Psychology
Enhance mental health and well-being in your community. Learn techniques and skills to help people solve problems.
Study the normal and abnormal human (and animal) behaviour and the related psychological, social, and biological processes.
The program provides students with a good foundation in the scientific approach as well as in various content areas. Students are required to take Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Statistics and Scientific Method and Analysis II and Fundamentals of Psychometrics. Other choices include but are not limited to Developmental Psychology, Sensation and Perception, Brain and Behavior, Emotion, Topics in Cognitive Psychology, Learning, and Psychopathology.
Students can complete their studies online in the following: Concentration, and Minor.
Academic Advisor
Email: arts@laurentian.ca
Office: Please contact the email above, and an academic advisor will get back to you!
Interesting Facts:
Psychologists may specialize in many different areas such as development, education, memory, motivation, learning, and cognition. As scientists, psychologists conduct research following the scientific method and use of observation, experimentation, and statistical analysis to evaluate the results. Psychologists conduct both basic and applied research. All psychologists are trained first as scientists. This is what sets psychologists apart from other professionals.
As a profession, practitioner psychologists are well skilled in a diversity of techniques to help people solve problems. These may include personal problems related to mental health and adjustment. Psychologists diagnose and treat mental health problems as well as work toward prevention and mental well-being. They measure intelligence and personality. Psychologists may also consult schools to improve educational techniques or enhance learning in students, or organizations on industrial problems such as personnel issues and technology. In Ontario, the practice of psychology is regulated by the Health Professions Act (1991).
Psychologists teach and conduct research in universities. University professors have doctoral (PhD) degrees in psychology or related fields. Some university psychologists are scientist-practitioners. Psychologists do research in other settings as well; for example, they may work for police forces, the armed services, correctional settings, or health agencies. Other psychologists may work in varied settings such as laboratories, industry, hospitals, government, mental health centres, schools, the legal system, and in private practice.
Program Highlights:
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Students earn a degree in either arts or science (see Psychology B.Sc. – offered in Sudbury only – under the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture).
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Three- and four-year programs lead to a Bachelor of Arts; a four-year program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
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Choice of courses in behavioural neuroscience, emotion, cognition, development, education, forensic psychology, learning, motivation, personality and adjustment, psychological psychology, psychopathology, receptor processes and perception, social psychology, and statistics.
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Also available: Bachelor of Arts in Sport Psychology in Sudbury only (with School of Human Kinetics). Students choose to study psychology because they find the discipline fascinating and they want to learn how and why they and others think and behave the way they do, and why they react as they do to situations and to one another.
Relevant graduate study opportunities at Laurentian:
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Masters of Arts in Psychology (Applied)
Program Prerequisites:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 5 other grade 12 U/M courses
- A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 1 grade 12 4U Advanced Functions; 2 grade 12 U Science courses or 1 Science + 1 Math; 2 other grade 12 U/M courses
- A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses
Additional information for applicants who have completed courses.
Additional information for applicants who have completed the .
Applicants from outside an Ontario High School
Canadian Applicants
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Canadian Undergraduate Applicants page.
International Applicants
If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.
For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.
The degree options listed below are for the upcoming academic year, not the current academic year. If you are a current student looking for which courses to take in order to complete your degree options from a previous academic year's curriculum, please consult with an academic advisor.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology
Total 120 credits
Students must follow these in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
Honours Specialization in Psychology (non-Thesis) (BA) (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
Major in Psychology with over 6.5 cumulative GPA (75% average) in PSYC credits
PSYC 4115E Major Paper
or PSYC 4126E Critical Thinking in Psychology I
and PSYC 4127E Critical Thinking in Psychology II
6 additional PSYC credits at the 3000 or 4000 level
Note:
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
- Students require a minimum GPA of 5.5 on PSYC courses.
- Students require a minimum GPA of 5.5 to be eligible for the Honours designation.
- Those who have a GPA below 5.5 will receive a BA as opposed to an Honours BA.
Honours Specialization in Psychology with Thesis (BA)
Major in Psychology with over 6.5 cumulative GPA (75% average) in PSYC credits
PSYC 3256E Design and Analysis I, with minimum grade of C
PSYC 4105E Honours Thesis
3 additional credits of research/research methods courses from:
COSC 2836E Computer Software for Sciences
COSC 2836E Logiciels pour les sciences
COST 3127E Communication Research
GERO 3206E Ethnogerontology
ISWK 3555E Indigenous Social Work Research Methodologies
PSYC 3156E Basic Research Practicum
PSYC 3607E Psychopathologie II
PSYC 3707E Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3807E Social Psychology II
SESO 3555E Initiation aux méthodes de recherche en service social
SOCI 3005E Survey Research: A Course in Applied Sociology
SOCI 3126E Qualitative Methods
Honours Specialization in Psychology - with Thesis (B.Sc.)
**Student must have at least 50% of credits from the Sciences in order to get the B.Sc.
a) 18 credits from:
BIOL 1506E Biology I
BIOL 1507E Biology II
MATH 1036E Calculus I (Prereq: ≥ 60% in Grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or MATH 1912E)
MATH 1037E Calculus II OR MATH 1057E Linear Algebra I
*CHMI 1006E General Chemistry I (Prereq: Grade 12 4U Chemistry or CHMI 1041)
*CHMI 1007E General Chemistry II
**PHYS 1006E Introductory Physics I OR **PHYS 1206E Physics for the Life Sciences I
**PHYS 1007E Introductory Physics II OR **PHYS 1207E Physics for the Life Sciences II
b) All requirements for the Major in Psychology (42 cr, B+ or 75%)
c) 9 cr required:
PSYC 3256E Design and Analysis I (C or 60%)
PSYC 4105E Honours Thesis
d) 3 cr from Approved Course List (research/research methods):
COSC 2836E Computer Software for Sciences
COSC 2836F Logiciels pour les Sciences
COST 3127E Communication Research
GERO 3206E Ethnogerontology
ISWK 3555E Indigenous Social Work Research Methodologies
PSYC 3156E Basic Research Practicum
PSYC 3607E Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3807E Social Psychology II
SESO 3555F Initiation aux méthodes de recherche en service social
SOCI 3005E Survey Research: A Course in Applied Sociology
SOCI 3126E Qualitative Methods
NOTE: Students may fulfill this requirement with another course with the approval of the Chair of the Department of Psychology
e) 48 cr of electives***
*Prereq. for Chemistry and Biochemistry 2000/3000/4000 level courses.
**Prereq. for Physics and Biophysics 2000/3000/4000 level courses.
***A minimum of 60 Science credits (including the 18 first year science credits) are required to satisfy the BSc regulations. Note that some of the Group II PSYC courses may be counted as Science credits.
NOTE: If students are planning to pursue psychology graduate studies and become registered with the College of Psychologists they should read the requirements for courses on the College’s Website in the province they wish to register in. For example, in Ontario it is suggested that students complete a course in the ‘biological basis of behaviour’, ‘social basis of behaviour’, ‘cognitive-affective bases of behaviour’, ‘psychology of the individual’ either at the undergraduate or graduate level to register as a Psychology Associate, and to register as a Psychologist it also includes ‘historical and scientific foundations of psychology’.
Honours Specialization in Psychology - non-Thesis (B.Sc.)
a) 18 credits from:
BIOL 1506E Biology I
BIOL 1507E Biology II
MATH 1036E Calculus I (Prereq: ≥ 60% in Grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or MATH 1912E)
MATH 1037E Calculus II OR MATH 1057E Linear Algebra I
*CHMI 1006E General Chemistry I (Prereq: Grade 12 4U Chemistry or CHMI 1041)
*CHMI 1007E General Chemistry II
**PHYS 1006E Introductory Physics I OR **PHYS 1206E Physics for the Life Sciences I
**PHYS 1007E Introductory Physics II OR **PHYS 1207E Physics for the Life Sciences II
b) All requirements for the Major in Psychology (42 cr, B+ or 75%)
c) 6 cr required: PSYC 4115E Major Paper
d) 6 cr PSYC at the 3000/4000 level
e) 48 cr of electives***
*Prereq. for Chemistry and Biochemistry 2000/3000/4000 level courses.
**Prereq. for Physics and Biophysics 2000/3000/4000 level courses.
***A minimum of 60 Science credits (including the 18 first year science credits) are required to satisfy the BSc regulations. Note that some of the Group II PSYC courses may be counted as Science credits.
NOTE: If students are planning to pursue psychology graduate studies and become registered with the College of Psychologists they should read the requirements for courses on the College’s Website in the province they wish to register in. For example, in Ontario it is suggested that students complete a course in the ‘biological basis of behaviour’, ‘social basis of behaviour’, ‘cognitive-affective bases of behaviour’, ‘psychology of the individual’ either at the undergraduate or graduate level to register as a Psychology Associate, and to register as a Psychologist it also includes ‘historical and scientific foundations of psychology’.
Major in Psychology (BA or B.Sc.) (B.A. ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
Students selecting this option receive a 4 year non-thesis degree.
PSYC 1105E Introduction to Psychology (minimum grade of C)
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics (minimum grade of C)
PSYC 2127E Scientific Method and Analysis II
PSYC 3206E Fundamentals of Psychometrics
6 credits from PSYC Group I
6 credits from PSYC Group II
6 PSYC credits at the 4000 level
9 additional upper year PSYC credits
78 elective credits*
Notes:
- In order to get a BA, students must include 6 credits in linguistic awareness, 6 credits of Indigenous content, and 6 credits in the Sciences if not part of the other minor or second major. Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
- Students must complete a minimum of a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from among their elective credits
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.
- Students require a minimum GPA of 3.5 on PSYC courses.
- Maximum of 78 credits from PSYC courses
Bachelor of Arts (General) in Psychology
Total 90 credits
Students must follow these in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.
Concentration in Psychology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
All students entering a BA program as of September 2017 are required to take 6 credits each of linguistic awareness, scientific literacy and indigenous content as per the regulations.
Although the requirements have been slotted in first year in the description below, students may fulfill them at any time during their studies.
Eligible courses are available at the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 levels and students should take them at the appropriate time in their studies.
Courses fulfilling these requirements may be taken as electives or as part of a minor, concentration, major or specialization.
First year
PSYC 1105E Introduction to Psychology (minimum grade of C)
6 elective credits of linguistic awareness (see )
6 elective credits in the Sciences
6 elective credits in Indigenous content (starting 2017)**
6 elective credits
Upper Years
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics (minimum grade of C)
PSYC 2127E Scientific Method and Analysis II
PSYC 3206E Fundamentals of Psychometrics
6 PSYC credits at the 3000or 4000 level
15 upper year PSYC credits
30 elective credits
Note:
- Students may not exceed 42 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program
- Maximum of 48 credits from PSYC courses
- A minimum PSYC average of 3.5 is required to graduate
Minor in Psychology (ALSO OFFERED ONLINE)
PSYC 1105E Introduction to Psychology
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics
OR STAT 2606E Business Statistics (If STAT 2606E is taken, student must take an extra 3 credits in PSYC)
9 credits from PSYC Group I
6 additional upper year PSYC credits
Minor in Experimental Psychology
PSYC 1105E Introduction to Psychology (minimum grade of C)
STAT 2126E Introduction to Statistics II (minimum grade of C)
PSYC 2127E Scientific Method and Analysis
9 credits from the following:
PSYC 2606E Brain & Behaviour
PSYC 2617E Human Neuropsychology
PSYC 2656E Physiological Psychology
PSYC 2905E Receptor Processes & Perception
PSYC 2917E Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3106E Evolutionary Psychology
PSYC 3307E Laboratory in Learning & Memory
PSYC 3506E Neuropharmacology
PSYC 3507E Behavioural Neurobiology
PSYC 3706E Topics in Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3707E Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3757E Sleep and Dreaming
3 additional PSYC credits.
Note that a minimum of 6 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level
Minor in Intergroup Relations
- Courses must include at least 6 credits from each of 3 different subject areas
- Courses may include a maximum of 9 credits from a single subject area
- A minimum of 6 credits must be from the 3rd or 4th year level
- Courses from a student’s major area of study cannot be counted toward the minor
ENGL 2005E Literatures in English (6 credits)
ENGL 3157E 16th and 17th Century Women's Writers (3 credits)
ENGL 3215E Literature of the Romantic Period (6 credits)
ENGL 3305E Post-Colonial Literary Studies (6 credits)
ENGL 3316E Modern and Contemporary Drama (3 credits)
ENGL 3317E Contemporary Drama (3 credits)
ENGL 3465E American Literature to 1865 (6 credits)
ENGL 3485E Modern and Contemporary American Writers (6 credits)
HIST 2446E War and Society in Twentieth Century Britain (3 credits)
HIST 3176E Canada in World Affairs (3 credits)
HIST 3216E The First Nations in Canada in Historical Perspective (3 credits)
HIST 3286E Canadian Military History (3 credits)
HIST 3526E The United States in the Twentieth Century World (3 credits)
HIST 3806E History of Revolutions (3 credits)
HIST 3807E Revolutions in the Twentieth Century (3 credits)
HIST 3846E Pre-Modern War (3 credits)
HIST 3847E Modern War (3 credits)
HIST 4125E Canada and War 1914-1945 (6 credits)
HIST 4606E French Revolution: Origins to Thermidor (3 credits)
ISWK 2006E Indigenous Social Welfare Issues (3 credits)
POLI 2306E International Relations (3 credits)
POLI 4216E Nationalism (3 credits)
POLI 4267E Sucession (3 credits)
POLI 3307E Turbulence and Conflict in World Politics (3 credits)
POLI 3316E Regional Governance: The European Union (3 credits)
POLI 3317E Global Governance: The United Nations System (3 credits)
POLI 3437E The Colonizer and the Colonized (3 credits)
PSYC 3806E Social Psychology I (3 credits)
PSYC 3807E Social Psychology II (3 credits)
PSYC 4065E Psychology of Intergroup Relations (newly approved course) (3 credits)
SOCI 2656E Social Inequality: Gender, Race, Class & Power (3 credits)
SOCI 3016E Modern Sociological Theories: Manifestations and Issues (3 credits)
SOCI 3056E News, Pop Culture, and Power: Critical Perspectives on Mass Media (3 credits)
SOCI 3086E Sociology of Law (3 credits)
SOCI 3136E Sociology of Self, Mind and Identity (3 credits)
SOCI 3296E Sociology of Education (3 credits)
SOCI 3306E Globalization and the New World Order (3 credits)
PSYC Group I
PSYC 2005E Developmental Psychology
PSYC 2706E Emotion
PSYC 2707E Motivation
PSYC 3006E Personality and Adjustment
PSYC 3605E Psychopathology
PSYC 3805E Social Psychology OR PSYC 3806E Social Psychology I
PSYC Group II
BIOL 4717E Animal Behaviour
PSYC 2606E Brain and Behaviour
PSYC 2617E Human Neuropsychology
PSYC 2656E Physiological Psychology
PSYC 2905E Receptor Processes and Perception
PSYC 2917E Sensation and Perception
PSYC 3106E Evolutionary Psychology
PSYC 3306E Learning
PSYC 3307E Laboratory in Learning and Memory
PSYC 3506E Neuropharmacology
PSYC 3507E Behavioural Neurobiology
PSYC 3706E Topics in Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3707E Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 3757E Sleep and Dreaming
PSYC 3937E Sensation and Perception
PSYC 4506E Advanced Experimental Psychology I
PSYC 4507E Advanced Experimental Psychology II
List of Faculty Members
Sessional Faculty
- Blake Dotta
- Nicole Dubuc-Charbonneau
- Jamie-Lyn Flesch
- Mark Fraser
- Reeshma Haji
- Zsuzsanna Kerekes
- Ryan Kneer
- Rose-Ann Kozinski
- Charles Lachance
- Christian Laforge
- Robert Lafrenie
- Denis Lapalme
- Matias Mariani
- Anna-Liisa Mottonen
- Annie Pelletier
- Linda St-Pierre
- Diana Urajnik
- David Vares
- Ljiljana Vuletic
- Cynthia Whissell