The Accelerated Graduate Degree in Psychology provides an opportunity for undergraduate majors to get a jumpstart on their graduate degree.  In their junior year, students who meet the eligibility requirements can apply to begin taking graduate-level courses during their senior year. The advantage of this option includes:

  • Using graduate-level courses to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements
  • Start work on a graduate degree during the Senior year
  • Pay lower tuition of up to 12 hours of graduate-level courses
  • Finish the graduate degree in less time.

To enroll in the accelerated graduate degree, psychology majors must:

  • Have completed at least 90 hours toward the bachelor’s degree,
  • Have an overall GPA of 3.30 or greater,
  • Have a GPA of 3.30 or greater in the major, and
    1. A course in elementary statistics such as PSY 223
    2. A course in research methods such as PSY 323, and
    3. Nine or more hours of 300- 400-level psychology courses.*

*Students who wish to enter a graduate program after completing the BA/BS degree should check pre-requisites for the program that they wish to attend and be certain they are taking all required undergraduate courses to be eligible for full admission.

Students who are granted admission to the Accelerated Graduate Degree have access to courses that count toward the Master’s Degree in General Psychology at Marshall University.  Students may also apply to enter an Accelerated Graduate Degree program in School Psychology or Counseling.  Students can earn up to 12 hours of graduate credit.

The Application Process

To be admitted to the program, students must have completed 90 hours. During their Junior or Senior year, students should discuss their interests with their advisor and then complete the application for the appropriate Accelerated Graduate Degree program. Forms and Information – Graduate Studies. They can apply in the semester where they are completing their 90th hour. They should also contact the Coordinator for the Accelerated Graduate Degree Program to get additional information necessary to secure admission.

The student’s acceptance into the accelerated degree program is subject to the approval of the Plan of Study by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Once admitted, students must abide by the policies and procedures specified in the Graduate Studies Catalog published during the year of their admission to the program.

Students enrolled in the psychology accelerated graduate program are admitted to the general psychology MA program. Admission to the MA program with an emphasis in clinical psychology or school psychology requires a separate application, and additional requirements must be met as outlined in the graduate catalog.

Students admitted to the Accelerated Graduate Degree program may begin taking courses during their senior year. Students may enroll in no more than 12 hours of graduate coursework during their senior year.

Registration For Graduate Courses

To register for graduate courses, students must meet with their Academic Advisor in the COLA Office and must submit the Dynamic Form, Senior Permission to Enroll in Graduate Course, which can be accessed at the following link Forms and Information – Graduate Studies

Recommended Courses

Students in the accelerated graduate degree program may complete up to 12 credit hours as undergraduates. Students in this program should review their options with their academic advisor and director of the accelerated degree option. The following courses are generally recommended, but other courses may be substituted with the approval of the Academic Advisor and the Coordinator for the Accelerated Graduate Degree**:

·       PSY 517 Intermediate Behavioral Statistics

·       PSY 615 Advanced Developmental Psychology

·       PSY 606 Advanced Social Psychology

·       PSY 656-657 Research in Psychology

·       PSY 674 Biological Bases of Behavior

·       PSY 672 Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior

·       PSY 605 Ethics and Legal Issues in Psychology

** Students who have been admitted to the School Psychology emphasis or the AGD for Counseling should consult with those programs for an appropriate set of courses to take.

NOTE:  Any course that is taken as a 400-level course cannot be re-taken at the 500 level, and a substitute course must be identified.

For more information, contact:

Coordinator of Accelerated Degree in General Psychology

Marianna Linz

304-696-2774

linz@marshall.edu