Judson University

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Counseling and Psychology Degrees at Judson University

Judson University offers multiple degrees in psychology. Students can pursue a minor, baccalaureate or graduate degree within this field. The Department of Social Sciences combines hands-on experience and tailored learning to all of the psychology degrees.

The undergraduate degree option is a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Students must complete the general education classes that are required of all majors at Judson University along with major core classes, internships, and electives. There are seven major core classes for the B.A. in Psychology. These include Introduction to Psychology, Integration of Psychology and Christianity, Reflecting on the Conversation, and Senior Seminar in Psychology, among others.

Undergraduate students can choose to pursue a concentration, though this is optional. Concentrations available to psychology students are criminal justice, child and family studies, pre-clinical/counseling and pre-social services.

Some students may prefer to major in a different area while earning a minor in psychology. The minors that are available are family studies, psychology, and sociology. These minors can be paired with any other degree at the university, though students who seek a family studies minor while majoring in psychology cannot use their required minor classes to complete major electives.

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is a three-year program offered to students who have already earned an undergraduate degree. This degree was created with the working adult in mind. Therefore, classes are available in four-hour blocks one night per week. Students must complete 60 credit hours of courses like Human Growth and Lifespan Development, Multicultural Counseling and Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Students who complete this program may earn licensure to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois.

About Judson University

Judson University is a private, evangelical university. The school’s home campus is in Elgin, Illinois, but it also has a campus in Rockford, Illinois. Judson University offers more than 60 degrees and has a total student body of about 1,300.

U.S. News and World Report ranks Judson University as 17th  in Best Undergraduate Teaching, 62nd in Best Value Schools and 72nd in Regional Universities Midwest.

Judson University Accreditation Details

Judson University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This accreditation allows Judson to award degrees at all levels.

In addition to this accreditation, Judson University holds affiliations with a number of educational associations. Some of these include:

  • American Association for Higher Education
  • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
  • American Baptist Association of Colleges and Universities
  • Association of Christian Schools International
  • Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
  • Illinois Baptist State Association

Judson University Application Requirements

Judson University does not have strict requirements for entry into the school. While there are guidelines that are highly encouraged, some students who do not meet these minimum guidelines are considered for admission.

Most students who are admitted to Judson University have a high school GPA of 3.34 or higher. The composite ACT score is 23 and/or the composite SAT score is 1060. Students are expected to have completed four years of high school English, three years of math, and two years each of social sciences and lab sciences.

In order to apply as an undergraduate, applicants must complete the online application and provide a $50 application fee, high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. They must also accept and sign the Judson University Lifestyle Statement. Students must agree to adhere to five areas of conduct. “Integrity” promotes honesty and respecting the rights of others. “Sexual Purity” disallows students from engaging in premarital sex, homosexual behavior or the use of pornography. “Sobriety” disallows students from using any form of alcohol or illegal drugs, including marijuana. “Smoke-Free Environment” means that students may not use any type of tobacco. “Personal Safety” guidelines state that students may not harass, assault or endanger any person.

Applicants to the Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program must provide proof of a completed undergraduate degree in the form of official transcripts from an accredited institution. They must also have two years of work experience, provide a resume, show an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.50, provide reference letters, type a one-page essay and complete an interview with the program chair.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition at Judson University is $14,420 per semester. In addition to tuition, students are charged room and board, a technology fee and a student life fee. The estimated cost of attending Judson University for one year is $40,660. This does not include expenses for transportation, personal expenses, or books and class materials.

Paying for an education at Judson University may mean finding grants and scholarships or taking out student loans. Many students qualify for need-based grants. Applicants simply need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to learn if they qualify for grants and the amount of the award. The FAFSA is also used for most student loans and all need-based scholarships.

Judson University offers merit-based scholarships to those students who qualify. These scholarships are based on the student’s high school GPA and ACT/SAT score. Award amounts vary from the President’s Scholarship at $14,000 per year to the University Scholarship at $8,000 per year. Other scholarships are offered to student-athletes and students who pursue fine arts degrees.

The cost of earning a graduate degree at Judson University is $705 per credit hour. Therefore, the cost per semester depends entirely on the number of hours in which the student is enrolled. Financial aid is offered for graduate students who qualify. As with undergraduate students, the FAFSA can help graduate students receive need-based grants. Judson offers some grants and scholarships to graduate students. In order to be eligible for these awards, students must be enrolled full-time.

Judson University accepts outside scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students. These funds must be divulged prior to assessing need-based grants.

Learn more about psychology degrees at Judson University by visiting the departmental website.