The Bachelor of Applied Arts (Psychology) is designed to prepare graduates with a knowledge base and skill set in the behavioural sciences that is much needed in a wide variety of workplace and community settings. Graduates will be prepared for employment in many types of today’s government and private sector jobs. Students completing the honours option will also be well prepared for further study at the graduate level.

Students can study either part-time or full-time (5 courses per semester), though part-time seats may be limited. Full-time study is demanding. Please note, though students are able to study part time, this does not mean that all courses are offered in evenings or on weekends to accommodate those who may have full-time day jobs.

Years one and two of the program consist of the Associate of Arts degree, or its equivalent, with a specialization in psychology (see Associate of Arts program for requirements). In these first two years, students take courses in the humanities, social, and physical sciences. These courses establish foundations of knowledge in psychology as well as a broader liberal education, and promote development of skills and abilities essential for academic success.

Years three and four concentrate on applications of psychology to modern community and workplace settings. Required courses provide students with general, transferable workplace skills, as well as specific knowledge and skills used in a variety of public and private sector jobs. Electives provide further training in additional areas selected by the student.

Students will participate in a workplace practicum coordinated by Kwantlen and co-supervised by faculty and employers in relevant fields of employment. This practicum placement will assist students in gaining workplace experience and in meeting potential future employers. The practicum may be completed in the summer after the third or fourth year (following completion of PSYC 3200, 4200 and 4400).

Students interested in further study and graduate school are advised to augment their knowledge and skills by taking an honours option. This involves taking two six credit courses in addition to the 120 credits required for the basic four-year degree. The two honours courses are PSYC 5000 (Honours Thesis I) and PSYC 5010 (Honours Thesis II). The honours option can be taken during or after the fourth year. It can also be taken subsequent to graduation.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts (Psychology) was developed in consultation with employers throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. Although there are no guaranteed jobs, these employers indicated that graduates of the BAA (Psychology) program are qualified for positions such as program evaluators, research analysts, project consultants, human resources advisors, and health planning consultants. Past graduates have found employment in such areas as health research, human resources, market research, psychological testing and crisis services, product usability research, autism intervention, and corrections. Students in the program should consult with an advisor to select courses best suited to their career objectives.

An Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology (or equivalent), or near completion of the Associate of Arts in Psychology with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 is required for entry to the third year of the degree program.

In addition to Kwantlen’s standard application start date, students will be considered for admission based on the date their application is submitted. Third-semester students should apply on the condition they will have completed their AA degree by the fourth semester or by the end of the summer semester. Students must also have completed:

The Bachelor of Applied Psychology requires 120 credits of post secondary studies and 132 credit hours for the honours option. The initial two years consist of 60 credit hours based upon completion of the Associate of Arts degree specializing in Psychology.

In the third and fourth year, students must complete 60 credits. Thirty-nine credits are third and fourth year required courses. Twelve credits are third and fourth year BAA Psychology electives. The remaining nine credits can be taken from any program and any year, though students are advised to consult with the BAA coordinator or BA advisor to confirm that their liberal education requirements are met. 

To meet all the degree requirements, students must successfully complete the Associate of Arts Degree (or equivalent) with a specialization in Psychology that includes PSYC 1100, 1200, 2300, 2330, 2400, 2385, as well as the following required third and fourth year courses and electives.

YEAR 3 AND 4

Required courses

The following liberal education requirements need to be completed by graduation.

Students interested in applying to graduate school or in a more extensive research experience can apply to the Honours Program during their last year or after completion of their degree. The Honours Program consists of two thesis courses (PSYC 5000 and PSYC 5010) which are offered in September and January respectively.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Arts, Psychology.