Mar 28, 2024  
University of Alberta Calendar 2017-2018 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology [Arts]


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Calendar Search

Honors in Psychology


Students planning to apply for admission to the Honors program should consult BA Honors  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 BA (Honors)  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:

A minimum of ★48 to a maximum of ★60 at the senior level in PSYCO including:


The following courses from other Departments are also required:


  • ★6 selected from 100-level ENGL or ★3 100-level ENGL and WRS 101  
  • ★6 from BIOL, CHEM, PHYS
  • ★6 from ANTHR, ECON, LING, POL S, and/or SOC

Additional Requirements


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).

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 BA (Honors) ).

The requirements in Psychology are the same as described above in Honors In Psychology, 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 Honors Essay  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 Honors In Psychology.

Major and Minor in Psychology


Degree of BA


See Bachelor of Arts (BA) .

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:

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 , WKEXP 962 , WKEXP 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 , WKEXP 962   and WKEXP 963  (12 to 16 continuous months) 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 Requirement for Police Information Checks  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.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Calendar Search