Description

The Bachelor of Arts Major in Psychology is a traditional degree focusing on core areas in psychology including biological psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social/personality psychology, and clinical and health psychology. As KPU’s flagship Psychology degree program, the BA is a flexible degree that allows students to explore many different content areas of psychology as well as other areas within the social sciences and humanities. Because of the flexibility of the program, BA students have the opportunity to consult with advisors, faculty and peers to determine their own degree specialization. The emphasis is on transferrable skills, including critical thinking, research, writing, group work, and oral presentations. Students also have the option of completing a workplace practicum coordinated by KPU and co-supervised by faculty and employers in relevant fields of employment.

Those interested in further study and graduate school or who prefer more extensive research experience may augment their knowledge and skills by taking the research-focused Honours program in Psychology. 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.

Career Opportunities

The value of a BA in Psychology has been documented many times and BA Psychology graduates can be found working in a variety of roles such as: group home coordinator, behaviour analyst,  youth counselor, and mental health worker to list but a few examples. Many employers are interested in the critical thinking and research skills that psychology majors bring and, as a result, psychology graduates are marketable well beyond the boundaries of psychology. For example, our BA psychology graduates have also been successful in finding employment as loans officers, probation officers, office managers, and customer relations representatives.

Careers as practitioners of psychology (e.g., Psychologist or Counsellor) require further study at the graduate level and, to this end, the Honours program is available to students interested in pursuing graduate degrees. BA students who have completed the Honours program have gone on to graduate studies in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Gerontology, Education, School Psychology, and Experimental Psychology, to name only a few examples.

Faculty's website: kpu.ca/arts

Department's website: kpu.ca/arts/psychology

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing a major in Psychology must be admitted to the Faculty of Arts.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Arts Bachelor’s 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 18 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following with a minimum grade of “C”:
  • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
  • 6 credits at the 1100 level or higher in the Major area

Curricular Requirements

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

Psychology Major

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of the major program students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Arts. Transcripts will indicate a Major in Psychology.