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Virginia Commonwealth University

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Virginia Commonwealth University Counseling and Psychology Degrees

Virginia Commonwealth University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Addiction and Rehabilitation Counseling.

Careers for counselors and psychologists are expected to increase by 14 percent over the next ten years with an average salary of $79,010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are some psychology and counseling positions that only require a bachelor’s degree while others require a master’s degree or higher. Virginia Commonwealth University offers several degree programs designed to prepare individuals for careers in this growing industry.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University provides students with an understanding of scientific research, teaching and the desire to heal. Students learn through a core set of requirements that develop their understanding of scientific methods of inquiry as well as focusing on the human mind and behavior. Students are then able to concentrate their studies in:

  • Addiction Studies
  • Applied Psychology
  • Life Science
  • Pre-Graduate School
  • Urban Psychology

Courses that may be required for the program include Child Psychology, Psychology of Women, Personality, Interpersonal Relations, and Physiological Psychology.

Master of Education in Counselor Education

The Master of Education in Counselor Education provides students with the specialized knowledge necessary for careers in elementary, middle and high school counseling offices. The program provides students with the skills necessary to assist students and families in a school setting, including career preparation, college success plans along with emotional support for families in crisis. Students are able to concentrate their studies in College Counseling and Student Affairs, School Counseling or Couples and Family Counseling.

Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University follows the scientist-practitioner model within a biopsychosocial perspective. The program uses the most up-to-date theory and empirical findings from basic and applied psychology. Students may concentrate their studies in Behavioral Medicine or Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychology. The goal of the program is to create clinical psychologists in scientific principles to guide the study and treatment of psychopathology in a diverse group. Students must complete a practicum and internship to complete the program.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Hampden-Sydney College opened in 1838 with the first building holding classes in 1844. The Virginia General Assembly granted the medical department an independent charter in 1854, creating the Medical College of Virginia. The Medical College transferred its assets to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1860 creating a state institution. The Medical College of Virginia remained open throughout the Civil War, the only Southern college to do so.

The Old Dominion Hospital Training School for Nurses opened in 1895 and, in 1913, the Medical College of Virginia and the University College of Medicine merged. This led to the acquisition of Memorial Hospital. The St. Phillip School of Nursing, which trained African-American women, opened as a separate entity from the Medical College of Virginia.

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In 1967, the Wayne Commission was established to determine the future of higher education in the state of Virginia. In 1968, the Medical College of Virginia merged with several other institutions to create the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Today, Virginia Commonwealth University is the number one public graduate arts program in the country and provides the top hospital in the Richmond area. There are over 31,000 students enrolled at VCU representing 108 countries.

Virginia Commonwealth University Accreditation Details

Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation indicates that the school offers programs that meet or exceed criteria developed by the Commission that indicates excellence in education. The school also undergoes periodic, voluntary reviews and if any areas are identified as needing improvement, they address them as quickly as possible. Programs throughout the school are accredited by the following organizations:

  • ABET
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • American Academy of Forensic Sciences
  • American Dental Association
  • American Occupational Therapy Association
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • American Psychological Association
  • Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Council for Interior Design Accreditation
  • Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
  • Council on Education for Public Health
  • Council on Rehabilitation Education
  • Council on Social Work Education
  • Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  • Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine
  • Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • National Association of Schools of Dance
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
  • Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration
  • Planning Accreditation Board

Virginia Commonwealth University Application Requirements

Applicants who have not earned college credit after high school graduation and are less than 22 years of age must submit official high school transcripts along with official ACT or SAT scores. Applicants who have earned college credit must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Applicants to the Master of Education in School Counseling must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. They must provide three letters of recommendation, a statement of intent and official GRE or GMAT scores.

Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology must hold a master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Admission to the program is very competitive. Applicants must also provide letters of recommendation and a writing sample.

Virginia Commonwealth University Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition at VCU for Virginia residents is $352.50 for Virginia residents and $954.19 for non-residents. Tuition for the Master of Education in School Counseling is $569.89 per credit hour for Virginia residents and $1,171.72 for non-residents. Tuition for the Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology is $5,202 per semester.

Financial aid is available and students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) regardless of income as some aid is need-based while others are merit-based. Students may be offered grants, scholarships and/or loans. Students attending on campus may also be offered work-study, assistantships or fellowships. Most graduate students are offered loans but are encouraged to seek grants and scholarships from outside organizations.

Virginia Commonwealth University, since it was established almost 200 years ago, has provided students with high-quality, advanced education that prepares them for careers in the growing field of psychology and counseling.