is there a way to get a bachelor/master at the same time?

Dear Estefania,

I have not been around universities very much during my career but I have a few general suggestions for you. I don't know if any universities specifically offer the option of combined degrees but it should be easy to find out. Since you live in the DFW area I suggest you look on the web sites of local universities (such as TCU, UTA, and UNT) or email somebody in their psychology department. Even without this option it is probably possible to get a bachelor's and master's degree in less time by taking some graduate courses as an undergraduate.

I have to warn you that, while there are jobs available for people with master's degrees in psychology, you have to have a Ph.D. degree to be fully licensed as a psychologist in Texas and most other states. However there are two pieces of good news. People with master's degrees in psychology can become licensed as professional counselors, which requires only a master's to practice independently. There is also a bill being considered by the Texas legislature which would allow master's level psychologists to practice independently, although it probably will not pass.

I hope this information will at least give you a start. Good luck with your educational and career pursuits.

Ray Finn, Ph.D.

Generally speaking, you need to be matriculated into a master's level program AFTER being awarded the bachelor's degree. The school where I used to teach did have a 5 year program for the completion of a B.S. in psychology and an M.S..; it was a pretty touch schedule for the student, taking graduate level course work in the junior and senior years, and generally 18-20 credits per semester in order to complete the 48 credit master's degree. That 5 year program was disbanded while I was still working there. There may be some programs that attempt to accomplish a shorter window for the completion of the M.S. degree following the B.S...you'll have to just "poke around" at various websites that offer the master's degree in psychology.

Good luck.

Generally the only programs that offer dual enrollment in a graduate and undergraduate degree program are those where licensing is involved. This includes subjects like teacher education and physical therapy. I do not know of any psychology programs that offer dual enrollment for both a bachelors and masters degree. I also do not know of any states where you could get a license to practice as a psychologist with a masters degree. You can practice with a masters degree in counseling or in social work but those programs are not the typical 30 credit hour masters programs. Those programs generally run 60 plus credits and involve practicums and internships and can take just as long as a psychology doctoral program to complete. The advantage is that these programs are generally easier to get into.