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 §15.2.2 for admission requirements. Admission into the Honors program is permitted only at the end of the second year (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 7.
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 permitted only 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.
A minimum of 48 (but no more than 60) must be taken in Psychology, including the following:
PSYCO 104 and 105 ( | |
STAT 151 (STAT 141 may be substituted) and PSYCO 212 ( | |
Two of PSYCO 223, 233, 241, 258 ( | |
Two of PSYCO 267, 275, 281 ( | |
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 content courses in Psychology approved by the Honors Advisor ( |
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 gives students who have completed their third year of study in the Department of Psychology and who present a Faculty Grade Point Average of at least 2.3, an opportunity for extended, paid work experience. The program lasts for 12 or 16 months, and, after completing the reporting requirements, a student can receive university credit for the experience. The Work Experience designation will appear on the degree parchments of students who have successfully completed the program.
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 at approximately three-month intervals 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 review shows the situation is not satisfactory, 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 a least WKEXP 961 and 962 plus PSYCO 411. PSYCO 411 must be taken in the first term immediately following completion of the WKEXP period. If required by the employer, the student's written report and oral presentation in PSYCO 411 may be classified confidential. The employer also assesses the student's performance during the work term. Based on the student's written report and oral presentation, and the report from the employer, students are awarded a grade in PSYCO 411.
Students should be aware that under the Alberta Protection for Persons in Care Act, they can be required to satisfy a criminal records check before being allowed to serve a period of internship/practicum placement/work experience placement. Refer to §23.8.3.
Interested students should see the Work Experience Advisor in the Department of Psychology for more information.
