Plymouth State University

Holmes Plymouth Academy opened in 1808 as one of the first teacher training institutions. The school was a success and Reverend Charles Brooks, as early as 1836, began speaking in front of the New Hampshire legislature to establish state normal schools in order to better train teachers. The law passed in 1870 and the legislature located the New Hampshire State Normal School in Plymouth the following year. The town offered the Holmes Plymouth Academy as the location for the new school which opened in 1874.

The school grew rapidly and the American Council of Teacher Colleges rated it Grade A in 1927, a grade it has held ever since. The school became Plymouth Teachers College in 1939. The school joined the University System of New Hampshire in 1963 and its name was changed to Plymouth State College of the University of System of New Hampshire. The school gained university status in 2003, becoming Plymouth State University.

Today, there are more than 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students enrolled at Plymouth State. The school creates real-world experiences designed to promote an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging students to use innovative methods to solve problems.

Plymouth State University Accreditation Details

Plymouth State University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Accreditation is a voluntary process designed to assure the public that an educational institution provides quality education and fosters improvement when necessary. In addition to institutional accreditation, programs throughout the university are accredited by the following organizations:

• Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Council on Social Work Education
• National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education

Plymouth State University Application Requirements

Students without college credit earned after they graduated from high school are entered into Plymouth State University as first-year students. They must complete either the Common Application or the Panther App. Official copies of all transcripts must be provided as well as one academic recommendation. Students must also submit a well-written essay based on a subject included in the application.

Students who have been enrolled in college after high school graduation, even if they did not earn credit, are considered transfer students. Students must complete either the PSU Panther Application or the Common Application as well as the essay included with the applications. Students must provide official high school transcripts or GED scores as well as official copies of all college transcripts. Students who have earned an associate’s degree or higher do not have to provide high school transcripts. Transfer students must have a 2.0 GPA on the transcript of the last college or university attended in order to apply. Nursing, Music, Art, Theatre and Dance programs all have specific admissions requirements so students should talk to an advisor or admissions counselor prior to applying.

Graduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better in undergraduate work and must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Students must provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. A statement of interest, current resume and three professional recommendations are also required. Students must submit official GRE test scores if they plan to enroll in Biology, Applied Meteorology, Environmental Science and Policy, Historic Preservation as well as the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Plymouth State University Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition at Plymouth State University is $11,300 for New Hampshire residents and $19,760 for non-residents. Graduate tuition for New Hampshire residents ranges from $516 to $604 per credit hour and for non-residents from $595 to $697 per credit hour.

Financial aid is available and more than 90% of the students who attend Plymouth State University receive some type of merit- or need-based aid. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for any type of assistance. Students may be offered scholarships, grants, loans or work-study programs.

Plymouth State also participates in the Regional Student Program administered by the New England Board of Higher Education. This program enables residents of New England to attend out-of-state public colleges or universities at lower tuition rates. The program the student choose must not be available in their own state in order to qualify. Students must be residents of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island or Vermont.

Plymouth State University Degree Programs Available

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology offered at Plymouth State University provides broad exposure to history, theories, research and applications of contemporary psychology. The BA allows students to explore courses both within the discipline and through other departments. Students must complete a foreign language component as well as a capstone experience which could include seminar, research or an internship.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology offered at Plymouth State University allows students to choose from three concentrations in their field of study. These include:

• Developmental Psychology
• Mental Health
• Psychology and the Law

Students who choose the Mental Health concentration focus their studies in community mental health and the treatment of psychological disorders. These students may also complete an internship in a mental health clinic. Developmental Psychology students focus on how psychology changes over the lifespan. Courses include child development, adolescent psychology as well as adulthood and aging. The Psychology and Law concentration focuses on cultural demands for forensic psychology specialists as well as experts in homeland security. The BS degree does not require a foreign language component.

See also: Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the Northeast

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students for careers as licensed mental health counselors. Students gain an understanding of counseling diverse populations in clinical settings. There is a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship required which must take place in a clinical mental health setting. Students must successfully complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination at the end of the course of study. Courses include professional ethics, counseling skills, social behavior, diversity and advanced human development.

Couples and Family Therapy

The Master of Science in Couples and Family Therapy provides student with the skills necessary to become licensed marriage and family therapists. The program prepares students for careers in private practice, counseling centers, mental health agencies and other areas where couples and families seek assistance. Courses required include ethics, methods, issues and research designed for couples and families. In addition, students are provided advanced counseling skills, the importance of social behavior and diversity in the family dynamic and advanced human development.

School Counseling

The Master of Education in School Counseling is designed for students who wish to serve as Kindergarten through 12th grade Certified Professional School Counselors. It is the only school counseling program in New Hampshire to hold Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accreditation. Courses required include ethics, counseling skills, advanced human development, research design, career counseling, theories of counseling and assessment methods.

School Psychology

The Master of Education in School Psychology program at Plymouth State is designed for students who wish to be certified as school psychologists. Students are sensitive to the needs of those in an educational setting and emphasize the skills that help practitioners promote the development of learners. Emphasis is placed on both personal and professional growth. Students’ progress through a core of knowledge, skill and application. Students must complete a sequence of field experiences. One field experience includes shadowing a school psychologist in order to get real-world experiences. Students must also complete a 1,200 internship.

Plymouth State University offers a wide range of degree programs that prepare students for leadership roles in their field of study. As one of the earliest teacher-educator institutes, Plymouth State University has a strong focus on educationally-related programs as well.