BAS Degree in Psychology or Gerontology

The Behavioral Sciences Division, which houses the Psychological Sciences Department and the Gerontology Department has two Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) Degree options for transfer students who have completed at least 60 quarter credits of a non-transfer associate degree program, such as Chemeketa Community College’s AAS in Human Services, Portland Community College’s AAS in Gerontology, or other terminal degree programs. Please contact Dr. Ethan McMahan, Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Division (mcmahane@wou.edu) for more information about whether a particular student or community college degree program might be eligible for one of these BAS programs.

With proper academic advising, it is almost always possible for a student who doesn’t have an Oregon transfer degree, such as an AAOT, to complete the Bachelors of Applied Science Degree in 90 credits.

The Bachelors of Applied Science degree is NOT open for the traditional student who is currently enrolled at WOU (e.g., a student who started higher education at WOU or a student who earned a transfer degree such as an AAOT). Admission into an Bachelors of Applied Science degree track at WOU requires that the student meets the following conditions: The student has either completed an Associate of Applied Science degree (or other terminal/non-transfer associate degree) or has a minimum of 60 quarter units toward an Associate of Applied Science degree (or other terminal/non-transfer associate degree); placement of transfer units into the BAS curriculum will be determined in consultation with the academic advisor for the specific BAS program.

Students who have pursued and/or have completed an Oregon Transfer Module (OTM), Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree (AAOT), Associate of Science/Oregon Transfer Business degree, Associate of Science degree or an Associate of General Studies degree (AGS) are not eligible for admission into the AB track—they will continue to be admitted into WOU’s traditional BA, BS, BFA, BMus degree tracks.

Some features of the Bachelors of Applied Science Degree

1. It is a bachelor degree (or what some have called a “four year degree”)

2. It can be used to apply to graduate school *

3. A minor is not required unlike WOU’s BA or BS Programs, although BAS students can earn a minor if they choose to do so.

4. It has a modified “core” that is different from and possibly more flexible than WOU’s Liberal Arts Curriculum. Click here to view information about the Bachelors of Applied Science Core and list of courses that have been approved to satisfy requirements in the Bachelors of Applied Science Core.

5. The BAS Degrees in Psychology and Gerontology have the same major requirements as do BA and BS degrees.

Psychology Major Requirements (56 credits)

Minimum 40 credits upper division and maximum 16 credits lower division

Required Courses (32 credits)

PSY 201Z Introduction to Psychology I (4 credits)

PSY 202Z Introduction to Psychology II (4 credits)

PSY 367 Introduction to Research Methods (4 credits)

PSY 311 Developmental Psychology (4 credits)

PSY 334 Social Psychology (4 credits)

PSY 360 Cognitive Psychology (4 credits)

PSY 467 Quantitative Methods (4 credits)

PSY 468 Advanced Research Methods (4 credits)

Choose one: (4 credits)

PSY 443 Psychology of Teamwork (4 credits)

PSY 445 Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology (4 credits)

PSY 446 Psychology of Leadership (4 credits)

PSY 447 Organizational Consulting (4 credits)

PSY 448 Topics in Organizational Psychology (4 credits)

PSY 449 Psychology of Creativity (4 credits)

Electives (20 credits) Chosen with an advisor’s assistance. In addition to courses with the PSY prefix, the following Gerontology courses can count as electives for the major:

GERO 120 Medical Terminology I (4 credits)

GERO 320 Introduction to Aging (4 credits)

GERO 360 Cognitive and Physical Changes in Aging (4 credits)

GERO 370 Aging and Mental Health (4 credits)

GERO 407 Seminar (1-12 credits)

GERO 430 Palliative Care and Chronic Illness (4 credits)

GERO 455 Social Ties and Aging (4 credits)

GERO 480 Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Management (4 credits)

Gerontology Major Requirements

The Gerontology major will be planned with a gerontology advisor. The Gerontology major consists of 58 hours of focused coursework beyond introductory coursework (there are no hidden prerequisites in the required coursework). The faculty will help students interested in Gerontology design a degree program that best meets the individual student’s needs and interests.

Required Courses (46 credits)

GERO 200 The Aging Self: Your Pathway Through Adulthood (4 credits)

GERO 320 Introduction to Aging (4 credits)

GERO 340 Intersectionality: Inequalities and Vulnerabilities in Older Adulthood (4 credits)

GERO 360 Cognitive and Physical Changes in Aging (4 credits)

GERO 410 Practicum in Gerontology I (4 credits)

GERO 411 Practicum in Gerontology II (6 credits)

GERO 430 Palliative Care and Chronic Illness (4 credits)

GERO 455 Social Ties & Aging (4 credits)

GERO 460 Retirement and Long-Term Care for Older Adults (4 credits)

GERO 480 Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Management (4 credits)

PSY 201 General Psychology (4 credits)

Elective Courses (12 credits)

Choose three courses (12 credits):

GERO 120 Medical Terminology I (4 credits)

GERO 407 Seminar (4 credits)

GERO 415 Aging in Our Physical and Social Environments (4 credits)

GERO 420 Global Aging (4 credits)

GERO 425 Reminiscence, Life Review, and Aging (4 credits)

GERO 484 Death, Dying, and Grief (4 credits)

PS 430 The Aging Society (4 credits)

PSY 311 Developmental Psychology (4 credits)

PSY 461 Psychopharmacology (4 credits)

PSY 483 Adulthood and Aging (4 credits)

Bachelors of Applied Science Core Curriculum

Bachelors of Applied Science degrees are distinguished by a focus on serving the needs of adults who already hold an associate’s degree and now desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree in order to advance their careers or, in some cases, to change careers. Most commonly the associate’s degree held by the adult is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). These degrees provide the knowledge and skills needed by students to start a career immediately after completing the degree rather than preparing them to continue to upper division courses and a bachelor’s degree. It is easiest to consider the scenario where those who have received an AAS degree, started a career based on this degree, and later have decided that they would like a bachelor’s degree. These adults may have some of the following career aspirations:

· To increase their responsibility level but remain focused on a technical career.

· To move into supervision or management.

· To obtain the advantages associated with a liberal arts degree including general broader knowledge and more advanced thinking and problem solving skills, possibly including a desire to continue to pursue a graduate degree.

–from Oregon Joint Board of Education steering committee report, April 19, 2010

Mission Statement

The BAS Core provides students with a general education core experience to help them develop a foundation of basic knowledge for a more healthy and successful personal and professional life.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrated understanding of the liberal arts and their role in a diverse society.

2. Demonstrated effective use or oral, written and computational skills.

3. Demonstrated ability to interact collaboratively.

The BAS Core is a required part of all BAS degrees and comprises a minimum of 36 of the 180 credit hours necessary for graduation. Math, computer science, cultural diversity, quantitative literacy and writing intensive course requirements, where applicable, are tailored to the various applied baccalaureate degrees offered at WOU.

It is critical that students consult with the Academic Advising and Learning Center or their academic advisor as they select BAS Core courses to avoid mistakes that may prolong their time in college.

Bachelors of Applied Science Degree Program Basic Requirements

Students seeking an Bachelors of Applied Science degree at WOU are required to complete these courses or their equivalents.

Approved Bachelors of Applied Science Core Curriculum Courses

-Courses completed as part of the BAS Core Curriculum may also be used to fulfill requirements within a student’s major or minor program (i.e., may be double-counted).

-An BAS Core Curriculum course may not count in more than one category (i.e., students may not double count courses from multiple quadrants).

For a list of Core Curriculum courses, click here.