“Post-bacc” is short for post-baccalaureate. In the field of STEM and medical sciences, post-bacc programs have become increasingly common as a “bridge” between undergraduate education and graduate school education. In fact, in the field of psychology, taking a “gap year” or two to gain post-bacc experience is increasingly becoming the new normal to be a competitive candidate for psychology-oriented graduate programs and/or careers. These enrichment programs often span a couple of years (1-2 years) and provide students the opportunity to:
- Look into a career/educational change
- Engage in foundational or advanced coursework in their discipline to bolster their knowledge and/or GPA
- Engage in research and formalize possible output (such as through publications or research presentations at conferences)
- Gain internship experience
- Build a mentorship network in a field of interest
For the student who feels like they may need a bit more experience in any of these areas, post-bacc programs may be able to help.
Post-bacc programs are not always advertised as such and do not always have formal titles with a reoccurring application. They may be advertised with position titles such as “study coordinator,” “research assistant,” and/or “lab manager,” but often have the same goals and objectives as more “formalized” post-bacc programs. When searching for these programs, students may find it helpful to use search terms as conveyed above to look for opportunities at institutions. In addition, students who are close to graduation (e.g., juniors or seniors) may find it valuable to reach out to current faculty at their institutions to inquire whether there are available post-bacc positions in programs/labs in their department.
Some post-bacc programs are traditionally advertised as medically oriented, but several are specifically research-focused and make space for those interested in the psychological sciences, especially those interested in topics like neuroscience, population health, public health, and more.
Post-bacc programs vary in their financial status. For example, some post-bacc programs require the student to pay out-of-pocket to participate. This is more likely to be true for programs that provide coursework for the student. On the other hand, some programs pay a modest stipend to the student for participating. We have broken down the different kinds of programs in our list below to allow students to find the kind of program that would be best for their specific situation.
Post-bacc programs also vary greatly in the research training provided, internship opportunities, and other benefits (such as health insurance, GRE prep materials).
Be sure to check program websites for application details, such as program overview, eligibility requirements, expectations, and more.
Valencia Lagbo serves as the point person for APA’s Internal Internship Program (IIP), working also as an executive assistant in the Education Directorate. Lagbo earned her bachelor’s degree in public policy and leadership and global development studies from the University of Virginia in 2022.
