Why Liberty University?
The Lynchburg, Virginia-based, extremely large private online university seeks candidates for its Master of Arts in Applied Psychology degree program.The minimum GPA requirement for this degree, which is offered by the School of Behavioral Science at this Christian university, is 2.5. Results from standardized tests are not necessary for your application. There is no requirement that students have finished any preparatory curriculum during their undergraduate studies.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | Liberty University |
| Location | Lynchburg |
| State | Virginia |
| Niche.com Grade | A- |
| Name of Degree | Master of Arts in Applied Psychology |
| School or Department Administering Program | School of Behavioral Sciences |
| Credits | 36 |
| Cost per credit | $565.00 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $20,340 |
| Test Requirements | none |
| Minimum GPA | 2.5 |
| Prerequisite Courses and Skills | none |
| Campus Visit Required? | no |
| Typical Time to Complete | 1.5 years |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | multiple times per year |
| Program Concentrations |
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| Synchronous classes | no |
| Required Courses |
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| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | no |
| Does the program include a practicum or internship? | no |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | 8 week courses; transfer in up to 50% of credits; Christian orientation |
| Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) |
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| Program Description | This 36 credit program consists entirely of coursework with no requirement for a capstone experience or internship. Courses cover social psychology, cognitive psychology, research methods, ethics, Christianity and psychology, and elective topics. Students can specialize in one of four areas. |
What will I Learn?
The program aims to provide a breadth and depth of curriculum covering the following objectives: cognitive psychology theory and research and theories for human behavior in social contexts. Students learn how to design and conduct research projects and how to present research results, including core skills in methodology, statistics, ethics, and data analysis.
Students begin the program by studying foundational topics in courses such as Social Psychology, Psychology and Christianity, and Cognitive Psychology. Students gain fundamental skills while taking Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I and II. The remainder of the required credits are earned through courses related to the student’s chosen specialization, as well as elective courses.
Students can specialize in one of the following concentrations: General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Public Mental Health. The study of human development and change from early childhood to old age is a part of developmental psychology. The fields of cognition, emotion, learning, social relationships, perception, and other domains are all studied by developmental psychologists. The study of human cognitions and behavior within sizable organizations, particularly in workplaces, is known as industrial and organizational psychology. This area of study is mostly focused on identifying and resolving workplace-related issues including human behavior at the individual, group, and organizational levels. Public mental health is the study of problems with mental health at the society or population level with the goal of enhancing mental health outcomes through creative methods.
How much will the program cost?
Students finish their degree within 1.5 years and pay $565 per credit for a total of 36 credits, or just over $20,000 for the entire degree.
How does the program fit into my life?
Since all classes are taught asynchronously, there is no predetermined time that students must log in to take an online class. Instead, students are given regular opportunity to connect with their teacher and peers while also being obliged to complete certain online tasks each week. Online activities might consist of watching lectures online, finishing interactive practice exercises, and taking part in online group discussions, among others. No on-campus trip is necessary.
After completing 18 months of rigorous training, students graduate from the program. There are numerous start dates available each year, enabling students to start the program as soon as they are accepted. The program’s curriculum is adaptable, giving participants more options than some peer programs provide regarding the courses they want to take and when they want to study them.
Summary
Students in this program enjoy the flexibility and convenience of courses that last eight weeks, allowing students to focus intensively through curriculum acceleration. Students may also find that their cost-to-degree is lower than peers, due to the lower tuition rate combined with policies allowing them to transfer in credits from prior study for up to 50% of degree requirements. The university is well-respected and has much experience with serving online students. While the Christian worldview espoused by the institution may be an advantage for some, it may be a disadvantage for others. The specialization in Public Mental Health sets this program apart as well, as does the lack of a capstone requirement.
