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Program Requirements

2024-2025 Academic Year

Chair

Christine Lackner, BA (Brock), MSc (Queens), PhD (Brock), Associate Professor

Admission Requirements

Review sections 2.1.4 Admission Requirements and 2.1.6 Additional Admission Requirements.

Students intending to major in psychology must consult with the department Chair, so that a program can be planned in consultation with an advisor. A student may obtain a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in psychology. A Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology requires a 3.0 unit arts or professional studies minor and a Bachelor of Science degree requires a 3.0 unit science minor. Majors, honours degrees, a concentration and minor in psychology are offered. Potential majors are strongly advised to take MATH 2208 and 2209 as part of their first 10.0 units of study (see MATH 2208 for prerequisites). Selected courses are available and delivered online.

The Department of Psychology does not accept Challenge for Credit.

Students may count courses from a major, concentration and/or minor towards a second major, concentration and/or minor; however, students must complete a minimum of 50 percent of unique courses toward the second major, concentration and/or minor, unless otherwise stated in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Majors - Arts & Science

The degree with a major is intended for those students with a clearly focused interest who wish to gain knowledge in depth of a single discipline.

Students intending to complete the major degree must declare their intention to do so before they register for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

The Mount also offers a limited enrollment internship option.

Bachelor of Arts – Psychology

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:

❏ a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 10.0 units in the major as follows:

PSYC 1110 and 1120
PSYC 2221, 2222 and 3301
PSYC 3307 or 3360
PSYC 3330, 3331, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4417 or 4432
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2205, 2206, 2225, 3302, 3305, 3309, 3332, 3333, 3334, 3370, 4407, 4410 (Applied stream)
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2214, 2215, 2216, 2217, 2250, 2260, 3332, 4417, 4432 (Biological stream)
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2208, 2213, 2265, 2267, 2270, 3313, 3315, 3317, 3365 (Social/Personality stream)

❏ Note: the requirement for the Developmental stream is met by PSYC 2221 and 2222. Other developmental stream courses include 2220, 3310, 3311, 3313, 3319, 4410

❏ 1.5 additional units of PSYC

❏ a further 2.0 units of PSYC may be included

❏ 3.0 units of PSYC must be at the 3000 level or above:

❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of PSYC

❏ MATH 2208 and 2209

❏ 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT

❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in an Arts or Professional Studies discipline as specified by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units

❏ students may choose a second 3.0 unit minor in any area that offers a minor

❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (exclusive of the major):

❏ Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit) (Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209)

❏ Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)

❏ Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit) (Note: Core C is fulfilled by the 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT)

❏ at least 9.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above

❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.

Bachelor of Science – Psychology

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:

❏ a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 10.0 units in the major as follows:

PSYC 1110 and 1120
PSYC 2221, 2222 and 3301
PSYC 3307 or 3360
PSYC 3330, 3331, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4417 or 4432
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2205, 2206, 2225, 3302, 3305, 3309, 3332, 3333, 3334, 3370, 4407, 4410 (Applied stream)
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2214, 2215, 2216, 2217, 2250, 2260, 3332, 4417, 4432 (Biological stream)
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2208, 2213, 2265, 2267, 2270, 3313, 3315, 3317, 3365 (Social/Personality stream)

❏ Note: the requirement for the Developmental stream is met by PSYC 2221 and 2222. Other developmental stream courses include 2220, 3310, 3311, 3313, 3319, 4410

❏ 1.5 additional units of PSYC

❏ a further 2.0 units of PSYC may be included

❏ 3.0 units of PSYC must be at the 3000 level or above

❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of PSYC

❏ MATH 2208 and 2209

❏ 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT

❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in a science field (Applied Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Statistics, Science Communication or designated Applied Human Nutrition courses) as specified by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units

❏ students may choose a second 3.0 unit minor in any area that offers a minor

❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (exclusive of the major):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit) (Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit) (Note: Core C is fulfilled by the 1.0 of ENGL and/or WRIT)

❏ at least 9.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above

Special Studies: Students may count a maximum of 4.0 units of directed/independent/research studies courses towards the degree, with no more than 2.0 units in any single discipline.

Major Certificate

Students who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts General Studies or Bachelor of Science General Studies degree may apply to do a major certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the major degree listed above.

Combined Major

The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

The Mount also offers a limited enrollment internship option.

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units. In order to complete a combined major in Psychology, the following requirements must be met:

❏ a minimum of 6.0 units and a maximum of 8.0 units in the Psychology combined major as follows:

PSYC 1110, 1120, and 3301
PSYC 3307 or 3360
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2205, 2206, 2225, 3302, 3305, 3309, 3332, 3333, 3334, 3370, 4407, 4410 (Applied stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2214, 2215, 2216, 2217, 2250, 2260, 3332, 4417, 4432 (Biological stream)
0.5 Unit selected from PSYC 2220, 2221, 2222, 3310, 3311, 3313, 3319, 4410 (Developmental stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2208, 2213, 2265, 2267, 2270 3313, 3315, 3317, 3365 (Social/Personality stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 3330, 3331, 4405, 4406, 4407, 4417 or 4432
an additional 1.5 unit of PSYC at the 3000 level or above

❏ a second combined major specified by another program (Biology, Canadian Studies, Chemistry, Communication, Cultural Studies, Economics, English, Family Studies, French, Gerontology, History, Mathematics, Political Studies, Sociology/Anthropology, Women’s Studies)

❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 6.0 units of each combined major

❏ at least 5.0 units of the 12.0 units overall required for the combined majors must be at the 3000 level or above

❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (inclusive of the majors):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit) (Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209, which are prerequisites for PSYC 2209)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit)

❏ at least 9.0 units of the total 20.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above

Students wishing to combine an arts major and a science major (e.g. Chemistry and English or Biology and Political Studies):

❏ must meet all of the requirements listed above

and

♦ to complete a BSc (Combined Major) primary science discipline plus secondary arts discipline

❏ must complete a minimum 12.0 units of the total 20.0 units in science disciplines

♦ to complete a BA (Combined Major) primary arts discipline plus secondary science discipline

❏ must complete a minimum 12.0 units of the total 20.0 units in arts disciplines

Combined Major with Honours

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:
❏ a minimum of 9.0 units and a maximum of 11.0 units in the honours subject as follows:

PSYC 1110 and 1120
PSYC 2217, 2221, 2222, 3301, 3312, 3370, and 4499
PSYC 3307 or 3360
PSYC 4405, 4406, 4407, 4417 or 4432
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2205, 2206, 2225, 3302, 3305, 3309, 3332, 3333, 3334, 4407, 4410 (Applied stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2214, 2215, 2216, 2250, 2260, 3332, 4417, 4432 (Biological stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2208, 2213, 2265, 2267, 2270, 3313, 3315, 3317, 3365 (Social/Personality stream)
Note: the requirements for the Developmental stream is met by PSYC 2221 and 2222. Other developmental stream courses include 2220, 3310, 3311, 3313, 3319, 4410
1.5 additional units of PSYC
a further 2.0 units of PSYC may be included

❏ MATH 2208 and 2209
❏ a second combined major specified by another program (Biology, Canadian Studies, Chemistry, Communication, Cultural Studies, Economics, English, Family Studies, French, Gerontology, History, Mathematics, Political Studies, Sociology/Anthropology, Women’s Studies)
❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 9.0 units of the required PSYC honours courses
❏ Achieve a minimum of B- in the honours thesis
❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 6.0 units of the other combined major
❏ at least 5.0 units of the 12.0 units overall required for the combined majors must be at the 3000 level or above
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (inclusive of the majors):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit) (Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209, which are prerequisites for PSYC 3301)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit)

❏ at least 9.0 units of the total 20.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above
❏ Note: No more than 2.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor as designated will not be counted as professional electives.

Students wishing to combine an arts major and a science major (e.g. Chemistry and English or Biology and Political Studies):
❏ must meet all of the requirements listed above
and
♦ to complete a BSc (Combined Major) primary science discipline plus secondary arts discipline

❏ must complete a minimum 12.0 units of the total 20.0 units in science disciplines

♦ to complete a BA (Combined Major) primary arts discipline plus secondary science discipline

❏ must complete a minimum 12.0 units of the total 20.0 units in arts disciplines

Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 9.0 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.

Combined Major with Honours Certificate

Students who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a combined major in psychology may apply to the department Chair to do a combined major with honours certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the combined major with honours degree listed above and meet the University regulations regarding honours certificates.

Honours Degree - Arts & Science

Students wishing to do an honours degree must make written application through the department Chair. Applicants must have completed at least 12.5 units of university credit, including PSYC 3301, have a GPA of at least 3.0 in Psychology courses, and the agreement of a faculty member to supervise the thesis. Admission to honours, however, is subject to department approval. The department Chair will notify the applicant of the department’s decision. Applicants should review the requirements for PSYC 4499.

The Mount also offers a limited enrollment internship option.

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Psychology

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:

❏ a minimum of 10.0 and a maximum of 12.0 units in the honours subject as follows;

PSYC 1110 and 1120
PSYC 2217, 2221, 2222, 3301, 3312, 3370, and 4499
PSYC 3307 or 3360
PSYC 4405, 4406, 4407, 4417 or 4432
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2205, 2206, 2225, 3302, 3305, 3309, 3332, 3333, 3334, 4407, 4410 (Applied stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2214, 2215, 2216, 2250, 2260, 3332, 4417, 4432 (Biological stream)
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2208, 2213, 2265, 2267, 2270, 3313, 3315, 3317, 3365 (Social/Personality stream)
Note: the requirement for the Developmental stream is met by PSYC 2221 and 2222. Other developmental stream courses include 2220, 3310, 3311, 3313, 3319, 4410
1.5 additional units of PSYC
a further 2.0 units of PSYC may be included
overall, 3.5 units of PSYC must be at the 3000 level or above

❏ MATH 2208 and 2209

❏ 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT

❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (exclusive of the honours subject):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit) (Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit) (Note: Core C is fulfilled by the 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT)

❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10.0 units of the required PSYC honours courses

❏ achieve a minimum of B- in the honours thesis

❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken

Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 10.0 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) – Psychology

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:

❏ a minimum of 10.0 and a maximum of 12.0 units in the honours subject as follows;

PSYC 1110 and 1120
PSYC 2217, 2221, 2222, 3301, 3312, 3370, and 4499
PSYC 3307 or 3360
PSYC 4405, 4406, 4407, 4417 or 4432
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2205, 2206, 2225, 3302, 3305, 3309, 3332, 3333, 3334, 4407, 4410, (Applied stream)
0.5 unit selected from PSYC 2214, 2215, 2216, 2250, 2260, 3332, 4417, 4432 (Biological stream)
1.0 unit selected from PSYC 2208, 2213, 2265, 2267, 2270, 3313, 3315, 3317, 3365 (Social/Personality stream)
Note: the requirement for the Developmental stream is met by PSYC 2221 and 2222. Other developmental stream courses include 2220, 3310, 3311, 3313, 3319, 4410
1.5 additional units of PSYC
a further 2.0 units of PSYC may be included
overall, 3.5 units of PSYC must be at the 3000 level or above

❏ MATH 2208 and 2209

❏ 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT

❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in a science field (Applied Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Statistics, Science Communication or designated Applied Human Nutrition courses) as specified by the department. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units

❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (exclusive of the honours subject):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit) (Note: Core A is fulfilled by MATH 2208 and 2209)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit) (Note: Core C is fulfilled by the 1.0 unit of ENGL and/or WRIT)

❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10.0 units of the required PSYC honours courses

❏ achieve a minimum of B- in the honours thesis

❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken

Honours Certificate

Students who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in psychology may apply to the department Chair to do an honours certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the honours degree listed above and meet the University regulations regarding honours certificates.

Concentration

To obtain a concentration in Psychology, students must fulfill the following requirements:

❏ PSYC 1110 and 1120

❏ 2.0 units of PSYC at the 2000 level or above

❏ 1.0 unit of PSYC at the 3000 level or above

Minors

Minor in Psychology

To obtain a minor in Psychology, students must fulfill the following requirements:

❏ PSYC 1110 and 1120

❏ 2.0 additional units of PSYC at the 2000 level or above

Minor in Neuroscience

To obtain a minor in Neuroscience, students must fulfill the following requirements:

❏ BIOL 1152 and PSYC 1110

❏ PSYC/BIOL 2260

❏ and an additional 1.5 units from PSYC 2214, 2216, PSYC/BIOL 2217, including a minimum of 0.5 unit from BIOL 3260, 3322, PSYC/BIOL 3332, PSYC 4417 or PSYC 4432

Note: Because of overlap, minors in Biology and Neuroscience and/or Psychology and Neuroscience cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of the “double minor” option of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor Science. Any students who satisfy existing degree requirements and complete the above-noted sequence of courses shall be acknowledged in the usual way as having completed the minor in Neuroscience.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2024-2025 academic year which runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.