BS/MS in Psychology

 

BSMS Info Session Slides

 

BS/MS option: 5 years of study leading to both BS and MS degrees

BS/MS Program — School of Psychology

The 5-year combined Bachelor and Masters of Science program in Psychology is a prestigious opportunity for top Psychology and Neuroscience undergraduate students to earn a Masters degree in as little as one year to increase competitiveness and a starting salary. This 5-year program can serve as bridge training to eventual medical, professional, or doctoral program admission because students gain a research specialization, develop a project that may lead to publication in the primary scientific literature, and complete advanced scientific coursework that contributes toward content knowledge and their science GPA.

The School of Psychology at Georgia Tech offers the following 4+1 BS/MS options:

  • BS Psychology or BS Neuroscience + MS Psychology (thesis or non-thesis)

Advantages of the Program

  • There is no application fee and you do not need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission to the program.
  • You can use 6 credit hours from your undergraduate degree (4xxx level or higher; not seminar or research credit) towards both your B.S. and M.S. degree.
  • There is no obligation to complete your master's degree if your plans change.
  • Non-thesis MS degrees only involve course work.

Financial support for students pursuing BS/MS

The School Psychology does not guarantee any financial support to students pursuing the MS degree. Graduate Teaching/Research Assistantships are not typically available for BSMS students. MS students are responsible for paying their own graduate tuition and living expenses.

MS PSYC (thesis option)

If an applicant wishes to pursue the MS PSYC thesis option, they must first identify a faculty member in the School of Psychology (or a faculty member at Georgia Tech Who is doing psychology or neuroscience research) who is willing to serve as the supervisor for the thesis work prior to the submission of an application to the BS/MS program. It is strongly recommended that students view the research for an MS PSYC with thesis degree as an extension of their undergraduate research. All students are encouraged to conduct research during your undergraduate tenure. Please note that the MS thesis will be an original study, separate from or in addition to what you’ve done as undergrad.

Academic Planning

Students interested in our BS/MS program should seek the advice of their undergraduate research advisor (if interested in the MS thesis option) early in their consideration of BS/MS as an option, and certainly before submitting an application. Many graduate courses are only offered once every two years, so careful planning of the graduate courses to be taken before completion of the BS degree and during the MS year is required so that the courses complement one another and are most beneficial to the student.

Example Schedule of Classes during your MS

Thesis Option:
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Psychology 7000 - Master's Thesis (3 credits) Psychology 7000 - Master's Thesis (3 credits)
Approved graduate coursework in fulfillment of the M.S. degree requirements (9 credits)*

PSYC 6000 1cr
PSYC 6018 3 cr
PSYC 6019 5cr

 Approved graduate coursework in fulfillment of the M.S. degree requirements (9 credits)*

PSYC 6/7/8XXX 3cr
PSYC 6020 5cr
PSYC 6040/41/43 1cr
Total: 12 credits Total: 12 credits

*A minimum of 12 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher on letter-grade basis. A maximum of 3 credits can be on pass-fail basis. Students must complete an approved thesis describing original research.

Non-Thesis Option:
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Approved graduate coursework in fulfillment of the M.S. degree requirements (12 credits)**

PSYC 6/7/8XXX 3cr
PSYC 6000 1cr
PSYC 6018 3cr
PSYC 6019 5cr

 Approved graduate coursework in fulfillment of the M.S. degree requirements (12 credits)**

PSYC 6/7/8XXX 3cr
PSYC 6/7/8XXX 3cr
PSYC 6020 5cr
PSYC 6040/41/43 1cr
Total: 12 credits Total: 12 credits

**A minimum of 21 credits must be at the 6000-level or higher on letter-grade basis. A maximum of 3 credits can be on pass-fail basis.

To Apply: BS/MS Application Requirements and Process

  • To apply to the BS/MS program, you must be an undergraduate student pursuing either BS PSYC or BS NEUR at Georgia Tech.
  • Applicants must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher in courses required for the BS PSYC or BS NEUR degrees.
  • Students must apply to the BS/MS program after the completion of 30 undergraduate credits but before the completion of 90 credits, including credits accrued through transfer, advanced placement, IB, etc. Applicants with more than 90 credits will be considered for the program on a case-by-case basis. This requirement will be waived for those graduating in academic years 2023 and 2024. It is recommended that students delay formal application to the BS/MS program until they have a reasonable estimate of the semester in which they will complete all the requirements for their BS degree.

Submit a standard BS/MS graduate application at https://gradapp.gatech.edu/apply/. The deadline for applications is April 15th.

  • The MS program admits in Fall semesters only.
  • No English proficiency or standardized tests are required.
  • Applicants must submit a 1 page statement of purpose explaining why they are interested in pursuing BS/MS. This is done by uploading a file to the application.
  • Two letters of recommendation must be submitted on behalf of the applicant. After the applicant enters names and contact information for their recommenders into the application, the recommenders will be contacted by Georgia Tech.
    1. One letter of recommendation must be from a GT faculty member.
    2. The second letter of recommendation must be from either:
      • The applicant's research advisor, indicating that they will serve as the advisor for the MS thesis research (if applying to the MS thesis option)
      • Any GT faculty member or a job/internship/research supervisor (if applying to the MS non-thesis option)

I have additional questions. Who do I contact?