Accelerate – 5 year BA and MA in Psychology

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 will double-count as three undergraduate Psychological Science elective courses. Students apply in the second semester of their third year of full-time study and must meet the requirements specified below:

1. Completed 83 earned credit hours by the end of the Fall semester of their third year of full-time study. At least 30 credits must have been earned at Central.
2. Completed PSY 301 and 302 (research methods) with at least a B.
3. Have at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average.
4. Have at least a 3.0 grade point average in Psychological Science courses.

How to Apply

Submit a Change of Major form, a personal statement, and one recommendation letter from a Central Psychological Sciences professor to your undergraduate advisor by February 10th of your junior year. 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 Director. 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

Total 101 credits

Accelerated Central

Semester 7 Senior (Graduate Year)

Semester 8 (Senior/Graduate Year)

Semester 9 (Graduate Year)

Semester 10

* double count for psychology elective