Is
Southwestern College accredited?
Yes, Southwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and
Schools. The art therapy program is approved by the American
Art Therapy Association.
Does
Southwestern College offer undergraduate or Ph.D. studies?
No. Southwestern College offers master's programs and certificate
programs.
Do
you have any correspondence or distance learning courses?
No. Due to the experiential nature of our curriculum, all
coursework is offered on-site.
Where
is Southwestern College located?
Southwestern College is located in beautiful Santa Fe, New
Mexico. The modest 2.5 acre campus, includes a library, classrooms,
administrative offices and an art therapy studio building.
To get to Santa Fe you can fly into the Albuquerque airport
and drive one hour north on I-25. Exit at Cerillos Rd. You
will pass several stoplights until you get to a major intersection
(Santa Fe Place Mall will be on your right side); turn left
onto Airport Rd. (the sign on the right says Rodeo Rd.). From
this intersection drive two miles until the stoplight at San
Felipe Rd. Turn right. You will see our school on the left
side, behind an adobe wall. The main lobby is located through
the turquoise doors.
The
street address is: 3960 ABC San Felipe Road, Santa Fe, NM
87507.
Do
you require the GRE or other tests for admission into Southwestern
College?
No. Southwestern College doesn't require any entrance exams.
My
undergraduate degree is unrelated to psychology or counseling.
Will my application be considered?
Yes. We will accept your B.A. or B.S. in any
field from an accredited institution.
What
are the prerequisite courses required for enrollment?
All of our M.A. programs require abnormal psychology. developmental
psychology, and two psychology electives.
The
Art Therapy/ Counseling Program also requires at least 18
credit hours of undergraduate studio coursework including
painting, drawing, ceramics, 3-dimensional art, and two studio
electives.
If
I haven't completed all the prerequisites, may I still apply
and be accepted?
Absolutely. As part of the application process, the director
of admissions will review your transcripts and advise you
on how and when to complete prerequisite courses prior to
enrollment.
What
are the application deadlines?
For fall quarter, the recommended deadline is June 1.
For winter quarter, the recommended deadline is October 15.
For spring quarter, the recommended deadline is January 31.
Southwestern College has rolling admissions
on a space-available basis. Early application is suggested.
Applications are reviewed at any time, so you may still apply
after the deadline has passed.
Application Download
What
is the quarter system?
A quarter is ten weeks in length. We have four quarters; fall,
winter, spring and summer. A quarter unit represents ten hours
of classroom time. A typical 3 quarter unit class would then
meet for thirty hours during the quarter. Electives and Community
Education classes are usually 2 quarter units or 20 hours.
They may occasionally have more contact hours per quarter
unit.
What
is the cost of attending Southwestern College?
Tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is $360 per quarter
unit. This translates to $17,280 per year for full-time studies.
Tuition is subject to change on an annual basis; however,
tuition increases tend to be relatively small.
How
long will it take to earn my degree?
The M.A. programs can be completed in two years of full-time
coursework. Part-time degree options are available as well
and extend beyond two years.
How can I finance
my education at Southwestern College?
Financial aid is available to full- and part-time degree program
students. Pleae contact the financial
aid office for more information.
Is
financial aid available for certificate programs?
Financial aid is available to students enrolled in the Art
Therapy Certificate Program. For the other certificate programs
there may be scholarships available from time to time. Check
with the financial aid office
for availability.
How
many students are enrolled at Southwestern College?
We are a small school by design with a current enrollment
of 160 students. The average class size is between 12-14 students.
Can
I get licensed as a counselor with an M.A. degree?
Yes! Graduates of Southwestern College may practice under
appropriate supervision as a Provisional Licensed Mental Health
Counselor (LMHC). After successful completion of the National
Counselors' Examination, graduates may practice with supervision
as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. After 3000 hours of
client contact (including pre-graduation practicum and internship)
and successful completion of the National Clinical Mental
Health Counselors Examination, graduates are eligible for
the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) designation.
Art therapy graduates are eligible to pursue national certification
as an art therapist and the Licensed Professsional Art Therapist
(LPAT) designation in New Mexico.
All
courses required in the core curriculum for all levels of
licensure in New Mexico are offereed in both the Counseling
and Art Therapy/ Counseling Programs. Requirements for licensure
in New Mexico are subject to change and the College administration
mantains a close relationship wiht the Counseling and Therapy
Practice Board in order to remain current. For further information
contact the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board
at 505-476-7100 or http://www.
rld.state.nm.us.
Mental
health licensure designations and procedures vary from state
to state. If you plan to practice outside of New Mexico, you
should contact the appropiate state board for their requirements.
For a directory, consult the National Board of Certified Counselors
website at http://www.nbcc.org.
May
I come visit the college to meet with the Director of Admissions
and receive a tour?
Yes, absolutely! Pleae call, 1-877-471-5756, ext. 26, or e-mail,
admissions@swc.edu, the admissions office to schedule a thirty-minute
informational visit.
May
I speak with Southwestern College students, faculty or alumns?
Yes, if you are interested in talking with current students,
alumni or faculty, contact the Director of Admissions for
a list and you may contact them directly.
May
I sit in on classes to get a feel for what happens?
In order to preserve the confidentiality of student participation,
we do not allow visitors to sit in on classes.
Who
comprises your student body?
Our students come from all walks of life, and many are pursuing
second and third careers. About 75% of our student body come
from states other than New Mexico. There is a great variance
of age within our student body.
