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Bachelor of Science in
Psychology
On-Campus

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Wall Street Journal ranks Cornerstone University as one of America's best colleges 2025.

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Transfer up to 75% of your program credits

Pursue Your Future Career with a B.S. in Psychology Degree

If you’re passionate about helping others flourish in meaningful, practical ways, Cornerstone University’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology provides a strong foundation for a fulfilling career or graduate study. Whether you’re drawn to clinical practice, education, service, or business, this program — taught by experienced, faith-driven faculty — combines academic rigor with hands-on learning to prepare you for a lifetime of impact and spiritual growth. You’ll explore the foundations of human behavior, psychological theory, and research through a Christian worldview, equipping you to bring knowledge, hope, and healing to individuals and communities alike.

Students interested in this degree may choose from one of three areas of concentration: Pre-Counseling: Child & Adolescent Psychology, Pre-Counseling: Marriage & Family, or Specialties in Psychology.

Cornerstone also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree, offered 100% online.

Develop Market-Ready Skills with a B.S. in Psychology Degree

Cornerstone University’s rigorous academic foundation prepares you for graduate study or direct entry into the workforce. Students interested in the B.S. in Psychology as a stand-alone degree do not need to choose a concentration. This allows students to tailor their education to meet specific career goals by pursuing minors such as Business, Spanish, etc.

Optional concentrations include: Pre-Counseling: Child & Adolescent Concentration, Pre-Counseling: Marriage & Family Concentration or Specialties in Psychology Concentration.

Cultivate these skills, highly valued across a wide range of industries, including:

Behavioral Analysis – Observe, interpret, and explain human behavior through key psychological theories — developing analytical thinking for real-world application.

Cognitive and Emotional Insight – Understand how people think, feel, and process information, gaining a foundation for roles that require empathy, communication, and care.

Clinical Understanding – Explore mental health conditions, diagnostic systems (like the DSM), and foundational counseling approaches, enhancing both problem-solving and ethical reasoning.

Developmental Awareness – Apply an understanding of human development from infancy through late adulthood to evaluate how behavior, cognition, and emotion evolve over the lifespan.

Research and Scientific Thinking – Cultivate strong research and critical thinking skills by designing studies, collecting data, and applying the scientific method to psychological inquiry.

Decision-making and Problem-solving – Use statistical tools and reasoning to interpret psychological data through a biblical lens — skills essential for research roles, graduate study, and evidence-based practice.

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Ethical and Professional Responsibility – Learn ethical standards that are biblically and culturally informed that guide responsible decision-making in psychological research and applied settings.

Psychological Assessment Literacy – Gain familiarity with psychological measurement, testing tools, and how to evaluate behavior and mental processes in structured ways.

Communication and Relationships – Communicate psychological concepts clearly and effectively, and develop strong interpersonal skills for building trust, empathy, and collaboration in diverse settings.

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Integrating a Christian Worldview – Understand and frame psychological principles and relationship interactions through a biblical perspective on human behavior, Christ-centered purpose, and well-being.

Courses

Cornerstone is ready to help you excel in your chosen field. The courses below reflect just a few of the general education and industry-focused courses you will experience to achieve your degree.

Featured Courses

PSY-233: Child & Adolescent Psychology

Explore key theories in child and adolescent development and apply them to real-world cases and personal experiences. Gain practical skills through hands-on labs and field experiences.

PSY-239: Adult Psychology

Examine psychological development and challenges from young adulthood through the end of life in this in-depth study of the human lifespan.

PSY-351: Social Psychology

Discover how physical and social environments influence behavior, including cognition, attitudes, decision-making, and social actions.

PSY-353: Abnormal Psychology

Examine major categories of mental disorders, symptoms, causes, and treatment approaches, including anxiety, mood, personality, and psychotic disorders.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

A Christian Worldview of Liberal Arts and the G.O.O.D. Life

The humanities are integral to Cornerstone’s liberal arts approach, exploring culture, literature, history, and philosophy through a Christian worldview. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, students consider how to apply G.O.O.D. Life Biblical principles to inspire their spiritual growth and to profoundly influence society, industry and ministry for Jesus Christ. Our G.O.O.D. Life foundations guide students to answer life’s biggest questions from a rich Biblical perspective to shape Christ-centered moral leaders.

  • God: Who is God? What is His beauty, goodness and greatness?
  • Others: What does it mean to live in a community with responsibility and grace?
  • Ourselves: Who am I? What is the beauty and frailty of being human?
  • Dual Citizenship: What is my role as a citizen of heaven and earth?
  • Life: How do we live, know, and love the good life, valuing truth, beauty, and goodness?

B.S. in Psychology Concentrations

Expand your career opportunities and gain specialized skills with concentrations in Pre-Counseling: Child & Adolescent, Pre-Counseling: Marriage & Family, or Specialties in Psychology. Read below to learn more about these concentrations.

Pre-Counseling: Child & Adolescent

Pre-Counseling Child & Adolescent Concentration

Prepare to work in a variety of human service roles that focus on children, adolescents and families. Focus on child and adolescent development, creative therapeutic approaches for children and families, and the contexts that impact children and adolescents. Courses include:

  • PSY-421: Theories of Counseling – Examine major counseling theories and applications, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and Christian perspectives.
  • PSY-445: Creative Therapies – Learn the history, theories, and techniques of art, music, and play therapy through hands-on creative activities. Learn practical methods for working with children, adults, families, and groups while deepening both academic understanding and personal growth.

Students must choose three additional courses. A few examples are shown below.

  • PSY-211: Introduction to Relationships – Explore how relationships form, grow, and end before marriage. Examine key factors like family background, personality, gender, and communication to build healthy, lasting connections.
  • PSY-351: Social Psychology – Discover how physical and social environments influence behavior, including cognition, attitudes, decision-making, and social actions.
  • EDU-371: Young Child and Community – Cultivate ways to build strong communication and relationships with parents and the community. Learn strategies for parent involvement, school volunteers, and supporting diverse cultural needs in the classroom.
  • PSY-448: Cross-Cultural Psychology – Study how culture shapes behavior, thinking, emotions, and spirituality. Explore cross-cultural research on mental health, social interaction, and spiritual life, with practical applications for serving diverse populations.

Pre-Counseling: Marriage & Family

Pre-Counseling: Marriage & Family Concentration

The Pre-Counseling Marriage and Family concentration equips students to support the well-being of children, adults, and families in diverse professional and ministry settings. Students examine psychological theories through a Christian lens and apply their learning through hands-on experiences across West Michigan. Courses include:

  • PSY-211: Introduction to Relationships – Explore how relationships form, grow, and end before marriage. Examine key factors like family background, personality, gender, and communication to build healthy, lasting connections.
  • PSY-421: Theories of Counseling – Examine major counseling theories and applications, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and Christian perspectives.
  • PSY-456: Marriage & Family Counseling – Develop foundational skills in premarital, marital, and family counseling. Explore major theoretical approaches and their practical application in clinical settings.

Students must choose two additional courses. A few examples are shown below.

  • PSY-352: Health Psychology – Examine how biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors shape health and wellness. Explore topics such as stress, illness prevention, holistic treatment, and recovery, with a focus on the role of Christian faith in promoting physical and mental well-being.
  • PSY-445: Creative Therapies – Explore the history, theories, and techniques of art, music, and play therapy through hands-on creative activities. Learn practical methods for working with children, adults, families, and groups while deepening both academic understanding and personal growth.
  • PSY-448: Cross-Cultural Psychology – Study how culture shapes behavior, thinking, emotions, and spirituality. Explore cross-cultural research on mental health, social interaction, and spiritual life, with practical applications for serving diverse populations.

Specialties in Psychology

Specialties in Psychology Concentration

Psychology graduates are in high demand across a wide range of industries because of their deep understanding of human behavior, decision-making, and motivation. Students can tailor their degree to their unique interests and career goals. This versatile concentration prepares students for diverse career roles.

You can focus on a single specialty or take courses across multiple subject areas, such as forensic, health, addictions, educational, industrial-organizational, or environmental psychology. Courses include:

  • PSY-447: Current Trends and Specialties (online) – Review current trends and specialties in psychology, such as life coaching, art, music, play, and sports therapy. Learn about careers and the skills needed to work in these fields.
  • PSY-448: Cross-Cultural Psychology – Study how culture shapes behavior, thinking, emotions, and spirituality. Explore cross-cultural research on mental health, social interaction, and spiritual life, with practical applications for serving diverse populations.

Students will also choose three courses in disciplines related to psychology specialties with prior approval from their academic advisor. Available specialty areas include:

  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • School Psychology
  • Forensic Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sport Psychology
  • Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts
  • Consumer Psychology
  • Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse
  • Environmental, Population, and Conservation Psychology
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Peace Psychology
  • Neuropsychology

Influential Careers with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree

  • Mental Health Services
  • Case Management
  • Human Resources
  • Behavioral Health Support
  • Social Services
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • School-Based Support Roles
  • Ministry and Nonprofit Work

Many students also continue on to graduate programs in:

  • Clinical or Counseling Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Education
  • Neuroscience
  • Business or Organizational Leadership

Tuition

On-Campus

$22,000 per year

Generous scholarship and payment options available.
Review information about student fees and housing packages on our Tuition & Fees page.

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Start your degree at one of the most affordable Christian universities in the region. An admissions counselor is ready to help you begin the enrollment process.

  1. Apply — our application is free.
  2. Set goals — your admissions counselor is here to guide you.
  3. Maximize your credits — you could transfer in up to 75% of your degree credits.
  4. Discover affordability — scholarships and grants are available for qualified students.

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SAT & SUN: Closed

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