Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Studies
The Benefits of a Psychology Major
A major in Psychology will help you develop skills in analyzing and interpreting complex material, particularly as it relates to behaviour. You will learn theories of how people interpret the world and act in it, as well as theories of human behaviour.
As a Psychology major, you will learn from those at the forefront of psychological research. Our Faculty members are regularly published in the top journals and make an ongoing contribution to an ever-advancing field.
Psychology is also a wide-ranging field. Some Psychologists have gone so far as to call Psychology “The Propaedeutic Science”—meaning that everyone should take Psychology in order to understand their “built-in” perceptual and cognitive tools in preparation for any other type of scientific or social inquiry.
While this may represent an extreme view, it does emphasize the focus on developing a deep understanding how people and other animals “work.” Whatever your view on the topic you will inevitably become a more savvy and critical consumer of evidence-based information related to people’s behaviour such as self-help, psychological and medical advice.
Unlike many academic disciplines, the subject matter dealt with in Psychology usually has a direct bearing on the day-to-day experiences of people; this makes it easier for students to focus on problems, and, so, learn how to use the tools of the discipline to solve them.
Students in the Faculty of Arts & Science have several unique opportunities available, including:
Co-operative education allows you to gain work experience directly related to your studies and make valuable contacts in the workforce, all while earning a competitive salary. Completion of the program (3 work terms) allows you to receive a Co-operative Education designation on your degree and, most importantly, a kick-start to your career the minute you graduate. Learn more about Co-operative Education.
Applied Studies is another unique opportunity offered to all Arts & Science students as a way to earn course credit for career-related paid, volunteer or Community Service work experience. This program is specially designed to allow you to integrate principles learned in the classroom in a practical work setting. Learn more about our Applied Studies opportunities.
In addition to your regular courses, you may have the opportunity to participate in Independent Studies courses.
Independent Studies courses may be taken for credit inside or outside of the student’s academic major or in an interdisciplinary model. Some majors even require an Independent Studies component. A maximum of five Independent Studies courses may count for degree credit. Combined Degree students may count only three. Independent Studies numbers 2990, 3990 and 4990 indicate the level of advancement.
Independent Studies courses may be elected as early as the second semester or as late as the last, depending upon the capability of the student for undertaking academic work with minimal guidance. Independent Studies courses may take a variety of forms including library research, laboratory research projects or field study. Each Department provides detailed information on its available resources for support of Independent Studies courses.
Admission to an Independent Studies course is achieved through the consent of the instructor, who agrees to guide the Independent Studies course, and by approval of the Department and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science. Enrolment may be for a regular semester or during a Summer Session. Credit for an Independent Studies course is at the discretion of the Department, upon recommendation of the instructor. Grades are due at the end of the term of registration, as for regular courses.
Since Independent Studies courses are intended to expand a student’s program beyond the limits of the regular curriculum, it may not be used to duplicate course offerings.
Contact the Department for more information on current research or independent studies opportunities.
If your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis course through one of your host departments.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.
To complete an Undergraduate Thesis in Psychology, please refer to the Honours Thesis Guidelines and Honours Thesis Agreement form.
What skills will I gain from a major in Psychology?
In addition to developing exceptional communication skills, you will develop:
✓ Critical and analytical problem solving skills
✓ Research and information management skills and improve your attention to detail
✓ Strong ability to summarize research findings and to critically analyze evidence-based claims
What career opportunities can I pursue with a Psychology major?
Your degree in Psychology provides an excellent foundation for Medicine, Dentistry, Education or Law.
Related Fields
Here are just a few of the directions open to you once you’ve earned your degree:
Police officer
Community services worker
Data scientist
Market analyst/marketing/advertising
Science writer
Journalist
Public Relations
Customer service manager
User experience (UX) designer