Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology Pre-Counseling
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology Pre-Counseling degree program provides undergraduate learners with instruction across the broad science of psychology and an introduction to counseling theories, professions, and practices. The psychology curriculum emphasizes the knowledge, skills, and values identified by the American Psychological Association (APA) as fundamental in the undergraduate study of psychology and is designed to foster understanding of the complexities of human behavior and thought and the development of the analytical, quantitative, and communication skills associated with psychology study. For their graduate-level curriculum, pre-counseling learners choose three courses emphasizing either clinical mental health counseling/school counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Successful graduates of this program are prepared to continue their studies at the graduate level or pursue entry-level careers in a variety of public and private employment settings in which psychology knowledge and skills are used to promote human welfare. These degree program requirements are not designed or intended to meet professional licensure requirements for the counseling or psychology professions.
General Education Requirements
Choose 45 quarter credits with a minimum of 4 quarter credits from each category; see General Education Courses.
Required courses
Additional Program Requirements†‡
| PSYC1003 | Developing Psychology Thinking | 6 |
| | |
| PSYC3003 | Developing a Psychology Perspective | 6 |
| Or | |
| PSYC3002 | Developing a Psychology Perspective | 6 |
| | |
| PSYC3210 | Human Lifespan Development | 6 |
| PSYC3500 | Learning and Cognition | 6 |
| PSYC3520 | Introduction to Social Psychology | 6 |
| PSYC3540 | Culture, Ethnicity, and Diversity | 6 |
| PSYC4100 | History and Modern Systems of Psychology | 6 |
| PSYC4310 | Biological Psychology | 6 |
| PSYC4600 | Research Methods in Psychology | 6 |
| PSYC4700 | Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | 6 |
In addition, choose a set of three master’s-level courses.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling/School Counseling track
| COUN5217 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Professional Counseling | 4 |
| COUN5279 | Life Planning and Career Development | 4 |
| COUN5336 | Counseling and Advocacy with Diverse Populations | 4 |
Marriage and Family Therapy track
| MFT5222 | Professional Ethics in Marriage and Family Therapy | 4 |
| MFT5270 | Systemic Family Therapy Theory and Practice 1 | 4 |
| MFT5271 | Working with Families Across the Lifespan | 4 |
Elective courses
At least 63 quarter credits§
Recommended elective courses:
| PSYC2300 | Introduction to Addiction Theories | 3 |
| PSYC2320 | Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy | 3 |
| PSYC2900 | Introduction to Psychology of Personality | 3 |
| PSYC3110 | Abnormal Psychology | 6 |
| | |
| Or | |
| | |
| Choose any undergraduate courses. | |
Capstone courses
At least 6 quarter credits
Taken during the learner's final quarter:
Total
At least 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 54 quarter credits from the 3000/4000 level
Honors Pathway
Learners enrolled in the honors pathway complete the following general education courses.
Honors courses
At least 15 quarter credits
| PHI-H2005 | Honors Seminar: Critical Thinking for the Professional World | 3 |
| COM-H4005 | Communicating and Integrating Solutions in the Professional World | 6 |
| SOC-H3005 | Honors Professional Seminar | 6 |
These courses are applied toward the general education requirement and taken in addition to the remaining required courses.
Total
At least 180 quarter credits, including a minimum of 54 quarter credits from the 3000/4000 level
One or more courses in this program may require a prerequisite(s). Refer to the course descriptions for details.
Learners who do not complete all program requirements within quarter credit/program point minimums will be required to accrue such additional quarter credits/program points as are associated with any additional or repeat coursework necessary for successful completion of program requirements.
† Learners who are determined to need additional support developing academic and professional writing and reading skills based on academic assessment must take PSYC1003 during their first quarter.
‡ Learners who have completed PSYC1003 are required to take PSYC3003. Learners who are not required to take PSYC1003 are placed in PSYC3002.
§ Learners who have completed PSYC1003 choose 57 quarter credits of additional undergraduate elective courses.
Additional BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling Degree Program Information
The BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling degree program incorporates specific graduate-level counseling or therapy courses into the learner’s final year of the undergraduate program. Learners must gain school approval prior to registering for the graduate-level courses.
In this program, learners are required to have a 3.0 Capella cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the time they take graduate-level courses and must achieve at least a of “B” in each of the master’s-level courses. In addition, learners are required to select their MS track as part of the approval process. Learners who fail to maintain the minimum GPA, who do not select a track, or who are not approved to take graduate-level courses should move from the BS in Psychology Pre-Counseling degree program into the BS Psychology, General Psychology program.
Once learners have successfully completed the requirements for their bachelor’s degree program and their degree has been awarded, they may apply to the master’s degree program that corresponds to their chosen track. Learners are encouraged to enroll in their master’s degree program within one year of graduating from their bachelor’s degree program to ensure all master’s-level courses are relevant and applicable to the graduate program’s degree requirements.