BA in Psychology

We encourage our students to fully engage in the process of liberal education. We encourage work across a broad range of elective courses in the arts and sciences so that psychology study is enriched by a diverse context of academic disciplines and ways of experiencing, inquiring into, and making sense of our world. Our students build skills in critical and creative thinking, effective reading, writing, and oral communication, research, and independent and collaborative problem-solving.

In addition to teaching students in a wide range of psychology courses, members of our faculty have exciting programs of research, often engaging both UPEI students and colleagues from across Canada and the world. Our faculty members include award-winning teachers and scholars, and people committed to service in the university and the broader community.

Dr. Jason Doiron, Ph.D. - Chair Department of Psychology Honors

Course Requirements

Eighteen (18) semester courses (54 semester hours) in Psychology which must include Psychology 1010-1020, Psychology 2780-2790, Psychology 4800 (Honours Literature Review), and Psychology 4900 (Honours Thesis). Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Psychology must complete all of the requirements for a BA with a major in Psychology. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree with Honours in Psychology must complete all of the requirements for a BSc with a major in Psychology. To graduate with an Honours degree requires a total of 42-semester courses (126 semester hours).

The Honours Thesis

The Honours Thesis will consist of a paper written in the format specified by the Canadian Psychological Association. The thesis will most typically report a small research project, but other alternatives include: (a) a review paper that includes an original theoretical overview of the topic, or (b) a critique of the theory, research, or practice of psychology. The thesis is evaluated by a committee of at least three faculty members including the student’s supervisor. There is an oral defense of the thesis. The deadlines for Honours applications are September 1, January 3, and May 1 annually.

Major

Requirements for a Major in Psychology

Students may declare a major in Psychology at any time. Majors are expected to take four required courses, Psychology 1010, 1020, 2780, and 2790 in their first two years. A formal review of each student's performance is conducted upon completion of the four core courses. Continuation of the program will be based upon a 70% average with no mark below 60% in the four core courses.

Bachelor of Arts

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Psychology must take at least fourteen-semester courses (42 semester hours). In selecting these 14 courses, students must satisfy the following course selection criteria:

1. Majors are required to take:

   • Psychology 1010 Introduction to Psychology—Part I
   • Psychology 1020 Introduction to Psychology—Part II
   • Psychology 2780 Statistics and Research Design I
   • Psychology 2790 Statistics and Research Design II

2. Majors are required to take at least one (1) course in six (6) of the seven areas listed below.

   3. Majors must take at least two (2) courses selected at the 3000-level or above.

   4. Majors must take at least one (1) course selected at the 4000-level.

   Note 1: Completion of Psychology 2780-2790 satisfies the Research Methods and Statistics area requirement. Note 2: Criteria (3) and (4) may be met in the process of satisfying criterion (2). That is, a course may satisfy both an area and a level requirement. Note 3: Other courses may satisfy an area requirement at the discretion of the Chair (e.g. Directed Studies courses). Note 4: Other electives may be drawn from all other courses in Psychology including Directed Studies Courses (Psychology 4310-4320), cross-listed courses offered by other Departments, and summer session courses in Psychology. Note 5: Psychology 4800 and 4900 are honors thesis courses and do not satisfy this requirement.

Minor

Students may declare a minor in Psychology at any time. Minors complete the following core courses, preferably in their first two years: Psychology 1010-1020 (Introduction to Psychology I and II) and either Psychology 2780-2790 (Statistics and Research Design I and II) or Psychology 2510 (Thinking Critically About Psychological Research). A formal review of each student’s performance is conducted upon completion of the core courses. Continuation in the program requires a 70% average in the core courses with no mark below 60% in the core courses.

Students considering whether to take 2780-2790 or 2510 are advised that many upper-level courses are open only to students who have completed 2780-2790. Students planning a minor, but wanting the option to change from a minor to a major in Psychology within the same degree, are advised that the major requires 2780-2790 and that 2510 does not count as one of the 14 Psychology courses required for a major (but would count as a non-Psychology elective for someone who becomes a major). Students completing a minor in Psychology complete at least seven Psychology courses, including the core courses, and including at least one course at the 3000- or 4000-level.

History

The University of Prince Edward Island has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence dating back to the early 19th century. The University’s campus is a reflection of the character of UPEI on many levels—a complementary blend of old and new, of tradition and innovation.

UPEI at a Glance

• UPEI has 4,600+ students and more than 250 faculty, an 18:1 ratio
• UPEI students come from every province in Canada and more than 70 countries
• We have a 200-year history of providing higher education
• Our campus size is 140 acres
• UPEI's school motto is Faith, Knowledge, Service
• Downtown Charlottetown is a 20-minute walk from UPEI, but public transportation is free for UPEI students

Our Vision

The University of Prince Edward Island will be a leader in delivering outstanding experiential learning opportunities that encourage our students to develop to their full potential in both the classroom and the community. Driven by discovery, UPEI will be a destination for those eager to advance our world by creating new knowledge. Together, we will foster the development of tomorrow’s leaders who will emerge from their studies ready to excel and contribute to the betterment of our global and local communities.