Psychology: Bachelor of Arts Major and Honours
Description
Distinct from the more specialized Bachelor of Applied Arts in Psychology which focuses on applied skills and research in the context of the workplace and community service, the Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology is a more traditional degree focusing on core areas in psychology including biopsychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social/personality psychology, and clinical/abnormal psychology. In their upper-level coursework, students have a great deal of flexibility to focus their studies in key areas of interest. 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 a separate one year 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. The Honours program requires 12 credits in addition to the 120 required for a four-year Bachelor degree.
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, 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 in psychology generally 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
Students must complete the following requirements.
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 |
Electives are recommended to be chosen from the following:
PSYC 2308 | History & Systems of Contemporary Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2350 | Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
One of: | |||
PSYC 2320 | Developmental Psychology: Childhood | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2321 | Developmental Psychology: Adolescence | 3 credits | |
PSYC 2322 | Developmental Psychology: Adulthood | 3 credits |
3000 and 4000 Level
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of 3000- and 4000-level Psychology courses. This must include at least ONE course from each of the five core areas. The remaining 15 credits may be selected from any 3000- or 4000-level Psychology courses, including courses from the core areas not used to satisfy area requirements.
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 | Psychology of Learning | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3311 | Psychology of Consciousness | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3800 | Evolutionary Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 4210 | Critical Thinking | 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 | Cultural Psychology | 3 credits | |
5. Clinical/Abnormal: | |||
PSYC 3350 | Advanced Topics in Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3450 | Clinical Psychotherapy | 3 credits | |
PSYC 3600 | Health Psychology | 3 credits | |
PSYC 4350 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 credits | |
And: 15 further credits of any PSYC courses at the 3000- or 4000-level |
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Please see the Course Descriptions section of the Calendar for a full listing of 3000- and 4000-level PSYC courses. |
Honours
In addition to the 120 credits required for the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology, students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology degree must complete a further 12 credits consisting of the following:
PSYC 5000 | Honours Thesis I | 6 credits | |
PSYC 5010 | Honours Thesis II | 6 credits |
Enrolment in Psychology Honours courses requires the permission of the Psychology Honours committee. In order to be considered for Honours courses, students are expected to achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and to obtain a 'B+' grade in both PSYC 3300 and 3400. Students must also obtain endorsement from a faculty member who will serve as their thesis advisor, and be recommended by the Psychology Honours committee.
Please see kpu.ca/arts/psychology/honours for further information regarding application deadlines and selection criteria.
Students may receive either the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology degree or the Bachelor of Arts, Honours in Psychology degree, but not both.
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-2016