Why Choose Psychology at Bushnell?
Bushnell’s Psychology program offers a personalized and intellectually engaging environment where you explore human behavior through scientific study, applied practice, and a Christian perspective. Small class sizes ensure close mentorship from faculty who integrate research, theory, and real-world relevance while supporting your academic and personal growth.
The major is highly flexible, allowing you to pursue interests in community and social services, mental health, business, education, ministry, or specialized areas such as forensic psychology and neuroscience. Through electives, concentrations, and individualized guidance, you will have the opportunity to shape a pathway that prepares you for meaningful professional and graduate opportunities.
77%
of psychology students score 73% or higher across national exam benchmarks
18-19
concentration credits allow specialization in forensic psychology or neuroscience
36-39
credits of psychology coursework build a comprehensive foundation in psychological science
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
Internship Experience
You will complete a supervised internship that applies classroom learning to professional environments in human services, healthcare, education, criminal justice, ministry, or community organizations. Through direct engagement with clients, teams, and agencies, you will develop practical skills in communication, assessment, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving. Internship placements may include social service agencies, mental health organizations, nonprofit programs, correctional settings, or research-focused environments. This experience will strengthen your vocational clarity, build your resume, and prepare you for graduate study or entry-level roles in psychology-related fields.
Concentrations & Pathways
Forensic Psychology Concentration
The Forensic Psychology Concentration explores the application of psychological science within legal and criminal justice contexts. You will examine topics such as criminal behavior, victimization, trauma, and assessment while gaining insight into how psychological principles inform investigation, adjudication, and rehabilitation. Coursework integrates psychology and criminal justice perspectives and may include applied learning through internship opportunities. This concentration is well suited for you if you are interested in careers in corrections, victim advocacy, forensic services, or preparation for graduate study in forensic or legal psychology.
Neuroscience Concentration
The Neuroscience Concentration emphasizes the biological foundations of behavior, focusing on brain structure, neuropsychological processes, and the relationship between physiology and cognition. You will engage interdisciplinary coursework that bridges psychology and biology, developing a strong foundation in anatomy, neuroregulation, and assessment. Opportunities for research practica or internships support experiential learning and preparation for advanced study. This concentration is designed for you if you are pursuing careers or graduate pathways in neuroscience, healthcare, clinical research, or related scientific fields.
General Psychology Pathway
The General Psychology pathway offers flexibility, allowing you to tailor upper-division coursework to your academic interests and vocational goals. You explore core areas of psychological theory, research methods, and applied practice while selecting electives across multiple subfields. Optional research or internship experiences provide opportunities to deepen practical or scholarly engagement. This pathway is ideal if you seek a broad preparation for diverse career options or graduate study in psychology, counseling, education, or related disciplines.
Pre-Law Pathway
As a Psychology major, you may pursue Bushnell University’s Pre-Law Pathway, a structured academic plan designed to strengthen analytical reasoning, communication, and core competencies essential for law school preparation. The pathway integrates coursework in argumentation, logic, public speaking, business foundations, and conflict communication, complementing your study of psychological principles related to human behavior and decision-making. You will work closely with faculty advisors to select coursework and experiential learning opportunities aligned with your law school goals. This interdisciplinary pathway prepares you for graduate study in law and for careers in legal, advocacy, and policy-related fields.
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Graduates of Bushnell’s Bible and Theology program pursue meaningful ctudents who graduate from the biology program at Bushnell go on to pursue these types of careers:
- Research Assistant
- Environmental Scientist or Ecologist
- Forensic Scientist
- Microbiologist or Medical Laboratory Technician
- Zoologist or Biologist
- Nutritionist or Food Science Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions?
Psychology students complete internships with a wide range of human service, healthcare, and community organizations. Recent sites include Lane County, PeaceHealth, Family Faith and Relationship Advocates (FARA), Christians as Family Advocates (CAFA), Cascade Hospice, Eugene Mission, Looking Glass (AYS), Postpartum Support International, and the Eating Disorder Center of Eugene – Monte Nido. These placements allow you to apply psychological principles in professional settings while developing practical experience relevant to future careers and graduate programs.
Graduates pursue roles across health and medical services, law and law enforcement, ministry and church relations, social and human services, sport and fitness, business and sales, teaching and research, counseling, and community advocacy. The program’s emphasis on scientific reasoning, interpersonal communication, and ethical practice equips you for people-oriented careers in diverse professional settings.
Yes. Many Bushnell Psychology graduates pursue master’s and doctoral programs in counseling, psychology, social work, physical therapy, education, business, and related fields. Students have been accepted to programs at Bushnell University (CMHC), University of Oregon, George Fox University, Portland State University, University of Portland, Arizona State University, the University of Southern California, and Dankook University.
Through elective flexibility, specialized concentrations, internship experiences, and individualized mentoring, the program helps you clarify vocational interests and build marketable competencies. Whether you plan to enter human services, business, education, ministry, healthcare, or prepare for graduate study, faculty advisors assist you in selecting coursework, practicum experiences, and skill-building opportunities aligned with your professional aspirations.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s Psychology program? An admissions counselor can walk you through requirements, discuss transfer credits, and help you figure out your next step.
Erin Mueller
Program Direcor & Professor of Psychology
Song Nai Rhee Honors Program Director
View Bio
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