Psychology (BA)

Expected duration: 3 years

The general program offers general exposure to the humanities and social sciences and an opportunity to concentrate studies in at least two subject areas. This program is particularly suited to students who wish to seek employment or enter a professional academic program following graduation from Arts.

A student must complete 90 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in all courses that comprise the major.

You can complete the BA General degree on a part-time basis.

Expected duration: 4 years

The advanced program offers a general education along with a reasonable degree of specialization in one area of study through the major.

Graduates of the advanced major program who demonstrate high academic performance may be eligible for entrance to graduate studies. The advanced degree is also well suited to students seeking to build an academic term or year of studies abroad into their undergraduate degree.

To earn a BA Advanced degree, a student must successfully complete 120 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all faculty-required courses. The program requires at least 48 credit hours in a major subject area, as well as a minor field of study that includes a minimum of 18 credit hours in a subject area. In lieu of a minor, students may complete a double advanced major program.

Students should apply to enter the advanced program only after successfully completing a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework.

You can complete this degree on a part-time basis.

Expected duration: 4 years

The honours program offers a rigorous examination of a particular subject area for those who desire a more specialized undergraduate preparation. This is the preferred program for students who wish to continue their education at the graduate level.

Students normally enter the program after first year, although you may be eligible to enter the program later in your undergraduate studies.

To earn a BA Honours degree, a student must successfully complete 120 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 3.00 in all courses.

Students in the honours program do not complete a major and a minor, but rather an honours subject, or two subjects in the case of a double honours program. The program differs from the advanced program by requiring more courses in the honours field and by providing a greater intensity and depth of study.

Students should apply to enter the honours program only after successfully completing a minimum of 24 credit hours of coursework. For Psychology students, please apply immediately after completing PSYC 2260. You must apply to your faculty by June 7 (or the next business day) to receive departmental permission to take honours courses in the following academic term.

You can complete the honours program on a part-time basis.

A minor is comprised of 18 credit hours which are in a subject field that is different from a declared major. To earn a minor in a subject field as part of a Bachelor of Arts degree, a student must successfully complete 18 credit hours in a subject field approved by the Faculty of Arts as a minor.
 
Minors offered by the Faculty of Arts are listed under each area of study’s section of the Academic Calendar. Arts students may complete minor programs offered by other Faculties/Schools providing the minor program consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours and all other degree requirements are satisfied.

Students in the BA General, BA Advanced and BA Honours degree must complete the following requirements as part of their degree:

• 6 credit hours of humanities
• 6 credit hours of social sciences
• 6 credit hours of sciences
• 3 credit hours of written English (W)
• 3 credit hours of mathematics (M)
• 3 credit hours of Indigenous course content (students entering as of fall 2021)
• 6 credit hours in each of 5 different subject fields

The 3 credit hours of written English and 3 credit hours of mathematics are to satisfy the written English and mathematics requirement.

For full details on these requirements, refer to the Academic Calendar.

• PSYC 2250: Introduction to Psychological Research (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 2360: Brain and Behaviour (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 2380: Psychology of Gender (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 2440: Behaviour Modification Principles (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 3310: Adolescent Development (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 3580: Language and Thought (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 3650: Introduction to Clinical Psychology (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 4492: Psychology of Addiction (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 4566: Psychology of Health and Aging (3 credit hours)
• PSYC 4620: Community Mental Health (3 credit hours)

For full course descriptions, please visit the Academic Calendar.

Students may specialize in various areas of Psychology through their course choices. Seven areas of specialization are offered.

Applied behaviour analysis - This area of study involves the systematic application of learning principles and techniques to assess and improve individuals’ covert and overt behaviours in order to help them function more fully in society. Training in the basic research on behaviour is also provided.

Brain and cognitive sciences - Study in this area includes training in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. The Department's neuroscientists offer training in neuropsychology, developmental neuroscience, neurotoxicology and fMRI. The Department's cognitive scientists provide expertise in the domains of language processes, visual and auditory perception and selective attention and memory.

Clinical psychology- Clinical psychologists are trained to meet the ever-changing needs of clinical service, research, education and administration. Study in this area includes a solid grounding in both the science of psychology and clinical practice.

Developmental psychology - Study in this area includes cognition, linguistics, social psychology and health psychology.

Quantitative - Study in this area involves exploration of a broad range of topics in measurement, research design and statistical analysis.

School psychology - This program provides training in the principles and practices of school psychology, preparing students to deliver psychological services within the school community context.

Social and personality psychology - Training in this area focuses on close relationships, intergroup dynamics and motivation. The close relationships area examines the interplay between personality and the social context that unfolds in all interpersonal relationships. The intergroup relations area examines people’s attitudes and behaviours toward members of other groups, with an emphasis on issues of social justice. The motivation area examines adaptive mindsets and the motivational, emotional, attributional, and behavioural decision-making dynamics that link these mindsets to meaningful outcomes in the areas of achievement, health, and well-being across the lifespan.