In this Guide
Learn the many ways you can extend your classroom experience to the real world.
- Take Psychology courses and explore other programs of interest through electives.
- Consider the Forensic Psychology specialization and if you are interested, take required Criminology courses.
- Participate in research studies to learn about the research process through the Psychology Research Experience Program (PREP).
- Take the Foundations for Community Engagement and Service Course and plan for any requirements needed (e.g., police checks) if you plan to take a Community Service-Learning course.
- Participate in Supplemental Instruction sessions and Directed Homework for key courses.
- Start looking for opportunities to get involved in a faculty member's research lab (e.g., CARE Lab, VR Crime Lab).
- Enhance your academic experience at Laurier through professional one-on-one, online and peer-to-peer resources available through Academic Advising and Support.
- Look for publication and research opportunities with faculty.
- Take required Community Service-Learning courses.
- Take courses to earn the Global Crime and Justice Certificate or the Gladue Principles Certificate.
- Continue looking for opportunities to volunteer or apply for research assistant opportunities in a faculty member's research lab (e.g., CARE Lab, VR Crime Lab).
- If you’re thinking about applying to graduate school, talk with your professors about an undergraduate thesis or directed studies course and visit the Career Centre.
- Learn about Research and Instructional Assistantship opportunities in Psychology.
- Consider completing an undergraduate thesis in your final year to research an area of interest.
- Participate in the Academic, Creative and Engaged Research Showcase (ACERS).
- If you’re applying to graduate school, sign up for a scholarship proposal writing workshop and book a further education application appointment.
As a Psychology (Brantford) student, you can:
- Join student clubs such as the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences Student Association and build leadership skills through joining an executive team.
- Get involved with the Laurier Students' Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG).
- Look for volunteer opportunities both on and off-campus with select groups based on your area of interest e.g., children, youth, justice involved.
- Join the Ontario, Canadian and/or American Psychological Association as a student member and attend a conference presentation.
- Look for volunteer or research assistant opportunities in the Child and Adolescent Research and Education (CARE) Lab to gain research experience, support children’s programming, share knowledge, and support children and youth in the community.
Outside of your program, there are many co-curricular opportunities for you to participate in.
- Check out the Experience Catalogue for a full list of co-curricular experiences that are currently offered across campus.
- Volunteer with the Students’ Union (e.g., Laurier Orientation, Hawk Walk, EcoHawks, Food Bank, Emergency Response Team, Shinerama).
- Volunteer on campus with the Accessible Learning, Global Engagement, Sustainability Office, Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, WLU Student Publications and more.
- Get involved in the local community by volunteering off campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs:
- Check Navigator frequently for job postings or contact individual departments directly.
- Search for job opportunities on the Students’ Union website.
- If you meet eligibility criteria, apply for the Laurier Work Study Program or International Student Work Experience Program.
- Attend Job Fairs to network with employers.
- Explore ways to get involved in research.
- Look into StartUp Lab opportunities for support in launching a new venture.
Job/Volunteer Search Tips
- While on-campus opportunities are posted year-round, recruitment often starts early! Start looking in the winter term for opportunities in the following academic year.
- Have your resumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by Career Centre staff for both on and off-campus opportunities.
- Laurier offers a variety of co-curricular certificates that you can complete during your studies. Earn certificates in topics including academic development, professional development, wellness, leadership and career development.
- Participate in workshops, programming and events offered by the Career Centre, Gendered and Sexual Violence Prevention and Support, Laurier Library, the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and more.
- Engage in the First-Year Leadership Program including Campus Councils and House Council and the Leadership Certificate.
- Connect with Global Engagement to learn about international options available to you including opportunities abroad and language and culture sharing programs.
Design Your Degree
These are a few popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge. See undergraduate options, minors and courses for more information.
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
As a Laurier student, you will develop the following competencies through your curricular and co-curricular experiences.
Competency Framework
Competencies are categories of transferrable skills that appear on your online Experience Record to help you reflect on what you've learned from your experiences. The competencies include:
- Adaptability and Resiliency
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Creativity and Innovation
- Critical Thinking
- Digital Literacy
- Diversity and Intercultural Understanding
- Functional Knowledge
- Leadership
- Problem Solving
- Professional Attributes
- Self-Awareness
Functional Knowledge
- Identify, interpret, understand and communicate key social, ethical and personal issues relevant to individuals, groups and society.
- Use scientific methods to assess, evaluate, understand and interpret individual and group behaviour.
- Relate psychological knowledge to personal, professional and societal concerns.
- Demonstrate knowledge of methodologies of data collection, statistical analysis and evaluation.
- Learn and model the ethical standards and social responsibilities assumed by psychologists in their professional and scientific roles.
- Develop strong critical thinking skills and an understanding of contemporary challenges, issues and trends.
Discover Career Options
All your experiences at Laurier can help you prepare for your future. Attend Career Centre events and workshops or book a career consulting appointment to explore career and further education options.
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Pursuing Further Education
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Employed
20 Psychology (Brantford) respondents from the 2024 Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by the Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation. Other includes those travelling, volunteering or out of the workforce. 10% of graduates were looking for employment when survey data collection ended.
Alumni Careers and Pathways
Sample Further Education Programs Within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s Program - Counselling Psychology, Criminology, Forensic Psychology, International Affairs, Social Justice and Community Engagement
- College Program - Advanced Police Studies
- Bachelor’s Degree - Education
- JD - Law
Sample Jobs Within the First Year After Graduation
- addictions counsellor
- child and youth worker
- digital marketing assistant
- employment counsellor
- legal administrative assistant
- rehabilitation counsellor
Careers Of Alumni Two to Five Years After Graduation
- anti-money laundering investigator
- behaviour therapist
- developmental services case manager
- human resources coordinator
- paralegal
- psychotherapist
- social worker
- youth peer support coordinator
Career Options and Resources
Need some guidance on what you can do with your degree? Discover some career options and find resources to help guide you.
Career and Industry Options
- counselling/social work
- crime prevention
- criminal justice
- customs/border security
- education
- event planning
- forensic science
- government
- healthcare/rehabilitation
- human resources
- law enforcement
- mediation
- mental health
- public policy
- public relations/communications
- research/market analysis
- student affairs
Your Experiences Tell Your Story
Share your story through your Laurier Experience Record. An interactive, shareable and official record of your hands-on experiences and learning opportunities at Laurier – the first of its kind in Canada!
Share Your Feedback
We'd love to hear from you. Complete the Laurier Experience Guide Feedback Survey to share your thoughts.