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Saint Leo University

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Counseling and Psychology Degrees Offered at Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.

Saint Leo University offers four bachelor’s degrees and one master’s degree in psychology. Bachelor of arts degrees are available in clinical counseling (on campus or online), developmental psychology, experimental psychology and general psychology (online or on campus). A master’s degree is available in general psychology. Graduate students can choose elective courses to focus their degree specialization in clinical psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, experimental psychology, applied psychology or a related subfield. Undergraduate students also have the option of obtaining an associate’s degree or minoring in psychology.

The core curriculum for a bachelor of arts in psychology at Saint Leo covers a wide range of topics, including personality theory, abnormal psychology, cognitive psychology, evolutionary psychology, childhood development and biological heredity. Students of applied psychology study forensic science, military psychology, industrial and organizational psychology and clinical counseling. Bachelor’s students at Saint Leo have the opportunity to work with some of the top professors and researchers in the field of psychology. Undergraduate and graduate students conduct academic research and present their discoveries to professional organizations, such as the Southeastern Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association.

The curriculum for a psychology degree at Saint Leo University is based on the educational model developed by the American Psychological Association. The master of science degree in psychology is conducted entirely online and consists of 36 hours of courses. The work is completed in student cohorts of 15 members, so students have the advantage of an intimate support network during the master’s program. The curriculum is divided into eight-week sections, and students focus on one course at a time. At the end of the online master’s program, students complete a graduate capstone project that incorporates research and analysis of a wide range of subjects, including developmental, physiological and social psychology, data analysis and quantitative research.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a private Catholic liberal arts college with campuses located throughout the northern Florida region. The core values of Saint Leo are based on traditional Christian doctrines, but the wide range of programs offered at the campuses and in online classrooms are designed to accommodate people of all faiths. According to the university website, the culture of Saint Leo is rooted in a 1,500-year-old tradition of Benedictine Catholicism. The aim of Saint Leo’s educational programs is to foster the values of excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship and integrity.

Of the four Catholic institutions of higher learning in Florida, Saint Leo is the largest and one of the oldest. It was established in 1889 by the Order of Saint Benedict of Florida and remains dedicated to its original mission of educating and serving the community. Since 1973, Saint Leo has offered liberal arts courses for members of the United States military, and it is now recognized as one of the largest providers of higher education to members of the armed forces. Members of the military may be eligible for reduced tuition rates, scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid.

Saint Leo University Accreditation Details

Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges. The SACS has accredited Saint Leo to provide a liberal arts education to students throughout the northern Florida region and in online classroom worldwide. Saint Leo is accredited to offer bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and specialist degrees in liberal arts, social sciences, business, and sports management disciplines.

Featured Programs

The psychology programs at Saint Leo are accredited through the SACS Advanced Performance Accreditation program. The SACS accreditation enables Saint Leo to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology online and on physical campuses throughout Florida. In order to maintain accreditation with the SACS, Saint Leo is required to continuously improve the quality of its education and demonstrate a high standard of excellence through internal and external reviews.

Saint Leo University Application Requirements

Saint Leo University accepts applications from college freshmen, transfer students, and graduates. All transferred credits must come from an accredited university. Students are considered transfers if they have previously completed at least 19 credit hours at another university.

The application process at Saint Leo is very simple and requires only a standard application form and the high school transcript of the applicant. High school graduates must have completed four years of English, three years of math, history and social science, two years of natural science and two years of a foreign language.

Freshmen are eligible to apply for several academic scholarships at the time of enrollment. The maximum amount of scholarship funds available to each student is $13,000. International students are required to submit the same documents for application as local students, but international students must also be able to demonstrate English language competency at the time of enrollment.

Test scores are not required for enrollment at Saint Leo University, but students seeking accelerated placement in advanced degree programs can submit ACT and SAT test scores with their applications. Saint Leo offers three choices of accelerated programs that combine bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in a single course curriculum. Undergraduates can apply to enroll in an accelerated master’s program in business or computer science. These degrees are available only through the traditional on-campus course programs.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for undergraduates at Saint Leo University is estimated to be about $23,000 per year. When books, housing, and food are factored into the cost, the annual expense can reach around $40,000. Tuition per credit hour for graduate students ranges from around $450 to $770, not including the cost of books and living expenses. A master’s degree in psychology requires 36 hours to complete, so the total cost of tuition can range from $16,200 to $27,720.

Scholarships, grants, and loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students through Saint Leo University’s financial aid department. Students seeking financial aid can begin the process by filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid application online and forwarding a copy of the application to Saint Leo University. The recommended time to apply for financial aid is during October through March before the following fall semester. Members of the military must apply for education benefits separately through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Saint Leo University website contains additional information about bachelor’s and master’s degrees in counseling and psychology.