In today's fast-paced world, offering flexible online learning opportunities allows us to bring our person-centered psychology program to all students, regardless of location.
Our comprehensive online psychology program prepares you for a wide variety of career paths, offering you multiple opportunities to learn and practice your skills throughout the academic program.
Agile Ambrose
- Adaptive: We embrace innovation and fresh curricular approaches.
- Accessible: We engage students, offering one-on-one, approachable, flexible support.
- Affordable: We offer the power and life-long benefits of an Ambrose education to all learners.
- Active: We commit to growing future leaders that are well-informed, well-rounded, and ready to commit to their workplace and community.
- Anchored: We provide a specialized education that prepares principle-centered leaders and ethical decision-makers.
Frequently Asked Questions
As you progress through the program, we believe that you benefit from increasingly advanced expectations, as well as underlying processes that lead to critical thinking in science. You will be expected to read, watch, review, discuss, and critically apply coursework to real-world research and practice experiences, including analysis of books, articles, case studies, naturalistic observations, service learning, and finally, Capstone projects.
2023-2024 Academic Year: $515/credit hour (accelerated and online)
Fees Per Semester
12 or more credit hours = $140 ($280/year)
11 or fewer credit hours = $70 ($140/year)
Matriculation = $100
Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant. FAFSA deadline is July 1.
Award: $7,500
Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a Expected Family Contribution (EFC) threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
To qualify, you must file a FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 15 and you must qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Student Loans
All students filing a FAFSA are eligible for federal loans.
The SAU Financial Aid Office determines which types of federal loans you are eligible for, and the loans will be listed on your official award letter.
Federal Direct Loans
These are federally guaranteed loans. There are two types of Direct Loans: subsidized and unsubsidized. Learn more about these loan types on the federal Student Aid website.
- A subsidized loan is based on financial need; the government waives the interest accrual while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Repayment on a subsidized loan does not start until 6 months after the student drops below half-time enrollment, graduates, or withdraws.
- An unsubsidized loan is not based on financial need, and there is no interest payment deferment.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
This loan is for parents who want to finance their student's remaining balance and expenses. This is a credit-based loan with a fixed interest rate (see the table below). Parents are responsible for the full payment or interest-only payments while their student is enrolled. The loan cannot exceed the cost of attendance that remains once all other institutional and federal aid has been applied.
Loan Type | Borrower | Starting July 1 Each Year |
Direct Subsidized | Undergraduate | fixed 3.73% |
Direct Unsubsidized | Graduate and Undergraduate | fixed 3.73% (undergraduate); fixed 5.28% (graduate) |
Direct PLUS | Graduate or Parents | fixed 6.28% |
For information on interest rates visit the Federal Direct Loan website.
If you are enrolled full-time and are completely finished with other degree requirements (i.e. only needs psychology coursework), then you can finish in four semesters. Additional time may be required if you need additional coursework to fulfill elective credits or general education credits. The total number of credits St. Ambrose University requires to graduate with an undergraduate degree is 120.
Most online psychology courses will be 8 weeks, but one is 16 weeks. PSYC 105 (Introduction to Psychology) is a prerequisite for all other courses.
There are 34 credits in the psychology program. They are offered on a rotating basis, as follows:
Most online psychology courses will be 8 weeks, but one is 16 weeks. PSYC 105 (Introduction to Psychology) is a prerequisite for all other courses.
Course Number |
Course Name | When is it offered? | |
PSYC 105 | Core | Intro to Psychology | Summer, Fall and Spring |
STAT 213 | Core | Statistics for the Applied Sciences | Summer |
PSYC 215* | Core | Research Methods | Fall Even Years |
PSYC 255 | Core | Brain and Behavior | Spring Odd Years |
PSYC 212 | Category One | Lifespan Developmental Psychology | Spring Odd Years |
PSYC 314 | Category Three | Human Motivation | Fall Odd Years |
PSYC 324 | Category Two | Abnormal Psychology | Fall Odd Years |
PSYC 350 | Category Four | Health Psychology | Spring Even Years |
PSYC 332 | Elective | Tests and Measurements | Spring Even Years |
PSYC 323 | Elective | Personality Theories | Spring Even Years |
PSYC 425 | Capstone | Professional Development and Integration | Fall and Spring |
The short answer is - a lot! Most SAU psychology students do one of two things after graduation:
- Use an undergraduate psychology major as a "stepping stone" to a graduate degree in psychology, a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, or a health science program such as Occupational Therapy; or
- Work in social service, education, human resources, government, etc., with children, adolescents, families, individuals with disabilities or chronic conditions, prevention programs, public awareness or education programs, etc.
Here are some things to consider. Ask yourself if the following statements which are shown to support success, describe you.
- I have a working computer with consistent internet access.
- I am self-motivated and am a good time manager. I read my syllabus and assignment instructions early and often. I don't need reminders about what I need to do and when. I like to be prepared and get things done ahead of time. I don't have problems with procrastination.
- I would describe my reading skills as above average. I don't mind the challenge of reading new material, even if I have to look up what words mean. I know how to figure out the meaning of what I am reading without help.
- I try to figure things out for myself, using the information and resources I have available before asking for help.
- I express myself well in formal writing. I can follow writing instructions and follow formatting guidelines easily. I consider myself a good writer.
- I am good at using technology, including proficiency in finding information on the internet and communicating with others electronically. I know how to troubleshoot any issues that my computer has.
- I am persistent, even when tasks are hard and content isn't very interesting. When I start something, I finish it, even when others don't.
- I understand information best by reading it. I prefer reading information myself rather than hearing someone talk about it or trying it to figure it out without instructions.
- I have no problem focusing on what I need to do, even with minimal interaction with others. I can turn off distractions and concentrate on my work without much difficulty.
Contact
Jeff Karll
Admissions
Admissions and Welcome Center
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-5709
KarllJeffreyJ@nangong1.com