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Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Major and Minor

Note: See Bachelor of Applied Arts, Psychology for information on this program.

Description

Distinct from the more specialized Bachelor of Applied Arts in Psychology which focuses on applied skills and research, in the context of the workplace and community service, the Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology is a more traditional degree focusing 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 requires twelve credits in addition to the 120 required for a four-year Bachelor 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:

Career Opportunities

Although a BA in psychology does not prepare graduates for specific occupations, the value of this degree has been documented many times and BA Psychology graduates can be found working in a variety of fields such as: group home coordinator, behaviour analyst, residential youth counselor, loan officer, and customer relations, to list but a few examples.

Careers in psychology generally require further study at the graduate level and to this end, an honours program is available to students interested in pursuing graduate degrees.

Entrance Requirements

For admission to the BA program students must have a grade of 'B' in English 12 (or equivalent) and a grade of 'C' in either Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12. Students may be admitted to the BA program at any point at which admission requirements are met. Students who do not qualify upon initial application to Kwantlen may be eligible for entry to the Qualifying Year. (Students who possess at least a 'C' in English 12 (or equivalent) and a passing grade in Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent) or Applications of Math 12 will be able to apply for entry to the BA Qualifying Year. Students will be admitted to the BA program in the second year provided they have successfully completed appropriate qualifying courses. Other applicants who do not qualify are encouraged to consult an Educational Advisor for the appropriate qualifying courses that satisfy the application criteria.

Registration access to third or fourth year courses is first awarded to students who have completed at least 60 credits of coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.00, as well as a grade of 'C' in all required courses including the English writing requirement, 2 Quantitative courses, 12 credits of breadth courses, the language requirement, Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent), and all first and second year course requirements for their declared major and/or minor program(s).

Content

During the first two years, the Bachelor of Arts (Psychology Major) will provide students with a rigorous exposure to the theoretical and methodological bases of psychology, as well as to a broader context of a liberal arts education. The third and fourth years of the program include courses in the following five core areas of psychology:

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete all requirements in the Bachleor of Arts framework in addition to their major or minor program requirements.

Psychology Major 

Students must complete the following requirements for the Psychology Major:

1000 LEVEL

2000 LEVEL

At least two (2) courses from the following list:

*Note: Students may not take more than one of PSYC 2320, 2321, or 2322 towards this requirement. Students who complete more than one of PSYC 2320, 2321 and 2322 may use the additional course(s) as part of their lower level electives.

3000 AND 4000 LEVEL

Core Areas

Students must complete 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.

1. Biopsychology:

2. Cognitive:

3. Developmental:

4. Social/Personality:

5. Clinical/Abnormal:

Additional Courses

Students who wish to graduate with the BA, Psychology Honours Degree must complete the following 2 courses in addition to their 120 credit degree requirement:

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 5001 and PSYC 5010) that are offered in September and January respectively. For the BA, PSYC 5001 and 5010 must be taken in addition to the 120 credits required for degree completion.

Psychology Minor

Students must complete the following requirements for the Psychology Minor:

1000 LEVEL

Students are required to complete all of the following courses:

2000 LEVEL

The following four courses are required with a minimum grade of C:

3000 AND 4000 LEVEL

Psychology courses at the 3000 level are accessible to all students who have completed Introductory Psychology 1100 and 1200, plus any additional prerequisite course indicated.

Students who have completed nine credits of required Psychology courses at the 2000 level (including Psychology 2300 and 2400), plus the BA entrance requirements, can apply for entry to the Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Psychology.

Courses at the 4000 level will require prerequisites at the 2000 and possibly 3000 level.

Core Areas

Students are required to complete at least one (1) course from each of the following five core areas:

1. Biopsychology:

2. Cognitive:

Developmental:

Social / Personality

Clinical / Abnormal

Graduation

Upon successful completion of these programs, students are eligible for a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Psychology Honours, a Minor in Psychology as a supplement to any Bachelor of Arts degree program, or a Bachelor of Arts, Double Minor when combined with a second minor program.

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