Note
See Bachelor of Applied Arts, Psychology for information on this program. For information on the Minor in Psychology, see Bachelor of Arts, Double minor program.
DESCRIPTION
Distinct from the Bachelor of Applied Arts (Psychology) which focuses on applied skills and research, the Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology degree focuses on core areas in psychology such as biopsychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology and clinical/abnormal psychology. Students interested in further study and graduate school may augment their knowledge and skills by taking an honours option in Psychology. The honours option normally requires credits in addition to the 120 required for a four-year degree. Students will have some flexibility to focus their studies in key areas that are of interest to them.
Key Features of the program include:
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The development of knowledge, core competencies, and skills characteristic of Bachelor of Arts programs in Psychology
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The preparation of students for entry into the labour market by incorporating employability and critical thinking skills into all psychology courses
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The opportunity of pursuing graduate studies in psychology by taking the Honours option
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Highly qualified, innovative faculty
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The opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at Kwantlen University College where there is established emphasis on teaching, emerging emphasis on undergraduate research, long-standing connections to South Fraser communities, and accessibility for students in the expanding South Fraser region
Although a BA in psychology does not prepare graduates for specific occupations, the value of a degree has been documented many times and BA Psychology graduates can be found working in such fields as: group home coordinator, behaviour analyst, residential youth counselor, loan officer, and customer relations.
Some careers in psychology require further study at the graduate level. An honours option allows interested students to study at the graduate level.
Students may be admitted into the BA program at year one or three. In order to enter the BA program at year one and enrol in required writing and quantitative courses, students must have a grade of ‘B’ in English 12 (or equivalent) and a grade of ‘C’ in Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent). Students who do not qualify upon initial registration at Kwantlen will be able to apply for entry to the BA Qualifying Year and then enter the BA program after they have successfully completed appropriate qualifying courses. Students can transfer into the BA program at any time provided seats are available and they meet entrance requirements. Full-time BA program students receive registration priority over part-time and non-program students. In addition to Kwantlen’s standard application start date, students will be considered for admission based on the date of qualification.
During the first two years, the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology Major) will provide students with a rigorous, broad foundation in the liberal arts tradition. It will also expose students to the theoretical and methodological bases of psychology. The third and fourth years of the program include courses in the following five core areas of psychology:
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Biopsychology
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Cognition
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Developmental
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Social/Personality
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Clinical/Abnormal
The following core requirements are to be completed for all Bachlor of Arts Degree Programs:
- Complete a total of 120 credits with a minimum of 65 credits in Arts courses (Humanities and/or Social Sciences), and 45 credits with courses numbered 3000 or higher.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. with a minimum grade of “C” in all of the following required courses within the degree program (except where stated):
- 6-credit English writing requirement which includes ENGL 1100 and one of either ENGL 1202 or 1204.
- Minimum 9-credit quantitative requirement that must include a minimum of 3 approved quantitative courses, and of which one approved course must be taken from the Faculty of Science, Mathematics and Applied Sciences or the School of Horticulture.
- 24-credit breadth requirement consisting of a minimum of one course in at least four separate Social Science or Humanities disciplines outside of the major program area, one of which must be at the 3000-level or higher. CMNS 3100, UNIV 1100, and UNIV 4100 may also be credited towards the breadth requirement.
- Second language at the Grade 11 level (Beginner’s or Introductory Language 11 courses are ineligible to meet this requirement), or 6-credits of post-secondary language courses (in the same language). Students need only achieve a passing grade to fulfill this requirement. Students who can demonstrate competency in a second language may request an assessment to have this requirement waived.
- Required courses for the Major and/or Minor program(s).
To be eligible to apply for or continue to third-year level studies, students must have completed 60 credits with the required GPA including the English writing requirement, 2 Quantitative courses, 12 credits of breadth courses, the language requirement, Principles of Math 11 (or its equivalent), and all first and second year course requirements for their Major and/or Minor program(s).
Other completed courses may qualify to meet degree requirements. Students are encouraged to contact the BA Degree Advisor with questions about eligibility for program application or graduation.
In addition to completing the core requirements of all Kwantlen Bachelor of Arts degree programs indicated above, students will have to complete course prerequisites as necessary in order to enrol in upper levels courses in Psychology.
An Honours program is available for Psychology Major students who wish to pursue post-graduate studies and who meet the prerequisites.
At least two (2) courses from the following list:
*(students must not take more than one of Psychology 2320, 2321, or 2322)
Core Areas
At least ONE course from each of the five core areas to a minimum total of ten courses (30 credits). Students may take up to five courses (15 credits) from the list of additional courses. These courses will fulfill the minimum 30 credits required in third or fourth year psychology courses.
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Biopsychology:
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Cognitive:
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Developmental:
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Social / Personality:
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Clinical/Abnormal:
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Additional Courses
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Students interested in the Honours option must complete the foloowing:
Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology.