Skip to main content

Psychology - Applied: Bachelor of Science (also: Honours)

Description

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology is ideal for students interested in pursuing a health sciences career. This is also the Psychology degree program most suited for students who have an interest in neuroscience, particularly at the graduate level. The BSc is the most interdisciplinary of our psychology degrees, exposing students to biology, chemistry, math, and physics in addition to a broad array of psychology courses. This degree is also very “hands-on” with students being exposed to lab and research experiences as well as developing technical writing skills and workplace expertise.

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 takes a systems/ecological approach, recognizing the interrelationships between humans and their environments.

As part of their upper-level coursework, students will take courses across three main topical areas within Psychology: (1) research skills; (2) biological psychology; and (3) health psychology. 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, professional business practices, and technical writing. Students also participate in a workplace practicum coordinated by KPU 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.

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. B.Sc. in Applied Psychology students can complete the Honours program within the 40 courses required for the degree.

Career Opportunities

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 written and oral forms
  • 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 health sciences, vocational rehabilitation mental health services, disability services, software usability research, program evaluation, research and design, and pharmaceutics, among other opportunities.. They would also be well prepared for post-graduate programs in a variety of health professions. Students who complete the Honours option would be well prepared for research-focused graduate studies in neuroscience, psychology, counselling, public policy, and other areas.

Admission Requirements

The Faculty's Admission Requirements, which consist of KPU's undergraduate English Proficiency Requirement, apply to this program.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this 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 24 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following:
    • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
    • PSYC 1100 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • PSYC 1200 with a minimum grade of “C”
    • BIOL 1110
    • CHEM 1110
    • MATH 1120 or MATH 1130
    • PHYS 1101 or PHYS 1120

Curricular Requirements

Applied Psychology Degree

All students must meet the following minimum requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology:

  • 127 credits of undergraduate coursework
  • 33 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including the following:
    • 6 credits at the 4000 level
    • 30 credits in PSYC
    • 3 credits in a subject area other than PSYC
  • 6 credits in MATH
  • 30 credits in BIOL, CHEM or PHYS
  • A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
  • 32 credits overall, including a minimum of 12 credits in 3000- or 4000-level PSYC courses, completed through courses taken at KPU.

1000-level Requirements

All of:
  BIOL 1110 Introductory Biology I 4 credits
  BIOL 1210 Introductory Biology II 4 credits
  CHEM 1110 The Structure of Matter 4 credits
  CHEM 1210 Chemical Energetics and Dynamics 4 credits
  ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing 3 credits
  ENGL 12xx A course at the 1200 level 3 credits
  PSYC 1100 Introduction to Psychology: Basic Processes 3 credits
  PSYC 1200 Introduction to Psychology: Areas and Applications 3 credits
And one of:
  MATH 1120 Differential Calculus 3 credits
  MATH 1130 Calculus for Life Sciences I (recommended) 3 credits
And one of:
  MATH 1220 Integral Calculus 3 credits
  MATH 1230 Calculus for Life Sciences II (recommended) 3 credits
And one of:
  PHYS 1101 Physics for Life Sciences I 4 credits
  PHYS 1120 Physics for Physical and Applied Sciences I 4 credits

2000-level Requirements

All of:
  BIOL 2321 Cell Biology 4 credits
  CHEM 2320 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
  PSYC 2300 Applied Statistics 3 credits
  PSYC 2315 Brain and Behaviour 3 credits
  PSYC 2330 Social Psychology 3 credits
  PSYC 2375 Perception 3 credits
  PSYC 2385 Cognition 3 credits
  PSYC 2400 Experimental Psychology: Research Methodology 3 credits
And one of:
  BIOL 2320 Genetics 4 credits
  BIOL 2421 Cellular Biochemistry 3 credits

3000- and 4000-level Requirements

All of:
  CMNS 3100 Technical Report Writing 3 credits
  PSYC 4000 Practicum 3 credits
  PSYC 4700 Culture and Psychology 3 credits
And at least two of:
  Statistics and Research Methodology Courses
  PSYC 3300 Applied Statistics II 3 credits
  PSYC 3400 Applied Research I 3 credits
  PSYC 3960 Program Evaluation 3 credits
  PSYC 4100 Tests and Measurement 3 credits
  PSYC 4400 Research Methods II: Qualitative Methodologies 3 credits
And at least two of:
  Biological Psychology
  PSYC 3303 Learning: Theory and Practice 3 credits
  PSYC 3320 Drugs and Behaviour 3 credits
  PSYC 3910 Neuropsychology 3 credits
  PSYC 4315 Neuroscience 3 credits
And at least two of:
  Health and Clinical Psychology
  PSYC 3350 Advanced Topics in Psychopathology 3 credits
  PSYC 3450 Clinical Psychology: Intervention 3 credits
  PSYC 3451 Psychology and Law 3 credits
  PSYC 3600 Health Psychology 3 credits
  PSYC 3920 Aging 3 credits
  PSYC 4350 Developmental Psychopathology 3 credits
  PSYC 4910 Rehabilitation 3 credits
And at least two of:
  Applied Psychology
  PSYC 3200 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 3 credits
  PSYC 3220 Group Dynamics 3 credits
  PSYC 3930 Consumer Psychology - Research & Applications 3 credits
  PSYC 3950 Cognitive Ergonomics 3 credits
  PSYC 4200 Human Factors: Technology and Behaviour 3 credits
  PSYC 4500 Interpersonal Relations 3 credits

Electives

In addition to the courses specified above, students must complete 27 credits of electives
  Electives may be chosen from any subject area and at any level provided all core requirements are met. 27 credits

Honours

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology Honours degree must complete the following 12 credits in lieu of elective credits, and within the 127 credits required for degree completion:

  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 anticipated course schedules.

Students may receive either the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology degree or the Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology Honours degree, but not both.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of the honours program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology (Honours).

Upon successful completion of the degree program, students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology.

At a Glance

Faculty of Arts

kpu.ca/arts

Psychology

kpu.ca/arts/psychology

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Offered At:

  • KPU Langley  Langley
  • KPU Richmond  Richmond
  • KPU Surrey  Surrey

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September
  • Spring Intake (January)  January
  • Summer Intake (May)  May

Intake Type:

  • Open Intake  Open intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 127

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2016

How to Declare:

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 14-Jun-2017

This online version of the Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar is the official version of the University Calendar. Although every effort is made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, KPU reserves the right to make any corrections in the contents and provisions of this calendar without notice. In addition, the University reserves the right to cancel, add, or revise contents or change fees at any time without notice. To report errors or omissions, or send comments or suggestions, please email Calendar.Editor@kpu.ca