
Qualified students can earn their BA in Psychology and their MA in Community, General, or Health Psychology in as few as 5 years with the Accelerate Central Program. For accepted students, three graduate courses (or 9 credits) will double-count for either nine credits of undergraduate Psychological Science elective courses or other electives required to meet the 120 credit hours for graduation with a BA in Psychological Science. In addition, students may take a fourth graduate course during their final undergraduate year; this course will be excluded from the student's B.A. program and transferred into the student's M.A. program.
Students may apply for admission to Accelerate during the fall or spring of their junior year and throughout their senior year and must meet the requirements specified below:
- Students must be at least junior standing.
- At least 12 credits must be completed at Central.
- Students must have a Central Psychology professor write a letter of recommendation.
- Completed PSY 301 and 302 (research methods) with at least a B.
- Students who have completed PSY 301 but still need to complete PSY 302 may be conditionally admitted. Students that earn lower than a B in PSY 302 will not meet the qualifications for the Accelerate Central graduate program.
- Have at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average.
- Have at least a 3.0 grade point average in Psychological Science courses.
- Submit a personal statement.
How to Apply
Submit a Change of Major form, a personal statement, and one recommendation letter from a Central Psychological Science professor to the Psychology Graduate Program Coordinator. The personal statement should include your professional goals and any specific experiences that helped prepare you for the MA psychology program, such as relevant employment, research or training, internships, etc.
Applications go through the proper parties for review and approval, including the Graduate Program Coordinator. Once the form has been approved by all required parties, the Registrar’s Office will change your undergraduate curriculum to note the Accelerate Central program.
Five-Year BA/MA for Psychological Science
(Sample Sequence)
Study 1 3 classes
Study 2 3 classes
Study 3 2 classes
Study 4 7 credits – 2 sciences and 1 lab
Skill 1 2 classes
Skill 2 2 classes
Skill 3 2 classes or foreign language waived
Skill 4 1 class
Average minor 18 credits
45 without foreign language
48-51 with foreign language
Assumptions: No skill 3 requirements
Assumption minor is 18 credits
Assuming 63 credits for gen ed + minor
Semester 1
PSY 112 (3)
PSY 113 (1)
MATH 099/MATH 102 or STAT 215 (3)
PE 144 (2)
WRT 110 (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
15 credits
Semester 2
PSY 136 (3)
MATH 102 or STAT 215 or STAT 216 (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
PSY 200 or 281 (3)
18 credits
Semester 3
STAT 215 or STAT 216 (3)
PSY 330 (3)
PSY 301 (4)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
16 credits
Semester 4
PSY 302 (4)
PSY 371 or 372 (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
16 credits
Semester 5
PSY 420 or 430 (3)
PSY 441 or 450 (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
18 credits
Semester 6
PSY 490 (3)
PSY elective (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
Minor and/or General Education/Skill Area Course (3)
18 credits
Total 101 credits
Accelerated Central
Semester 7 Senior (Graduate Year)
General |
Undergraduate Courses (6) |
PSY 501 (1) |
PSY 596 (4) |
PSY 512 (3)* |
14 credits (8 grad) |
Health |
Undergraduate Courses (6) |
PSY 501 (1) |
PSY 596 (4) |
PSY 541 (3)* |
14 credits |
Community |
Undergraduate Courses (6) |
PSY 501 (1) |
PSY 596 (4) |
PSY 550 (3)* |
14 credits |
Semester 8 (Senior/Graduate Year)
General |
Undergraduate Courses (6) |
PSY 597 (4) |
Directed Grad Elec (3)* |
Directed Grad Elec (3)* |
16 credits (10 grad) |
Health |
Undergraduate Courses (6) |
PSY 597 (4) |
PSY 542 (3)* |
PSY 543 (3)* |
16 credits |
Community |
Undergraduate Courses (6) |
PSY 597 (4) |
PSY 551 (3)* |
Directed Grad Elec (3)* |
16 credits |
Semester 9 (Graduate Year)
General |
Directed Grad Elec. (3) |
Directed Grad Elec (3) |
PSY 591 (3) |
9 credits |
Health |
PSY 547 (3) |
PSY 591 (3) |
PSY 595 (3) |
Grad Elective (3) |
12 credits |
Community |
PSY 553 (3) |
PSY 520 (3) |
PSY 595 (3) |
9 credits |
Semester 10
General |
PSY 599 (3) |
Directed Grad Elec (3) |
Directed Grad Elec (3) |
9 credits |
36 credits grad |
Health |
PSY 599 (3) |
Directed Elective (3) |
Directed Elective (3) |
9 credits |
39 credits grad |
Community |
PSY 599 (3) |
Directed Elective (3) |
Directed Elective (3) |
9 credits |
36 credits grad |
* double count for psychology elective