Psychology
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Study Biopsychology at a Christian University
Following the biopsychology bachelor's of science (B.S.) degree program at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S., opens doors to a variety of careers. These include medicine, clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, psychopharmacology, neuropsychology, behavioral genetics, experimental psychology, evolutionary psychology, comparative psychology and more.
Study Biopsychology at a Christian University
If you are interested in the biological basis of human and animal behavior, and underlying psychological processes, such as learning, memory, perception, attention, motivation, emotion, and cognition, then you are well suited for the versatility of a degree in biopsychology at Messiah University. This program is one of only two such programs within the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Choose from one of two tracks: 1) The Bioscience track prepares students for medical or neurobiology graduate programs, as well as immediate post-graduate employment in research-related fields; and 2) The Allied Health track prepares students for post-graduate studies in occupational therapy, neuropsychology and physician assistant programs or immediate post-graduate employment in healthcare-related fields.
As a biopsychology major at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Choose between two advising tracks: Bioscience or Allied Health
- Immerse yourself in challenging courses such as pathophysiology, anatomy, immunology and cancer and cell biology.
- Dissect a human cadaver in our state-of-the-art lab.
- Take courses that prepare you to go on to medical school.
- Have the opportunity to conduct malaria/AIDS research at Macha Mission Hospital in Zambia in collaboration with Johns Hopkins.
- Participate in faculty research or begin your own research project. Past projects have included: developing a cognitive test for Alzheimer’s patients; functional MRI studies of children's brain activation during math problem solving; drug affects on PTSD; attachment to God; coping with stress; and forgiveness.
- Gain firsthand experience using phase contrast and fluorescence microscopes, mammalian tissue culture facilities, and molecular biology techniques, along with other sophisticated equipment to analyze cultures and manipulate molecules.
- Take advantage of the flexible curriculum and choose to study abroad in locations like South America, Zambia, Panama and Costa Rica
- Practice interviewing, counseling or conducting research in our state-of-the-art observation rooms with recording capabilities and microphones, allowing instructors to speak to participants.
As a graduate of the biopsychology program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Graduate student in neuroscience, psychology or public health
- Medical school student
- Researcher or research assistant
- Pharmacy technician
- Laboratory and research tech
- Genetic counselor
- Positions in science-related business, sales and law
For more information on career planning for the biopsychology program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah's nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of biopsychology internships. Biopsychology also secure research opportunities on and off-campus. A few examples include:
- Occupational therapy clinic
- Research institution
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Physical therapy clinic
- Penn State Hershey Medical Center
- Messiah's summer research program
The biopsychology major at Messiah is housed in two departments:
Department of Biological SciencesDepartment of Psychology, Criminal Justice and Sociology
Programs related to Biopsychology
Biology
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In the Biopsychology program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Biopsychology:
Biopsychology careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Biopsychology program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- Philhaven Behavioral Healthcare
- Fresenius Medical Group
- Health Star Communications
- Matheny Medical and Educational Center
- PG County Public School Systems
- CSL Behring
- Teach for America
- Pennsylvania Counseling Services
- Georgetown University
- Paxton Ministries
- North York School
- University of Pennsylvania Emergency Department and School of Medicine
- Curative Inc.
What they do
- Therapeutic Support Staff
- Patient Care Technician
- Account Coordinator
- Teacher Assistant
- Voice Teacher/Substitute Teacher
- Elementary Special Education Teacher
- Therapeutic Support Staff
- Research Assistant
- Mental Health Care Professional
- Clinical Laboratory Assistant II
Graduate school
- Messiah University
- Brandeis University
- Dartmouth College
- Palmer College of Chiropractic
- Lehigh University
- Hershey Medical Center
- Harvard University
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.
Collaborative learning
This hybrid major bridges the gap between the Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology, Criminal Justice and Sociology and offers a biopsychology degree with two science tracks: one with majors-level biology courses for those who plan to attend medical or graduate school (Bioscience), and the other for professions in occupational therapy, neuropsychology or healthcare-related fields (Allied Health).
Professional-grade equipment
As a student at Messiah University, a top Christian university in Pennsylvania, you'll be afforded comprehensive research opportunities using state-of-the-art equipment and learning techniques. We're equipped with interview rooms and group observation areas that have recording capabilities; we have EKG, EEG, EOG, EMG equipment; and you can even work with a cadaver lab, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instruments, environmental growth chambers, tissue culture hoods and incubators, and phase contrast and fluorescence microscopes.