BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - MAJOR IN APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
DESCRIPTION
While Bachelor of Science in Psychology degrees have existed at universities since the late 1800s, recent developments have proclaimed that “the psychology of science has arrived” (Journal of Psychology of Science and Technology, 1, 205, 2008). The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology is an interdisciplinary program rich in Psychology and Natural Sciences content. It is built primarily upon the attributes that have proven successful in the existing Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology degrees. The foundation of the degree is rooted in Kwantlen’s existing two year science curriculum, with an emphasis on Biology and Chemistry, and on core base courses in Psychology.
The degree was developed in close connection with employers in the field and community partners, and has an applied focus that prepares students for employment upon graduation, for research-focused graduate studies, or for entry into professional programs of study. Many courses within this program have a lab component. The program will take a systems/ecological approach, recognizing the interrelationships between humans and their environments, and the ways in which each influences and alters the other.
During the third and fourth year students will take courses across three main topical areas within Psychology: (1) research skills (statistics, program evaluation, qualitative and quantitative research, and tests and measurement); (2) biological psychology (neuroscience, drugs and behaviour, neuropsychology, and learning theory and practice); and (3) health psychology (developmental psychopathology, rehabilitation, clinical intervention, psychopathology, psychology and law, health psychology, and aging). The degree will be embedded throughout with psychological application, including hands-on lab experience and courses focusing on human interaction with (and use of) modern technology, ethics, professional business practices, and technical writing. Students will be required to participate in a workplace practicum co-supervised by faculty and employers. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology degree provides innovative academic rigor encompassing exploration, inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, community, and accountability with clear employment outcomes. An existing Honours program in Psychology would be utilized to prepare interested students for research-focused graduate studies.
CAREERS
While taking the program, students will be required to participate in a workplace practicum co-supervised by faculty and community employers. They will have the opportunity to test their skills and knowledge in specific contexts, to observe the relationships between specific disciplinary techniques, and to appreciate the complexities of technical and human interactions. They will see, first hand, that no single method is sufficient, no single discipline capable of interpreting and responding to modern individual, community and workplace challenges. The shared responsibility for the practicum taken by academic and community sponsors will provide a powerful balance between classroom and workplace learning, deepening both.
A student who successfully completes the B.Sc. in Applied Psychology, will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
• critically examine the research literature
• contribute effectively to a seminar discussion
• deliver a presentation based on primary source research
• communicate ideas effectively in writing and in oral form
• critically evaluate primary and secondary source material
• develop a research program
• apply skills in a relevant work setting
• demonstrate solid ethical decision making both in research and practice
• work within an interdisciplinary framework
• demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of statistical and methodological approaches to scientific enquiry
• demonstrate a working knowledge of various scientific technologies and techniques
The degree was developed in close collaboration with industry/employers to ensure positive outcomes and maximum opportunities. Graduates of this degree could therefore find employment in areas such as vocational rehabilitation, mental health services, gerontology, neuropsychological testing, forensics, disability services, software usability research, research and design, pharmaceutical companies, and child care consultancy. They would also be well prepared for researched focused graduate studies in neuroscience, psychology, counseling, public policy, kinesiology, and special education, and post-graduate programs in physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Students may be admitted into the B.Sc. in Applied Psychology program at any time (up to the 7th semester), provided admission requirements are met.
Entrance requirements for year 1 are:• Principles of Math 12 with a C+ (or equivalent)
• Principles of Physics 12 with a P (or equivalent)
• Chemistry 12 with a C+ (or equivalent), and
• English 12 with a B (or equivalent)
Kwantlen offers the appropriate upgrading courses for students missing prerequisites for all courses required in the Bachelor of Science program. Preparatory courses at the provincial grade 11 and 12 level are offered within the Science program as CHEQ 1094; as MATQ 1093, MATH 1112 and as PHYS 1100. A wider range of courses at preliminary levels are offered at Kwantlen under the ABEB, ABEM, ABEP, MATP and PHYP course headings.
Given the structural similarity between the first two years of the B.Sc. in Applied Psychology degree and the Associate of Science degrees, especially the Associate of Science in Biology, a smooth transition into third year is possible for students. Students can transfer into the B.Sc. program from an Associate of Science degree program at any time provided seats are available and they meet entrance requirements.
Students can enter the program in third year, provided they have completed all required courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher and a C or higher in Psychology 2300 and 2400 (or equivalent transfer credits). Students are advised to consider prerequisites for 3rd and 4th year courses when applying for entry into the 3rd year of the program.
A student who has completed courses at another post-secondary institution may request that these credits be transferred to Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Transfer students may be admitted to the program, space permitting, at any point up to the seventh semester. Articulated credits and prior learning assessment would satisfy the entry requirements for advanced placement in the degree program. This structure follows the approved B.Sc. framework in place at Kwantlen Polytechnic University with respect to both minimum academic standards to progress in the program, as well as entrance requirements.
CONTENT
The learning environment and methodologies will utilize all current andragogical techniques that enhance student learning. Faculty will adopt approaches that provide students with a participatory and collaborative learning environment that merges theory and research with experiential participation. These approaches include traditional classroom instruction, computer simulations and experiential web materials, small seminar groups, field trips to research facilities and medical units where appropriate and “hands-on” training and experience with industry/academic-specific methodological techniques. Faculty-supervised independent and/or collaborative student research will also be a key component of study in several courses with particular emphasis on in-depth research, both qualitative and quantitative, in both the practicum and Honours program courses.
Methodologies will be specifically aimed at enhancing student success in identified learning outcomes. Common themes to these outcomes beyond the knowledge-based aspects of the curriculum will be critical thinking, analytical skills, team building, communication skills and employability skills, as well as the ability to move beyond theoretical constructs to operationalization for the purpose of problem identification and problem solving. The goal will be the development of well-educated, critically aware and articulate graduates who demonstrate a thorough understanding of current issues, theory and research in the psychological sciences.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many students are dissatisfied with traditional science offerings that are perceived as leading only to graduate studies or specialized professions. In addition to preparing students for more traditional pursuits, the B.Sc. in Applied Psychology degree offers job-focused, job-ready, innovated learning that prepares students for new types of positions in the science, health and pharmaceutical industries, and for constant change in today’s workplace.
The following core requirements are to be completed for the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology:
• A minimum 120 credits and a minimum of 40 courses total at the post-secondary level
• A minimum 6 credits writing requirement
o ENGL 1100 and CMNS3100
• A minimum 6 credits mathematics, at least 3 credits of which are statistics
o MATH 1130 (or MATH 1120)
o MATH 1230 (or MATH 1220)
o PSYC 2300
• A minimum 72 science credits including at least 36 credits at the 3000 and 4000 level. Included in this are required courses in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Physics outlined below.
• A minimum 24 credits general education requirement, including at least 3 credits at the upper level
• A passing grade in all courses counting towards the Bachelor of Science, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• A minimum 60 credits taken at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, or approval to transfer a maximum of 90 credits.
YEAR 1
BIOL 1110 and BIOL 1210
CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1210
ENGL 1100
MATH 1130 (or 1120) and MATH 1230 (or 1220)
PHYS 1101
PSYC 1100 and PSYC 1200
YEAR 2
BIOL 2321
BIOL 2320 or BIOL 2421
CHEM 2320
PSYC 2300, PSYC 2315, PSYC 2375, PSYC 2385 and PSYC 2400
2 of 3 electives chosen from:
o PSYC 2320 (or PSYC 2321 or PSYC 2322)
o PSYC 2330
o PSYC 2350
YEAR 3 and 4
CMNS 3100
PSYC 4000
PSYC 4800
Research Psychology – 2 of:
o PSYC 3300
o PSYC 3400
o PSYC 3960
o PSYC 4100
o PSYC 4400
Biological Psychology – 2 of:
o PSYC 3303
o PSYC 3320
o PSYC 3910
o PSYC 4315
Health and Clinical Psychology – 2 of:
o PSYC 3350
o PSYC 3450
o PSYC 3451
o PSYC 3600
o PSYC 3920
o PSYC 4350
o PSYC 4910
Applied Psychology – 2 of:
o PSYC 3200
o PSYC 3220
o PSYC 3500
o PSYC 3930
o PSYC 4200
o PSYC 4920
Culture and Diversity – 1 of:o PSYC 4700
o Any other cultural course at Kwantlen
Any 8 Electives*
o Suggest some be 2nd or 3rd year science and/or mathematics
o Must have at least 24 general education (breadth) credits
*If choosing an Honours degree, must take PSYC 5002 and PSYC 5010 in lieu of 2 electives.
HONOURS PROGRAM
Students interested in applying to graduate school or who prefer a more extensive research experience are encouraged to apply to the Honours program. 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.
A limited number of seats are available each year for Honours students. Interested students can obtain a program application form from the Psychology Department during their third year or after completion of their degree.
In order to be admitted to the Honours program 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 selection committee. Selections are made in May for the following September.
The Honours program consists of two 6 credit thesis courses (PSYC 5002 and PSYC 5010 ) that are offered in September and January respectively. For the BSc in Applied Psychology, these courses can be taken within the 120 credits required for degree completion.
GRADUATION
Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for a Bachelor of Science – Major in Applied Psychology or Bachelor of Science – Major in Applied Psychology (Honours). Visit the graduation website for further details.
