Psychology (BA/BSc)
Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Why study Psychology?
Modern scientific psychology studies brain processes and behaviour — both human and animal — under various conditions. Psychologists study the relationships between the brain and behaviour: the processes that determine how we learn to speak, create and keep memories, or respond to stress. When you study psychology, you examine the internal and external factors that influence development, cognition, perception and motivation.
All Psychology students follow a core psychology curriculum. Regardless of your program you’ll also:
- Receive fundamental training in statistics and research methods
- Learn the basic principles of behavioural neurobiology
- Study the history of psychology
A Psychology degree opens many doors; specialization or honours students may choose to work as a psychologist, therapist, or pursue graduate studies or medical research. Students majoring in Psychology can complement their studies in other fields such as business, communications or education.
Program details
A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90 – 120 credits) of full-time study, depending on your academic background.
What is the difference between a BA and a BSc in psychology?
Program options:
- Honours in Psychology (66 credits)
Students seeking admission to the Honours program should speak with their program advisor in their first year of study at Concordia. Students apply to the departmental Honours advisor, normally following the completion of 30 credits. Students applying to the University are able to apply to the major or specialization. - Specialization in Psychology (60 credits)
This program is similar to the BA Honours program, but without research experience in psychology, the Honours seminars and the Honours thesis. The number of electives at the intermediate or advanced level in psychology is increased to 12, for a total of 60 psychology credits, leaving 30 open elective credits, 24 of which should be in departments other than Psychology (6 of which must be General Education credits). - Major in Psychology (42 credits)
The major is relevant for someone seeking a good general degree which could have applications in a variety of fields related to teaching, business, personnel, or community involvement.
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec CEGEP: 30
- Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 – Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism and Wave, Optics and Modern Physics – General Chemistry and Chemistry of Solutions – General Biology OR Natural Science DEC OR DEC intégré en sciences, lettres et arts.
- Additional information for CEGEP applicants
- High School: B+ overall, B+ in math / sciences
- Completed courses in the disciplines of Calculus, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- One math from Pre-Calculus, Calculus, or equivalent
- Two sciences (from Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- Completed courses in the disciplines of Calculus, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 31 overall, 4 HL or 5 SL math, 5 HL science
- one math (Applications and Interpretations HL, Analysis and Approaches HL or Analysis and Approaches SL)
- one science (Physics, Chemistry or Biology, either SL or HL)
- one of the science or math courses must be competed at the HL level
- Baccalauréat français: 14 overall, 14 in math / science
- Première: Spécialité mathématiques AND Spécialité physique-chimie
Terminale: Spécialité mathématiques (also accepted, Spécialité Physique-Chimie AND Mathématiques Complémentaires)
- Première: Spécialité mathématiques AND Spécialité physique-chimie
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams BB, B in math, B in science or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Students without math or science A-levels may be admissible based on AS-level or iGCSE/GCSE/O-Level exam results. Students should include all their exam results from iGCSE (or equivalent) onwards to support their application.
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): B+ overall, B+ in math / sciences
- Completed courses in the disciplines of Calculus, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Minimum cut-off averages should be used as indicators. The cut-off data may change depending on the applicant pool. Applicants who meet the stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission to these programs.
Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements
- Quebec CEGEP: 30
- High School: B+
- ACT or SAT is NOT required
- Canadian curricula course requirements
- Accepted international qualifications
- International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 31
- Baccalauréat français: 14
- Math is not required for admission.
- British system of education (GCE):
- A-levels: At least two A-level exams BB or
- AS-levels: At least 4 AS-level exams with equivalent results or
- BTEC: Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in a related subject area with equivalent results
- Additional information for British System of Education (GCE) applicants
- University Transfers (internal/external): B+
We consider complete applications year round and we give priority to applicants who apply by official deadlines. Late applications will be considered if places are still available for the fall term only.
| You've sent your application from: | Fall term deadline | Winter term deadline |
| Inside Canada | March 1 Certain programs have extended their deadlines. Please check program availability. |
November 1 Not all programs are available for this term. Please check program availability. |
| Outside Canada (International) | February 1 | September 1 |
We reserve the right to close admission to a program at any time after the official deadline without prior notice.
Sample classes
- Research Methods and Designs
- Fundamentals of Behavioural Neurobiology
- Current Issues in Personality
- Developmental Psychopathology
- Forensic Psychology
All students majoring in Psychology must complete the 33 credit core curriculum. The number of additional Psychology courses required to complete your degree depends on whether you are in the Major, Specialization or Honours stream.
Core Program: 33 credits
- 15 required credits in psychology, including Strategies of Inquiry in Psychology, Statistical Analysis, Modern Psychology in Historical Perspective, Fundamentals of Behavioural Neurobiology.
- 18 elective credits in psychology: nine credits from Fundamentals of Abnormal, Developmental and Social Psychology and Theories of Personality; nine credits from Motivation, Learning, Sensation and Perception, and Cognition.
Credits needed to complete each option:
- Honours in Psychology (66 credits)
- Specialization in Psychology (60 credits)
- Major in Psychology (42 credits)
- Minor in Psychology (24 credits)
Honours and specialization graduates often pursue graduate studies. Others have established careers as medical professionals or youth counsellors. Depending on the selection of courses the specialization may also provide a background for graduate work such as a master’s degree in counselling psychology, or social work, or even in an MBA program.
The major program may have applications in a variety of fields related to teaching, business, personnel, or community involvement.
Some career goals from the minor program might include: art, drama, or music therapy, criminology or forensics, social work, or early childhood education.