The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) approved the proposal in fall 2024 to offer applied bachelor’s degrees in specific programs where students earn 96 credits in three years, rather than 120 credits over four years.
This shortened time horizon will offer flexibility for students and accelerate the pipeline for high-demand roles in the market. The programs also offer students the ability to seamlessly extend to a four-year, 120-credit program if they elect to.
“PSU is an established innovator in higher education, known for its Cluster Learning Model, which brings together students from different disciplines to become problem solvers in the multidisciplinary, applied, team-based environment of today’s employers,” said President Donald L. Birx. “We are also among the first in the region to adopt bridge programs and direct admissions, and to participate in transfer agreements that reduce barriers to access higher education. It is therefore fitting that PSU is one of the first in the nation to offer a 96-credit three-year applied bachelor’s degree for these professional programs.”
The 96-credit three-year program, which will launch in fall 2025, will be available for applied bachelor’s degrees in business administration, cybersecurity, outdoor adventure leadership, police studies, and robotics. The curriculum will include an appropriate mix of credits in the major, general education, and electives, and will often be paired with experiential learning and internship opportunities with regional partners.
A 96-credit three-year program promises to cut costs for students and reduce the time it takes for them to enter lucrative and purposeful careers with less student debt. While it is available to all students, this is particularly critical for first-generation students and students of varying economic means, who traditionally make up a significant percentage of PSU’s student body. It also benefits regional employers who are eager to fill positions in business, cybersecurity, law enforcement, manufacturing, and other sectors.
The programs will be regularly assessed by PSU and NECHE. Performance data will be evaluated by gathering immediate student feedback via surveys and check-ins, as well as by analyzing retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
PSU is a leader in providing greater access to higher education opportunities. This fall, the University launched its first RN to BSN bridge program, open to nurses registered to work anywhere in the country; it is participating in the New England Board of Higher Education Transfer Guarantee to simplify the process of transferring from a New Hampshire community college, and extends a generous transfer policy to anyone who has an associate degree from anywhere in the US; and is also offering Common App admissions and Niche Direct Admissions, which grants real-time acceptance for qualifying high school seniors.
While attending physical therapy for injuries sustained in a ski accident, Dimick learned that many people went specifically to get their nails trimmed because they either lacked the necessary fine motor skills or were unable to reach their feet due to back problems. He took matters into his own hands and made five wooden nail trimmer prototypes, which he shared with the physical therapy team to gift to their patients.
In fall 2022, Dimick discovered PSU’s Draper & Maynard Makerspace. After discussing his idea with Bret Kulakovich, coordinator of the University’s robotics automation program, he learned to use the equipment to create what is now known as “Trim-Able.” It’s the world’s first Bluetooth-adaptive nail trimmer and allows almost anyone to cut their nails safely.
Dimick pitched Trim-Able at Panther Pitch, PSU’s Shark Tank-style entrepreneurship competition, where he won first place overall and the People’s Choice Award. He was subsequently granted a provisional US patent and an independent study, allowing him to work on marketing strategies, market research, document creation, and more.
As a senior, Dimick placed second out of more than 60 competitors in the University of New Hampshire’s Holloway Competition to develop a get-to-market plan for products and services. He is using the $10,000 prize to continue R&D.
Dimick is focused on building a company and inventing more accessible everyday devices that improve quality of life.
Nicole Titmas ’06MS, above, was the athletic trainer for the US Women’s Rugby Team, which won the bronze medal, and Danielle Miller ’93 was part of the International Testing (drug testing) Agency. Photo by Alex Ho / hoiho.net.