Psychological Sciences (Combined BA/MA)

The BA in Psychology / MA in Psychological Sciences is an accelerated, five year program. It is best suited for students who know they want to pursue either a doctorate in psychology or who want to obtain intensive training in research design and data analysis for entry-level positions in industries such as health, pharmaceutical, banking, insurance, advertising or consulting. This BA/MA program provides opportunities for early graduate study, mentored research training in psychology beginning in the junior year, presentation at research conferences and publication in recognized research journals beginning in the junior year, on-point training and preparation in research design, data management, and data analysis for students who desire a master’s degree as a terminal degree.

IMPORTANT — This program does not provide training in clinical or counseling psychology and does not provide preparation for careers in clinical, counseling or mental health professions. Students interested in mental health professions or forensic psychology should plan to apply to the MA in Clinical Psychology program after completing the regular BA degree in Psychology. The BA/MA program does not grant access to the MA in Clinical Psychology.

Transfer students should first consult with a member of the Psychology Department before entering the BA in Psychology / MA in Psychological Sciences program.

BA in Psychology

MA in Psychological Sciences

Application Requirements

The combined BA/MA program in Psychology has an accelerated time-frame that does not align with a typical 4+1 program. All students interested in the combined BA/MA Program in Psychology must meet the following requirements and submit an application to the program committee by February 1 of the second/sophomore year. The requirements for continuation in the program beyond the second/sophomore year include

•     Completion of 71 credits by the end of the second/sophomore year
•     Completion of Psychology core courses, PSYC101, PSYC203, PSYC220, PSYC301 by the end of the second/sophomore year
•     GPA 3.5+ in Psychology major courses and overall at the time of application
•     Grade of B or better in PSYC220 Intro to Statistical Methods in Psychology 
•     Completion of Continuation Application due February 1 of the second/sophomore year

After acceptance into the BA/MA program in the second/sophomore year, students complete additional required courses in the third/junior year and then just one more undergraduate semester in the fall of their fourth/senior year. The graduate courses (9 credits) taken in the final undergraduate semester count toward both the undergraduate BA degree in Psychology and then toward the requirements for the graduate MA degree in Psychological Sciences. Students must complete all 120 credits required for the undergraduate BA degree, as well as the 35 credits required for the graduate MA degree.