Bachelor of Science with a Major in Health Psychology — Public Health Psychology
The curriculum in the health psychology program explores the integration of mind, body and spirit. The program is designed to enhance students’ capabilities to blend the study of psychology with health, the healing arts, wellness and fitness. This Bachelor of Science degree also provides a solid undergraduate foundation for pursuing both professional studies and graduate degrees. Graduates are prepared to critically evaluate the scientific literature and to incorporate current research and advances in health psychology as they relate to the fundamental principles of health and healing.
The health psychology track system provides students with options that enable them to tailor their undergraduate experience to meet their needs more fully. Students in the health psychology major enroll in the integrated wellness, public health or premedicine track. Students in the premedicine track have the option of participating in the summer massage training program.
Expected Learning Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science with a Major in Health Psychology program follows the American Psychological Association expected learning outcomes for undergraduate education:
- Knowledge base in psychology
- Research methods
- Critical thinking skills in psychology
- Applications of psychology
- Values in psychology
- Information and technological literacy
- Communication skills oral/written
- Sociocultural and international awareness
- Personal development skills
- Career planning and development
- Understanding of the importance of the biopsychosocial model with emphasis on the topics of stress, coping, social support, health behavior and the role of spirituality in well-being
Admissions
For general information on the admissions process, please refer to the Admissions section in this catalog. The information below refers only to the Bachelor of Science with a Major in Health Psychology, which has three tracks: integrated wellness, public health and premedicine.
Prerequisites
Entering undergraduates must have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA with a grade of C or better in basic proficiency and science requirement courses. Prior to enrolling, students must have completed 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits), including a minimum number of credits in specific proficiencies and general education requirements. Students may apply to the program while completing prerequisite coursework.
| Basic Proficiency and Science |
| English Literature or Composition |
9 quarter credits |
| General Psychology |
3 quarter credits |
| College Algebra or Precalculus |
4 quarter credits |
| General Biology (survey level with lab)1 |
4 quarter credits |
| Public Speaking |
3 quarter credits |
| 1Integrated wellness and public health tracks will accept Introduction to Biology with lab. Premedicine requires science-major level with lab. |
| General Education |
| Natural Science |
12 quarter credits |
| Arts and Humanities |
15 quarter credits |
| Social Sciences2 |
15 quarter credits |
| Electives – Integrated Wellness/Public Health Tracks |
25 quarter credits |
2Psychology courses are not allowed for satisfaction of this General Education requirement.
Graduation Requirements
Upper-division BS students enrolled at Bastyr University must complete a minimum of 180 credits (inclusive of credits transferred into Bastyr). To graduate, BS students must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average with a minimum of 45 credits in residence at Bastyr University.
The curriculum tables that follow list the tentative schedule of courses each quarter.
Students should note that changing tracks may jeopardize finishing their degree program in two years.
Junior Year (Year I)
Fall
| PS3114 | Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PS3123 | Health Psychology 1 | 4 |
| PS3139 | Spirituality and Health | 3 |
| PS4101 | Social Psychology | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Winter
| PS3136 | Positive Development and Social Advocacy for Infants and Children | 3 |
| PS3133 | Introduction to Statistics and Epidemiology | 4 |
| PS3124 | Health Psychology 2 | 4 |
| PS3147 | Myth Ritual and Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring
| PS3129 | Abnormal Psychology | 4 |
| PS3131 | Learning, Cognition and Behavior | 4 |
| PS3134 | Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
| PS3137 | Positive Development and Social Advocacy for Adolescents and Adults | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year II
Fall
| PS4134 | Positive Development and Social Advocacy for Elders | 3 |
| PS4106 | Multicultural Psychology | 3 |
| PS4102 | Ethical Issues in Psychology | 3 |
| PS4104 | Advocacy Skills for Social Justice | 3 |
| PS4126 | Research Proposal* | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Winter
| PS4801 | External Practicum/Service Learning 1 | 3 |
| PS4131 | Non-profit Administration and Grant Writing | 2 |
| PS4149 | Psychology and World Religions | 5 |
| PS4128 | Research Project | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| PS4802 | External Practicum / Service Learning 2 | 3 |
| PS4124 | Biological Psychology | 5 |
| PS4150 | Healing: Self, Society and World | 3 |
| PS4133 | Health Policy and Intervention Programs | 2 |
| PS4129 | Research Presentation | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Total Requirements: BS with a Major in Health Psychology: Public Health
| Total Core Course Credits |
(90)79 |
| Total Elective Credits |
(1)11 |
| Total Requirements |
90 |
Curriculum and course changes in the 2018-2019 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2018-2019 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.