We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience.
By selecting “Accept” and continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies.
Program Requirements
Note: University regulations apply to all students at Laurier. If there is any discrepancy between the program or progression requirements outlined on this page and those in the university's academic calendars, the academic calendars are the official sources of information. The information below is from the latest calendar, and you may be following progression requirements from an earlier calendar. Students are responsible for checking the appropriate calendar. Contact your program coordinator should you notice any discrepancies.
Psychology Brantford Program Requirements
Note: For any academic concerns or help understanding program requirements, contact Academic Advising.
The Honours BA Psychology Program provides students with a liberal arts education that includes broad exposure to the major sub-fields of psychology along with some training in research methodology and statistics. It is designed to provide students with the analytical skills and information useful for a broad range of career options. The requirement for at least one course with a community service-learning experience exposes students to a broader range of experiences beyond the classroom.
The Honours BA Psychology program consists of 20.0 credits, including at least 10.0 but not more than 11.0 credits in Psychology. The program shall include no more than 6.0 100 level credits and requires at least 14.0 senior level credits.
Degree Program Electives: An additional 10.0 credits toward the required degree total of 20.0 credits, including not more than 1.0 PS credit and 5.0 credits at the 100 level. All students in the program must complete successfully the Foundations curriculum: BF190, BF199, BF290, BF299. It is recommended that students complete BF190 and BF290 in Year 1, and BF199 and BF299 by end of Year 2. 2.0 credits of electives in the PS program must be comprised of electives from outside of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences. BF190 and BF299 fulfill 1.0 of these credits.
Program Requirements
- Progression from Year 1 to Year 2 requires a GPA of at least 5.00 in PS101 and PS102 and a 5.00 GPA overall; Progression from Year 2 to 3, and from Year 3 to 4 requires a 5.0 GPA in Psychology and a 5.00 GPA overall. For graduation, a 7.00 GPA in Psychology credits and a 5.00 GPA overall are required.
- Students are required to include a psychology-based community service-learning experience in their program. This can be accomplished by doing one of the on-campus courses described below under the heading “Psychology Community Service-Learning Courses”.
- Students in the Honours BA Psychology program may register for PS360, PS361, PS362, PS363, PS367, PS370, PS375, PS382, PS394, PS395 only with a minimum 7.00 GPA in Psychology, a minimum overall 6.00 GPA and a grade of at least 4.00 in each of PS295 and PS296 or with permission of the department.
- Students are able to graduate in honours if they achieve a GPA of 5.00 overall and 7.00 in PS courses. Refer to the Graduation/Degree Regulations in the academic calendarfor an alternate graduation option if honours degree requirements are not met.
Program Requirements
Year 1 (5.0 credits)
- PS101 and PS102
- UU150
- BF190 and BF290
- 2.5 elective credits (refer to Degree Program Electives above)
Year 2 (5.0 credits)
- Two of PS260. PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267;
- PS270 or one of: (PS275 or PS276);
- either PS280 or PS282;
- PS295 and PS296;
- BF199 and BF299
Years 3 and 4 (5.0 credits in each year)
- Any one of PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267 which was not taken in Year 2;
- PS270 if not taken in Year 2;
- One of (PS275 or PS276) if not taken in Year 2;
- PS280, if not taken in Year 2; PS282 if not taken in Year 2;
- At least two of PS365, PS366, PS373, PS374, PS377, PS378, PS379, PS381, PS383, PS389, PS398 (it is strongly recommended that one of these courses is completed during Year 3);
- 1.0 credit of PS410, PS487, PS492*
The Honours BA Psychology: Forensic Specialization provides students with a liberal arts education that includes a focus on Forensic psychology in addition to a broad exposure to the major sub-fields of psychology, and some training in research methodology and statistics. It is designed to provide students with an interest in psychology and criminal justice with the analytical skills and information useful for a broad range of career options. The requirement for at least one course with a community service-learning experience exposes students to a broader range of experiences beyond the classroom.
The Honours BA Psychology: Forensic program consists of 20.0 credits, including at least 10.0 but not more than 11.0 credits in Psychology. The program shall include no more than 6.0 100 level credits and requires at least 14.0 senior level credits.
Degree program Electives: An additional 10.0 credits toward the degree total of 20.0 credits. All students in the program must complete successfully the Foundations curriculum: BF190, BF199, BF290, BF299. It is recommended that students complete BF190 and BF290 in Year 1, and BF199 and BF299 by the end of Year 2.
Where applicable, the courses below may also be counted towards the requirements of the Honours Psychology BA or Honours Psychology BA in combination.
Forensic Psychology Requirements (3.5 credits)
- CC100, CC102, CC210;
- 0.5 credit chosen from: CC304 or CC314;
- PS250, PS350, PS451.
Program Requirements
Year 1 (5.0 credits):
- PS101 and PS102
- UU150
- CC100, CC102
- BF190 and BF290
- 1.5 elective credits.
Year 2 (5.0 credits):
- PS250;
- CC210
- One of: PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267;
- PS270 or one of (PS275 or PS276);
- One of PS280 or PS282;
- PS295 and PS296
- BF199 and BF299
Year 3 and Year 4 (5.0 credits in each year):
- PS350; PS451;
- One of: CC304, CC314.
- Any one of: PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267 (which was not completed in Year 2);
- PS270 if not taken in Year 2; ;
- One of (PS275 or PS276) if not taken in Year 2;
- PS280 if not taken in Year 2, PS282 if not completed in Year 2;
- At least two of: PS365, PS366, PS373, PS374, PS377, PS378, PS379, PS381, PS383, PS389, PS398 (it is strongly recommended that one of these courses is completed during Year 3);
- 0.5 credit of: PS410, PS487, PS492*
Note: For any academic concerns or help understanding program requirements, contact Academic Advising.
The Honours combined BA Psychology program consists of 20.0 credits, including a minimum of 7.5 and a maximum of 9.0 credits in Psychology. The program shall include no more than 6.0 100 level credits and requires at least 14.0 senior level credits.
Degree Program Electives: An additional 12.5 credits toward the degree total of 20.0 credits. All students in the program must complete successfully the Foundations curriculum: BF190, BF199, BF290, BF299. It is recommended that students complete BF190 and BF290 in Year 1 and BF199 and BF299 by the end of Year 2. The non-psychology electives must include at least 1.5 credits from a discipline outside of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences; BF190 and BF299 fulfill 1.0 of these credits.
Program Requirements
Year 1 (5.0 credits)
- PS101 and PS102
- UU150
- BF190 and BF290
- 2.5 elective credits (refer to Degree program Electives above)
Year 2 (5.0 credits)
- Two of PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267
- PS270 or one of (PS275, PS276);
- One of PS280, PS282;
- PS295 and PS296;
- BF199 and BF299
Year 3 and 4 (5.0 credits each year)
- Any one of PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267, which was not taken in Year 2;
- PS270 if not taken in Year 2;
- One of (PS275 or PS276) if not taken in Year 2;
- PS280 if not taken in Year 2; PS282 if not taken in Year 2;
- At least two of PS365, PS366, PS373, PS372, PS377, PS378, PS379, PS381, PS383, PS389, PS398 (It is strongly recommended that one of these courses is completed during Year 3)
- 1.0 credit of PS410, PS487, PS492*
Regulations and Program Requirements
- Progression from Year 1 to Year 2 requires a GPA of at least 5.00 in PS101 and PS102, and a 5.00 GPA overall; Progression from Year 2 to 3, and from Year 3 to 4 requires a 5.00 GPA in Psychology and a 5.00 GPA overall. For graduation, a 7.00 GPA in Psychology credits and a 5.00 GPA overall are required. Students are able to graduate in honours if they achieve a GPA of 5.00 overall and 7.00 in PS courses. Refer to the Graduation/Degree Regulations in the academic calendar for an alternate graduation option if honours degree requirements are not met.
- Students are required to include a psychology-based community service-learning experience in their program. This can be accomplished by doing one of the on-campus courses described below under the heading “Psychology Community Service-Learning Courses”.
- Students in the Honours BA Psychology program may register for PS360, PS361, PS362, PS363, PS367, PS370, PS375, PS382, PS394, or PS395 only with a minimum 7.00 GPA in Psychology, a minimum overall 6.00 GPA and a grade of at least 4.00 in each of PS295 and PS296 or with permission of the department.
- Students who are required to complete research methods and statistics courses in the second honours program should consult with both departments to avoid duplication.
- Refer to the academic calendar section "Regulations for All Honours Programs."
- Brantford campus students completing the Psychology combination degree will have limited choice of electives and are strongly advised to consult with academic advising.
The Honours BA Psychology, Forensic Specialization with a liberal arts education that includes a focus on Forensic psychology in addition to a broad exposure to the main sub-fields of psychology, and some training in research methodology and statistics. It is designed to provide students with an interest in psychology and criminal justice with the analytical skills and information useful for a broad range of career options. The requirement of at least one course with a community service-learning experience exposes students to a broader range of experiences beyond the classroom.
The combined Honours BA Psychology: Forensic program consists of 20.0 credits, including a minimum of 7.5 and a maximum of 9.0 credits in Psychology.. The Program shall include no more than 6.0 100 level credits and required at least 14.0 senior level credits.
Degree Program Electives: An additional 12.5 credits toward the degree total of 20.0 credits. All students in the program must complete successfully the Foundations curriculum: BF190, BF199, BF290, BF299. It is recommended that students complete BF190 and BF290 in Year 1, and BF199 and BF299 by the end of Year 2.
Where applicable, the courses below may also be counted towards the requirements of the Honours Psychology BA or Honours Psychology BA in combination programs.
Forensic Psychology Requirements (3.5 credits)
- CC100, CC102, CC210;
- 0.5 credit chosen from CC304 or CC314;
- PS250, PS350, PS451.
Program Requirements
Year 1 (5.0 credits):
- PS101 and PS102;
- UU150
- CC100, CC102;
- BF190 and BF290
Year 2 (5.0 credits):
- PS250
- CC210
- One of: PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267;
- PS270 or one of (PS275 or PS276);
- One of PS280 or PS282;
- PS295 and PS296;
- BF199 and BF299
Year 3 and Year 4 (5.0 credits in each year)
- PS350,
- PS451;
- One of: CC304, CC314.
- Any one of: PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS267 if one was not taken in Year 2;
- PS270 if not taken in Year 2;
- One of (PS275 or PS276) if one was not taken in Year 2;
- PS280 if not taken in Year 2; PS282 if not taken in Year 2;
- At least one of: PS365, PS366, PS373, PS374, PS377, PS378, PS379, PS381, PS383, PS389, PS398 (it is strongly recommended that this course is completed during Year 3);
- 0.5 credit of: PS410, PS487, PS492*
PS101 and PS102, and 2.0 senior Psychology credits, including a minimum of a 0.5 credit from each of the following three areas:
- Brain, Behaviour, Cognitive Science: PS260, PS261, PS262, PS263, PS264, PS268.
- Social Science: PS270, PS271, PS272, PS275, PS276.
- Applied: PS280, PS282, PS283, PS284, PS285, PS286, PS287, PS288.
Note: Refer to regulations governing all minors in the academic calendar.
Psychology Community Service-Learning Courses
There are a number of on-campus Psychology courses that include a Community Service-Learning (CSL) placement. Please note that availability of these courses varies from year to year. All PS students must successfully complete the online course UU150 before taking a course with a CSL component.
- PS282 BR: Community Psychology (CSL placement mandatory)
- PS283 BR: Educational Psychology (CSL placement mandatory)
- PS379 BR: Psychology of Exceptional Children, Youth and Adults (CSL placement mandatory)
- PS275 BR: Introduction to Developmental Psychology I: Infancy and Childhood (may or may not include a CSL placement, depending on availability – information will be made available during first week of term)
- PS276 BR: Introduction to Developmental Psychology II: Youth and Adolescence (may or may not include a CSL placement, depending on availability – information will be made available during first week of term)
Foundations
If you are a Psychology major at Laurier Brantford, Foundations courses are part of your program requirements. You cannot graduate without successfully completing the four Foundations courses.
Because the following two courses will probably help you most with your second-year Psychology courses, we strongly recommend that you complete them in your first year. Senior-level Psychology courses may hold you accountable for the material covered in these courses.
- BF290: Academic Literacy: Social Sciences: This course will give you a basic introduction to how research is conducted in Psychology and other social sciences. You will learn how to find, critically assess, and discuss social science research. This will be helpful in your senior-level Psychology courses as you engage more with primary research and write your own research summaries.
- BF190: Modernity and the Contemporary World: This course will introduce you to some of the key concepts that have shaped political debate in the “Western” and global world since the 19th century. With a solid grounding in the history of modern thought, you will be better equipped to understand where modern psychological concepts come from.
The following two courses, to be taken in your second year, will make you a better scholar, and can help you better engage any course you take.
- BF299: Academic Literacy: Humanities: This course will help you read more carefully, discern and form better arguments, and write clearer, sharper, better-organized essays. Being a strong writer and communicator will help you with the assignments in all your senior-level courses, and it is an important life skill.
- BF199: Modernity: Critique and Resistance: This course, the successor to BF190, will introduce you to some of the concepts and issues that face the contemporary world. Much psychological research comes from a desire to better understand how individuals and groups engage with their world. This course will provide context for some of the current social issues that psychologists are concerned with.