Bridge to Master’s Program

Felician University undergraduate students may enroll in graduate level courses to get a jump start on their master’s degree!  With this program, undergraduate students can satisfy requirements towards the bachelor’s degree while enrolled in graduate courses, that will apply towards a Felician University master’s degree.  This program offers students a dual advantage while saving both time and money.

Undergraduate students may add the below graduate courses to their undergraduate curriculum, which will replace undergraduate requirements, and satisfy master’s degree requirements at the same time.  Students will be charged undergraduate tuition for the graduate courses and receive a scholarship when they enroll in the graduate program.

Bridge to Master’s Program Outcomes

  • Students will understand advanced theories, apply graduate-level concepts to real-world scenarios, and analyze complex problems, building a strong academic foundation for further study.
  • Students will evaluate strategies to balance undergraduate and graduate coursework, analyze cost-saving opportunities, and make informed decisions about their academic progression.
  • Students will apply and synthesize graduate-level insights across disciplines, creating connections between undergraduate and graduate coursework to produce innovative ideas and projects.
  • Students will evaluate and critique academic and professional challenges, using their advanced skills to create solutions that demonstrate higher-order thinking, preparing them for future leadership roles.

Bridge to Master’s Program Participation Requirements

Felician University undergraduate students and prospective students may participate in the Bridge to Master’s program and receive conditional admission to the Master’s program if they meet the following criteria:

  • They have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits toward a Felician University bachelor’s degree.
  • They have a Felician University grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.

Interested students should contact their faculty advisors to discuss the program.  Advisors will recommend students for participation to the Dean of the School that hosts the graduate program.

Students who wish to enroll in the graduate program will be admitted conditionally upon successful completion of the graduate course(s).  Students may gain full admission into the master’s program upon consultation with the graduate program director, who may require the submission of supplemental documentation.

Students who do not achieve a 3.0 GPA in their graduate course work will not be permitted to take additional graduate courses.

Master’s in Counseling Psychology

PSYC 505: Introduction to Counseling Psychology 3
PSYC 507: Developmental Models of Personal Growth 3
PSYC 510: Techniques of Counseling and Appraisal 3
One additional course selected in consultation with advisor 3

These courses may satisfy psychology electives for psychology majors, or free electives for any students who meet the participation requirements.  Students must have completed 3 undergraduate courses in psychology prior to participating in this program.

Master’s in Religious Studies

RELS 502: The Catholic Church: Then and Now 3
RELS 503: Discovering Sacred Texts 3
RELS 504: Morality Across Religions 3
RELS 505: Liberation Theologies and Social Justice 3

These courses may satisfy RELS requirements for the general education program, or free electives for any students who meet the participation requirements.  Students must have completed 1 lower-division course in RELS prior to participating in this program.

These courses may also fulfill the requirements for a graduate Concentration or Certificate in Religious Studies. The program requires the successful completion of all four courses listed above, with no changes to the existing admission criteria.

These courses may also fulfill the requirements for an undergraduate Concentration in Religious Studies or a graduate Certificate in Religious Studies.

Master of Business Administration

A combined B.S./M.B.A. program is available to Criminal Justice majors who meet the admissions requirements listed below. This combined program is designed to facilitate the ongoing academic accomplishments of students who have achieved excellence in the Criminal Justice major. Acceptance into the program will allow up to 6 MBA graduate credits to be “double-counted” toward both the B.S. in Criminal Justice and the Master’s in Business Administration. Students will be limited to one graduate course per semester while still an undergraduate. Courses in the MBA program run over 8 weeks, meeting one evening a week (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) for four (4) hours.

Students applying for the combined BS/MBA program must:

  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Receive the endorsement of their Criminal Justice Academic Advisor; the Associate Dean for Social and
  • Behavioral Sciences and the Dean of the School of Business
  • Complete personal interview with MBA program director
  • Submit a graduate admission application

Final approval for admission into the Masters’ of Business Administration program rests with the Dean of the School of Business.

*Course substitutions may be approved by the graduate program director; students should consult with the program director to address any questions and to plan coursework accordingly.

4+1 B.A. in Psychology / M.A. in Behavior & Autism Studies — Felician University 

Overview 

This program is an accelerated, integrated pathway at Felician University allowing students to earn both a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Behavior and Autism Studies in five years (4+1), ultimately positioning graduates to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) certification exam. 

Rationale 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a rapidly growing field with a documented shortage of qualified BCBAs, especially in school-based and community settings. The program responds to this workforce gap while aligning with Felician’s Franciscan mission of service to vulnerable populations. 

Key Features 

  • A collaboration between the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education. 
  • The pathway uses intentional sequencing of existing undergraduate and graduate coursework. 
  • Students begin taking three graduate-level ABA courses during their junior year as part of their undergraduate electives, accelerating completion of the master’s degree. 

Admissions & Standards 

  • Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to enter the program as juniors and maintain it throughout. 
  • A minimum grade of B- is required in all ABA coursework. 

4+1 B.A. in Education / M.A. in Behavior & Autism Studies — Felician University 

Overview 

This program is an accelerated 4+1 pathway at Felician University allowing students to earn both a B.A. in Education and an M.A. in Behavior and Autism Studies in five years. The dual-credential program prepares graduates for New Jersey teacher certification through the NJ Department of Education and eligibility to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) exam. 

Rationale 

The program responds to two concurrent workforce shortages: a national and statewide shortage of teachers, and a persistent deficit of qualified BCBAs — particularly in school-based settings. Combining these credentials creates graduates who can work across schools, clinics, agencies, and community organizations. 

Key Features 

  • The program uses existing undergraduate and graduate coursework, intentionally sequenced. 
  • Students begin graduate-level ABA coursework during their junior year (after completing at least 60 undergraduate credits), accelerating time to master’s degree completion. 
  • The M.A. includes a thesis component, supporting a scholarly-practitioner model with opportunities for faculty-mentored research, conference presentations, and publications. 

Admissions & Standards 

  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to enter as a junior; 3.0 GPA must be maintained throughout. 
  • A minimum grade of B- required in all ABA coursework.