Psychology (BA)

Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and experience, including thinking, feeling and action. Approach the study of psychology from the social sciences in the Bachelor of Arts program. Learn how things like personality, social factors, external environments, cultural differences and biological factors influence people's behaviours and thought processes. The optional Research Specialist stream provides hands-on training in psychological research.

Learn more about the Psychology program.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll have access to in the Psychology program:

Check out the Psychology Experience and Career Guide.

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)     OUAC code: UHP

Program Details

Why Study Psychology?

By studying psychology, you'll come away with a solid understanding of the principles of human behaviour and be able to apply these principles in a responsible, engaged way.

Your insights into human behaviour will prepare you for many career options in social service agencies, human serviceshealth, education, and other fields. 

Community Service-Learning

Psychology students participate in Community Service-Learning (CSL), a component required in several psychology courses and optional in others. CSL will place you into a daycare facility, school, or service organization within the Waterloo community – a great way for you to get real-world experience.

About the BA in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology program at our Waterloo campus provides you 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.

The program is structured to ensure that you are exposed to the breadth of content that exists within the discipline, while still permitting sufficient flexibility for you to pursue your own particular interests.

We offer two different streams in our BA in Psychology degree and you will apply for these streams at the end of your second year.

In addition to the BA in Psychology, we offer a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psychology, which focuses more on the structures, functions, and workings of the brain and its interaction with our bodies and environment.

Your Path to Medical School

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Get one step closer to your medical school dreams at Laurier!

Our pathway agreement with American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) means you’re automatically granted an admissions interview to the AUC School of Medicine if you meet all academic requirements. Upon graduation, you’ll have the opportunity to write exams to practice medicine in Canada, the UK or the United States.

Program Options and Courses

Streams

Apply for these streams at the end of your second year:

  • Psychology (BA) stream: Offers you broad exposure to the major sub-fields of psychology, and prepares you for employment or graduate studies outside of psychology such as social work, teacher’s college, law school or speech language pathology.
  • Research Specialist stream: Offers you training in research skills, along with considerable in-depth exposure to at least two of the sub-fields of psychology. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete an undergraduate thesis in your fourth year. This stream will prepare you for employment or graduate study in psychology or other programs. 

Community Psychology

Community Psychology focuses on research, evaluation and action to improve community conditions that may influence individual health and well-being. A minor or specialization in Community Psychology will allow you to gain experience in working with community-based organizations to enhance their program and evaluation capacity.

Learn more about Community Psychology.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology focuses on how people change and develop over time and courses in Applied Developmental Psychology extend theory and research regarding human development to real world contexts. A minor or specialization in Applied Developmental Psychology will allow you to become aware of the connections between psychological theory and practice and to acquire tangible skills that can transfer directly to future professional, work, or educational environments.

Learn more about Developmental Psychology.

Options and Minors

These are a few other popular academic opportunities:

  • Applied Social Research Option
  • Management Option
  • Minor in Criminology
  • Minor in Youth and Children: Culture and Texts

Check out more options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Foundations for Community Engagement and Service
  • Introduction to Psychology I
  • Introduction to Psychology II
  • 3.5 elective credits

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Film and the Image
  • Human Rights and Human Diversity
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Environment, Psychology and Action
  • Drugs and Behaviour
  • Close Relationships
  • Seminar In Social Psychology

Similar Programs

Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"Psychology professors at Laurier are passionate, approachable, knowledgeable and care a great deal about their students. The department offers plenty of opportunities to take part in research labs and research projects (sometimes having you work directly with a professor)."

Leah P., Psychology graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • academic advisor
  • addictions counsellor
  • child life specialist
  • disability services worker
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • social policy researcher
  • victims advocate

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"I enjoyed the incorporation of Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses. These courses allowed me to work with community partners and apply what I was learning in class to a real-life setting. They were also very rewarding experiences on a personal level, and I received amazing references from them."

Emily Weatherhead, Psychology graduate

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.