Psychology: Bachelor of Arts Major (also: Honours)
Description
The Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology is a traditional degree focusing on core areas in psychology including biopsychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social/personality psychology, and clinical/abnormal psychology. As KPU’s flagship Psychology degree program, the BA is a flexible degree that allows students to explore many different content areas of psychology as well as other areas within the social sciences and humanities. Because of the flexibility of the program, BA students have the opportunity to consult with advisors, faculty and peers to determine their own degree specialization. The emphasis is on transferrable skills, including critical thinking, writing, group work, and oral presentations. Students also have the option of completing a workplace practicum coordinated by KPU and co-supervised by faculty and employers in relevant fields of employment.
Those interested in further study and graduate school or who prefer more extensive research experience may augment their knowledge and skills by taking the research-focused Honours program in Psychology. The Honours program affords students an opportunity to develop and report on a research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member within the Psychology Department.
Career Opportunities
The value of a BA in Psychology has been documented many times and BA Psychology graduates can be found working in a variety of roles such as: group home coordinator, behaviour analyst, residential and youth counselor, and mental health worker to list but a few examples. Many employers are interested in the critical thinking and research skills that psychology majors bring and, as a result, psychology graduates are marketable well beyond the boundaries of psychology. For example, our BA psychology graduates have also been successful in finding employment as loans officers, probation officers, office managers, and customer relations representatives.
Careers as practitioners of psychology (e.g., Psychologist or Counsellor) require further study at the graduate level and, to this end, the Honours program is available to students interested in pursuing graduate degrees. BA students who have completed the Honours program have gone on to graduate studies in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Gerontology, Education, School Psychology, and Experimental Psychology, to name only a few examples.
Admission Requirements
Students pursuing a major in Psychology must be admitted to the Faculty of Arts.
Declaration Requirements
Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Arts Bachelor’s degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:
- In good academic standing with the University
- Completion of a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following with a minimum grade of “C”:
- 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
- 6 credits at the 1100 level or higher in the Major area
Curricular Requirements
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete all requirements in the Bachelor of Arts Framework in addition to their major or minor program requirements.
Psychology Major
1000 and 2000 Level
All of: |
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PSYC 1100 | Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes | 3 credits | |
PSYC 1200 | Introduction to Psychology: Areas and Applications | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2300 | Applied Statistics | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2315 | Brain and Behaviour | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2330 | Social Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2385 | Cognition | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2400 | Experimental Psychology: Research Methodology | 3 credits |
3000 and 4000 Level
One course from each of the following five core areas: |
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1. Biopsychology: | |||
PSYC 3320 | Drugs and Behaviour | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3910 | Neuropsychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 4315 | Neuroscience | 3 credits | |
2. Cognitive: | |||
PSYC 3215 | Psychology of Memory | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3303 | Learning: Theory and Practice | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3311 | Psychology of Consciousness | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3800 | Evolutionary Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 4210 | Critical Thinking in Psychology | 3 credits | |
3. Developmental: | |||
PSYC 3316 | Infancy | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3920 | Aging | 3 credits | |
4. Social/Personality: | |||
PSYC 3210 | Attitudes and Persuasion | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3220 | Group Dynamics | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3307 | Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3370 | Advanced Personality Theory | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3451 | Psychology and Law | 3 credits | |
PSYC 4700 | Culture and Psychology | 3 credits | |
5. Clinical/Abnormal: | |||
PSYC 3350 | Advanced Topics in Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3450 | Clinical Psychology: Intervention | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3600 | Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 4350 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
And: |
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A further 15 credits from courses in PSYC at the 3000- or 4000-level | 15 credits |
Honours
All of: |
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PSYC 5000 | Honours Thesis I | 6 credits | |
PSYC 5010 | Honours Thesis II | 6 credits |
Note: Honours Thesis courses may contribute to the 120 credits required for degree completion. Enrolment is competitive and requires the permission of the Psychology Honours Committee. In order to be considered, students are expected to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3, and a minimum grade of 'B+' in PSYC 3300 and 3400. Students must also obtain endorsement from a faculty member who will serve as their thesis advisor.
Credential Awarded
Upon successful completion of the honours program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). Transcripts will indicate a Major in Psychology.
Upon successful completion of the major program students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Arts. Transcripts will indicate a Major in Psychology.
At a Glance
Faculty of Arts
Psychology
Program Type:
- Undergraduate
Credential Granted:
- Baccalaureate Degree
Offered At:
- Langley
- Richmond
- Surrey
Start Date(s):
- September
- January
- May
Intake Type:
- Open intake
Format:
- Full-time
- Part-time
Minimum Credits Required:
- 120
Instructional Cycle:
- Semester-based
Curriculum Effective Date:
- 01-Sep-2018