Four Tarleton Tracks to Psychology and Counseling Careers
Tarleton State University appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.
At E.J. Howell Hall or online on Canvas, the College of Education grants the B.S. in Psychology for Tarleton State University Texans seeking a broad introduction to behavioral science fields to analyze the human condition through critical lenses. Chaired by Dr. Jamie Borchardt, the 120-credit, four-year degree blends courses like Evolutionary Psychology with TREAT Research Team projects, the Applied Learning Experience, and an optional Amsterdam trip. Since Fall 2018, the B.S. in Child & Family Studies has been a Stephenville or online alternative for entry-level counselors to receive ACLP Child Life Specialist certification. The 120-credit curriculum headed by Dr. Deborah Banker integrates service at the NAC-accredited Child Development Center into courses like Human Intimacy.
For LPC credentialing, the College of Health Sciences & Human Service awards the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to Tarleton State University post-grads dedicated to moral, meaningful jobs assisting individuals with cognitive or behavioral disorders. The 60-credit, 2.5-year Stephenville program led by Dr. Chris Wilder offers Chi Sigma Iota membership plus 600 total practicum hours at Pecan Valley MHMR, The Warm Place, Mesa Springs Hospital, and more. Available in Stephenville or Fort Worth, the M.S. in Applied Psychology utilizes real Neuroscience Lab research to prepare future doctoral candidates for success. Directed by Dr. Kim Rynearson, the 30-credit plan splits into Thesis, Applied Project, and Teaching options after 5000-level courses like Quantitative Methods.
About Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University originated on March 12, 1896, when Erath County trustees appointed Marshall McIlhany to open the John Tarleton Agricultural College that September. In 1899, President William H. Bruce started the inaugural class for two-year technical degrees. In Spring 1917, the 35th State Legislature passed legislation joining it to the Texas A&M system. The next year, local citizens purchased a 500-acre Cross Timbers Region farm for its headquarters. Fully accredited in 1926, it became Tarleton State College in 1949. In May 1963, graduation saw the first four-year Bachelor of Science graduates. In 1973, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved it as Tarleton State University for graduate programs. In 1999, Tarleton launched its first extension in Killeen with five additional campuses to follow.
Endowed for $42.8 million, Tarleton State University now employs 870 faculty teaching 13,011 Texans from 32 countries at a 19:1 ratio online and on-site with 120+ clubs like Psi Chi. In 2017, Tarleton received the SACES Outstanding Master’s Counselor Education and Supervision Program Award. In 2018, the Professional Grounds Management Society gave Tarleton the Green Star Grand Award. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Tarleton State the West’s 91st best college and 35th top public school. On Niche, Tarleton boasts the 249th best Greek life, 303rd best public education, and 365th top housing in America. College Factual named Tarleton State University the 221st best value and 200th most popular psychology school. Washington Monthly placed Tarleton 388th overall for social mobility.
Featured Programs
Tarleton State University Accreditation Details
On December 7, 2010, Tarleton State University excitedly announced Level V accreditation reaffirmation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for continuous quality improvement through the 2020-21 review under its 15th president, Dr. Dominic Dottavio, who earned a Purdue Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award. Located 898 miles east via Interstate 20 in Decatur, Georgia, this esteemed 11-state Southeast Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to check Tarleton’s two associate, 64 baccalaureate, 27 master’s, and two doctoral programs. Specifically, the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling was accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) on July 25, 2017. The B.S. in Child & Family Studies is approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) too.
Tarleton State University Application Requirements
Admission to Tarleton State University is labeled “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 5,324 of the 7,158 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for 74 percent acceptance. First-year Texans lassoing the B.S. in Psychology must be finishing the Distinguished Level of Achievement diploma or GED certificate. Ranking in the top half of one’s class for a 2.5 GPA or better is expected. At a minimum, freshmen need an 800 Old SAT, 880 New SAT, or 16 ACT Composite score. International students must pass the 6.0 IELTS, 60 PTE, or 520 TOEFL English mark. Prospective transfers need 30+ accredited credits graded “C” or greater for all six Tarleton locations. The Office of Graduate Studies requires a four-year bachelor’s with GPAs above 3.0 in the last 60 credits. M.S. in Applied Psychology cohorts need relevant majors plus the Statistics prerequisite. Qualifying scores would be at least 300 GRE, 615 GRE Subject Test, 156 Major Field Test, or 396 MAT.
Tarleton State University has freshman priority deadlines of March 1st for Fall, December 1st for Spring, and March 1st for Summer starts. B.S. in Psychology transfers have until July 3rd, August 23rd, October 11th, January 10th, and March 6th at 5:00PM. The Office of Graduate Studies has general deadlines of November 15th, April 15th, and June 15th. Note the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling only selects Fall cohorts until July 15th though. Accordingly, complete the ApplyTexas application online for $45 ($50 if graduate). Sealed transcripts must arrive at 1333 West Washington Street in Stephenville, TX 76401. Official test submissions require SAT/GRE code 6817, ACT code 4204, or MAT code 2241. Supplemental steps include the 600-word goals essay, admission interview, three references, verification of English fluency, and current résumé. Inquire further by contacting (254) 968-9269 or uadm@tarleton.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Tarleton State University charged Texas B.S. in Psychology majors $7,174 annually. Non-resident tuition was $17,448 per year. Undergrads paid a $88 university services fee, $4 health service fee, and $22 athletics fee per credit. Residing at the Stephenville campus’ dorms like Hunewell Hall added $1,975 to $4,274 each term. Standard 17-meal plans for Texan Star Food Court were $1,950 extra. Tarleton budgeted $966 for books, $1,167 for travel, and $1,890 for personal needs. Annual bachelor’s study equaled about $21,676 in-state and $31,951 out-of-state. Online Global Campus courses were $180 to $582 per credit. The Office of Graduate Studies has published full-time M.S. tuition of $6,820 for Texans and $14,290 for non-residents. Taking under nine credits incurred $221 to $636 apiece.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Tarleton Center Room 118 connects 63 percent of full-time Texans to median assistance of $6,107 for $44.22 million overall. University funds include the Dan Shepherd Memorial Scholarship, Freshman Spirit Scholarship, Gregory Nowlin Scholarship, Stars on the Rise Scholarship, Tarleton Discovery Scholarship, Trailblazer Scholarship, Audie & Zera Floyd Scholarship, Cecil Ballow Scholarship, James Winston Randle Scholarship, and Flora Foust Graduate Scholarship. The Robert Newby Scholarship gifts $1,000 to B.S. in Psychology majors with minimum 3.5 GPAs. M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students with 24+ credits and GPAs above 3.5 receive the $500 Linda Duncan Honorary Scholarship. Completing FAFSA applications coded 003631 leads to Federal Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Direct Loan, and Work-Study consideration. The TEXAS Grant provides a $9,792 yearly maximum for in-state high school graduates. Also research the Public Educational Grant, Educational Opportunity Grant, and Marine Corps Scholarship.
Keep learning about Tarleton State University at the Department of Psychological Sciences website.