Lisa Mora finds Direction with Bastyr's Psychology Degree

Lisa Mora is aware of the public's increasing interest in health issues and knows that this has affected the business community as well as public schools. Connecting this trend to an increase in demand for health experts, she is glad to be pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a health concentration at Bastyr University.

"Since the mind's affect on health is such a hot topic, this degree gives you lots of options," says Lisa, a second year student.

The Bastyr program, she says, is unique in that it is more health-oriented and focuses on training students to be educators in the community about how the mind plays a part in creating and maintaining health.

"Schools are realizing students need training from people who can direct them and their families toward services in the area. It's really important. I am interested in serving as an educator in schools, planning workshops for parents and students on health issues." "I'm also excited about several other opportunities in the Seattle area, including the Gates Foundation, Casey Foundation and Evergreen Hospital. The faculty has done a great job of informing us about various career options we could pursue."

One of the many skills that students learn in the classes is how to help people change behavior and how to help people build self-efficacy so that they can make the healthier choices they say they want to make, according to Lisa.

"The professors have trained us very well to be educators. We have done a lot of presentations. Most people are really nervous during our first 10-minute presentation. But now we have to do 30-minute presentations and they have to cut us off."

Another unique thing about the program is the broad range of perspectives that the program introduces. "We explore psychology by looking at scientific research and using traditional Western methodology, but also from a spiritual, less intellectual viewpoint. In our Buddhism/Taoism class, we did a lot of meditating."

As a 37 year-old student with some work experience behind her, she feels solid in her career goals. For awhile, she attended University of Washington and Western Washington University but did not find programs that she felt suited her. She worked for many years selling real estate and also running her own childcare business. While she enjoyed her former careers, she has also been interested in pursuing her interests in nutrition and psychology all along.

Embarking upon finally realizing those goals, she researched many colleges before choosing Bastyr. "Bastyr's psychology degree looked so much more progressive than others I researched," she says. "And I'm so glad I made this choice. I thought it would feel awkward to be a more mature student, but the students that Bastyr University attracts are just incredibly intelligent and mature. I've made some wonderful connections, and I think they'll last a long time."

Home | Site Map | Search | Contact Us | Jobs | Privacy Policy | E-Newsletter | Printer Friendly Bastyr University. Copyright © 2008. All Rights Reserved.