Bachelor of Science with a Major in 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 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 two tracks: integrated wellness and premedicine.

Transfer students who have completed an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, DTA (WA), the IGETC (CA), CSU Breadth (CA) or Associate Degree for Transfer (CA) prior to enrolling at Bastyr will satisfy our General Education requirements. Please note: students must also complete prerequisites specific to their major. Students who have not completed one of the above degrees will have their courses articulated for general education credit on a course-by-course basis.  

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 Cell Biology (science-major level with lab)1 4 quarter credits
General Chemistry (science-major level with lab)2 8 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.
2These credits are required for the premedicine track only. 
 
General Education
Natural Science  12 quarter credits
Arts and Humanities 15 quarter credits
Social Sciences3 15 quarter credits
Electives – Premedicine Track 3 17 quarter credits

3Psychology 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 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

BC3123Organic Chemistry for Life Sciences Lecture/Lab

6

BC3161Anatomy and Physiology 1 Lecture/Lab

3

PS3123Health Psychology 1

4

PS3139Spirituality and Health

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Winter

BC3162Anatomy and Physiology 2 Lecture/Lab

3

BC4117Biochemistry for Life Sciences 1 Lecture/Lab

5

PS3124Health Psychology 2

4

PS3147Myth, Ritual and Health

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring

BC3163Anatomy and Physiology 3 Lecture/Lab

4

BC4140Biochemistry for Life Sciences 2

4

PS3134Research Methods in Psychology

4

Total Credit Hours:12

Senior Year (Year II)

Fall

PS3114Developmental Psychology

4

PS4101Social Psychology

4

PS4102Ethical Issues in Psychology

3

PS4106Multicultural Psychology

3

Total Credit Hours:14

Winter

PS3126Psychology of Personality

4

PS4109Human Sexuality

3

PS4112Creating Wellness

3

PS4149Psychology and World Religions

5

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring

PS3129Abnormal Psychology

4

PS3131Learning, Cognition and Behavior

4

PS4150Healing: Self, Society and World

3

Total Credit Hours:11

Total Requirements: BS with a major in Health Psychology: Premedicine

Total Core Course Credits 83
Total Elective Credits     7
Total Requirements  90 

Curriculum and course changes in the 2019-2020 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2019-2020 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.