Buena Vista University

Degree Programs Offered by Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University appears in our ranking of the 30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Psychology Programs at Private Colleges. Buena Vista University offers more than 50 degree programs for undergrads,. Included are options for transfer students who earned credits elsewhere. The history major is just one of the options available on the main campus. It includes tracks for those who want to teach history in K-8 settings or 5-12 settings. It includes concentrations in world history and American history. History majors take courses such as:

• History of the United States to 1877
• World Civilizations I and II
• The Emergence of Western Civilization

All of the teaching tracks include practicums and other types of fieldwork. The agricultural business major is available both online and on-campus. This program features 59 credits of major courses that include:

• Economics of Agricultural Markets
• Applied Agricultural Financial Management
• Principles of Microeconomics
• Principles of Marketing

The university’s graphic design program teaches students about typography and other design elements. Majors in this program can do internships with Levi and other major companies. It features classes that include:

• Ancient Through Roman Art History
• Motion Graphics
• Baroque to Modern Art and Interactive Design

Other majors offered at Buena Vista  are:

• Pre-law
• women and gender studies
• communication studies
• music
• digital media
• kinesiology

Buena Vista University also offers a dual admissions program. This is to help high school students get the college experience before they graduate. As long as they have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher and plan to attend college, they can enroll in the program. Any classes they take will count as credits toward a high school diploma and a college degree. This is a subsidized program. It reduces the cost per credit hour for new students. Students can also take one class for free and to work with counselors to get help applying to community colleges. The university also offers graduate degree programs in counseling and education. In the mental health counseling program, students can focus on:

• addiction counseling
• child and adolescent counseling
• couple and family counseling

Students must do a summer residency. The university offers affordable housing on-campus in a residence hall. They’ll take a total of 60 credits that include:

• Professional and Ethical Orientation to Counseling
• Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Diagnostics and Treatment Planning
• Theories of Counseling

Counseling majors will also do internships to gain professional experience working with clients. Other graduates programs include:

• school counseling
• special education
• organizational leadership

About Buena Vista University

Buena Vista University is a private university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It was established as Buena Vista College in 1891. The campus offers views of Storm Lake and sits in the Iowa city of the same name. Enrollment also grew with the addition of new programs. Buena Vista University or BVU, has four on-site schools that include the School of Liberal Arts and the School of Education. Some of the annual events include:

• Homecoming Week celebrations
• Ringing of the Victory Bell
• Moonlight Breakfast

Buena Vista University Accreditation Details

It’s accredited by the  Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This accreditation lets students in need of financial aid use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid when they apply and return to the university every year. It is the same accreditation that allows students to transfer any credits that they have. BVU has accreditation for some of its degree programs such as social work programs. Those programs have accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Accreditation  also covers the fieldwork that majors need to do.

Buena Vista University Application Requirements

Incoming BVU undergrads can apply online. They then  send in an official high school transcript and standardized test score. Those who have any college credits they want to transfer should send a college transcript too. BVU gives preference to students with:

• a high school diploma
• a grade point average of at least 3.0
• a score of 20 on the ACT or a similar score on the SAT

Students applying to the dual enrollment program must show that they have permission from a parent or guardian as well as a guidance counselor. None of the university’s graduate programs require a GRE score or a score from any other entrance exam. Students must have a bachelor’s degree before starting the program. They can show that they have their degrees through the transcripts that they submit. When students apply online, they will need to share information about:

• what they studied in college
• their grades
• the interests they have outside of school

BVU programs may ask for writing samples and/or resumes from students. They may ask that students interview with faculty members.

Tuition and Financial Aid

At BVU, students taking classes on the main campus pay $36,426 every year for tuition and fees along. It’s an an average of $10,218 for a room and board package. Those enrolled part-time pay $1,255 per credit hour.  Online undergrads and those who take classes on an affiliated site pay $451 per credit hour. Undergrads who need financial aid and use the FAFSA can get:

• loans
• grants
• scholarships
• access to the work-study program.

BVU graduate students pay $552 per credit hour in:

• the school counseling program
• mental health counseling program
• organizational leadership program

In the special education and curriculum and instruction programs, students pay only $250 per credit hour. Education majors may qualify for a federal grant. They can also apply for a program where the government will forgive their loans if they work in an underserved school district after they graduate. Both alternative and federal student loans are available for graduate students too. Buena Vista University requires that students applying to all degree programs submit the FAFSA if they need financial aid.

Related Resources:

Top 20 Degrees for the Future

30 Best Bachelor’s in Psychology Degrees Online: Small Colleges

30 Best Online Bachelor’s in Special Education Degree Programs

The Best Degree for Adults Returning to College