Counseling and Psychology Degrees Offered at Westfield State University
Westfield State University appears in our ranking of the 50 Top Online Bachelor of Psychology Degree Programs.
The psychology programs at Westfield State University include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, psychology minor, Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis. The counseling programs include Master of Arts in Counseling with concentrations in Forensic Mental Health Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, School Guidance Counseling, and School Adjustment Counseling.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree requires the completion of at least 39 psychology credits. The major courses include: Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Statistics for Psychologists, Cognitive Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Theories of Personality, Social Psychology, Psychology of the Family, Abnormal Psychology, Psychology of Interpersonal Relations and Communications, and Practicum in Psychology. Students must also choose a Capstone Experience. Students are able to complete the BA in Psychology full or part-time or as an online degree completion. The Psychology Minor is available both on campus and online and provides a basic knowledge of psychology. Students must complete at least 18 credits in the psychology department for the minor. The Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis requires the completion of 48 credits. The core courses include Behavioral Consultation, Ethics for Behavior Analysis, Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism and Developmental Disability, Behavioral Interventions, Clinical Behavior Analysis, Theoretical Foundations of Behavior Analysis, and Experimental Analysis of Behavior. Students must also complete a Practicum Series. The Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis prepares students to take the Board Certified Behavior Analyst examination. It requires the completion of 18 credit hours, and the required courses include Behavioral Consultation, Ethics for Behavior Analysis, Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavioral Interventions, Behavior Analysis Applications, and Single Subject Research Methodology and Design.
The Master of Arts in Counseling requires the completion of 60 credit hours students are able to choose from four specialized tracks: Forensic Mental Health Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, School Guidance Counseling, and School Adjustment Counseling (non-licensure). The core courses for the Forensic Mental Health Counseling and Mental Health Counseling tracks are similar and include Theories of Counseling, Counseling Basics with Supervision, Principles and Practices of Psychological Testing, Evidence-Based Therapies in Mental Health Counseling, Counseling Diverse Populations, Ethics and Standards in the Mental Health Profession, and Advanced Developmental Psychology. The specialized courses for the Forensic Mental Health Counseling track include Forensic Counseling: Assessment and Forensic Counseling: Treatment. Students must also complete 12 credits of elective courses for the Mental Health Counseling track. Both the Forensic Mental Health Counseling and Mental Health Counseling tracks require internship components. The School Guidance Counseling track required courses include: Pre-Practicum School Guidance Counseling, Psychological Theories and Practices in Career Development, Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Children and Adolescents, Principles and Practices of School Counseling, Crisis Intervention in Schools and Communities, and Psychology: Special Topics in School Counseling. Students must also complete two practicum courses. The School Adjustment Counseling track requires courses in Juvenile Justice, Pre-Internship School Adjustment Counseling, Principles and Practices of School Counseling, Dynamics of Group Counseling, and Crisis Intervention in Schools and Communities. Students must also complete an internship in school adjustment counseling.
About Westfield State University
Westfield State University is a public institution of higher learning residing in Westfield, Massachusetts. It was established in 1839 as America’s first co-educational college to offer higher education without the consideration of race, creed, or economic status. It began as a normal school for teacher training. It changed its name to State Teachers College in 1932 and it operated as a four-year college. In 1960 the college became State College at Westfield and Westfield State College in 1967. It officially became Westfield State University in 2010. Today, Westfield State University is home to more than 5,500 students on its 256-acre suburban campus. It operates on the semester-based academic calendar.
Westfield State University is committed to providing students with the essential knowledge, abilities, and experiences necessary for success. It is dedicated to treating all community members with respect and dignity, maintaining integrity and excellence, supporting civic involvement, providing affordable education, making collaborative decisions, and establishing an inclusive community. Westfield State University offers excellent programs in the liberal arts and the most popular majors include homeland security, psychology, marketing, business, management, law enforcement, and education. The student to faculty ratio is 16 to one, with about 38 percent of the classes with fewer than 20 students.
The U.S. News and World Report ranks Westfield University number 112 in its 2019 Best Regional Universities North publication.
Westfield State University Accreditation Details
The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges regionally accredits Westfield State University to grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Featured Programs
Westfield State University Application Requirements
Undergraduate
- Undergraduate Application for Admission
- Nonrefundable $50 application fee
- Official high school transcript
- Official transcripts from previously attended postsecondary institutions
- Official SAT or ACT scores
- Optional college essay
- Optional letters of recommendation
Graduate
- Online Graduate Application for Admission
- Nonrefundable $50 application fee
- Official transcripts from previously attended postsecondary institutions
- Narrative statement
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official GRE or MAT scores
- Some programs require additional documents, such as current resume, licensure, or specialized test scores
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
Undergraduate
$315 per credit
Graduate
$350 per credit
Financial Aid
Scholarships
- Tsongas Scholarship
- Presidential Merit Scholarship
- Leadership Scholarship
- Honors Program Book Award
- Leadership Scholarship
- Out of State Scholarship
- International Student Scholarship
Grants
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Mass GRANT
- Massachusetts CASH Grant
- University Grant
- Westfield State University Housing Grant
- Part-Time Grant
- Division of Graduate and Continuing Education Grant
Loans
- Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
- Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
- Federal PLUS Loan
- Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
Work Study
The Federal Work-Study program is federally funded and available for students who showed significant financial need on the FAFSA. Students are able to work part-time both on and off campus to earn money to help pay for their college education. They are able to work up to 20 hours a week and the pay is at least the current minimum wage. Actual pay differs in unique situations.
A degree in psychology or counseling enables graduates to make a difference in the mental, social, and emotional aspects of the lives of individuals, groups, and communities. The psychology and counseling degrees from Westfield State University provides students with a solid foundation in the fields to pursue an array of career opportunities in many different types of entities.