Psychology Career with JWU’s Accelerated Program

JWU female students in class

Updated January 2023: The former 3+2 dual degree program has undergone a name change to Accelerated B.S./M.S. With it, significant details of the program delivery have also changed. Review the program page links below for the most up-to-date details of these accelerated programs.

Recognizing the need for mental health professionals, Johnson & Wales University has created unique accelerated programs for Psychology majors who aspire to become counselors and work in a clinical setting. These programs, which maximize the time and investment of JWU students and their families, offer the chance to begin the work towards professional licensure.

“With the opioid epidemic, agencies are short-staffed and searching for competent counselors to meet the needs of the growing population of individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders,” says Cheryl Almeida, Ph.D., professor in the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences. “These programs allow students to get into the field sooner.”

Benefits of our Accelerated Programs

JWU’s Accelerated programs are pathways that provide students a seamless transition from their undergraduate studies to their graduate degree. 

“It made sense to connect the programs more directly and streamline the plan for undergraduate Psychology majors who know they want to go on for a master’s in counseling,” says Jonathan Mosko, Ph.D., associate professor in the John Hazen White College of Arts & Sciences.

Providence or Charlotte students who wish to enroll in the Psychology program can choose from two Accelerated options: the Psychology/Addiction Counseling Accelerated B.S./M.S. or the Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Accelerated B.S./M.S. A note for Charlotte students: Once they have completed their senior-level work and are ready to move on to their M.S., they will need to transfer to the Providence Campus to complete the graduate work portion of the degree.

“This is something that sets JWU’s program apart,” says Mosko, who teaches at both undergraduate and graduate levels. “During their senior undergraduate year, students save money by taking graduate classes at the undergraduate tuition rate.” Students can expect to complete their master’s degree a semester ahead of schedule.

“After completing the accelerated program, our students will be ready and qualified to work in master’s level clinical positions, while pursuing licensure in their state,” Almeida says. “During that time, they will be earning a salary and doing the job that they love.”