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Northwestern State University of Louisiana

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Counseling and Psychology Degrees Offered at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies, Master of Arts in Counseling, and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides students with an understanding of human behavior and the related policies and procedures. A total of 120 credit hours are needed to complete the program. The psychology courses include Intro to Psychology, Psychology as a Profession, Developmental Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Psychology of Learning, Diversity Issues of Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Ethics in Psychology. Students also have the ability to select from three concentrations: Substance Abuse Counselor, Prevention Specialist, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

The Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies educates students on an understanding of the human mind, addictive behaviors, and advancements in addiction counseling. At least 120 credit hours are required to complete the degree. The addiction studies courses include Introduction to Addiction Disorders, Family Dynamics, Screening, Assessment, and Case Management, Addiction Counseling Skills, Co-Occurring Disorders, Pharmacology of Addiction, and Ethics in Psychology. Students also have the ability to select from three concentrations: Substance Abuse Counselor, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Prevention Specialist.

The Master of Arts in Counseling provides an understanding of the professional practice of counseling. Students are able to concentrate in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. The program meets the requires for the Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor designations. Students must pass a comprehensive examination and complete a thesis or project. A total of 60 credits are needed for completion. The core courses for both concentrations include Counseling Theories, Counseling Skills, Counseling Diagnosis, Ethics in Counseling, Group Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling, and Crisis, Trauma, Grief, and Loss.

The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology focuses on clinical assessment, theory, application, and research. A total of 42 credit hours, comprehensive examinations, an empirical thesis or paper, and 300-hour practicum are required for completion of the degree. The required courses include Psychological Research: Statistics, Psychological Research: Method and Design, Psychological Intervention and Therapy, Intellectual Assessment, Personality Assessment, Family and Group Therapy, Psychopathology, Psychological Research: Application, and Ethics and Professional Conduct.

About Northwestern State of University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a public institution of higher learning residing in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System. It was established in 1884 as a two-year school for teachers called Louisiana State Normal School. It became a four-year institution in 1921 and changed its name to Louisiana Normal College. It became Northwestern State College in 1944 and Northwestern State University in 1970. Today, Northwestern State University of Louisiana is home to more than 11,000 students on its rural 916-acre campus. It operates on the semester-based academic calendar.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is a student-oriented, responsive institution of higher learning that is dedicated to the creation, acquisition, and distribution of knowledge through instruction, service, and research. It prepares students to become productive members of society and encourages economic development and progression in the quality of life of people in the area. It offers more than 50 degree programs. The most popular majors include liberal arts and sciences, health professions, education, psychology, marketing, management, and business. The student to faculty ratio is 19 to one and about 48 percent of classes have less than 20 students.

Northwestern State of University of Louisiana Accreditation Details

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges regionally accredits Northwestern State University of Louisiana to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The Council of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) accredits the Master of Arts in Counseling degree.

Northwestern State of University of Louisiana Application Requirements

Northwestern State University of Louisiana is deemed a less selective institution, with an annual acceptance rate of 80 percent. The following materials are needed to apply to Northwestern State University of Louisiana:

Undergraduate

Featured Programs

  • Application
  • Official high school transcript
  • Official transcripts from previously attended institutions of higher learning
  • Official SAT or ACT scores
  • $20 nonrefundable application fee

Graduate

  • Graduate application
  • Official transcripts from previously attended institutions of higher learning
  • Official graduate-level test scores, such as the GMAT, GRE, or MAT
  • A least two letters of recommendation
  • $20 nonrefundable application fee

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition

Undergraduate

  • In-state full-time students: $2,590 per semester
  • Out-of-state full-time students: $7,984 per semester

Graduate

  • In-state full-time students: $8,180 per semester
  • Out-of-state full-time students: $13,574 per semester

Financial Aid

About 73 percent of full-time undergraduate students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana receive some sort of need-based financial aid. The average amount is $8,657. Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs to help students pay for their higher education.

Scholarships

  • NSU Foundation Scholarship
  • NSU Alumni Scholarship
  • Pitsenbarger Award
  • Purple Prestige Transfer Scholarship
  • Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship

Grants

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Federal TEACH Grant
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
  • Go Grant

Loans

  • Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
  • Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
  • Federal PLUS Loan
  • Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
  • Federal Perkins Loan

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study program is a federally funded option available to both undergraduate and graduate students who show a financial need. Students have the ability to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, to make money to help pay for postsecondary expenses. Students are encouraged to seek positions that are related to their course of study or those that benefit the community. The pay is at least minimum wage but varies by student.

Students who complete a degree in counseling or psychology are armed with valuable knowledge and abilities to make a significant impact on the lives of clients with a wide range of mental health issues. The counseling and psychology degrees offered by Northwestern State University of Louisiana prepare students for careers in healthcare, education, business, government, and other areas.