Psychology, B.A. or B.S. (Accelerated Pathway to Organizational Psychology, M.S.)

This 36-credit hour (13 courses) M.S. degree program in organizational psychology is designed for SMU undergraduate students with a strong interest in pursuing a career using psychological skills in organizations or businesses. The program begins in the student’s senior year and lasts four semesters plus one summer. Core courses are taught primarily by Psychology faculty along with three courses offered by the Cox School of Business faculty. Admission to the program is by application during the spring term of the junior year.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive and open only to current SMU undergraduates. Sophomores who plan to major in psychology and who want to pursue this accelerated M.S. in organizational psychology program should consult with the psychology department’s director of undergraduate studies and/or the undergraduate adviser for approval before the end of the spring semester of their sophomore year (or for transfers, after completing 60 credit hours). Applicants should meet with the undergraduate adviser to be sure they will have taken all of the undergraduate courses suggested for entry into the program.

To apply for the accelerated master’s program, the student must:

• Be enrolled in the B.A. or B.S psychology program at SMU
• Apply for approval to begin the sequence of courses for the accelerated pathway to the M.S. in organizational psychology program in the spring of their junior year. Students will then formally apply to transition to graduate status for the M.S. in the spring semester of their senior year.
• Complete PSYC 6381 and PSYC 6382 in the senior year with a grade of B- or higher. (Students not admitted to the M.S. program may still use the two courses toward a psychology B.A. or B.S. degree as long as the grades were C- or higher.)
• Submit two recommendation letters from SMU faculty members
• Submit their transcript
• Complete a personal statement

Requirements for the Degree

The curriculum consists of six required psychology courses, two three-credit internships (one internship may be substituted for an additional elective course), three required Management and Organizations (MNO) courses in the Cox School of Business, and two elective courses. The program is offered on a cohort model: students begin the program in their senior year and take the required courses together but choose their own electives.

To receive a M.S. degree in organizational psychology, the student must:

• Have been awarded an undergraduate degree at SMU
• Complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate coursework at SMU. At least 30 hours must have been completed post baccalaureate.
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) in the M.S. degree coursework
• Satisfactorily fulfilled other degree requirements