Eight Esteemed WMU Degrees in Psychology and Counseling
Western Michigan University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Addiction and Rehabilitation Counseling.
At Wood Hall, the College of Arts & Sciences lets Western Michigan University Broncos select the Behavioral Science or General Psychology track toward a 120-credit Psychology B.S. with opportunities to join Psi Chi, volunteer at the Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency, or spend a semester in Chile.
Chaired by Dr. Stephanie Peterson, the Behavior Analysis M.A. has a 36-credit, ABAI-accredited curriculum of 6000-level Kalamazoo or Metro Detroit courses like Skinner’s Behaviorism and Autism Center practicum. Since 1967, the Industrial/Organizational Behavior Management M.A. has developed a 36-credit, thesis-optional path toward SIOP membership for 91 percent three-month job placement at Kellogg’s, RSM, Pfizer, Boeing, the Detroit Pistons, and more. The 48-credit Counseling Psychology M.A. admits Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids cohorts of 10-15 into courses from Personality Assessment to Multicultural Issues with 600 fieldwork hours for Michigan LPC counselor certification.
Directed by Dr. Patrick Munley, the Counselor Education M.A. tailors a 60-credit, CACREP-accredited sequence in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, College Counseling, Marriage & Family Counseling, and K-12 School Counseling concentrations with 600 practicum hours for LPC credentials.
Each Fall, the Rehabilitation Counseling M.A. admits 7-10 post-grads into a 53-credit, two-year program with an optional Blindness/Low Vision specialization for 86 percent CRCC certification exam success after the 600-hour internship.
Priced $16,360 to $30,432 per year, the Counseling Psychology Ph.D. follows a 60-credit, post-master’s plan where students complete 2,000 fieldwork hours, work in the Center for Psychological Services, and engage in the Ethics Outreach Project. The Clinical Psychology Ph.D. has a 95-credit, APA-approved curriculum led by Dr. Amy Naugle with 3,250 field hours, Psychology Clinic practice, and BRAIN Lab research for average completion in 6.36 years.
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About Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University originated on May 27, 1903, when Governor Aaron T. Bliss signed legislation to create the Western State Normal School for teacher prep. In 1904, President Dwight Waldo welcomed an inaugural class of 117 into a two-year certificate program. In 1909, Western State Normal School expanded with a new Grand Rapids campus. In 1927, it became the Western State Teachers College to award bachelor’s degrees. On February 26, 1957, Governor G. Mennen Williams authorized the current Western Michigan University name. In 1968, the first Doctor of Philosophy program was launched. By 1997, the Wolverine State’s fourth oldest public college received a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter. In 2000, WMU earned the Carnegie Foundation’s RU/H research status. Until 2002, WMU also served as the headquarters for the Association for Behavior Analysis International.
Endowed for $408.3 million, Western Michigan University now employs 1,430 faculty teaching 17,760 undergrad and 4,802 post-grad Broncos from 105 countries online, on its 150-building Kalamazoo campus, or at seven regional sites with 500+ clubs like the Behavior Analysis Student Organization. In 2016, Western Michigan had the ABAI Outstanding Mentor Award recipient. In 2017, WMU won an International Interior Design Association Award. Western Michigan University accepted a 2019 Pride of CASE District V Award too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Western Michigan the 167th top psychology school and 37th best rehabilitation counseling program. On Niche, WMU boasts America’s 58th best Greek life and 142nd top public education. Forbes declared Western Michigan University the 224th best research institution. The Center for World University Rankings placed WMU 272nd nationally.
Western Michigan University Accreditation Details
On March 21, 2011, the Higher Learning Commission on North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council notified Western Michigan University that its Level VI accreditation status was renewed through the next 2020-21 evaluation visit under President Edward B. Montgomery, Ph.D. Located 145 miles west via Interstate 94 in Chicago, this giant 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to certify WMU’s 159 bachelor’s, 80 master’s, and 34 doctoral degrees. Further, Western Michigan was reaffirmed by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) through October 2022. The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) has approved the Behavior Analysis M.A. since 1998. The American Psychological Association (APA) also accredited the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. on April 16, 1991.
Western Michigan University Application Requirements
Admission to Western Michigan University is classified as “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since only 13,829 of the 17,051 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for 81 percent acceptance. First-year Broncos seeking the Psychology B.S. must have college-level academic preparation. High school curricula must include four years of English and math. The Class of 2022 presented an average 3.37 GPA. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 960-1190. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 20-26. Department of Psychology transfers must hold 24+ university credits with minimum 2.0 GPAs. International students need at least 550 TOEFL pBT or 80 TOEFL iBT scores. Graduate programs require a 120-credit bachelor’s degree and GPA above 3.0. On average, post-grads have a 3.65 GPA on the four-point scale. Achieving GRE scores in the top 50th percentile is required. Most M.A./Ph.D. options also mandate 18 credits of prerequisite psychology credits.
Western Michigan University has freshman deadlines of November 15th for Early Action and June 1st for Regular Decision. Transfers must file before August 15th for Fall or January 1st for Spring enrollment. Counseling M.A. cohorts apply until May 15th or September 15th. The Counseling Psychology Ph.D. and Clinical Psychology Ph.D. both close on December 1st. Behavior Analysis M.A. entrants should apply by September 1st. Accordingly, complete the WMU or Common Application online for $40 ($50 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 1903 West Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Send test results using SAT/GRE code 1902 or ACT code 2066. Attach supplemental documents, such as the 2-3 recommendations, resume or CV, two-page written statement, and background check. Contact (269) 387-2000 or admissions-info@wmich.edu with questions.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Western Michigan University is charging in-state undergrads $503 per lower-level or $556 per upper-level credit. Full-time semester studies cost $6,047 to $6,676. Non-resident Psychology B.S. majors pay $14,776 to $16,449 each term. This equals $1,136 per lower-level or $1,264 per upper-level credit. Mandatory add-ons include the $411 enrollment fee and $42 student assessment fee. Living at Kalamazoo campus dorms like Britton Hall costs $5,395 to $8,510 for yearly rent. Bronco Gold Plus plans for Burnhams Dining Center are $5,172 extra. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $26,009 in-state and $28,899 out-of-state total. Graduate programs bill Michiganders $681 and non-residents $1,268 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Student Financial Aid Office in Faunce Hall Room 2510 connects 89 percent of new full-time WMU Broncos to tuition assistance averaging $8,216 apiece for $16.2 million combined. Counseling and psychology funds include the Joseph Morris Award, Thelma Urbick Scholarship, Arthur & Margaret Manske Award, Hovestadt Outstanding Student Award, Dr. Lonnie Earl Duncan Memorial Scholarship, Dr. James Croteau Memorial Scholarship, Kenneth Bullmer Doctoral Scholarship, Robert & Diane Betz Scholarship, Merze Tate Scholarship, and Wallace Student Support Scholarship. The Medallion Scholarship gifts $15,000 yearly to Early Action freshmen with a minimum 26 ACT or 1230 SAT score. The $10,000 Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Scholarship selects members with 24+ transfer credits and GPAs above 3.75. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant or Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA applications coded 002330. Michiganders might also pursue the State Tuition Grant, Gear Up Scholarship, Fostering Futures Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Kalamazoo Community Foundation Scholarships, Rosa Parks Scholarship, and others.
Learn more about Western Michigan University at the Department of Psychology website.