Future counselors, step into MAC early with new Bridge Program

Heidelberg University is helping psychology majors take the fast track from undergrad to graduate studies with its new Psychology-MAC Bridge Program. Launching this fall, the program gives students a chance to dip their toes into graduate-level counseling coursework while still completing their bachelor’s degree.

Here’s how it works: if you’ve completed at least 90 credit hours and your core psychology courses, you can take up to nine credit hours of MAC courses that count toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees. Think of it as a sneak peek into grad school—a way to get experience, build confidence, and lighten your future course load.

“It really can lighten the load for their intro to the MAC program,” said Dr. Meagan McBride, director of the MAC program. “Basically, it’s a jump start … like a graduate school primer.”

Students in their junior year can apply to the Bridge Program. During their senior year, they’ll take select MAC courses alongside their undergrad studies. Classes are offered across all semesters, and students work closely with both a MAC advisor and a psychology faculty advisor to pick the right courses.
The process is seamless, Meagan explained. Undergrads apply to the MAC program just like any other student. Once they earn their bachelor’s degree, they slide right into the MAC program without skipping a beat.

“The biggest advantage is you get a head start on graduate school,” she said. “You get to know the faculty, experience the courses, and feel out grad school before you even finish undergrad. It also helps students confirm that this is the path they really want to take.”

There’s also a financial bonus: undergrads pay undergraduate tuition rates for the nine hours of graduate coursework — a smart way to save while getting ahead.

The Bridge Program isn’t just a win for students—it’s also a strategic pathway for Psychology and the MAC program to recruit talented, motivated students. Heidelberg is already exploring partnerships with other institutions to expand access.

For psychology majors ready to explore the next step in their academic journey, the Bridge Program is more than a course — it’s a head start, a primer, and a smart step toward a graduate degree.