At Plymouth State University, you can earn your degree and start your career sooner through our innovative Applied Bachelor’s programs. These three-year, 96-credit degrees offer the same high-quality, hands-on education Plymouth State is known for while helping you save time and reduce overall costs.
You are ambitious and ready to make an impact. We’ll help you get there sooner.
Our programs are designed for motivated, career-focused students who want to enter the workforce with real-world experience and confidence. You will take focused courses in your major along with experiential learning and internship opportunities that prepare you for success in your field.
We offer 96-Credit, Three-Year Applied Bachelor’s programs in:
- Cybersecurity
- Outdoor Adventure Leadership
- Police Studies
- Robotics and Automation Engineering
- Small Business Administration
In every program, you’ll benefit from our innovative Cluster Learning Model, where students and faculty from different disciplines collaborate to solve real-world problems. This approach builds critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills that help you graduate career ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applied Bachelor’s degrees at Plymouth State University are designed for career-oriented students who want to earn their degree and begin their careers faster. Plymouth State is among the first universities in the country to offer these innovative programs. You will graduate in just three years, making them a more affordable and efficient way to gain the hands-on, experience-based education that defines Plymouth State.
These are not accelerated or condensed programs. Our Applied Bachelor’s degrees are intentionally structured to be completed in three years, allowing you to stay on track while maintaining a balanced, full-time course load.
Yes. These programs are designed to be full-time, in-person experiences on our scenic campus in Plymouth, New Hampshire. This format allows you to collaborate directly with classmates and faculty while gaining valuable, hands-on experience.
Plymouth State has developed seamless pathways that allow you to apply your 96-credit coursework toward a 120-credit, four-year degree in a related discipline. These pathways provide flexibility to adjust your academic goals before completing your third year, ensuring a smooth transition and continued progress toward your bachelor’s degree.
Annual tuition is the same for all undergraduate students. By finishing your degree in three years instead of four, you can save about 25% on the total cost of your education. You will also remain fully eligible for financial aid and scholarships throughout your three years at Plymouth State University.
All Applied Bachelor’s programs are offered on campus in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Studying in person gives you the opportunity to engage directly with peers and professors while gaining practical experience in your field.
Yes. Each 96-credit program includes opportunities for experiential learning, such as internships, fieldwork, or applied projects that connect your coursework to real-world experience.
No. These programs were developed in partnership with industry professionals in fields where there is strong demand for skilled graduates. Each Applied Bachelor’s program is designed to provide the knowledge, hands-on experience, and professional readiness employers are seeking.
96-Credit, Three-Year Applied Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Applied Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity (APB)
Gain the technical and hands-on experience required for one of today’s most in-demand fields. Learn to recognize, identify, and respond to digital threats while developing innovative problem-solving and leadership skills through Plymouth State’s Cluster Learning Model.
Applied Bachelor’s in Outdoor Adventure Leadership (APB)
Prepare for a career leading others in the outdoors as a skilled educator and guide. Experience multi-day expeditions during our immersive semester and build competencies in camping, navigation, wilderness first aid, and more.
Applied Bachelor’s in Police Studies (APB)
Develop a strong foundation in law, justice, and the role of policing in a democratic society. Gain essential communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills for a rewarding career in law enforcement.
Applied Bachelor’s in Robotics and Automation Engineering (APB)
Explore the intersection of computer science, engineering, and artificial intelligence. Learn to design, build, and operate robots for use in industrial automation, manufacturing, research, and autonomous systems.
Applied Bachelor’s in Small Business Administration (APB)
Build the skills to start, manage, and grow your own business. With a focus on entrepreneurship, this program is ideal for motivated students interested in leading small enterprises, niche industries, or multi-generational family-run businesses.
Plymouth State University (PSU) has launched an innovative option for students to obtain their applied, 96-credit bachelor’s degrees in three years. The University’s accreditor, the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), has approved these applied bachelor’s degree reduced-time and reduced-credit programs in lieu of the standard program that takes four years with 120 credits.
Given the novel nature of the programs, students should be aware of the following:
- While PSU is not the only NECHE-accredited program to receive approval to offer a three-year, 96-credit program for students to earn their applied bachelor’s degree, the norm for a bachelor’s degree remains a four-year, 120-credit program.
- Applied bachelor’s degree programs are best suited to students committed to a particular field or discipline, students who have a clear career objective, and/or students who are focused on pursing near-term employment in their chosen industry as practitioners.
- To enable students to complete the applied bachelor’s degree programs in less time and with fewer credits, these programs will be highly structured with limited credits.
- PSU’s applied bachelor’s programs are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid. However, students who leave PSU having completed an applied bachelor’s degree but later choose to return to PSU or attend another institution to complete additional undergraduate credits, either to earn a certificate of post-baccalaureate studies or to earn a second bachelor’s degree, will not be eligible for federal grant aid and may have limited eligibility for other federal aid programs. For more details, see Federal Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Pell Grants.
- Given that PSU’s applied bachelor’s degree programs are designed to be completed within three years, students can expect to save a full year of tuition fees and related costs, including room and board, assuming they complete the program within the expected time frame.
- Some institutions may not accept PSU’s applied bachelor’s degrees as undergraduate credentials sufficient for admission to master's degree programs. It is critical that students confirm specific requirements with their institutions of choice.
- PSU’s applied bachelor’s programs are available for the following degrees:
- Applied Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity
- Applied Bachelor’s in Outdoor Adventure Leadership
- Applied Bachelor’s in Police Studies
- Applied Bachelor’s in Robotics and Automation Engineering
- Applied Bachelor’s in Small Business Administration
