Old Dominion University Counseling and Psychology Degrees
Old Dominion University appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.
Students who are interested in psychology and counseling will find many degree options at Old Dominion University. The Department of Psychology offers programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels. In the Bachelor of Science in Psychology program, students are introduced to a broad base of methods and theories. Students are encouraged to take courses from an array of related subject matter, but there also are opportunities for focusing on specific areas that the student may want to pursue in a subsequent degree program. This degree may be completed on campus or online.
The department further offers a Masters of Science in Psychology program. It is only offered in a campus-based format. The program is appropriate for those who plan to continue on to a Ph.D. as well as those who plan to end their education with the graduate degree. With the curriculum, students delve into advanced research methods as well as general psychology concepts. The program is not designed as a counseling or clinical training program, but completion of it may broaden the student’s overall understanding of the subject matter.
At the doctoral level, students choose from three options. These are Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Human Factors Psychology. Health Psychology provides a broad foundation that relies heavily on theory and research. Clinical Psychology is designed to prepare graduates to pursue a career as a researcher or as a clinical psychologist. With the Human Factors Psychology program, students gain valuable experience by applying technology to research. They may focus on areas such as surface and air transportation, team processes, military simulation and medical simulation and error analysis.
Within the Darden College of Education & Professional Studies is the Department of Counseling & Human Services. Several options for counseling degree programs are available. The first is the M.S.Ed. in Counseling. Requiring 60 credits, a 600-hour internship, a 100-hour practicum and a final examination, this rigorous program prepares graduates to become practicing counselors. Two specializations are available. Students must select either School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Students who already have a counseling practice but want to advance their skills may consider the Education Specialist, or Ed.S., degree. This program is designed for individuals who already hold a master’s degree in counseling or who have a similar degree in a related field and want to satisfy academic requirements made by the state to become a licensed professional counselor or school counselor.
Old Dominion also features of Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a counseling concentration. Graduates of the program may go on to become clinicians in mental health agencies or in private practice. Others seek employment as an educator at the college level or fill leadership positions in school counseling programs.
All of Old Dominion’s counseling programs are offered in a traditional classroom setting.
About Old Dominion University
Nestled on the coast of Virginia in the Hampton Roads region, Old Dominion University is a public research college. The main campus in Norfolk is comprised of 335 acres and nearly 150 buildings. Additionally, three extended learning centers are found in Tri-Cities, Virginia Beach and on the Peninsula. Nearly 25,000 students currently are enrolled, including almost 800 students who are affiliated with the military.
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Old Dominion University was founded in 1930 as part of the College of William & Mary. Only two-year degree programs were offered initially. By 1962, the institution was offering four-year programs and had attained its independence. Dormitories were built, and students were living on campus by 1964. The campus and the degree programs offered have only grown since then.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Old Dominion University in the 215th place among National Universities. The publication also places the university in the 167th spot for High School Counselor Rankings and in the 121st spot for Top Public Schools.
Old Dominion University Accreditation Details
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits Old Dominion University. Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling & Related Education Programs while the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program is accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Old Dominion University Application Requirements
Freshman applicants are required to complete an online application and to submit a $50 fee. Official high school transcripts are requested as are official SAT or ACT scores. Students who hope to distinguish their application from others are encouraged to also submit an activity resume, between one and three letters of recommendation and a 400-word essay.
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution may be qualified to enter a graduate degree program. Psychology students may be asked to submit official transcripts, an essay, three references and GRE test scores. Candidates for the various graduate counseling programs will be asked to submit transcripts, an essay, two references, GRE scores and a resume. All prospective students must begin the process by filling out an online application and submitting a fee.
Tuition and Financial Aid
In-state students at the undergraduate level pay $352 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $982 per credit hour in bachelor’s degree programs. In graduate programs, in-state students pay $523 per credit hour with $1,320 per credit hour being charged for out-of-state students. Active duty military students at the undergraduate level may qualify for a rate of $250 per credit hour.
Financial aid is widely used by students at Old Dominion University. The majority of students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid upon their acceptance at the institution. This helps them to gauge their eligibility for grants, scholarships and student loans.
The Office of Admissions is responsible for distributing various merit-based scholarships to incoming freshmen. Additionally, some incoming freshmen may qualify for Honors College scholarships based on academic achievement. Various organizations and individuals further have endowed scholarships at Old Dominion. These may apply to both undergraduate and graduate students. A list of scholarships is found in the school’s catalog. Scholarships from outside agencies also are widely used at Old Dominion.
A variety of education loans also is available to students. Sources of these loans include the federal government and private banking institutions.
More information can be discovered about Old Dominion University’s counseling and psychology programs at the institution’s website.