44
BA Honors and BA Major/Minor Requirements
44.26
Psychology
44.26 Psychology
44.26.1 Honors in Psychology
Students planning to apply for admission to the Honors program should consult §16.2.2 for admission requirements. Admission into the Honors program is permitted after completion of a minimum of
48. Final acceptance into the Honors program is dependent upon obtaining written approval from a potential research supervisor prior to August 31.
See §43.6 for Faculty regulations concerning the Honors program.
The Department offers courses leading to the degrees of BA and BSc with Honors in Psychology. Departmental requirements for the two degrees are identical. However, students wishing to emphasize the humanities and social sciences should enrol in the BA program; those wishing to emphasize the physical, biological, and mathematical sciences should enrol in the BSc program. Either program is appropriate for students considering postgraduate training in psychology or in other fields that require these research skills.
Although admission into the Honors Psychology program is normally in the third year, students are expected to take a minimum of
24 during the Fall/Winter of each year of study, including the first and second years. Once admitted to the Honors program, exceptions to this requirement must have the prior written approval of the Department and the Faculty. The student's program of courses must be approved in advance each year by the Honors Psychology Advisor.
Honors in Psychology requires:
PSYCO 104, 105, STAT 151 (STAT 141 may be substituted) | |
STAT 252 (which must be completed by the end of the first term after admission to the program), and | |
a minimum of |
PSYCO 212, which must be completed by the end of the first term after admission to the program) | |
Two of PSYCO 223, 239, 241 ( | |
Two of PSYCO 258, 275, 282 ( | |
PSYCO 300 and 399 ( | |
PSYCO 400 and 490 ( | |
PSYCO 303 or 304 ( | |
One advanced research methods course approved by the Honors advisor ( | |
Two 400-level substantive content (non-methods) Psychology courses approved by the Honors Advisor and excluding 409, 410, 411, 413, 431, 475, 476, 482, 496, 497, 498, 499. |
The following courses from other Departments are also required:
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A minimum of an additional
12 must be taken in one or more disciplines relevant to Psychology, e.g., ANTHR, BIOL, CHEM, CMPUT, ECON, GENET, LING, MATH, NEURO, PHIL, PHYS, PHYSL, PMCOL, POL S, SOC, STAT, ZOOL. These courses may not overlap those used to fulfil the Department’s Computing/Mathematics/Statistics, Natural Science, and Social Science requirements listed above.
Under the supervision of a faculty member in the Department, students undertake a year-long research apprenticeship (PSYCO 399) during the third year, and conduct research and write an empirical thesis (PSYCO 490) during the fourth year. Third-year students present their thesis research proposals, and fourth-year students present the results of their thesis research, at the annual Honors Psychology Conference in April.
Promotion Requirements
Promotion from year to year requires a GPA of at least 3.3 with an average of at least 3.3 in all Psychology courses in the Fall/Winter.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation with Honors in Psychology requires a graduation average of at least 3.3 with an average of at least 3.3 in all Psychology courses. Graduation with First-Class Honors requires an average of at least 3.7 in all Psychology courses taken in the last two years (last
60) and an average of at least 3.5 in all courses taken in the last two years (last
60).
44.26.2 Combined Honors in Psychology
Students may pursue a Combined Honors program in Psychology and in another discipline. The common requirements in a Combined Honors program are the same as for other Honors programs (see §43.6).
The requirements in Psychology are the same as described above in §44.26.1, including the specified courses from other departments. Careful planning is required, and consulting the Honors Advisors in both departments is mandatory. The third-year research apprenticeship (PSYCO 399) is also required; however, with special permission, a Combined Honors Essay (INT D 520) may be substituted for the Honors Thesis (PSYCO 490). See §43.6(7) for further information.
Promotion and Graduation Requirements
In a Combined Honors program, students must meet the promotion and graduation standards of each Department. The requirements in Psychology are outlined in §44.26.1.
44.26.3 Major and Minor in Psychology
Degree of BA
See §43.3.
The Department of Psychology offers courses leading to BA and BSc degrees. Students who want to emphasize the humanities and social sciences in their programs should register for the BA and follow one of the sequences suggested in the Faculty of Arts section. Students wishing to emphasize the biological sciences should register for the BSc. However, to ensure a well-rounded background in psychological inquiry, students in the BA program must take Psychology courses from both the Faculties of Arts and Science.
Students selecting Psychology as a major are required to take the following:
PSYCO 104 and 105 | |
STAT 141 or 151 | |
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Students selecting Psychology as a minor are required to take the following:
PSYCO 104 and 105 | |
STAT 141 or 151 | |
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Note: Because STAT 141 or 151 is a prerequisite or corequisite for several senior courses, it should be taken in Year 1 or 2.
44.26.4 Cooperative Education (Work Experience) Route
The Cooperative Education (Work Experience) Route is offered to students in the BA Honors Psychology program or the BA program with a major in Psychology. Students who present a Faculty Grade Point Average of at least 2.3 are eligible for the program, an opportunity for extended, paid work experience. The paid work experience is normally undertaken after completion of a minimum of
75, and not more than
105. Students who are approved to enter this stream and find an internship placement are registered for a continuous sequence of Arts Psychology Work Experience courses (WKEXP 961, 962, 963) starting in May or September.
During the program, students are considered full-time students of the University. Work experience courses have no weight and are graded credit/no credit, and recorded on the student's transcript; students are not permitted to register in any academic courses during the Work Experience Program. The Work Experience Program Advisor maintains contact with the student and the person designated by the employer to be responsible for the student's progress. This arrangement ensures satisfaction on all sides. If the placement is not satisfactory for either party, the internship may be terminated and the student would then return to classes at the next available opportunity. The graduation requirement for the Work Experience program designation includes successful completion of WKEXP 961, 962 and 963 (12 to 16 continuous mounts) plus PSYCO 411. PSYCO 411 must be taken in the first term immediately following completion of the WKEXP period. The employer also assesses the student's performance during the work term.
Students should be aware that under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, all new employees, volunteers and other people engaged for services by designated agencies (hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, social service agencies, etc.) must complete a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check, Security Clearance Check, or Police Clearance), which must include a Vulnerable Sector Check. In addition, certain other agencies, organizations, and educational facilities may require students to present a Police Information Check prior to entering a practicum, work placement term, internship, or field experience placement.
Students who have concerns related to their ability to provide a clear Police Information Check should consult with the Associate Dean, Student Programs. Students will be informed of the need for a Police Information Check prior to specific period of internship/practicum placement. See §23.8.3 for more information on the general requirements concerning Police Information Checks and the fees associated with them.
Interested students should see the Work Experience Advisor in the Department of Psychology for more information.