Messiah College

Programme overview

This hybrid major is taught across the Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology, Criminal Justice and Sociology and offers a B.S. in Biopsychology with two advising tracks: a Bioscience track for students preparing for medical or neurobiology graduate programs and research roles, and an Allied Health track focused on preparation for occupational therapy, neuropsychology, physician assistant programs or healthcare employment.

What you'll study

Coursework combines biology and psychology topics and includes classes that prepare students for medical school. Examples of challenging science courses named in the programme are pathophysiology, anatomy, immunology, and cancer and cell biology. Students may dissect a human cadaver in the lab and gain laboratory skills such as phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy, mammalian tissue culture, molecular biology techniques and real-time PCR. The programme also provides experience with psychophysiological equipment (EKG, EEG, EOG, EMG) and observation rooms with audio/video recording for interviewing, counseling and research. Students can participate in faculty-led research or start independent projects; past projects include cognitive testing for Alzheimer’s, fMRI studies of children during math problem solving, drug effects on PTSD, attachment to God, coping with stress and forgiveness. Opportunities exist for international research (for example work in Zambia in collaboration with Johns Hopkins) and study abroad options in South America, Zambia, Panama and Costa Rica.

Entry requirements

The programme page does not list specific admissions criteria. Prospective students should consult Messiah University’s admissions office or the department pages for application requirements and prerequisites.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a range of paths including graduate study in neuroscience, psychology or public health, medical school, and roles such as researcher or research assistant, pharmacy technician, laboratory and research technician, genetic counselor and positions in science-related business, sales or law. Internship placements and practicum sites have included occupational therapy clinics, rehabilitation therapy, physical therapy clinics, Penn State Hershey Medical Center and other healthcare and research settings.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Messiah reports that 100% of first-year students receive financial aid. The university’s Career and Professional Development Center supports planning for graduate school and employment; students in the biopsychology major also benefit from nationally recognized internship placement services and a summer research program.