Defiance College

Two Top-Tier Defiance Degrees for Future Behavior Analysts

Defiance College is also featured in our ranking of the 30 Best Colleges for Students on the Autism Spectrum.

At Schauffler Hall, the Science & Mathematics Department grants a Psychology Major (B.A/B.S.) for Defiance College Yellow Jackets to learn the basics of human behavior for optional BCaBA certification. Chaired by Dr. Deborah Dalke, the 120-credit, four-year curriculum blends courses like Behavior Modification with opportunities to join Psi Chi, declare the Hench Autism Studies minor, mentor in the ASD Affinity Program, intern at Mercy Health, and become McMaster School for Advancing Humanity Fellows. Since 2016, the Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) has delivered Intervention Specialist Mild to Moderate Licensure for K-12 teachers to better understand disabilities from autism to dyslexia. Directed by Dr. Clarissa Barnes, the 33-credit, CAEP-accredited path mixes online Moodle with in-person components for 500-level courses like Advanced Educational Psychology and the master’s capstone project.

About Defiance College

Defiance College originated in 1850 when industrialist William Curtis Holgate donated Ohio land to the Disciples of Christ Church for building the Defiance Female Seminary. By 1885, the inaugural single-sex class finally arrived at Defiance Hall for Christian liberal arts instruction. In 1902, the United Church of Christ acquired it and chose the Defiance College name. After World War II, Defiance became coeducational to welcome men with GI Bill veteran benefits. In 1967, Defiance College notably merged with the Schauffler College of Cleveland. Three decades later, Defiance joined the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. In 2002, Helen and Harold McMaster donated $6 million to develop the School for Advancing Humanity. In 2007, Eric and Deb Hench launched the Autism Studies Program at Defiance. In 2016, Defiance claimed the Autism Speaks Grant to expand its ASD Affinity Program.

Endowed for $16.2 million, Defiance College now employs 75 faculty teaching 522 undergrad and 23 post-grad Yellow Jackets online on Moodle or on its 150-acre Northwest Ohio campus outside Toledo with 25+ clubs like Project 701 for 57 percent freshman retention. In 2019, Defiance won the Ohio Campus Compact David Hoch Memorial Excellence Award. In 2017, Defiance College made the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The “College of Distinction” had the 2019 CoSIDA 25-Year Award recipient too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Defiance College the 46th best Midwest school with the 66th top social mobility. On Niche, Defiance boasts America’s 357th most liberal academics and 545th hardest admission. College Factual picked Defiance 315th for special education and 153rd for social services. PayScale calculated a median mid-career salary of $84,200 for Defiance College. Washington Monthly named Defiance the 47th best baccalaureate institution.

Defiance College Accreditation Details

On February 26, 2013, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council notified Defiance College that the Level II accreditation status was extended through the next 2022-23 evaluation under President Richanne C. Mankey, PhD, who earned the Bernice Poss Women in Higher Education Award. Located 213 miles west via Interstate 90 in Chicago, Illinois, this giant 19-state Great Lakes Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department to review Defiance’s three associate, 32 baccalaureate, and two master’s degrees. Further, the Master of Arts in Education with Intervention Specialist Mild to Moderate Licensure was reaffirmed by the Council on Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) in August 2018. Defiance College is also approved by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).

Defiance College Application Requirements

Enrollment at Defiance College is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 710 of the 1,257 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for competitive 56 percent acceptance. First-year Yellow Jackets seeking the Psychology Major (B.A./B.S.) must meet the high school or GED preparation requirements. At least B cumulative averages since 9th grade are preferred. The Class of 2022 presented a mean GPA of 3.22. The middle 50th percentile had SAT scores of 400-540 for Reading and 390-470 for Math. Mid-range admitted ACT scores were 18-23. The Carolyn M. Small Honors Program requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and 25 ACT score. Science & Mathematics Department transfers generally have 12+ accredited credits graded C- or higher. International learners demonstrate English proficiency with at least 550 TOEFL pBT or 6.0 IELTS scores. The M.A.Ed. for Intervention Specialist Mild to Moderate Licensure requires bachelor’s GPAs above 2.90. Entrants must have passed the Ohio Assessments for Educators to earn K-12 certification. Preference is given for two years of classroom experience.

Defiance College runs its admission process on a rolling basis to apply anytime. Freshman priority dates are May 1st and October 1st. International students must apply by June 1st for Fall, November 1st for Spring, or March 1st for Summer. Final test scores are due August 25th. Housing applications must be filed before August 1st. Accordingly, complete the Defiance Application online with the $25 non-refundable fee or waiver. Have registrars mail transcripts to 701 North Clinton Street in Defiance, OH 43512. Forward official test results using SAT/TOEFL code 1162 or ACT code 3264. Attach program-specific materials, such as the two recommendation forms, two-page goals statement, valid teaching credential, current resume or CV, guarantor’s certificate, and clean FBI background check. Contact (419) 784-4010 or admissions@defiance.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Defiance College is charging full-time Psychology Major (B.A./B.S.) tuition of $16,250 per semester or $32,500 annually. Undergrads cover the $350 activity fee, $410 technology fee, and $60 parking permit fee each year. Studying part-time incurs $515 per credit. Only senior citizens pay the $165 course rate. The ASD Affinity Program has a $6,000 supplemental fee. Living at the Northwest Ohio campus’ dorms like Whitney Hall adds $5,580 for yearly rent. Standard 19-meal plans for McMaster Dining Hall are $4,960 extra. Defiance budgets $1,400 for textbooks and $2,400 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $46,720 on-site or $37,700 at home. Master of Arts in Education cohorts spend $545 per credit. Graduate programs bill a $115 student fee and $205 technology fee each semester.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Serrick Center Room 204 connects 99 percent of new full-time Defiance Yellow Jackets to mean tuition assistance of $19,238 each for $2.84 million combined. Institutional funds include the Richard Stroede Scholarship, United Church of Christ Award, Alumni Legacy Award, Discover Defiance Grant, eSports Scholarship, Service Leadership Award, Pilgrim Scholarship, Trustee Scholarship, Achievement Scholarship, Presidential STEM Scholarship, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Scholarship, Lisa Yoder Scholarship, and Melton Family First Generation Scholarship. The Dean’s Scholarship gifts $20,000 annually to exemplary freshmen meeting the 25 ACT or 1200 SAT score minimum. The $15,000 Transfer Scholarship helps current undergrads with GPAs above 3.5 and 30+ previous credits enroll. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant or Direct Unsubsidized Loan, require FAFSA applications coded 003041. Buckeyes could also claim the Choose Ohio First Scholarship, Ohio Opportunity Grant, Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, OEA Aspiring Teacher Scholarship, and more.

Continue reading about Defiance College at the Hench Autism Studies Program website.