Accelerate your psychology education with a fast track from your bachelor’s to your master’s.

The accelerated 5-year Bachelor of Arts to Master of Arts in Psychology allows students to pursue a Master of Arts in Psychology a full year sooner than the traditional track. Students receive a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Psychology in five years.

Learners in this program can complete graduate-level courses during their final semester as an undergraduate.

Students can choose this program as Freshmen, but they will need to apply for it to continue with graduate coursework once they have completed 60 credit hours.

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Degree Overview and Program Requirements

The Accelerated Master of Psychology program offers a rigorous and intensive educational pathway for ambitious students seeking to expedite their advanced credentials in psychological theory, research, and practice. This streamlined program allows qualified candidates to complete both undergraduate prerequisites and graduate-level coursework in a condensed timeframe Students engage with comprehensive core curriculum covering clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions, developmental psychology, and research methodologies, while also pursuing specialized tracks aligned with their career aspirations.

Faculty mentorship, supervised hands-on experiences, and research projects ensure graduates develop both theoretical understanding and practical competencies. This accelerated format is ideal for focused individuals committed to entering professional psychology practice or doctoral studies with enhanced credentials and minimal delay, positioning them for competitive advantages in clinical settings, research institutions or continued academic advancement.

BA to MAP Entrance Requirements

Freshmen or undergraduate transfer students can apply for this program using the HCU Online application and begin in their first semester. In order to continue with the graduate coursework, students must have completed 60 credit hours (12 credits must be in Psychology) and must have met the eligibility requirements. After completing the HCU Graduate Application, interest students must complete the 5-Year MAP Application.

Students apply for HCU admissions and indicate 5-year MAP as their major. After 60 credit hours, they will complete the application and the following.

  • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
    • This will be submitted through the Application link
    • Letters must be submitted in PDF format
  • Proposed thesis topic
    • Developed through PSYC 3410 Experimental and/or with an advisor
    • Topic must be a unique and original proposal that is empirical and testable.
    • Topic should not exceed 15 words.
  • Successful interview with PSYC admission committee

Degree Plan: Accelerated Master of Psychology

Review degree plan

This degree combines the full BA and MA in Psychology degrees into one:

Student Outcomes

Graduates with a bachelors and master’s in psychology have the foundational methodology and experience for many different career fields. The accelerated psychology master prepares graduates for immediate employment in a range of professional environments including community college teaching, law enforcement agencies, and private industry.

An MAP can also provide students with the background necessary to submit a competitive application to a doctoral program, such as Clinical Psychology.  HCU also offers a doctoral program in Executive Leadership in Mental Health and Human Services which aims to produce graduates with the knowledge and skills to be hired and retained as high-quality
administrators in mental health and human service agencies or to start business of their own.

Obtaining a bachelors and master’s in psychology does not provide training that leads to licensure, which is required for independent practice. Psychology students seeking to be licensed as a professional psychologist or counselor should enroll in one of our graduate degrees which meets the state requirements for licensure:

What Can I Do with a Master of Arts in Psychology Degree?

With an Accelerated Master’s in Psychology degree, you can pursue various rewarding career paths while entering the workforce sooner than through traditional programs. Your advanced credential can opens doors to:

  • Mental health counseling positions
  • Human resources and talent development specialists
  • Organizational behavior consultants
  • Research coordinators in academic or clinical settings
  • Case managers for healthcare or social service agencies
  • Behavioral intervention specialists in educational environments
  • Program coordinators for community mental health initiatives
  • Rehabilitation counselors or specialists
  • Family services coordinators
  • Market research analysts applying psychological principles

This accelerated path allows you to gain specialized expertise and advanced credentials in less time, positioning you for professional advancement or further academic pursuits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Well-suited students will take 2 graduate level courses during their Senior year that will count as 6 credits for their undergraduate degree as well as the first 6 credits towards their Master of Arts in Psychology.

The two courses selected cover similar content areas, albeit in greater depth at the graduate level.

This Fast Track eliminates some of the overlap between the two programs. Thus, allowing these students to complete both degrees in a 5-year period.

Students will apply for the graduate portion of the program during their junior year (minimum 60 credit hours) for admission into the program for their Senior year.

Only students who meet the following requirements will be considered:

  • 3.5 GPA or above
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor
  • Proposed thesis topic
  • Successful interview with the admission committee
  • October 1 for Spring admission
  • February 1 for Fall admission

YES! Transfer students who have completed 60 credit hours (12 credits must be in Psychology) and have completed at least one semester of coursework at HCU may apply for the 5-year MAP as described above.

This is a highly competitive program for advanced students who are prepared for graduate level work.  Students who are not admitted into the 5-year MAP program may apply one additional time in the following semester.

If the student is still not admitted into the program, the student will be dropped from the 5-year MAP degree program and automatically switched into the regular BA Psychology program.  Coursework will continue towards graduation with the BA degree.

Students will enter the graduate portion of the program in their Senior year and graduate with their BA in Psychology after completing the required 120 hours. Students will then complete 3 additional semesters (including Summer) and complete their MA in Psychology one calendar year later. Below is an example of the credit hours required if a student enters the program in the Fall of their Senior year.  The timeline would be adjusted depending on when the student enters the program.

Credit Hours
Senior Year Year 2
Fall 3 12
Spring   3*    10**
Summer 9 –

*Graduation with BA in Psychology

** Graduation with MA in Psychology

Admitted students will select two of the four courses listed below to take as seniors. The four courses are major requirements for both the BA and MA in Psychology. Please see the 5-Year MAP Degree Plan for more information.

The courses include:

  • PSYC5330 – Psychology of Learning
  • PSYC5332 – Social Psychology
  • PSYC5353 – Physiological Psychology (16-weeks online)
  • PSYC6301 – Principles of Human Development

Admissions and Aid

If you’re ready for a fulfilling journey in Psychology, Houston Christian University welcomes you to apply. Get started today:

Program Admission Requirements

Only students who meet the following requirements will be considered:

  • 3.5 GPA or above
  • 60 credit hours or more
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor
  • Proposed thesis topic
  • Successful interview with admission committee

Two of the MAP courses online will be 16-week courses and cannot be taken in the same semester (PSYC 5353 Physiological Psychology & PSYC 6199 Thesis Defense).

Online Admissions Requirements

Students are required to submit transcripts showing they achieved a high school general or advanced diploma or a GED with passing scores. (Waived if student has 32 credit hours or more of transfer credit.)

Students must submit all college transcripts from any previously attended institutions. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the college or university that awarded your bachelor’s degree to be considered official. Transcripts from any additional coursework since that time should also be submitted including postbaccalaureate or graduate-level transcripts.

You may be accepted with unofficial transcripts by emailing copies to OnlineVerification@HC.edu; however, you must submit the official transcripts in a sealed envelope from the school or through an approved electronic service by your second semester.

Mailing Address

Houston Christian University
Attention: Online Admissions Verification
7502 Fondren Road
Houston, TX 77074-3298

Earn a Master's Degree in Psychology at Houston Christian University

For more information about this program or its courses, please contact your program coordinator.
Traci Whittenberg, PhD
Traci Whittenberg, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Program Coordinator, Psychology (MA), SSP
Accreditation

Houston Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral degrees.