Understanding psychology is a valuable discipline no matter what your future profession. It’s about seeing patterns and exploring the intricacies of the human mind and behavior. A degree in psychology can launch you down one of many paths—counseling, social work, teaching and more. Our faculty in the Social Science Division are dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge and skills you need to start your career.
Cornerstone University prepares students to apply the practical principles of psychology to their careers. With three separate concentrations, students will be able to dive deeper into facets of social science that will give them a clearer understanding of child and adolescent services, clinical psychology and counseling. The child and adolescent services track equips students with an understanding of family dynamics and communication and can be applied in counseling and social work settings. The psychological science and practice track prepares students for research, industrial and organizational psychology and general psychology. Students in the counseling track become adept in understanding relational dynamics and best practices for counseling.
Careers
If you’re interested in psychology, there are several career paths available for you. Our psychology program offers concentrations in counseling, child and adolescent services and behavioral research. Each of these concentrations is valuable and in high demand in workplaces across the country.
Opportunities
Adoption counselor
Case manager
Youth residential treatment programs
Group home manager
Parent educator
Substance abuse counselor
Internships
As a student at Cornerstone, you will take part in an internship or practicum to enrich your education and provide you with valuable experience. Our Center for Career and Life Calling will help you connect with one of our area partners.
Opportunities
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
West Michigan Refugee Education Center
Alpha Women's Center
Bethany Christian Services
Wedgwood Christian Services
DeVos Children's Hospital
100%
Of psychology graduates from the class of 2019 were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.
15:1
Student-to-faculty ratio with an average class size of 22.
100%
Of students participate in internship or practicum experiences.
Lead With Integrity
Psychology is a discipline that has applicability in nearly every profession. Many psychology majors continue on to graduate school in preparation for careers in counseling within private practices, agencies, schools, research and hospitals.
Program Concentrations
The psychology program at Cornerstone is designed to inspire your intellect, deepen your character and prepare you to lead in your career with influence and wisdom.
Child and Adolescent Services Concentration
The child and adolescent services concentration prepares you to work in a variety of human service roles that focus on children, adolescents and families. Your course work and related experiences will focus on child and adolescent development, creative therapeutic approaches for children and families and the contexts that impact children and adolescents.
If you desire to work with children, adolescents and families in agency, counseling and ministry settings, consider adding this emphasis to your program of study.
The counseling concentration prepares you to support and encourage the health and development of children, adults and families in a variety of workplace and ministry environments. You’ll examine, explore and critique psychological ideas, theories and applications from a Christian perspective. In addition, you’ll apply what you learn in the classroom to work, volunteer, internship and professional experiences throughout West Michigan.
At Cornerstone, our program is unique because:
Faculty hold decades of experience in counseling, school-based practice and research.
Students complete an original research project and APA research paper, with the opportunity to present at local, state and national conferences.
Students from our program consistently score above the 90th percentile on the Major Field Assessment Test, a national standardized test of psychology majors in all different types of college and university settings.
Psychology is a discipline that prepares you to understand and work with diverse people. A psychology background is also appealing to employers in diverse areas such as professional ministry, medicine or health care, business—such as human resources and marketing—and nonprofit work.
At Cornerstone, our program is unique because:
Faculty hold decades of experience in counseling, school-based practice and research.
Students complete an original research project and APA research paper, with the opportunity to present at local, state and national conferences.
Students from our program consistently score above the 90th percentile on the Major Field Assessment Test, a national standardized test of psychology majors in all different types of college and university settings.
Cornerstone has opened my eyes and helped me realize the profession that truly excites me! The staff at Cornerstone has been extremely helpful in answering my many questions and supporting me on this journey.
Alexis Demery (’23)
Faculty
CU professors are devoted to the success of our students. Select a faculty member to learn more about their campus involvement, research interests and teaching responsibilities.