New Hampshire might be a small state in terms of size and population, but it offers many opportunities for higher education to students in and out of the state. As you search for an online master’s program in psychology, some of the best options are homegrown by schools like Southern New Hampshire University.
But there are other options, too. New Hampshire has schools large and small, like Antioch University and Rivier University that offer online graduate programs in mental health-related fields, too. Below, each of the programs offered by these schools is discussed in detail. Review each one to decide what your academic future should look like!
Online Master’s in Psychology Programs in New Hampshire
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online psychology master’s degrees in New Hampshire:
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Rivier University
- Antioch University
- Purdue University
- Capella University
- Northwestern University
- Grand Canyon University
- National University
- Walden University
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Master of Science in Psychology
The Master of Science in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University is a 12-course, 36-credit program that you can complete in about two years. This non-clinical program doesn’t qualify you to provide clinical psychology or counseling services. However, it does prepare you for non-licensed positions. Likewise, you can use this graduate degree as a stepping stone to a doctoral program in psychology.
Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to identify and address psychological issues, conduct and evaluate psychological research, and work in a way that’s empathic and adheres to professional ethics. You’ll gain these skills in a wide range of courses that explore essential psychology topics.
For example, one of the first classes you’ll take is Research Methods in Psychology. This is actually a two-course sequence of classes focusing on the skills required to gather and analyze data as well as develop and implement research studies. This course sequence also takes a look at statistical methods, like regression and ANOVA.
Another major course is Social Psychology. Contrary to popular belief, social psychology isn’t just the study of how people in a society interact with one another. Instead, you’ll learn how people interact with technology and the environment. You’ll study concepts like conformity, attitudes, identity, and obedience, to name a few.
In the Cognitive Processes class, you’ll explore brain-based issues in this field. This includes examining processes like language, attention, memory, and learning. You’ll also discuss decision-making as an essential cognitive process. Moreover, you’ll learn about different perspectives in this field and their relevance to current problems in mental health.
Other required major courses included the following:
- Measurement and Assessment
- Theories of Personality
- Ethical Practice in Psychology
- Capstone in Psychology
The core coursework outlined above comprises 24 of the 36 credits needed to graduate. The remaining 12 credits are either electives or a concentration. The available concentrations include Forensic Psychology, Child and Developmental Psychology, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Assuming you don’t choose a concentration, you can choose your 12 elective credits from any graduate-level psychology course or courses in related fields. For example, if you’re interested in the educational aspects of psychology, you might take classes like Executive Function and Study Skills, Expressive Language-Skills and Writing, and Language-Based Learning Environments.
On the other hand, if you’re interested in applying psychology in leadership settings, you might take classes like Women in Leadership, Leadership and Ethics, and Leading/Managing Not-for-Profit Organizations.
Whatever electives or concentration you choose, they will complement your core coursework nicely. As a result of your studies, you’ll emerge from this program with a variety of new skills. For example, you will be able to:
- Design, implement, and analyze research.
- Integrate theories of psychology, research, and methods to create new knowledge in this field.
- Operate as an empathic and reflective professional.
- Adhere to professional ethics, integrity, and responsibility.
You can apply to this program for free online. Before applying, ensure you meet the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- If your degree isn’t in psychology or a related field, you may have to take the following undergraduate courses:
- Foundations of Psychology
- Foundations of Statistics
- Foundations in Research Methods
- Submit transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
SNHU does not require an application fee or test scores to apply.
Rivier University
Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
At Rivier University, you can complete a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that prepares you for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. What’s more, this program is preparatory for the National Clinical Mental Health Licensing Exam. Typically, students need three years to finish the requirements to graduate–two years of coursework and a one-year internship.
The degree requires 63 credits to graduate. All courses are either in an accelerated 7-week format or a traditional 14-week format. While all courses are available online, some in-person activities are required. For example, you must attend two weekend seminars on campus. You must also complete the required internship at an approved location.
The curriculum, which aligns with the standards of education outlined by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice, prepares you for clinical work with a vast array of courses and topics. On the one hand, you might take introductory courses like Basic Human Interaction, Ethics in Clinical Counseling, and Addictive Behaviors.
On the other hand, you might take more specific classes, like Clinical Counseling Theories, which introduces you to historical and modern theories for providing clinical mental health counseling. Alongside this course, you’ll take Clinical Counseling Techniques, which introduces you to some of the most common and effective methods of working with clients who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
You’ll learn how to work with different populations, too. For example, the Group Counseling class equips you to lead small, medium, and large-sized groups for a variety of mental health needs, from eating disorders to drug abuse. You’ll also take Psychotherapy for Children, in which you’ll learn the necessary skills to use talk therapy as a means of treating children with emotional, mental, or behavioral problems.
Other interesting topics include the following:
- Ethics of Clinical Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Addictive Behaviors
- Career and Lifestyle Development
- Social and Cultural Foundations
Research is also a significant part of this program. For example, you’ll learn how to develop and implement psychological testing in the Testing and Assessment course. This class also discusses different types of assessments (e.g., IQ, personality, interests) you might utilize in practice and how to interpret their results.
The final component of this program is an internship. The internship requires you to complete 700 hours of field-based learning. You will have a full academic year to complete your hours in an approved setting. Your responsibilities during the internship will vary depending on your placement. However, the core purpose of this experience is to work directly with clients in a mental health setting. You will have opportunities to work independently and with colleagues, and you’ll also be able to complete non-clinical work, such as maintaining case notes.
Upon completion of your coursework and field experiences, you’ll have the necessary skills and knowledge to help your clients have better mental health. You’ll also be a more effective communicator and listener, and have better analytical and critical thinking skills, too.
You must meet these requirements to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution.
- Submit transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. You must have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Provide a statement of purpose in which you explain why you wish to complete a graduate program in this field. You must also discuss the following:
- Your objective for applying now.
- Precious experiences that compelled you to pursue this degree.
- How Rivier University can assist you in pursuing your goals for the future.
- Submit one letter of recommendation.
Antioch University
Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University is another popular online graduate program for students interested in psychology, counseling, and related fields. Since it’s an online program, it’s designed to meet state licensure requirements in many different states. You should inquire about the specific licensure requirements in your state before you apply for the program, though.
The focus of this program is on eight areas of competency:
- Career development
- Group counseling and group work
- Social and cultural diversity
- Counseling and helping relationships
- Assessment and testing
- Ethical practice
- Research and program evaluation
- Human growth and development
You’ll learn about these core areas in detail over the course of the 60-credit sequence of courses. Of those credits, 42 are in core areas, 9 credits are electives, and the remaining 9 credits comprise the practicum and internship phase of the program.
The core coursework starts with a basic course entitled Introduction to the Program and the Profession. The purpose of this class is to inform you of the essential features of your graduate program and the counseling profession beyond. This orientation will set you up for success as a counseling student and as a pre-service counselor as well.
Another early course you’ll take is Career Counseling Development. This class takes a look at career counseling theories and gives you practice experience to help others answer essential questions about their careers. Some of the topics you’ll study include life careers, developmental theories, career-related assessments, and ethical practice.
One of the most important required courses is Counseling Theories. Unsurprisingly, the focus of this class is in reviewing the major theories of counseling to help you determine your personal counseling style. You’ll learn about approaches ranging from postmodern to psychodynamic to behavioral. What’s more, you’ll gain practical skills by taking part in simulated counseling sessions.
Additional coursework is required in the following areas as well:
- Assessment and Testing
- Human Growth and Development
- Diagnosis and Treatment
- Group Counseling
- Professional Orientation and Practice
Furthermore, you’ll take classes focusing on working with specific populations or settings, such as Crisis Counseling Interventions, Couple and Family Counseling, and Addictions Counseling. These courses will be supplemented by your choice of three electives, which can be in areas such as Counseling Military Personnel and Veterans, Human Sexuality, and Adventure Counseling, to name a few.
The program’s final component is a practicum and internship sequence that gives you opportunities to hone your skills in a real-life clinical mental health setting. Working under the watchful eye of your supervisor, you’ll complete counseling activities with individuals, couples, and groups.
Your level of independence increases as you progress. For example, during the 100-hour practicum, you’ll mostly observe experienced counselors or co-counsel with them. But during the 600-hour internship, you’ll take a more active and independent role in providing counseling services to clients.
It should be noted that some states require more than 600 hours of internship training. Antioch University will work with you if you live outside of New Hampshire and need additional internship hours. Additionally, you must complete weekend residency requirements as outlined by the program.
Antioch’s application for admission is available online. Ensure you meet these requirements prior to applying:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. A 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher is strongly recommended.
- Provide a current resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from references who can speak about your academic and professional work.
- Complete and submit the required admissions essay questions.
- Participate in a Zoom interview with the program’s admissions committee.
Purdue University
Online Master of Science in Psychology – Addictions
Purdue’s online graduate programs are available to you as a New Hampshire Resident. This includes the Master of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Addictions that prepares you for work as an addictions counselor. If addiction counseling isn’t your area of interest, Purdue offers three other concentrations for this degree that might be a better fit: Forensic Psychology, General Psychology, and Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
The Addictions concentration includes core and elective coursework and your choice of completing a thesis or a capstone project. The core coursework includes studies in areas like the Foundations of Professional Psychology, Applied Statistics for Psychology, and Advanced Research Methods. These classes offer insights into the science of psychology, from professional practice and ethical considerations to conducting psychological research.
Other required core courses focus on specific skills or fields within psychology. For example, you’ll take Life Span Development to gain a better understanding of the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical changes people experience throughout their lives, and how those changes are related to mental health.
Likewise, you’ll take Testing, Measurement, and Assessment. This class discusses how psychological tests are constructed and the tools used to test personality, intelligence, and for mental illness, among others. You’ll also learn about ethical considerations in psychological measurement and the limitations of tests and measures.
The remaining core coursework focuses on ethics and master’s research. The Ethics for Addictions Professionals explores relevant laws and regulations (e.g., duty to report, confidentiality) that govern work in this field. You’ll talk about HIPAA regulations, moral and legal issues, and the APA Code of Ethics, too.
You have to complete numerous addictions-related classes as well. For example, you’ll take Psychopharmacology to learn about the effects of different types of drugs on the body and mind. You’ll dive deep into brain structures and functions, discuss the pathophysiology of mental disorders, and gain an appreciation for an interdisciplinary approach to treating mental illness. Other concentration courses follow a similar path, focusing on working with people who have addictions. For example, you must take:
- Group Counseling
- Co-Occurring Disorders and Treatments
- Advanced Addictions Counseling
Moreover, you must complete a 150-hour addictions practicum. This practicum is intended to give you experiential learning opportunities in which you get real-world experience working with people who have an addiction. As a result of this work, you’ll have a much better understanding of the process of counseling people with addictions.
The program’s final component is your choice of a thesis or a capstone project. The thesis option includes a formal research proposal on addictions. Once approved, you’ll conduct a study that’s reflective of your proposal. This includes completing a literature review, developing a hypothesis, and developing the methodologies required to test your hypothesis.
On the other hand, the capstone experience is an experiential component that allows you to showcase what you’ve learned in the program. You’ll demonstrate your learning in the context of a research proposal that specifically addresses current issues or problems in psychology. You must provide a written report in which you discuss a proposal for a literature review, a hypothesis, and empirical methods for testing your hypothesis.
The following criteria must be met to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution of higher learning.
- Have a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts showing that you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree program.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Submit an Enrollment Agreement along with any other required documents.
- Submit the Identity and Document Verification Process by providing a copy of a valid government photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport).
You must also be able to read, write, and speak English fluently. You’re required to submit proof of English proficiency if English is not your native language.
Capella University
Online Master of Science in Psychology
At Capella University, you can pursue a Master of Science in Psychology that prepares you for various non-clinical psychology careers. With this training, you may seek employment in education, government, or management. You could also find positions in public or private school systems, provided you obtain the necessary certification.
The program consists of three main components: four core courses, five specialization courses, and one integrative project. The core courses cover foundational topics essential for building a strong understanding of psychology.
One of the first courses you will take is Foundations of Theory and Practice for Master’s Psychology Learners. This course is designed to help you become familiar with graduate-level studies in psychology through Capella’s online learning environment. You will learn skills such as writing research papers in APA style, understanding the requirements of your chosen specialization, and adhering to ethical and professional standards in the field.
The next core course, Survey of Research Methods, introduces you to the fundamental principles of psychological research. You will learn about the scientific method, ethical considerations in research, and various research methodologies, including concepts like reliability and validity.
Following this, the course Tests and Measurements provides insights into psychological testing. You will study how tests are designed, administered, scored, and interpreted, and you will explore different theories of testing. Additional topics covered in this course include:
- Test bias
- Testing technology
- Reliability
- Validity
- Professional standards for testing
The final core course, Quantitative Design and Analysis, focuses on research design and statistical analysis. This course aims to help you develop decision-making skills necessary for conducting psychological research, including designing research studies and interpreting statistical results.
The specialization courses for the general psychology track cover further key topics in the field. The required courses are:
- Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology
- Learning Theories in Psychology
- Cognitive/Affective Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Lifespan Development
The program concludes with an Integrative Project, in which you will demonstrate your knowledge of general psychology by completing a five-chapter project. This project must include a proposal for new psychological research, along with a section demonstrating your ability to write and apply for grants.
To apply for the GuidedPath format, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.3 or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
- Provide a copy of a government-issued ID.
For the FlexPath format, you must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher. Additionally, if English is not your native language, you will need to provide proof of English proficiency.
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