A B.S. in Psychology student from Cornerstone University.

Bachelor of Science in
Psychology

Online and On-Campus

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Accepting Applications for August 2026 & January 2027

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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.

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.

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.

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 information below reflects 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-332: Cross-Cultural Psychology

Study how culture shapes psychological processes and human behavior, with focus on self-awareness, values, diversity, inclusion, and research traditions.

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.

PSY-354: Research Methodology & Statistics

Review key research designs, statistical techniques, and APA style with focus on hypothesis development, sampling, and data analysis using Excel.

PSY-424: Introduction to Counseling

Learn counseling theories and techniques from a Christ-centered worldview with focus on the required professional and ethical standards.

PSY-446: Introduction to Relationships in Psychology

Study friendship, courtship, and marriage across cultures with attention to the cultural, social, cognitive, and emotional bases of intimacy, commitment, and family roles.

PSY-447: Current Trends & Specialties in Psychology

Explore specialties such as life coaching, art, music, play, and sports therapy with emphasis on career paths and key competencies.

View all of the courses for your academic program.

Academic Catalog

General Education

The Cornerstone Core™ Statement

The Cornerstone Core offers a groundbreaking general education unlike any other college or university in America. Faith, civic understanding and career preparation are fully integrated into one coherent formation. Developed by our renowned Christian worldview scholars, this focused 33-credit-hour curriculum develops both depth of character and clarity of thinking. The Cornerstone Core new general education curriculum is an antidote to the rising popularity of relativism, skepticism, doubt and moral ambiguity. Graduates are prepared to succeed in their professions and strengthen the institutions and communities they serve as Biblically grounded moral leaders to influence the world for Jesus Christ.

Students in every major study three areas:

The Beauty of the Christian Worldview

Examine the beauty of God, the Gospel, and the core doctrines of the Christian faith. Discover the coherence of a worldview rooted in God’s truth through Scripture applied today — shaping character, conviction, and spiritual depth. We believe that beauty is more important than arguments and these courses will introduce students to the grandeur and beauty of Jesus and His creation and our place in the redemptive work of Jesus.

The Wisdom of the American Experience

Engage with Cornerstone’s Great Works Canon of the American Experience, by exploring the original speeches, sermons and foundational texts that shaped the American Republic, wrestling with enduring questions of liberty, order, duty and self-government. Graduates will learn what it means to be Christian citizens who are dutiful, wise, and formed with character to influence themselves, their families, and our nation.

Marketplace Intelligence

Develop analytical reasoning, scientific thinking, ethical utilization of artificial intelligence, commitment to free market economics, ethical clarity, and truthful and effective communication strategies to create solutions to complex challenges and serve society and humanity with excellence. Graduates will be able to consider and discern what is true, beautiful and good.

Learn more about the Cornerstone Core.

Learn More

B.S. in Psychology Concentrations

Expand your career opportunities and gain specialized skills with on-campus concentrations in Pre-Counseling or Specialties in Psychology. Read below to learn more about these concentrations.

Pre-Counseling

Pre-Counseling: Concentration

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-221: Interviewing & Counseling – An introduction to theoretical concepts, primary principles, strategies and interventions implemented in the practice and delivery of human services to individuals and families using the human services interview techniques.
PSY-426: Family Life Cycle – Understand the institution of the family, exploring current challenges, ongoing changes, and stages of the family life cycle. Apply major theories to understand family dynamics, structure, and development.
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.
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 Online

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.

Scholarships File the FAFSA

Online

$4,740 per semester for full-time students

Generous scholarship and payment options available.

Scholarships File the FAFSA

Your Degree Starts Here

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.

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

Cornerstone has helped me prepare for my career as a counselor through the guidance I received from professors, in my internship at a nonprofit, and during my on campus job as a resident assistant. All of these opportunities helped me grow in my abilities of empathy and finding problem-solving skills to help others. These opportunities have also allowed me to become more confident in my abilities and have helped me feel more prepared for grad school.

—Samantha S.

CU has given me a solid foundation in psychological theory and counseling practices. I am continuing on for my masters in clinical mental health counseling soon. I know that my education will encompass not only my mind but also my spirit.

—Jenny L.

My time in the Cornerstone community was truly transformative in preparing me to boldly influence the world for Christ. I learned how to work collaboratively with others who shared a similar vision, how to lead with humility, and how to put my faith into action. Seeing the tangible impact of our collective efforts ignited a desire within me to contribute to something larger. Because of Cornerstone, I don’t just have a theoretical understanding of my faith; I have a lived experience of integrating it with my studies, my relationships, and my actions.

—Tiara C.

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