Bachelor of Science With a Major in Psychology

What We Need From You

• Completed application form
• Official transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges or universities attended
• For applicants whose native language is not English, a minimum TOEFL test score of 600 on the paper-based test, a score of 250 on the computer-based test, or score of 100 on the internet-based test for international applicants, or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (Additional requirements will apply.)

Enrollment Eligibility

Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education previously attended must indicate a minimum grade point average of 2.0. (NOTE: Course work attempted or completed at any post-secondary institution not disclosed at the time of application cannot later be submitted for potential transfer credit, and may affect admissibility to current or future programs.) How to send transcripts to Baker.

Required of applicants with fewer than 12 hours of transferable college credit:

Official high school transcript or state-approved high school equivalency test. The high school GPA must be at least 2.30. The minimum score required for admission using an official state-approved high school equivalency test is based on the scoring standards in place at the time of testing.

Required of applicants who were home schooled with fewer than 12 hours of transferrable college credit:

• A transcript or portfolio of their home-school experience
• Transcripts of completed high school work.
• An original ACT score report from Educational Testing Service with a composite score of 21 or SAT score of 510.

Based on reasonable projections of faculty availability and appropriate curriculum considerations, the following courses can change as deemed necessary by Baker University to fulfill its role and mission. Approximately 18 months are required to fulfill the core program requirements. Courses must be completed in the order recommended by the university.

PY 111 General Psychology (3 hrs.)
This course is an overview of the wide variety of subject areas that comprise the study of behavior. Schools of thought and empirical research findings are presented in the approach to understanding physiology, sensation and perception, learning, memory, development, personality, stress, abnormal behavior, therapy, and social interactions.

PY 236 Social Psychology (3 hrs.)
This course provide an introduction to the field of social psychology. Research in this field examines the influence of the social context on the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of individuals. One unique aspect of social psychology is the connection between what students learn in the classroom and the situations and circumstances they encounter in their daily lives. Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 243 Human Development (3 hrs.)
This course examines changes in human behavior over the entire life span from conception to death. Topics are presented in chronological order and cover developmental changes in physical, cognitive, and social domains. Traditional theories are integrated with current findings of developmental researchers. Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 254 Research Methods I (3 hrs.)
This is the first of a two-course sequence designed to integrate the research methods used in psychology with the statistical techniques used to evaluate data obtained using these methods. This first course focuses on the nature of science, the fundamentals of scientific research, common research strategies and mechanics, ethical considerations, measurement techniques, correlational methods, and descriptive statistics. The inferential process will also be introduced in the context of classic experimental design. As a result of exercises and writing assignments, students are expected to develop the ability to analyze data and communicate research findings using the appropriate written format. Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 255  Research Methods II (3 hrs.)
A continuation of PY 254, this course emphasizes statistical inference and classic experimental design. One-, two-, and multi-group designs are addressed along with their appropriate statistical analyses. Other topics include single-subject designs, quasi-experiments, surveys, and dealing with categorical data. As a result of exercises and written assignments, students are expected to develop the ability to analyze data mathematically and communicate research findings using the appropriate format. Prerequisite: PY 254

PY 334 Abnormal Psychopathology (3 hrs.)
This survey course uses a multidimensional approach to help students understand how biological, psychological, socio-cultural, and even political forces contribute to psychological disorders. Students will learn the diagnostic criteria for the major mental disorders using the DSM-V and review research on their causes, course, and treatment. This course provides a foundation for students interested in learning more about mental health and/or pursuing a career in the helping professions. Prerequisite: PY 111

PY 347 Behavioral Neuroscience (3 hrs.)
This course examines the biological aspects of human behavior. It provides students with a basic overview of neuroanatomy, synaptic transmission, and chemical components of the nervous system. These biological factors are subsequently applied to behavioral associations. Prerequisite PY 255

PY 362 Learning & Behavior (3 hrs.)
This course focuses on basic principles and theoretical issues associated with both classical and operant conditioning. Subject areas covered include a brief history of behavior theory, generalization and discrimination, schedules of reinforcement, classical/operant interactions, and biological constraints on behavior. Some applications of behavior theory are also discussed. Prerequisite: PY 255

PY 371 Contemporary Issues (3 hrs.)
Students will discuss contemporary psychological research and theoretical writings. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis, integration, and application of psychological theories and findings to current societal issues. Students will investigate specific topics of interest in-depth and write and orally defend a position paper. Prerequisite: PY 252

PY 383 Clinical & Counseling Psychology (3 hrs.)
This course provides an orientation to the professional application of clinical and counseling psychology. The historical and empirical foundations of the profession are reviewed, as well as its current issues and trends. It focuses on basic helping skills; contemporary and traditional theories; the processes of assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy; and issues of diversity, such as culture, race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation. Prerequisite: PY234 Psychopathology

PY 455 Research Methods Application (3 hrs.)
Under close supervision of the instructor and frequent consultation, each student conceptualizes, designs, implements, and reports on an original research study in his or her own interest area in psychology. The process includes data collection and analysis, as well as the submission of an APA-style manuscript and a conference-style oral presentation of the project. Advanced research topics are addressed throughout the course, as are classic and/or recent studies in the field of psychology. To be completed in the last three courses of the psychology major. Prerequisite: PY 255

PY 471 History & Systems (3 hrs.)
This seminar traces the history of psychology from its development out of philosophy and physiology to its culmination in the various systems and schools of thought in psychology. Comparisons and contrasts among these schools of thought are the focus of most class discussion. Prerequisite: PY 255

Students must meet the following requirements to earn a Bachelor of Science with a major in psychology degree:

• Successful completion of at least 120 credit hours (Residency requirements: A minimum of 30 hours of upper-level course work [numbered 300 or higher] must be taken at Baker University.)
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
• Successful completion of a major area of concentration with a GPA of at least 2.0.
• Satisfaction of all general education requirements. Typically, an earned Associate of Arts or Associate of Science from a regionally accredited institution will satisfy the requirement.
• Satisfaction of all proficiency requirements.
• Submission of intent to graduate form six months before anticipated degree completion
• Payment of all tuition and fees
• Approval by the faculty and Board of Trustees

General Education Course Requirements | 33 credits

• BK 110 Introduction to Undergraduate Studies 3 credits (must be taken at Baker)
• Arts & Humanities (with no more than 6 semester credits counted from any one discipline) 18 credits
• Social Sciences 6 credits
• Sciences 6 credits

Proficiencies | 12 credits

• Written Communication 6 credits
  • 3 credits lower-level college compositions with a grade of C- or better completed within the last four years
  • 3 credits of upper-level writing (must be taken at Baker)
• CO 102 Oral Communication 3 credits
• BS-Level Mathematics 3 credits (must be taken at Baker)

General Electives | 39 credits

Psychology Major Core Courses | 36 credits

Transfer Hours

We will evaluate your transcripts from other regionally accredited colleges and universities to determine what credits will transfer.