Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's in Mental Health Counseling

You’re fascinated by human behavior and think you want to study psychology as an undergraduate. A major in psychology provides excellent preparation for a wide variety of careers. If you already know you want to help people as a mental health counselor, Suffolk’s accelerated bachelor’s/master’s program can help you begin your masters level coursework faster.

A graduate degree is necessary to work directly with patients. In our joint program, you’ll take two graduate-level courses in your senior year, allowing you to complete your combined undergraduate/graduate studies in six years, saving tuition and waiving our GRE requirement.

Your graduate coursework will build on your undergraduate studies and provide the academic and clinical skills to assess, diagnose, and treat clients with a variety of mental health issues. By starting your graduate degree early, you'll become familiar with the professors and curriculum sooner than most, easing your transition to graduate school.

Note for students matriculating into this program spring 2016 and earlier: Massachusetts licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) is required to receive third-party (insurance company) reimbursement for counseling services. Eligibility for licensure requires an additional 30 credit hours, including a 600-hour internship.

This program is designed to provide an accelerated path for undergraduate psychology majors at Suffolk to obtain a master’s degree in mental health counseling at a reduced cost. Students benefit from the experience of a smooth transition from undergraduate to graduate study in a familiar environment; many will be able to continue research with faculty mentors.

Admission & Degree Requirements

This program is designed to provide an accelerated path for undergraduate psychology majors at Suffolk to obtain a master’s degree in mental health counseling at a reduced cost and time fram than pursuing both degrees concurrently. Students benefit from the experience of a smooth transition from undergraduate to graduate study in a familiar environment; many will be able to continue research with faculty mentors.

Admission Requirements

  • Nomination by a member of the full-time department faculty
  • Personal interview with the graduate program director after application is complete
  • Junior year (first semester) overall (transfer credits included) GPA of 3.5 or higher overall and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the Psychology major; students who transfer to Suffolk in their junior year are eligible to apply, if all other criteria are met
  • Completion of a minimum of four psychology undergraduate courses at Suffolk
  • Completion of the standard Suffolk University graduate application. Please note that applicants for the accelerated degree will have the GRE requirement waived
  • The Office of Graduate Admission will admit students on the basis of recommendation by the MHC program director

Courses & Requirements

Learn more about the classes, degree requirements, and different options available to complete the program.