Bachelor of Science Health Psychology — Premedicine
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 or premedicine track. Students in the premedicine track have the option of participating in the summer massage training program.
Expected Program Outcomes
The Bachelor of Science 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
Minimum Requirements
To be admitted to the Health Psychology - Premedicine program at Bastyr University, transfer students must meet the following criteria:
- Complete 90 quarter (60 semester) credits from a regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent (only courses with a grade of C or higher are transferable).
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and prerequisite GPA of 2.0.
- Complete the general education and major-based prerequisite courses.
Undergraduate transfer students who complete one of the following transfer degrees will satisfy the general education requirements:
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Direct Transfer Associate (DTA) [WA state]
- Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) [CA state]
- California State University Breadth [CA state]
- Associate Degree for Transfer [CA state]
Note: Technical degrees, such as Applied Science degrees, will not automatically satisfy the general education requirements. They will be reviewed on a course-by-course basis.
Major-Based Prerequisite Courses
General Cell Biology w/lab (for science majors)
|
1 course
|
General Chemistry w/lab (for science majors)
|
2 courses
|
College Algebra or Statistics
|
1 course |
| General Psychology |
1 course |
General Education Requirements
To see examples of general education courses, please see the General Admissions for Undergraduate students.
Arts and Humanities
|
5 courses
|
English Literature and Composition
|
2 courses |
Other Courses
|
3 courses |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences |
5 courses |
Public Speaking
|
1 course |
Major-Based Prerequisite Course (see list)
|
1 course |
Other Courses*
|
3 courses |
| Natural Science and Mathematics |
5 courses |
Major-Based Prerequisite Courses (see list)
|
4 courses |
Other Course
|
1 course |
| General Electives |
3 courses or more |
| TOTAL |
90 quarter/60 semester credits
|
*Psychology courses cannot be used to complete the Social and Behavioral Sciences general education Requirements.
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 GPA 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
| BC3123 | Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences Lecture/Lab | 6 |
| BC3161 | Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lecture/Lab | 3 |
| PS3123 | Health Psychology 1 | 4 |
| PS3139 | Spirituality and Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Winter
| BC3162 | Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lecture/Lab | 3 |
| BC4117 | Biochemistry for Life Sciences 1 Lecture/Lab | 5 |
| PS3124 | Health Psychology 2 | 4 |
| PS3147 | Myth, Ritual and Health | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| BC3163 | Anatomy and Physiology 3 Lecture/Lab | 4 |
| BC4140 | Biochemistry for Life Sciences 2 | 4 |
| PS3134 | Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Senior Year (Year II)
Fall
| PS3114 | Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| PS4101 | Social Psychology | 4 |
| PS4102 | Ethical Issues in Psychology | 3 |
| PS4106 | Multicultural Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Winter
| PS3126 | Psychology of Personality | 4 |
| PS4109 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PS4112 | Creating Wellness | 3 |
| PS4149 | Psychology and World Religions | 5 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| PS3129 | Abnormal Psychology | 4 |
| PS3131 | Learning, Cognition and Behavior | 4 |
| PS4150 | Healing: Self, Society and World | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 11 |
Total Requirements
| Total Core Course Credits |
83 |
| Total Elective Credits |
7 |
| Total Requirements |
90 |
Curriculum and course changes in the 2023-2024 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2023-2024 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.