As of Sept. 2020, BC will offer a master’s program in psychology. This course is estimated to take one year to complete and requires applicants to have completed their undergraduate studies and have a 2.7 GPA. Current psychology faculty members, including Alan Eby, professor of psychology and current department chair, will be teaching courses in the program.

Planning for this program began when BC faculty wanted to revamp the psychology major; however, the state of Virginia released new regulations to require qualified mental health professionals to have “a masters degree in psychology, social work, counseling, substance abuse, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited college or university with an internship or practicum of at least 500 hours of experience with persons who have mental illness.” This program meets these requirements.

Applicants for the psychology program would be interested in areas of study such as psychology, social work, family and consumer science, or even criminal justice. 

“What we’re doing for those going into human services and through this program is that we’re preparing them for on-the-job experience,” said Eby. “With this extra year, they have a better path forward in the field of mental health than if they only had a bachelors degree, which gives a very dramatic yet positive impact on mental health services throughout the area.”  

Applications are open on Bridgewater College’s website; further questions about the program can be directed to Eby at [email protected]