Fall 2025 Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
For students who are eager to gain skills that will make them competitive candidates in the I/O Psychology job market, our accelerated programs are the ideal solution.
Qualified UMBC undergraduate students have the option of applying to our accelerated I/O Psychology Master’s or Graduate Certificate programs in their junior or senior year, earning up to six graduate credits towards a graduate certificate or up to nine graduate credits that can be applied to both your undergraduate and graduate degrees. You’ll benefit by shortening the time to degree completion, experiencing the cost savings of taking graduate courses at undergraduate tuition rates, flexible learning options (some courses taught in the evening or hybrid format), and gaining practical knowledge and skills.
At a Glance
Delivery
In-person
Locations Offered
- Shady Grove (Rockville)
Accelerated Program Admissions Requirements
In order to be eligible for the accelerated graduate certificate or master’s degree option, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. If less than 3.0, admission consideration based on Graduate Program Director’s discretion.
- Be a junior or senior at UMBC, and be admitted at least one semester prior to completion of bachelor’s degree.
- Maintain good academic standing throughout the duration of undergraduate degree.
If approved for the accelerated program, students may take PSYC 670 and PSYC 672 to begin graduate I/O Psychology studies while still an undergraduate student. Please note that PSYC 670 and PSYC 672 are courses that are only offered in the fall semester. Non-psychology students should contact the I/O Psychology GPD to discuss their interests. It is important that non-psychology majors have completed the following courses which serve as prerequisites to PSYC 670 and PSYC 672: Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods (or Statistics).
Accelerated Program Application Process
- Contact Dr. Elliot Lasson, Graduate Program Director to discuss interest and plan of study. Students should also discuss interest in the accelerated program with their assigned undergraduate academic advisor.
- Complete the Graduate School Accelerated Program Application Form,
- Submit copies of undergraduate transcripts in the Accelerated Application DocuSign form, via the upload feature. (Reference letters are not required.)
- Once approved, complete the Approval for Undergraduates to take Courses for Graduate Credit.
- Please direct any questions regarding the application process to sgprofessionalprograms@umbc.edu.
Complete the form below to start receiving more information about the program and access to our virtual open house!
I/O Psychology Program Admission:
Fall 2025 Application Deadline: May 1, 2025
One semester prior to completion of your bachelor’s degree, apply to the I/O Psychology program by submitting an official application to UMBC’s Graduate School. The graduate school application fee is waived ($50 online/$70 paper).
Once admitted to the I/O Psychology Graduate Program, complete the Graduate School’s Transfer of Credits form for up to six credits towards a graduate certificate or nine credits towards the master’s to reflect the PSYC courses you took as an undergraduate. Please note that only graduate courses completed with a B or higher are eligible to be transferred into the I/O Psychology graduate certificates or master’s.
Accelerated Program Regulations and Procedures
Once admitted to the combined program, the student must maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average. No more than two “C” grades may be received in all courses taken after admission. If the GPA falls below 3.0 or if more than two “C” grades are received, the student will be removed from the combined program. This does not affect the student’s eligibility for the bachelor’s degree under normal University undergraduate requirements. Any one “D” or “F” also results in removal from the combined program.
Students in the combined program must formally apply for admission to the Graduate School before the application deadline during the semester in which the coursework for the bachelor’s degree is completed. No more than 9 credits of graduate courses may be taken while the student is paying undergraduate tuition.