University of Massachusetts – Amherst Counseling and Psychology Degree Programs Available
University of Massachusetts – Amherst appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions for psychologists are expected to grow by 14 percent over the next decade which is faster than positions for other industries. The average salary for a psychologist is $79,010 per year and most positions require a master’s degree or higher. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers several degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level that prepare individuals for careers in the field of psychology.
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology that prepare students for general practice in the field. The Bachelor of Arts program requires additional foreign language courses while the Bachelor of Science provides a stronger science background. Both options allow either a General concentration or a Neuroscience concentration. In both programs, students must complete courses in Statistics in Psychology, Methods of Inquiry, Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, and electives. Students gain an understanding of critical thinking skills and methods for thinking scientifically about behavior, mental processes, and underlying mechanisms. They also learn to apply broad perspectives to behavior and to pursue a variety of opportunities beyond graduation. They gain an understanding of how psychological findings can be used to make informed judgments in order to strengthen families and communities. The Bachelor of Arts program is available online and on campus while the Bachelor of Science program is only available on campus.
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology that espouses the clinical science model of training. Students are prepared for careers in clinical research through basic and applied studies of psychopathology, development emotion, cognition, psychotherapy, neuropsychology and family systems. All students are trained to engage in empirically supported clinical practice and have the opportunity to engage in psychotherapy and neuropsychological assessments. They gain an understanding of how culture, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and other factors impact behavior. Students may concentrate their studies in Child, Adolescent and Family as well. The program is only available on campus.
About University of Massachusetts -Amherst
The Massachusetts Agricultural College began in 1867 as a land-grant college. The focus of the school initially was to train local residents in agriculture, mechanical and military arts. The school taught male students only until 1890 when women were admitted.
In 1931, the name of the school changed to the Massachusetts State College. The Great Depression led to low enrollment as did the outbreak of World War II. When the war ended, however, enrollment grew significantly as soldiers returned to take advantage of the GI Bill. In 1947, the name of the school changed again to the University of Massachusetts.
Featured Programs
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the top public universities in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. It is the largest public research university in New England. There are 30,340 students enrolled at the university and approximately 1,300 full-time faculty.
The University of Massachusetts-Amherst had nearly $210 million in supported research activities in 2017 and the library system is the largest state-supported institution in New England. There are approximately 250,000 alumni around the world and the Fine Arts Center brings nationally-known theater, music and dance performers to the campus throughout the year. Six galleries provide spaces for visual arts while student and art performances opportunities are available throughout the year and during the summer months.
University of Massachusetts – Amherst Accreditation Details
The University of Massachusetts – Amherst is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Regional accreditation indicates that the school agrees to periodic peer review to confirm that students are receiving high quality education and that any areas that are identified as needing improvement will be addressed as quickly as possible. Programs throughout the University are accredited by the following organizations:
- ABET
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- American Psychological Association
- American Society of Landscape Architects
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Education for Public Health
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- Society of American Foresters
University of Massachusetts – Amherst Admissions Requirements
In order to apply for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Psychology, applicants must provide official high school transcripts as well as official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Official SAT or ACT scores are also required of students who have not earned college credit after high school graduation.
Applicants to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology program must provide official GRE scores and complete the Faculty Selection Form to indicate the faculty member they would like to work with during the program. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended as well as three letters of recommendation. A personal statement is also required.
University of Massachusetts – Amherst Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition is $16,389 for Massachusetts residents and $35,710 for non-residents. Tuition for the online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program is $380 per credit hour. Graduate tuition is $11,157 per semester for Massachusetts residents and $21,500 for non-residents.
Financial aid is available, and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Undergraduate students may be offered grants and scholarships which do not need to be repaid. Those attending on campus may also be offered work-study programs which provide employment to offset the cost of tuition. Loans may be provided but they must be paid after graduation. Graduate students may be offered fellowships or assistantships as well as student loans to cover the cost of tuition.
The University of Massachusetts – Amherst is one of the major public research universities in the country. The campus is consistently ranked as a top public research university and offers a rich, cultural environment in a rural setting. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is the flagship campus of Massachusetts and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.