Master of Science in Behavioral Health Psychology Direct Admission

Students interested in a psychology degree can apply for direct admission to the Behavioral Health Psychology (BHP) master's program through our 5-year or 6-year pathways. Students accepted to the program will begin graduate coursework while completing their undergraduate degree, and will have a guaranteed seat in the BHP graduate program, provided progression standards are met.

What Is Direct Admission?

Direct admission offers select first-time, first-year students a reserved seat in the BHP graduate program. Students can choose from two tracks:

5-Year Track (Accelerated)

  • Begin graduate-level courses in your third undergraduate year
  • Earn your Bachelor’s degree in year 4 and your Master’s degree in year 5
  • Best suited for students who can dedicate ~40 hours/week to academics beginning in year 3
  • Students may switch to the 6-year track if needed (note: this extends time to completion)

6-Year Track (Flexible)

  • Begin graduate courses in your third undergraduate year
  • Earn your Bachelor’s degree in year 4 and your Master’s degree in year 6
  • Allows time for part-time work, caregiving, or other responsibilities alongside school commitments

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the BHP program are prepared to:

  • practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor-IT (LPC-IT) in Wisconsin (WI Department of Safety and Professional Services requires that graduates pass the National Counselor Exam and complete 3000 post-graduate supervised hours before practicing independently as a Licensed Professional Counselor [LPC]).
  • conduct applied behavioral health research.
  • apply competitively to PhD or PsyD programs in psychology.

Admission Requirements

High School Requirements

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

How to Apply

  1. Apply to Carroll University
  2. List Behavioral Health Psychology as your first or second choice program
  3. Submit:
    • High school transcript
    • Video essay (instructions provided in application portal)

Priority Deadline: January 1

  • Candidates that receive a direct admission seat through the priority application pool may submit their general and program deposits ($200 each) by March 1 to secure their seat.
  • After March 1, seats will be offered based on availability.

Regular Decision Deadline: March 15

  • Students who apply by the March 15 deadline will be considered if direct admission seats remain available.
  • If offered a direct admission seat, accepted regular decision students must submit a $400 deposit by May 1.
  • Candidates offered direct admission after May 1 have 10 business days from the time of acceptance to submit their intent to enroll and $400 deposit.

Accepting Your Direct Admission Offer

To secure your seat:

  • Submit your Acceptance of Admission to Carroll and $200 general admission deposit (refundable through May 1) to confirm your plan to attend Carroll University.
  • Submit your BHP Direct Admission reply form and $200 program deposit (non-refundable) to secure your direct admission seat.
  • Choose your track: 5-year or 6-year
  • Review and sign the Professional Disposition and Progression Standards documents

Progression Standards

Progression Standards are required for continued enrollment in the program.  Students will be expected to review and sign progression standards prior to enrollment in the direct admission program.

 

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