B.S./M.A.

Integrated B.S./M.A. Degree Program

The Integrated B.S./M.A. Degree Program in Experimental Psychology is open to UCSD psychology undergraduates only.

Introduction

This program is designed to satisfy the needs of modern research in academic as well as industrial/administrative settings. It does this by capitalizing on the strengths of the department in the experimental and empirical aspects of psychology. Our department's focus is on experimental and analytical psychology with a strong emphasis in neuropsychology and biological psychology (biotech, pharmaceuticals), social psychology (judicial and regulatory affairs, government and planning agencies, marketing and advertising), developmental psychology (child care, education), quantitative methods (statistics, design, measurement), cognitive psychology (education, complex decision making and analysis, artificial intelligence) and others.

This program is only offered to UCSD undergraduate students who are enrolled in any of the concentrations of the B.S. Program in Psychology, and meet the additional requirements and admissions criteria. The additional year of graduate education after successful completion of the B.S., expands on three research courses with the same requirements as those for the first year students in the Psychology Ph.D. program, however, GREs are not required for entry into the M.A. program.

B.S./M.A. students cannot automatically transfer into the department's Ph.D. track. They must apply to the Ph.D. program fulfilling all requirements, e.g., letters of recommendation, grade point averages, and research interest.

Prerequisites

An integrated program leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Art (M.A.) degree in psychology is offered to those UCSD undergraduate students who are enrolled in the B.S. major offered by the department of psychology. Qualified students are able to obtain the M.A. degree within one year following receipt of the B.S. Degree. Students interested in applying to this program must meet with an academic advisor in the Psychology Student Affairs Office before the end of their sophomore year.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must have completed the first two quarters of their junior year in residence at UCSD and must have an overall UCSD GPA of at least 3.3, as well as within the psychology major. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to select a faculty member who would be willing to serve as the student's advisor and in whose laboratory the student would complete at least twenty-four units of research over a two-year period. Twelve of the 24 units of research must be completed as an undergraduate in Psychology 194 ABC or 196 ABC during the student's senior undergraduate year, and must be taken in addition to the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. The remaining 12 units of research (Psychology 270 ABC) will be taken in the graduate year of study as part of their M.A. requirements.

Applying to Program

B.S. Track Application

Deadline is October 30, 2009
Application for the Integrated B.S./M.A. Program can be downloaded or a hard copy can be picked up from the Psychology Student Affairs Office. Students must submit application, one (1) letter of recommendation, and personal statement.

The letter of recommendation should be from someone who can speak of students academic ability. Faculty, past instructors, teaching assistants, or lab researchers are good candidates.
Personal Statement should describe student's interest in psychology and possible research topics or areas of interest.

Applications will be reviewed by the undergradute advisors and B.S/M.A. Coordinator. Students will be contacted before the end of Fall quarter with final decision. Students should not wait to register in Winter courses. If admitted into program, students can change their schedule to enroll in program courses.

M.A. Application

The MA application deadline is during Spring quarter of students' senior year (last quarter). Note: Completion of the B.S. portion of the program is not guarenteed admittance into the MA program. Students are still required to apply and go through a review process. This includes an online application, three (3) letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose. Students will be notified during the summer if they will be admitted into the MA program for the upcoming Fall quarter.

The Psychology Department does not have financial aid available for students enrolled in this program. Students are required to pay their own tuition. (Please contact pertinent offices on campus for Financial Aid.)

Undergraduate Financial Research Assistance:

UCSD Financial Aid Office
UCSD Associated Students Undergraduate Scholastic Grants Office

Overview of Program

Junior year
Winter quarter course: Psyc 111A. Advanced Statistics and Research Methods
Spring quarter course: Psyc 111B. Advanced Statistics and Research Methods

Senior year
A year-long independent research project (Psychology 196A-B-C) under the mentorship of a faculty advisor. This research culminates in an thesis and a poster presentaton during the Spring quarter. Students will be eligible to apply for the M.A. program during the Spring quarter.

M.A. year
Fall quarter courses: Psyc 201A, Psyc 270A, Psyc 280
Winter quarter courses: Psyc 201B and Psyc 270B, Psyc 280
Spring quarter courses: Psyc 270C, Psyc 280

Four (4) Proseminar courses that must be completed by end of year
One (1) Psyc 500 course that must be completed by end of year
M.A. students must also participate in Little APS.

For more information on the M.A. year or program requirements, please contact the Psychology Graduate Coordinator, or visit our graduate program webpage.

Administration of the Integrated B.S./M.A. Degree Program is under the Psychology Student Affairs Office. If you have any questions, please contact an Academic Advisor during advising hours.