Sacred Heart University Degree Program(s) Available
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Sacred Heart University provides students with an understanding of counseling, abnormal psychology, addiction, gender and more. Students are provided with instruction on experimental research as it applies to psychology. They learn to describe and evaluate the theoretical perspectives of psychology as well as how to apply critical thinking to research into psychology. Students are able to identify, synthesize and critique research as well. Courses required include:
- Advanced Psychological Research
- Brain and Behavior
- Experimental Research
- Human and Animal Learning
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research Design and Analysis
- Systems and Theories of Psychology
Students must also complete general studies courses and an internship.
Master of Science in Applied Psychology
Sacred Heart University offers a Master of Science in Applied Psychology that is available completely online, on-campus or a hybrid format. Students gain an understanding of people and their behavior in order to empower everyone to succeed. Students gain an understanding of employee and organizational performance as well as how to identify those in need of additional support. Students may choose from three concentrations:
- Community Psychology
- General Applied Psychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Students must complete six foundational and four concentration courses as well as two capstone courses. In the capstone courses, students must complete a comprehensive examination and participate in a role immersion project. The core curriculum for all concentrations includes:
- Applied Research Methods and Statistics
- Developmental Issues Across the Life Span
- Foundations of Applied Psychology
- Foundations for Psychological Science
- Identifying and Managing Psychopathology in Community Settings
- Individual Psychological Assessment and Appraisal
- Program Development and Evaluation
In addition to the general core courses, students who wish to focus their studies in the Industrial/Organizational concentration must complete:
- Employee Training and Development
- Job Analysis, Competency Modeling and Criterion Development
- Organizational Behavior
- Personnel Psychology
Courses required for the Community Psychology concentration, in addition to core courses, include:
Featured Programs
- Community Health Psychology
- Counseling Methods and Techniques
- Foundations of Community Psychology
- Theories of Counseling and Personality
About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University was founded by the Most Reverend Walter W. Curtis, who was the second bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, in 1963. The goal of the University was to provide an institute of higher learning based in the Catholic faith but open to anyone, regardless of their race, creed, sex or religion. Reverend Curtis chose the name Sacred Heart because it was the name of his first pastorate in New Jersey and because it demonstrated the value of the institution he planned to create.
The school opened with 200 students and has grown steadily over the years. It has become the second largest Catholic university in New England and is one of the fastest growing in the country. Today, there are more than 8,500 students enrolled at the school. Princeton Review reports that the school is in the Top 20 of the United States for “Happiest Students” and “Students Most Engaged in Community Service.” It also ranks the school as one of the best colleges and best business schools in the country. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University as one of the best in the north while Forbes has named Sacred Heart as one of America’s Top Colleges.
Sacred Heart University Accreditation Details
Sacred Heart University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation means that the school meets or exceeds criteria for assessment of the quality of the institution and that they agree to periodic reviews to confirm that they continue to provide students with the highest quality education. Programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- American Association for Intensive English Language Programs
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education
Sacred Heart University Application Requirements
Freshmen who wish to attend Sacred Heart University must complete the Common App and submit official high school transcripts. They must also provide one letter of recommendation as well as ACT or SAT scores. Students who have earned college credit after high school graduation must complete an application and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must also provide official high school transcripts and a letter of recommendation from a professor, counselor or employer. Although there are no minimum credits that may be transferred, students may transfer no more than 66 credits from a two-year school or 90 credits from a four-year school.
Each graduate program has their own requirements for admission. Students must speak to a graduate admissions counselor before applying. All graduate students must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Sacred Heart University Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition at Sacred Heart University is $20,575 per semester and part-time tuition is $1,372 per credit hour. The Master of Science in Applied Technology tuition is $880 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Students must also complete the CSS Profile Application in order to qualify for institutional or private financial assistance. Students may qualify for scholarships, grants, loans or work-study programs. It is important to remember that although grants and scholarship do not require repayment, loans must be repaid upon graduation.
Sacred Heart University began with a mission to provide outstanding education steeped in the Catholic faith to students regardless of their race, gender, creed or religion. The University continues that tradition today, offering flexible schedules that allow non-traditional students to achieve their higher education goals. Sacred Heart University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs that can help individuals move into a new career or advance in their current career.