University of Akron

University of Akron appears in our ranking of the 10 Most Affordable PhD in Family Counseling Online Programs 2018.

The University of Akron came into being in 1870 as Buchtel College, which belonged to the Unitarian Universalist Church. It operated as a religious university for its first 37 years. Because the school was closely affiliated with the towns in the surrounding region as well as the church, the influence of those towns swayed the university toward a nondenominational philosophy. In 1907, Buchtel College morphed into a private, sectarian university. The university struggled financially for six years before giving the city of Akron control over its operation in 1913. At that point, the city changed the name to the University of Akron.

As Akron boomed throughout the 1920s, so did the school. All of the workers in rubber and tire industries needed post-secondary education, and the University of Akron was there to deliver it. It was during this period that the enrollment exploded from a mere 198 students to well more than 10,000. In the 1960s and beyond, rubber-producing jobs in Akron began to disappear. The university changed right along with the area's economy. Through the school's educational efforts, the workforce learned new skills to become part of the polymer industry, which replaced rubber. At the dawn of the new millennium, the university expanded its on-campus facilities and transformed itself into a notable research university with more than 21,000 students.

University of Akron Accreditation Details

The University of Akron received its regional accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission. The individual departments at the university have also received accreditation from the following extensive list of accrediting bodies:

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
• Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs
• Accreditation for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
• American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
• American Bar Association
• American Association of Law Schools
• American Dietetic Association
• American Psychological Association
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Committee for Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training and Education
• Commission of Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs
• Council for Interior Design Accreditation
• Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
• Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
• Council on Social Work Education
• International Fire Service Accreditation Congress
• Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design
• National Association of Schools of Dance
• National Association of Schools of Music
• National Athletic Trainers' Association
• National Certification Board of Pediatrics Nurse Practitioners and Nurses
• National Certification Board of Pediatrics Nurse Practitioners and Nurses Acute PNP
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
• Ohio Board of Nursing

University of Akron Application Requirements

To apply for graduate programs, students must pay a nonrefundable $45 application fee. International students must pay $70. The University of Akron notes that either of these fees must be paid by credit card, without exception. Master's candidates must have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university. International students may apply with a degree from their home countries, and such applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students must also send in all transcripts from all institutions attended. These must be sealed, official transcripts sent by the institution in question. The University of Akron will reject any self-sent transcripts. Prospective students will have to submit three letters of recommendation and do an interview prior to acceptance.

This is enough to gain provisional admission. Once the university has all of the applicable paperwork, the Admissions Office forwards that paperwork to the applicable department, which will make the final determination. If any documents are missing, the representative from a student's chosen department will contact the student.

Students should remember, too, that each department has different standards for admission regarding GPA, GRE or GMAT scores, and other requirements. Students should contact their chosen department to find out all applicable qualifications.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Online graduate tuition costs depend on the program sought. In the health professions programs, the cost is $421.05 per credit hour. Business students pay $461.45 per credit hour. Education students pay $429.50 per credit hour. These are the prices for Ohio residents, and in all cases, the additional cost for nonresidents is $305.88 per credit hour.

Financial aid begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Scholarships, grants, and loans are all available if the student qualifies for them. The university uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Some forms of aid have more requirements than others. Students may also seek financial assistance outside of the University of Akron. Any grants, scholarships, or subsidized loans are likely to have performance requirements. Failure to meet these requirements could have lasting consequences for the student, which might even include the cancellation of any awards.

When it comes to loans, there are two types: subsidized and unsubsidized. The government pays the interest on subsidized loans while the student is enrolled. Unsubsidized loans accrue not only interest on the principal but also interest on the interest. Students with further questions should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Online Degrees Available

The graduate degrees available online at the University of Akron include the following:

• Master of Public Health
• Master of Speech-Language Pathology
• Master of Taxation
• Master of Educational Foundations – Instructional Technology
• Master of Educational Foundations – Assessment/Evaluation

Each course of study has a set of core requirements and then a slate of courses associated with the program's focus. The degrees are offered by the schools of nursing, speech-language pathology and audiology, accountancy, and education, respectively. The University of Akron also provides a special orientation class that prepares online students for their courses. Students will be automatically enrolled approximately one week before their regular classes begin.

The University of Akron delivers nationally ranked programs in students' chosen fields of study. The university also has a firm and thorough grounding in liberal arts. Students can expect a well-rounded education and development of their critical thinking skills while studying at the University of Akron.