Counseling and Psychology Degree Programs at West Virginia University
West Virginia University appears in our ranking of the 30 Most Affordable Master’s in Psychology Online Degree Programs.
Counselors and psychologists work with individuals, families, and groups to address issues they may be facing, whether it be conflict, substance abuse or mental illness. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in these fields are expected to grow by 14 percent over the next ten years. West Virginia University offers several degree programs that prepare individuals for careers in psychology and counseling.
Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Exercise Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts in Sport and Exercise Psychology at West Virginia University is designed for those who wish to combine a love of sports and fitness with psychology or sociology. The program prepares students for graduate study as most positions in the field require a graduate degree. It is the only one of its kind in West Virginia and one of just a few throughout the country that focuses on sport and exercise psychology. Students gain an understanding of the social psychology of sport, methods to enhance performance, how an injury impacts the mind and more. Students gain real-world experience in lab settings as well as through a 50-hour community service requirement. Biofeedback technology is also available. The program is also available through the High School ACCESS program which allows high school students to complete University courses online. Courses available online for the ACCESS program include Principles and Problems of Coaching, Sport Injury Control and Management, and Motor Development. Several general education courses are also available through the ACCESS program.
Bachelor in Music Therapy
The Bachelor in Music Therapy program provides students with an understanding of the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions in a therapeutic relationship. The program is focused on the disciplines of music, teaching essential competencies in musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations. The program qualifies students to sit for the Music Therapist Board Certified examination. Students learn fundamental musicianship, music therapy, and behavioral science. Piano, guitar and voice lessons are required as part of the program. Students also gain an understanding of psychology, special education, health science, and development. Students also have the opportunity to travel to festivals, conferences, workshops, and competitions using grant funding. Courses that may be required include Aural Theory, Music Convocation, Advanced Principles and Practices of Music Theory, Special Education in Contemporary Society as well as Psychological Foundation of Music. A practicum and internship are also required.
Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
The Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling provides students with a broad understanding of mental disorders that may be impacting individuals, groups, and families. The program focuses on multidimensional issues in healthcare, including cognitive, physical and intellectual issues. There is also discussion of substance abuse, traumatic injury, neurological events, mental health disorders and chronic health issues that may affect mental health. The program is available online. Courses required may include Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation, Disability Across the Lifespan, Career Development and Job Placement as well as Counseling Theories and Techniques.
About West Virginia University
When it opened in 1862, the Agricultural College of West Virginia was part of the Morrill Land-Grant Act, focusing on mechanical, agricultural and military arts. Monongalia Academy, Morgantown Female Academy and the Woodburn Female Seminary, former small academies, stood on the grounds where the campus of the new land-grant college was established. In 1868, the name of the school changed to West Virginia University. Despite the fact that two of the schools previously located on the grounds of the campus were for women, female students were not admitted to the new school until 1869 due to the strong military arts program.
Daily chapel services and roll calls were required when the school first began, limiting the amount of time students had for recreation. Eventually, those requirements were eliminated allowing for the establishment of extracurricular activities. The Great Depression and two world wars caused financial difficulty for the school due to reduced enrollment. During World War II, for the first time, more women were enrolled than men.
Today, West Virginia University is ranked in the top 100 of US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools. The Center for World University Rankings placed among the top two percent of universities in the world.
West Virginia University Accreditation Details
West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation is voluntary, requiring the school to undergo periodic review to confirm that the school continues to meet criteria set forth by the Commission that indicate students are receiving the highest quality education. In addition to accreditation by the Commission, West Virginia University programs have also received accreditation from the following organizations:
- Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
- Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
- Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
- American Chemical Society
- American Dietetic Association
- American Psychological Association
- Applied Science Accreditation Commission of ABET
- Association for Behavior Analysis
- Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
- Association of American Law Schools
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International
- College of American Pathologists
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association
- Commission on Peer Review & Accreditation, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration
- Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education
- Council on Education for Public Health
- Council on Social Work Education
- Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET
- Forensic Science Education Program Accreditation Commission of the American Academy of Forensic Science
- Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy
- Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
- Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architecture
- Liaison Committee on Medical Education
- National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Association of Schools of Theatre
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
- North American Society of Sport Management
- Section on Legal Education of the American Bar Association
- Society of American Foresters
- Society of Wood Science & Technology
West Virginia University Application Requirements
Applicants who are West Virginia residents who wish to complete the Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology or the Bachelor in Music Therapy who have not earned college credit after high school graduation must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and qualifying score on the ACT or SAT. They must provide official high school transcripts along with official test scores. Non-residents without college credit after graduating from high school must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and qualifying SAT or ACT score. Applicants who have earned college credit after high school graduation, regardless of residency, must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all college work attended. Any applicant with less than 24 transferrable credits must also meet freshman admission standards. Applicants to the Bachelor in Music Therapy must also audition on the musical instrument of their choice.
Applicants for the Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 in their undergraduate studies. They must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. It is recommended that applicants have undergraduate coursework in human relations. Official GRE or GMAT scores must also be provided.
West Virginia University Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology is $402 per credit hour and for the Bachelor in Music Therapy is $413 per credit hour. Tuition for the Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is $628 per credit hour.
Financial aid is available and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify. Undergraduate students may be offered grants, scholarships or loans as part of their financial aid packet. Students who attend on campus may also be offered federal work-study programs that provide employment to offset tuition costs. Graduate students are offered loans as financial aid although students may research scholarships and grants on their own. They may also be provided assistantships or fellowships if they attend classes on campus.
West Virginia University offers several programs that prepare students for careers in psychology and counseling. Some of the programs at West Virginia University are offered in online formats that make it easier for non-traditional students to earn their degrees. High school students may also complete some of their college-level requirements before high school graduation through the West Virginia University High School ACCESS Program.