Department of Counseling & Behavioral Health
BS/MS Combined Degrees
The combined BS/MS programs at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) are designed for students who know early on that they want to become professional counselors. These programs allow students to seamlessly complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in less time than would be required to complete both separately.

Undergraduate students selecting this option may choose between the following majors:
- Health Sciences
- Psychology
For qualified students, graduate coursework begins senior year (or equivalent) after all undergraduate college studies, major coursework, and prerequisites are completed.
Students are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in either Health Sciences or Psychology in December of their fourth year, and upon completion of graduate Community and Trauma Counseling program requirements, their Master of Science degree in Community and Trauma Counseling.
Curriculum Information
Accelerated Health Sciences BS / Community & Trauma Counseling MS
Year 1
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Pathways Seminar
- Writing Seminar I
- Debating U.S. Issues
- Writing Seminar II
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Biology I Lecture and Lab
MAJOR COURSES
- Biology II Lecture and Lab
- Introduction to Health Professions
- Introduction to Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Free Elective
Year 2
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Ethics
- Global Diversity
- American Diversity
- Global Citizenship
MAJOR COURSES
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychology of Trauma
- Counseling Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Anatomy and Physiology I Lecture and Lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II Lecture and Lab
- Introduction to Health Care
- Health Science Elective
Year 3
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Debating Global Issues
- Integrative Seminar
- Capstone Folio Workshop
MAJOR COURSES
- Statistics for Behavioral Science
- Medical Terminology and Documentation
- [2] Science Electives (6-8 credits)
- Writing Intensive Science Elective
- [2] Psychology Electives (6-8 credits)
- Health Sciences Elective
Year 4
SEMESTER 1 - Counseling Courses
- Orientation to the Counseling Profession
- Practicum I: Theory and Practice of Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Foundations of Trauma Counseling
- Free Elective
Total Credit Hours: 122-127
Bachelor of Science Degree Awarded after earned following Semester I
SEMESTER 2 - Counseling Courses
- Human Growth and Development
- Counseling Theory and Practice
- Neurobiology of Trauma
- Practicum II-Field Exposure
Year 5
SUMMER
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Group Work in Community and Trauma Counseling
- Addictions Theory and Practice
- Childhood Trauma
- Internship Supervision
FALL
- Psychological Assessment
- Career Counseling
- Attachment, Relationships and Family Therapy
- Internship I
SPRING
- Research and Evaluation
- Advanced Clinical Interventions
- Community Disaster and Trauma
- Internship II
Total Credit Hours: 60
Master of Science Degree Awarded
BS in Psychology with
MS in Community & Trauma Counseling
Year 1
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Pathways Seminar
- Writing Seminar I
- Debating U.S. Issues
- Scientific Understanding
- Quantitative Reasoning I
- Quantitative Reasoning II or Elective
MAJOR COURSES
- Introduction to Psychology
- Physiological Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Science Elective
- Free Elective
Year 2
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Ethics
- Global Diversity
- Writing Seminar II
- American Diversity
MAJOR COURSES
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychology of Trauma
- Counseling Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- [3] Psychology Electives (9 credits)
- Free Elective
Year 3
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Global Citizenship
- Debating Global Issues
- Integrative Seminar
MAJOR COURSES
- Statistics for Behavioral Science
- Marriage and Family
- Psychology of Addiction
- Research Methods for Behavioral Science
- Senior Colloquium
- [3] Psychology Electives (9 credits)
- Free Elective
Year 4
HALLMARKS COURSES
- Capstone Folio Workshop
MAJOR COURSES
- Advanced Research in Psychology
SEMESTER 1 - Counseling Courses
- Orientation to the Counseling Profession
- Practicum I: Theory and Practice of Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Foundations of Trauma Counseling
Total Credit Hours: 121-125
Bachelor of Science Degree Awarded following Semester 1
SEMESTER 2 - Counseling Courses
- Human Growth and Development
- Counseling Theory and Practice
- Group Work in Community and Trauma Counseling
- Neurobiology of Trauma
- Practicum II-Field Exposure
Year 5
SUMMER
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Attachment, Relationships and Family Therapy
- Addictions Theory and Practice
- Childhood Trauma
- Internship Supervision
FALL
- Psychological Assessment
- Career Counseling
- Community Disaster and Trauma
- Internship I
SPRING
- Research and Evaluation
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention Strategies
- Advanced Clinical Interventions
- Internship II
Total Credit Hours: 60
Master of Science Degree Awarded