The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology offers students the opportunity to delve into the study of biological, cognitive, personality and social contexts for understanding the behavior of individuals throughout their lifespan. It equips students with foundational knowledge of current psychological theory, research skills and data analysis expertise to succeed in the workplace and (or) successfully further studies in graduate programs.
Students of this program will be able to:
- Explain and use the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology for analyzing psychology of individuals, society and cultures;
- Apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation; use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena;
- Use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, opt for the scientific approach for solving problems related to behavior and mental processes; engage in innovative thinking and problem solving for research and practical tasks;
- Apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues; exhibit professional self-reflection, project-management skills and teamwork capacity;
- Adhere to international and national formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology; embrace values that contribute to positive outcomes in work settings;
- Demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many different purposes;
- Demonstrate effective professional and interpersonal communication skills and proficiency in oral and written communication in a variety of social, professional and academic contexts;
- Recognize and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity; embrace values that contribute to building an inclusive society responsive to global challenges.
BSP Curriculum
Requirements for the BS in Psychology are as follows:
| Category of Courses | Credits | ECTS |
| General Education | 36 | 56 |
| Required Courses | 33 | 51 |
| Elective Courses | 3 | 5 |
| Program Foundation | 71 | 117 |
| Required Courses | 38 | 62 |
| Elective Courses | 33 | 55 |
| Program Specialization | 36 | 59 |
| Required Courses | 21 | 34 |
| Elective Courses | 15 | 25 |
| Final Attestation | 3 | 8 |
| Total Required for Graduation | 146 | 240 |
To view the detailed BSP curriculum, please see KIMEP University Catalog *hyperlink to the Catalog
STUDY PLAN
The following tables are a sample program of study to finish the BS in Psychology degree in four years.
| 1st year | |||||||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS |
| ENG/GEN1110 | Academic Listening and Note Taking | 3 | 5 | ENG/GEN1100 | Academic English Speaking | 3 | 5 |
| ENG/GEN1120 | Academic Reading and Writing I | 3 | 5 | ENG/GEN112 | Academic Reading and Writing II | 3 | 5 |
| GEN1000 | Modern History of Kazakhstan | 3 | 5 | KAZ/RUSxxxx | Kazakh/Russian 2 | 3 | 5 |
| KAZ/RUSxxxx | Kazakh/Russian 1 | 3 | 5 | GEN/CLP2103 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 | 5 |
| GENxxxx | The Module of Sociopolitical knowledge 1 | 3 | 3 | GENxxxx | The Module of Socio-Political Knowledge 2 | 3 | 3 |
| GENxxxx | Physical Training 1 | 2 | 4 | GENxxxx | Physical Training 2 | 2 | 4 |
| PSY1202 | Human Biology | 3 | 5 | ||||
| TOTAL | 17 | 27 | TOTAL | 20 | 32 | ||
| 2nd year | |||||||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS |
| COGN/ GEN1201 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 5 | PSY2103 | Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics I | 3 | 5 |
| CLP1202/ MATH2401 | Calculus | 3 | 5 | COGN2103 | Introduction to Cognitive Psychology | 3 | 5 |
| GEN/PAD2700 | Fundamentals of Sociology | 3 | 5 | PSY2203 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | 5 |
| KAZ/RUSxxxx | Professional Kaz/Rus | 2 | 3 | XXXX | FE 1 | 3 | 5 |
| GENxxxx | GE Elective | 3 | 5 | XXXX | FE 2 | 3 | 5 |
| XXXX | Minor 1 | 3 | 5 | XXXX | Minor 2 or WE 2 | 3 | 5 |
| GENxxxx | The Module of Socio-Political Knowledge 3 | 2 | 2 | GEN/IRL2500 or GEN/IRL2510 | Introduction to Philosophy or Principles of Ethics | 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 19 | 30 | TOTAL | 21 | 35 | ||
| 3rd year | |||||||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS |
| PSY2202 | Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics II | 3 | 5 | PSY4302 | Experimental Methods and Data Analysis I | 3 | 5 |
| PSY3109 | Neuropsychology | 3 | 5 | PSY3206 | Academic Internship | 3 | 4 |
| PSY3110 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 | 5 | XXXX | FE 3 | 3 | 5 |
| PSY3305 | Fundamentals of Psychological Counseling | 3 | 5 | XXXX | FE 4 | 3 | 5 |
| PSY3207 | Qualitative Research Methods and Writing in Psychology | 3 | 5 | XXXX | FE 5 | 3 | 5 |
| XXXX | Minor 3 or WE 3 | 3 | 5 | XXXX | SE 1 | 3 | 5 |
| TOTAL | 18 | 30 | TOTAL | 18 | 29 | ||
| 4th year | |||||||
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester | ||||||
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS | Course Code | Course Title | Credits | ECTS |
| PSY4104 | Psychological Testing | 3 | 5 | PSY4203 | Senior Project | 3 | 8 |
| PSY4303 | Experimental Methods and Data Analysis II | 3 | 5 | PSY4304 | Professional Internship | 3 | 4 |
| XXXX | Minor 4 or WE 4 | 3 | 5 | XXXX | SE 4 | 3 | 5 |
| XXXX | SE 2 | 3 | 5 | XXXX | SE 5 | 3 | 5 |
| XXXX | SE 3 | 3 | 5 | XXXX | WE 5 | 3 | 5 |
| XXXX | FE 6 | 3 | 5 | ||||
| TOTAL | 18 | 30 | TOTAL | 15 | 27 | ||
Total for program: 146 course credits (240 ECTS)
COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: ENG/GEN1120 Academic Reading and Writing I
This course provides an overview of the foundational subfields and theories in psychology. Students will be introduced to the breadth of the research and topics in psychology, and the basics of subfields like cognitive psychology, social psychology, and human psychological development. They will learn about classic theories in psychology and be introduced to the ways that psychological research is conducted.
COGN2101 Social Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
A survey of the major theoretical and empirical research in social psychology, including person perception and social cognition, attitudes and persuasion, prejudice and stereotyping, interpersonal attraction, and helping behavior. Some theoretical applications will be discussed, as will methodological approaches to social psychological questions and problems. Students will complete research projects and writing assignments.
COGN2103 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
This course will discuss the major fields of human cognition, particularly how we take in information about the world (perception and attention), how we interpret and store that information (learning and memory) and how we retrieve and use that information (higher cognitive function / decision-making).
ENG/GEN1100 Academic English Speaking (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisites: ENG/GEN1110 Academic Listening and Note Taking
This course develops students’ skills in speaking confidently and persuasively on a variety of academic topics in the Humanities, Business Studies and the Social Sciences. Students will be expected to undertake extensive research on their chosen topics and thereby develop their ability to use resources appropriately and ethically. In so doing, they will engage analytically and in-depth with their topics and offer constructive criticisms of one another’s presentations. At all times, critical thinking will be emphasized. Students will adopt a process approach to academic speaking, placing emphasis less on the final product than on the stages of academic research, each of which will be presented to the class in the form of a mini-presentation. Through regular presentations on their research, students will improve their language proficiency and ability to argue effectively and persuasively within an academic context, and to handle evidence and statistical data. Class activities will take the form of discussions, debates and presentations.
ENG/GEN1121 Academic Reading and Writing II (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisites: ENG/GEN1120 Academic Reading and Writing I
This is an advanced-level academic reading and writing course in which students undertake a research project on an academic topic of their own choice. Building on the research and writing skills developed in previous courses, students select a project of substantial scope within an area of interest to them. They offer a sound defense of their choice of topic, using criteria appropriate to an academic context, and then prepare to undertake research. In preparing their research essays, students make extensive use of library and online resources, as well as field research such as interviews and off-campus research, depending on the nature of their topic. Reading tasks include finding, analyzing and evaluating a variety of sources. A process-approach to writing is adopted, with specific attention to planning, outlining, surveying the literature, drafting, rewriting, reviewing and using feedback constructively. Attention is paid to both peer and instructor feedback. At the final stage, editing, citations and bibliographical components are the focus of attention.
PSY1202 Human Biology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
The course provides a broad overview of human anatomy, physiology and organization and provides students with an understanding of the human body in health and disease. The primary emphasis will be on the structure and function of the human organism including basic concepts, principles, and processes in human biology; chemistry, cells, genetics, reproduction, disease, evolution, and the anatomy and function of major organ systems in humans.
PSY2103 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics I (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: CLP1202/MATH2401 Calculus
The course aims to acquaint students with the knowledge and skills for empirical research. The content of the course includes the building block of good quantitative research design, which includes providing an introduction to the basic tools of experimental methodologies and statistical uses. It equips the students with the ability to identify what high-quality research involves and why it is important for testing psychology concepts and learning. Students will be able to manage statistical data, analyze a statistical dataset, and construct a psychology report in a standard APA format.
PSY2104 Philosophy of Science (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course introduces the fundamental issues in the field of philosophy of science, in particular what constitutes science and evidence; the reliability and validity of scientific theories and methods; and scientific objectivity and ethics.
PSY2201 Organizational Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
This course will explore the history, advances and contemporary trends in the field of industrial/organizational psychology. Students will learn about the application of psychology to the world of work as achieved through the use of science and practitioner collaboration as the main tools of this discipline. Students will study the factors that contribute to an optimal fit between the worker, the job and the organization with the goals of improved worker performance and well-being. Students will critically examine the psychological implications that come with the challenge of meeting these commonly competing goals in our current society.
PSY2202 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics II (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2103 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics I
The course is intended to extend the knowledge and skills acquired in PSY2103. The content will provide students with a more advanced level of tools in experimental methodology and statistical analysis. It equips students with an understanding of the interpretation of published results of psychological research that form the basis of the psychology program. Students continue to acquire skills in both descriptive and inferential statistics. Students will learn to decide upon using parametric and non-parametric tests and to carry them out. The use of SPSS for data analysis will also be taught.
PSY2203 Developmental Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
This course is a study of human growth and development. Emphasis is on major theories and perspectives as they relate to the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of development from conception to death. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of development across the lifespan.
PSY2205 Introduction to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: None
This course provides an advanced understanding of mental health problems with specific attention to suicide prevention. Students will study the ethical considerations with suicidal patients. They will also learn about national strategies for suicide prevention.
PSY2206 Cyberpsychology
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the key concepts, theories, research methodologies, and practical applications of psychology in digital contexts. The content of the course will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills related to the eight dimensions of cyberpsychological architecture: identity, social, interactive, text, sensory, temporal, reality, and physical. This course is designed as a transdisciplinary model that can be used as a framework to assess the psychological effect of any digital environment and experience.
PSY2207 Introduction to Individual Differences and Psychopathologies (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
This course is designed so that students develop a broad knowledge of the key historical and contemporary approaches to the study and assessment of personality, intelligence, and psychopathologies. It examines the controversial history of psychological measurement and definitions of intelligence, personality, and psychopathologies and the psychological, social, cultural, and biological influences and predispositions upon these. The course links theoretical approaches with practical applications of psychological assessment and includes the development of basic skills in understanding and using psychological tests, psychometric instruments, and the classification of psychopathologies and their treatments.
PSY3103 Child Development (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2203 Developmental Psychology
Development of the child from prenatal period through pre-adolescence. Theories, research, and current issues in cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development with emphasis on stability and change across these stages of development. Topics include physical changes, attachment, emotions, parenting, morality, language, memory, education, peer relations, aggression, and gender identity. Developmental methodology and empirical evidence.
PSY3106 Seminar in Developmental Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2203 Developmental Psychology and PSY3103 Child Development
Contemporary issues in developmental psychology, focusing on how developmental theory and methodology can promote health and welfare across the lifespan. Topics vary from year to year. Practical approaches for developmental psychologists in explaining, assessing, and intervening in current social challenges. Individual and societal implications of various issues from the perspective of developmental science. Ethical and cultural influences on developmental psychology.
PSY3107 Seminar in Educational Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY3202 Introduction to Educational Psychology
Role of psychology in education. Contributions of educational research to current classroom practice and curriculum design. Applications of educational psychology research to current problems in education. Theoretical and practical approaches to understanding learning and teaching.
PSY3108 Seminar in Cognitive Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN2103 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
New developments and contemporary issues in experimental and cognitive psychology.
PSY3109 Neuropsychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN2103 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
This undergraduate course will be a comprehensive introduction to human neuropsychology structured to provide students with a basic understanding of the relationship between brain and behavior. Topics covered will include foundations of neuropsychology, structure of the nervous system, functional specialization of the brain, cognitive functions, assessments and presentations of brain disorders.
PSY3110 Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2203 Developmental Psychology and PSY2207 Introduction to Individual Differences and Psychopathologies
This course introduces students to clinical psychology, including topics such as the history of treatment, the role of science in clinical psychology, and the main paradigms that inform treatment and research. The course also explores some of the most common mental illnesses.
PSY3202 Introduction to Educational Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
This course provides an introduction to concepts, theories, and research in educational psychology. The topics covered include cognitive, social and physical development during the school years, learning theories, instructional approaches, motivation, assessment, and individual differences
PSY3204 Family Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2203 Developmental Psychology
The family environment is critical for the development of children and for adult adjustment. In this course we will explore key theories and models of the development of parenting and family interactions. We will also look at functional and dysfunctional family relationships and behaviors, and effective ways to assess such interactions. Finally, the course will focus on applications of developmental models to intervention and clinical applications, and the role of parenting interventions in the prevention and management of social, emotional, behavioral and health problems.
PSY3206 Academic Internship (3 credits, 4 ECTS)
Prerequisite: Minimum of 69 credits in program (115 ECTS)
This course introduces students to fieldwork. During this academic internship students will receive supervised psychology-related experience at an internship site and will also engage in academic coursework. The major areas of focus include partaking in fieldwork, observing real-life situations of working professionals and their clients and comparing academic theory to fieldwork observations. Students will be expected to relate internship experiences to the psychological literature. Regular seminar meetings allow for group supervision and the examination of legal, ethical, and professional issues.
PSY3207 Qualitative Research Methods and Writing in Psychology (previously Writing in Psychology)
Prerequisite: COGN/GEN1201 Introduction to Psychology
This course introduces students to a range of qualitative methods employed in psychological research and how to write them up for publication to various disparate audiences (e.g., academic journals, professional practitioner publications, and the media). Students will learn techniques such as observations, interviews, and focus groups. They will also learn how to analyze qualitative datasets using methods such as content analysis, thematic analysis, discourse analysis, and narrative analysis. This course offers students the opportunity to design and conduct an interview following ethical guidelines set out by the APA. Students will learn how to write ethics forms for approval by their course leader and institutional review boards.
PSY3305 Fundamentals of Psychological Counseling (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2203 Developmental Psychology and PSY3103 Child Development
The course will focus on a variety of counseling approaches, the therapeutic relationship, legal and ethical issues, and the realities of therapeutic practice. Specialty areas of counseling to be addressed will include: marital, family, sexuality, substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence.
PSY3309 Seminar in Social/Personality Psychology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: COGN2101 Social Psychology and PSY2207 Introduction to Individual Differences and Psychopathologies
Contemporary issues in social psychology and/or personality psychology. Issues will vary to reflect new disciplinary developments or instructor interests.
PSY3310 Special Topics in Cognitive Psychology
Prerequisite: COGN2103 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
The course develops current topics in cognitive psychology in accordance with student and faculty interest.
PSY3311 Special Topics in Social Psychology
Prerequisite: COGN2101 Social Psychology
The course develops current topics in social psychology in accordance with student and faculty interest.
PSY3312 Special Topics in Counselling
Prerequisite: PSY2203 Developmental Psychology
The course develops current topics in counselling in accordance with student and faculty interest.
PSY3313 Special Topics in Neuropsychology
Prerequisite: COGN2103 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
The course develops current topics in neuropsychology in accordance with student and faculty interest.
PSY4104 Psychological Testing (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2201 Organizational Psychology and PSY2207 Introduction to Individual Differences and Psychopathologies
Opportunity to develop the skills for assessing quality of commonly used measures of human behavior. Basic material on norms, reliability, and validity leads to evaluation, administration, and interpretation of tests currently in use in clinical, industrial, and educational settings. Topics include ethics, testing and the law, and test construction.
PSY4201 Psychopathology (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY3110 Introduction to Clinical Psychology and PSY2205 Introduction to Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
Analysis of disordered behavior: description, possible origins, prevention, treatment, and social significance. Current research and new developments. Class lectures and discussions, case studies.
PSY4203 Senior Project (3 credits, 8 ECTS)
Prerequisite: 108 credits, 179 ECTS of coursework
This course is individual instruction in developing a major cumulative paper integrating what students have learned in the program. Senior projects can take several different forms: empirical project (research paper), secondary research (literature review), creative project (e.g., developing educational or multimedia product), or service project (e.g., manual for an organization).
PSY4302 Experimental Methods and Data Analysis I (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY2202 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics II
Scientific method as the means through which knowledge advances in the field of psychology. Developing and researching hypotheses, collecting data, testing hypotheses using appropriate statistical techniques, interpreting and reporting statistical results. Research methodology, descriptive statistics, and inferential statistics, as well as use of the computer software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to analyze psychological data. Students will be responsible for researching a topic and creating a research proposal.
PSY4303 Experimental Methods and Data Analysis II (3 credits, 5 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY4302 Experimental Methods and Data Analysis I
Statistical techniques that build on concepts introduced in PSYC 211. Mastering inferential statistics and nonparametric statistical procedures. Students will carry out the research study outlined in their proposals from PSYC 211 and complete an APA-style research paper. This course must be taken in the semester immediately following PSY4302 and with the same instructor.
PSY4304 Professional Internship (3 credits, 4 ECTS)
Prerequisite: PSY3206 Academic Internship
This internship provides students an opportunity to develop and apply career readiness skills through supervised experience as a psychologist in a relevant workplace setting in selected business, not-for-profit, government, scientific or community organizations. Interns provide psychology services in consultation, counseling, assessment, intervention development, program evaluation, etc. The assessment of course learning outcomes is based on an evaluation of the student by his/her site supervisor, along with assignments (including a weekly log, reflections applying major theories, and a final paper) evaluated by the internship instructor.
Admission requirements
1. High school or professional vocational school diploma
2. Valid UNT certificate with an overall minimum score of 50 and with a minimum score of 5 on each subject, combination of the specialized subjects on UNT shall be Geography and Biology
3. English proficiency is identified through valid international certificates such as IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo or internal test KEPT.
Application deadline – August 25, 2022 The most talented candidates can apply for the internal scholarships. KIMEP University offers 100% and 50% scholarships covering full period of study. Selection and Distribution criteria can be found on our website
Scholarship application deadline – July 13, 2022 *Enrollment to the BAP program is subject to the program content approval and appearance of such in the national registry ESUVO.
Career opportunities
The program opens doors for a professional career and lays the groundwork for an academic career, especially in an international context. You will be a strong candidate for junior positions in all jobs that require skills in analyzing, designing, or improving human interaction, presentation, and communication.
Common Jobs for Psychology Degree Holders:
- Therapy and counselling
- Training and development
- Private healthcare education
- Mental health support
- Career counselling
- Human resources
- Social work
Psychology Careers in Education:
- Behavior specialist
- Professional coaching
- Educational program researcher*
- School psychologist*
- Guidance counselor*
- Educational psychologist*
- Many others
BAP complies with international standards. Duration of the BAP program is 4 years of study.
The faculty of the program is provided by experienced foreign and Kazakhstani teachers with world-class doctoral degrees received from universities in the USA, Canada, South Korea and the UK.