Jul 03, 2025

2025-2026 Augusta University Catalog

Accelerated Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology to Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies with a Concentration in Social Influence

Location(s): Hybrid (On Campus and Online)

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Program Overview

This program is designed as a 4 +1 where students earn a Bachelor of Science with a Major in Psychology as well as a Master of Arts with a Major in Intelligence and Security Studies with a Concentration in Social Influence . The purpose of this accelerated option is to give students expertise in psychological sciences as well as into propaganda and information warfare within the national security landscape. Social influence and persuasion are heavily influenced by psychological sciences and thus, the two options pair well together for the purpose of U.S. national security.

augusta.edu/pamplin/psychology
augusta.edu/pamplin/maiss

Program Contact

Dr. Craig Albert, Professor and Program Director
706-737-1710
calbert@augusta.edu

Admissions Information

Students applying to this program must:

Apply for the accelerated degree before their senior year
Have completed at least 30 hours of coursework at Augusta University
Have an overall cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better
Be within 30 credit hours of graduating with a BS in Psychology
Have written permission of the chair of the department of the undergraduate major to use the graduate level courses as acceptable substitutes to fulfill related requirements of the bachelor’s degree
Meet all requirements for admission into the MAISS program and be in good standing with the university (except for receipt of the undergraduate degree)
Submit an application for admission in the spring semester of the junior year to the Accelerated Bachelor’s-Master’s Degree Program, along with all necessary admissions documentation to The Graduate School according to institutional policy

For more information on admissions requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.

Progression and Graduation Requirements

Once accepted to the program, students must:

Take the following two MAISS courses:
- SECR 6168 - Cross-Cultural Security and Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
- SECR 6911 - Introduction to Security Studies (3 Credit Hours)
Take one of the following MAISS courses:
- SECR 6919 - The Psychology of Terrorism (3 Credit Hours)
- SECR 6982 - Information Warfare (3 Credit Hours)
Graduate with the BS in Psychology
Continue with the MAISS to complete all other degree requirements
Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA in the MAISS program in order to graduate

Program Information

Program Length: 5 Years
CIP Code: 45.0999 0 International Relations and National Security Studies, Other.

Dual Degree Requirements

Core IMPACTS Courses: 42 Hours

For details on required courses, refer to the General Education/Core IMPACTS .

Field of Study Courses: 18 Hours

Field of Study Required Courses: 9 Hours

A grade of C or better is required in all courses.

Field of Study Electives: 9 Hours

Select the remaining 9 hours from the approved 1000‑2000 courses. A grade of D or better required in these courses.

Undergraduate Major Courses: 33 Hours

Foundation Courses: 9 Hours

A grade of C or better is required in all courses.

PSYC 3190 - Ethical and Professional Foundations (3 Credit Hours) (take prior to PSYC 3121)
PSYC 3121 - Quantitative Methods (3 Credit Hours) (take prior to PSYC 3122)
PSYC 3122 - Research Methods (3 Credit Hours)

Advanced Theory Courses (Shared Undergraduate/Graduate Courses): 9 Hours

Select three of the following earning a grade of C or better in each:

Major Electives: 15 Hours

Select from the following PSYC 3000-4000 level courses. A grade of C or better is required in all courses. No more than 3 hours of credit to be counted in the major may come from undergraduate research (PSYC 4990), internship (PSYC 4960), independent study (PSYC 4950), and/or HONR 3999/4000. This policy does not apply to non-repetitive special topics courses which might carry a PSYC 3950 or PSYC 4950 designation.

Undergraduate Free Electives: 27 Hours

To complete the requirements for the BS in Psychology, students must also take 27 free elective hours, including 21 hours from 1000-4000 level academic courses and 6 hours from 3000-4000 level academic courses.

Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 3XXX or 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)
Free Elective 3XXX or 4XXX (3 Credit Hours)

Graduate Core Courses: 18 Hours

Graduate Concentration Courses: 12 Hours

Graduate Electives

Graduate Capstone: 6 Hours

Select one of the following options:

SECR 6997 - Capstone (0 to 6 Credit Hours)
SECR 6998 - Thesis I (3 Credit Hours)
and SECR 6999 - Thesis II (3 Credit Hours)
SECR 6916 - The Causes and Prevention of War (3 Credit Hours)
and any other SECR course (courses not taken from Cyber/Intel above are recommended) (3 Credit Hours)

Wellness Graduation Requirement: 4 Hours

Students who begin at or transfer to Augusta University with less than 60 credit hours must complete the Wellness Requirement.

WELL 1000 - Wellness (2 Credit Hours)
WELL XXXX - Activity Course (1 Credit Hour)
WELL XXXX - Activity Course (1 Credit Hour)

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