Plymouth State has created two new options for our BS in Psychology students to move into graduate study during their senior year. These pathways are available to high achieving students with a GPA of 3.5 or better, and who are able to continue taking classes during the summer semesters after graduating with bachelor's degree.
These programs allow students to complete a full year of graduate credit that will count toward completion of BS degree and toward the MS degree requirements while still utilizing the benefits of undergraduate financial aid and merit scholarships in year four.
The Professional Counseling faculty and Graduate Admissions will be hosting an Open House on September 23 from 5:30-7:00pm in Samuel Read Hall (Heritage Commons) - we invite you to stop in to learn more, talk with faculty and current students, and meet the admissions staff. RSVP Today!
Explore Your Options
3+2 Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Qualified PSU students who are majoring in Psychology (BS program) can enter our accelerated program to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor. Students who have completed all prerequisite courses and have a minimum 3.5 GPA at the end of their 3rd year of study will be given special consideration for early entry into the Master of Science degree program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling beginning in their 4th year of study. The MS degree program is a two-year program constituted of years four and five for a student who entered the 3+2 program. Students who complete all requirements will earn the Bachelor of Science in Psychology with option in Mental Health at the completion of year four and the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the completion of year five.
3+3 School Psychology
Qualified PSU students who are majoring in Psychology can enter our program to become a licensed school psychologist. Students who have completed all prerequisite courses and have a minimum 3.5 GPA at the end of their 3rd year of study will be given special consideration for early entry into the nationally accredited degree program in School Psychology beginning in their 4th year of study. Students will complete 3 years of graduate study including a one year internship requirement. Students who complete all requirements will earn the Bachelor of Science in Psychology with option in Mental Health at the completion of year four and the Master of Education (MEd) and Education Specialist (EdS) degrees in year six.
Frequently Asked Questions
All students must earn 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree. The Psychology major includes about 30 credits in free electives, which amounts to one year of classes. Some students use those free electives to pick up a minor or even a second major, but students with a higher GPA are already eligible to take graduate courses as free electives after earning 90 credits. Our 3+ pathways are designed to maximize the number of graduate classes that our elite students can take as free electives. This model allows our best students to prepare for their careers more efficiently.
Before reaching 120 credits, students are eligible for undergraduate financial aid, including loans and scholarships. After completing 120 credits and earning their bachelor’s degree, students are eligible for government loans for up to $20,500 per year.
Students who become Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors may be eligible for a loan forgiveness program through the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) after serving at an approved site for 2-3 years. Learn More!
Students in the School Psychology program are eligible for scholarships awarded through the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). A list of scholarships can be found here!
Graduate students can also serve as Community Advisors (CA) at PSU to offset the cost of housing and meals. Open positions are posted in the residential portal, eRezLife. Log in here using your PSU credentials. Under job postings, you should see Community Advisor and may apply there. Graduate students can also apply for the position of Assistant Community Director (ACD), which involves supervising a staff of Community Advisors and includes food, lodging, and wages. Please Note: becoming a CA or ACD could reduce your financial aid package.
For additional information about financial aid, please contact the Student Financial Services Team at psu-sfs@plymouth.edu.
Before enrolling you will need to speak with your advisor who will help you complete the Declaration of Undergraduate Major and/or Option form. After you have changed your major to declare a 3+ pathway, you will work with your advisor to complete all course requirements. During your 6th semester (after earning 75 credits) you will apply to the graduate program which requires a statement of interest, current resume, 3 professional recommendations, and a group interview.
Absolutely, just like other students, you will earn your bachelor's degree after completing the 120 credits. At that time, you are eligible to attend the commencement ceremony, which would be after year four.
By satisfying course requirements for the BS Psychology major in the first three years, you are cutting the cost of tuition and living expenses for one entire year. Note: even though course requirements are completed in three years, the bachelor's degree cannot be earned until completing 120 credits. Any graduate-level courses taken before earning 120 credits will be charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, which is lower than the graduate rate, and your undergraduate merit scholarship (if applicable) will still be awarded during year four.
No, you just need to have a 3.5 cumulative GPA by the time you apply to the graduate program, which would be in your 6th semester (or after earning 75 credits). If you do not have a 3.5+ GPA at that time, you may still take two graduate-level courses before earning your bachelor's degree if you meet the following conditions: (1) you have completed at least 90 credits, and (2) your GPA is at least 3.0. You would also still be eligible to apply to one of our graduate programs after earning your bachelor's degree.
No, the 3+ pathways are designed so students can complete all the requirements for their major by taking 15-16 credits during the fall and spring semesters. However, graduate students are expected to register for classes year-round (including the summers), which would begin in year 4 (or after earning 90 credits).
Yes, you can start the graduate program earlier as long as (1) you have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, (2) you have completed all undergraduate course requirements for the psychology degree, and (3) you have completed at least 90 credits. Please consult with an advisor in the graduate program if you are planning to start graduate classes in the spring or summer terms.
Before you earn your bachelor’s degree, your listed academic advisor will be a faculty member in the undergraduate psychology program. In year 4 (after earning 90 credits), you will have two advisors: (1) a faculty member from your graduate program who will advise you on which courses to take, and (2) your undergraduate advisor who will assist with paperwork and registration. By year 5, your sole advisor will be in the graduate program.
Graduate classes are more in-depth than undergraduate classes and typically require more reading. Numerous graduate classes also contain substantial “lab” components, requiring time commitments beyond scheduled class time. Most classes are face-to-face, although some summer courses have meeting times that occur online. Classes are primarily held in two blocks Monday-Thursday, 3:30-6:00pm and 6:30-9:00pm, and class sizes range from 6 to 25 students. If you would like to observe a graduate course at PSU, please reach out to your academic advisor to set something up.
Yes, you will be awarded your bachelor’s degree after earning 120 credits. If you do not like taking graduate courses, you can return to undergraduate courses at any time to earn the remaining credits needed to get to 120.
Students should enter a 3+ pathway if their goal is to be a master’s level clinician. Doctoral programs that award PhDs are generally for scholars who want to conduct research. If your goal is to conduct research, then this program may not be the right fit for you. Doctoral programs that award PsyDs are generally for those who want to work as licensed psychologists in hospitals, clinics, or other private settings. The MEd/EdS School Psychology program at PSU is for those hoping to provide psychological services to children in K-12 schools.
Licensure is required to be a practicing clinician. In order to be licensed in NH as a clinical mental health counselor, students need to graduate from the program. Then they need to get a paid job as a pre-licensed, masters-level counselor. After obtaining a supervision agreement with the NH Board of Mental Health Practice, students work for a minimum of 3000 hours (2-4 years), are supervised for a minimum of 100 hours, and need to pass a national exam to be eligible for a license.
The credential to work as a school psychologist in NH is provided through the Department of Education (DOE). After completing core course work, students complete a 1,200-hour internship in a public school setting. This is a full-time, supervised field experience required for graduation and licensure. Prior to or during internship, students take the national licensing exam. After successfully completing all program requirements, including internship, graduates apply for licensure through the NH DOE.
As noted above, upon graduation, students are eligible to be hired into a paid job as a masters-level clinician. 100% of PSU’s graduates in Clinical Mental Health Counseling have gotten jobs as counselors if they have sought them out. Pay varies widely, but averages about $50,000/year. A master’s from PSU transfers well to other states, although a couple of states have additional requirements prior to licensure.
Students graduating from the School Psychology Program will graduate with two degrees: an MEd (Master of Education) and an EdS (Education Specialist). Students who maintain strong academic performance and have a successful internship experience will likely have numerous job offers before graduation. We strongly encourage our graduates to stay in NH to help address our state’s shortage of good clinicians. However, due to the program’s national accreditation, obtaining licensure in other states is relatively straightforward. First-year school psychologists in NH typically make approximately $55,000-60,000/year on a 9-month contract (meaning they get the summers off).
Interested students are welcome to visit the Graduate Admissions Office located in Russell House (between Boyd Hall and Lamson Library) or email forgrad@plymouth.edu.
