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 3+2 or 3+3 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:

3+2 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 3+3 track if needed (note: this extends time to completion)
3+3 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: 3+2 or 3+3
  • Review and sign the Professional Disposition and Progression Standards documents

Progression Standards

Undergraduate Progression (Years 1–4)
  • Complete the following emphasis courses: PSY221, PSY201, PSY303, PSY306, PSY309, PSY416 or PSY480, THE400
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses: PSY221, PSY201, PSY303, PSY306, PSY309, PSY370, PSY416 or PSY480,
    PSY470
  • Earn a grade of B/C or better in:
    • 3+3 students: BHP580, BHP530, BHP515, BHP521
    • 3+2 students: BHP510, BHP595, BHP530, BHP580, BHP540, BHP515, BHP501, BHP520, BHP521, BHP560
Graduate Progression (Years 5–6)
Refer to the Carroll University Graduate Catalog for full graduate progression requirements.

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