Preparing for Counseling and Psychology Careers at Amridge University
Amridge University appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Master’s Degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy Online.
At Amridge University, students have quite a few choices when it comes to developing the skills in the field of counseling and earning their degrees. Because Amridge University offers only online courses, students must have high-speed broadband internet service. Dial-up service will not allow the requisite video feeds for either classroom interaction or material viewing. The university’s website provides a link to an internet speed test site, which all students must use to ensure they have the proper speed. While there are classrooms at the tiny, 10-acre campus, they are largely places where students can go to log into their online classes.
Students may pursue their graduate degrees as both secular counselors with the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling and as spiritual leaders with the Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling. Students wishing to specialize in Marriage and Family Therapy may also do, and doctoral candidates can earn their Ph.D.s in the same two disciplines. The Master of Divinity in Professional Counseling requires 96 credit hours, 51 of which must be completed through Amridge University. Students must also have 600 or more hours of face-to-face clinical experience during their studies, 100 of which must be supervised.
There are no bacehlor’s degrees in counseling at Amridge University, but incoming freshmen may seek the Bachelor of Science in Human Development. This degree serves as a preparatory step toward getting one of the graduate degrees in counseling, particularly those involving Family and Marriage Therapy.
About Amridge University
U.S. News and World Report ranks Amridge University No. 101 among universities in the South Region. The school was founded in 1942 as Montgomery Bible School. Originally, it was a junior college and even taught some high-school classes. It didn’t grant four-year degrees until 1953. In 1967, it was accredited as more than a junior college for the first time. Five years later, it began awarding graduate degrees.
The year 1985 marked the university’s first regional accreditation, and four years later it was fully accredited for all graduate degrees in the curriculum. Through the years, the university has had several name changes, the last of these in 2008 when the institution became Amridge University.
Amridge University Accreditation Details
Amridge University has its regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It has also earned the accreditation of the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools.
Amridge University Application Requirements
Because of Amridge University’s exclusively online presence, students must demonstrate sufficient computer knowledge to navigate the learning system, access the required materials, and interact with fellow students and professors. All students must submit official copies of all applicable transcripts. Students may not send their own transcripts. The official copies must come from the institutions themselves.
Each department has its own GPA requirement. Students going for any bachelor’s degree must meet the high school GPA requirement. Graduate students must meet the requirements for their bachelor’s degrees, etc. Incoming freshmen must submit either an ACT or SAT score as well. Graduate students must have earned their bachelor’s degrees from regionally accredited universities or from selected nationally accredited institutions. Doctoral students must submit an example of their writing. These writing examples should be published material if possible. Graduate students must also be interviewed. The Graduate Record Examinations and similar tests are not required.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Because of the nature of Amridge University, it charges tuition by the credit hour. Obviously, there are no charges for room or board. The amount per credit hour depends on the level of study and certain life categories:
- First-time freshmen: $250
- Other undergraduate: $375
- Graduate, Leadership and Management: $650
- Graduate, MBA: $600
- Graduate, School of Education and Human Services: $650
- Graduate, School of Theology: $500
- Doctoral, School of Education and Human Services: $685
- Doctoral, Education: $675
- Doctoral, School of Theology: $500
There are higher costs for part-time credit hours. There are also assorted fees, cost of books, and the cost of computers if the student doesn’t have one that meets the requirements.
When it comes to financial aid, students should first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is also known as the FAFSA. Students under their parents’ care at the time of their application must provide not only their own financial status but also that of their parents. These financial data include tax returns and all assets. From all of the information provided, the school will determine the student’s eligibility for the various types of student aid.
These programs include grants, scholarships, and loans. Students who qualify for need-based aid may be entitled to one or more of these awards. Students who do not qualify for need-based aid may feel free to apply for bank or credit union loans at their own terms or for merit-based scholarships and grants. Military students may qualify for extra aid simply for being in the military. These aid awards are different than others. Military students are allowed to keep any portion of the aid package for which they qualify once the school “takes its cut.”
There are two kinds of loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Subsidized loans are those where the student is absolved from paying interest on the loan while enrolled in classes. Unsubsidized loans accrue interest from the point the student signs the agreement. During the time the student is enrolled, the loan also accrues interest on the already-generated interest. Not surprisingly, unsubsidized loans have the easiest qualifications.
Certain grants and scholarships also have various criteria to maintain the award. Students who do not meet these criteria run the risk of losing the award. In some cases, the student must also pay back the amount as an unsubsidized loan. Students who have questions about such loans or any other form of financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office at Amridge University.
Amridge University aims to provide distance learning to everyone who qualifies for it.