admission requires a high school diploma and an un-weighted GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
For graduate school applicants, acceptance requires having a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university, as well as good standing at the student’s previously attended institution. Graduate applications also require a fee of $50 and submission of transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Some graduate degree programs require supplemental materials, and students should check with their intended program for full details.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition rates vary for programs at Governors State University and are dependent on a student’s residency and degree level. For Illinois residents, the rate for tuition is $313 Tuition rates vary for programs at Governors State University and are dependent on a student’s residency and degree level. For Illinois residents, the rate for tuition is $313 per credit hour.
Students who enroll in 12 credits for the semester will pay $3756 for tuition, and students who enroll in 15 credits for the semester will pay $4,695 for tuition. The rate for non-residents is $626 per credit. The university also charges various fees like a career counseling fee of $75, a technology fee of $195, and a strategic initiative fee of $240. The tuition for graduate students, meanwhile, is $353 per credit hour for Illinois residents and $706 per credit hour for non-residents.
Students may receive financial aid from the Office of Financial Aid at Governors State University if they submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). After submitting a FAFSA form, some students may need to verify their information. Further, some students may need to submit additional forms for aid like veteran benefits or tuition waivers and assistantships.
Students that demonstrate financial need may receive a Federal Pell Grant or be able to participate in the State of Illinois Monetary Award Program. In addition to grants and loans, students may also receive scholarships related to their scholastic achievements. Scholarships from Governors State University include the GSU Foundation and Alumni Association Scholarship, the Dual Degree Program Honors Scholarship, and the AIM High Scholarship.