Psychology

Bachelor of Arts (also available in the Bachelor of Science)

(Faculty of Arts)

Psychology is the scientific study of human experience, including thoughts, feelings, and actions. Psychology focuses on the interplay of biological, sensory/perceptual, developmental, cognitive, social, environmental and emotional aspects of experience. The Psychology program at the University of Calgary gives students the opportunity to learn about the knowledge created by psychologists and the approaches they use in their research as they try to understand and explain human conduct. Most courses focus on psychology as an academic field of study with emphasis on developing students’ understanding and appreciation of psychological research and theory. Some courses introduce students to practical applications of psychology, for instance, helping individuals with mental-health problems. Experiential learning approaches are utilized whenever possible.

Students receive broad exposure to the various fields of psychological inquiry, beginning with a disciplinary overview followed by a set of foundational courses. Since all psychology majors are expected to develop familiarity with the fundamental methods of psychological inquiry, students are required to complete PSYC 312, which provides an integrated introduction to research design methodology and statistical techniques used in psychological research. Students may choose one of two degree streams offered by the department. The BA Psychology emphasizes the social and cultural context for understanding human experience, while the BSc focuses on the biological basis, with further exploration into basic psychological processes of sensation, cognition, cognitive development, language, learning, and memory. Both the BA and BSc Psychology offer the honours program, which provides excellent academic preparation for those interested in pursuing graduate studies. Students interested in a Psychology program oriented towards the natural sciences should consider the BSc program over the BA in Psychology.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission applicants are required to present appropriate high school subjects and a competitive average.

Application/Document Deadlines  

Why take this program?

• It’s all in your mind: Have you ever wondered why people think, feel, perceive and behave the way they do? The Department of Psychology offers over 50 courses in a range of core areas such as personality, abnormal psychology, cognition, learning, perception (vision and hearing), social psychology, child development, aging, behavioural neuroscience, theory, and history, as well as in applied areas such as testing, industrial, organizational, ergonomics, environmental, and clinical psychology.


• Professional focus: For students contemplating careers in psychology, the program provides preparation for psychology graduate study. Masters and/or PhD level study is required for psychology research or professional careers. Psychologists work as practitioners in a variety of areas such as clinical, health, forensic, and organizational psychology, while academic psychologists work as teachers and researchers in universities and colleges.


• All shapes and sizes: Do you enjoy interacting with people? A Psychology degree can help you build a career working with individuals from all walks of life. The fundamental knowledge acquired by psychology graduates can be applied in a variety of employment situations requiring interpersonal skills and a strong understanding of human behaviour such as social services (caring for the disabled, community health and outreach programs) or management (personnel director and market research).The Psychology program can be the foundation for a career geared towards helping others and making a difference in people’s lives.


• Honours: The BA/BSc Honours program has the same general objectives as the BA/BSc programs but is also designed specifically to prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level, i.e., the Masters and Doctoral level.

What will I study in my first year?

All first-year Psychology students take Psychology 205, a course that covers the fundamental procedures, findings, terminology and theories in the major areas of psychology. Students are advised to select, in consultation with faculty, options from other fields in accordance with both general interests and those complementary to their planned specializations within psychology.

What will I study in later years?

All upper-year Psychology students must take Psychology 312, Experimental Design and Quantitative Methods for Psychology. Students must also decide to pursue either a Bachelor of Science (BSc) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Students wishing to emphasize the social sciences and humanities in their programs should register for the BA degree; those who wish to emphasize the biological and natural sciences should register for the BSc degree.

What can I do with this degree? (Courtesy of Career Services)

Psychology Graduates have both complex and practical marketable skills, including: knowledge of scientific methods and their application to understanding human behaviour, in ethical issues regarding the generation and application of psychological knowledge, and in the biological bases of behaviour; the ability to apply quantitative methods and statistical procedures, the ability to communicate complex data, and computer collection, analysis and data reporting. To work as licensed psychology practitioners, graduates from the Bachelor’s program are required to complete at least a Master’s degree and generally a PhD in psychology in addition to fulfilling practicum hours.

Possible careers include:

• Addictions Counsellor
• Behaviour Therapist for Children with Autism
• Crisis Counsellor
• Educational Counsellor
• Family Services Worker
• Gerontological Specialist
• Human Rights Advisor
• Mental Health Clinician
• Psychologist

For a more comprehensive list of careers, visit the Career Services website or click here for the Psychology careers PDF.

Additional Information

Department of Psychology