Psychology uwaterloo.ca

Department of Psychology

 

 

 

2010 2011
Psychology Undergraduate Student Handbook

 

Department of Psychology
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 3G1

 

March 15, 2010

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?
  
  
• PSYCHOLOGY IS A POPULAR UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR
  
  
• PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT UW
  • Psychology Faculty Members
  • Research Interests of Faculty Members
    • by Departmental Divisions
    • by Individuals
      
      
• WHY MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY?
  • Learn About Yourself and Others
  • Psychology Majors Develop Distinctive Marketable Skills
  • Prepare for Further Studies
    • University Level (Other Than Psychology)
    • College Level
    • Graduate Studies in Psychology
      
      
• UW PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS AT WORK
  • Psychology Co-op Students on Work Term
  • Employment of Alumni with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
    
    
• PSYCH MASTER'S AND PHD GRADUATES AT WORK
  
  
• ACADEMIC PLANS IN PSYCHOLOGY AT UW
  
  
  • Three-Year General BA in Psychology
    
    
  • Four-Year General BA in Psychology
    
    
  • Honours BA or BSc in Psychology
    • Overview
    • Honours Thesis (Psych 499A/B/C)
    • Human Resources Management Specialization
    • Departmental Co-op for Honours Psychology
      • Academic Term / Work Term Sequence for Honours Psych (Department) Co-op
      • Advantages and Disadvantages of the Co-op System of Study
      • How Students Obtain Work-Term Positions
      • Professional Development (PD) Course Req'ts for Honours Psychology (Department) Co-op
      • Work-Term Report Requirements for Honours Psych (Department) Co-op
      • Guidelines for Writing Psychology Work Term Reports
      • Responsibilities of Co-op Students
        
        
  • Honours BA in Psychology & Arts and Business
    • Overview
    • Current Arts and Business Co-op Students
      • Academic Term / Work Term Sequence for Arts and Bus Co-op
      • Professional Development (PD) Course Req'ts for Arts and Bus Co-op
      • Work-Term Report Requirements for Honours Psychology & Arts and Bus Co-op
      • Responsiblities of Co-op Students
    • Requests to Switch From Arts and Business Regular to Arts and Business Co-op
      
      
  • Joint Honours Psychology
    
    
  • Combination Honours Psychology (Home Faculty Math Only)
    
    
  • Psychology Minor
    
    
  • Psychology Make-Up Studies (This is not Degree Studies)
    
    
• DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGY ACADEMIC PLANS
  • Course and Average Requirements:
    • Comparison of the Length of Time to Graduate from Psych Plans
    • Overview/Comparison of the Degree Req'ts of Psychology Plans
    • Detailed Degree Requirement Check Lists and Course Sequence Information for Each Psychology Academic Plan
  • Residency Requirements for the Degree
    • Faculty of Arts Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit Policies
    • Psychology Department Residency Requirements
  • Co-op Students - Non-Academic Requirements
    
    
• APPLICATION / ADMISSION TO DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
  - PART 1 - Current UW Students
  • Application Procedures
  • Course Requirements for Admission to Degree Studies in Psych
  • Average Requirements for Admission to Degree Studies in Psych
    • Upgrading Your Psychology Average
    • Extenuating Circumstances
  • Admission Decisions
    • FAQ About Admission Decisions
  • Math Background Required for Taking Psych 292
  • Class Enrolment
  • Application/Admission to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op
    • Appeals for Admission to Coop
      
      
• APPLICATION / ADMISSION TO DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
  - PART 2 - Transfer students to UW and UW Students Pursuing a Second Degree
• UW Alumni Who Wish to Upgrade a General BA in Psych to an Honours BA in Psych
• UW Alumni Who Wish to Upgrade a Three Year General BA in Psych to a Four Year General BA in Psych
• UW Alumni (not a Psych Major) Who Wish to Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Psych
• Transferring into Degree Studies in Psychology from Another Institution
  
  
• APPLICATION / ADMISSION TO 'MAKE-UP' STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
  (This is not Degree Studies)
  
  
• GRADUATION AND FUTURE PLANS
  
  • Career Planning Including the Search for Employment, Volunteer, and Internship Positions
  • Further Studies Beyond the Bachelor's degree (Miscellanous)
  • Applying to Graduate Studies in Psychology
    
    
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
  • FOR CURRENT PSYCH MAJORS - The answers to FAQ have been moved elsewhere on the Psych Undergraduate website. Click here for details.
  • FOR APPLICANTS TO THE PSYCH MAJOR - Answers to FAQ regarding admission decisions are in this handbook. Click here for details.
    
    
• COMPUTER ACCOUNTS
  
  
• PSYCH SOCIETY
  
  
• DEPARTMENTAL GRADE APPEAL PROCEDURES
  
  
• ACADEMIC INTEGRITY, ACADEMIC OFFENSES, GRIEVANCE, AND APPEALS
  • Advice from the Faculty of Arts
  • Policy 71 - Student Discipline Policy (Academic and Non-Academic Offenses)
• Ethical Standards in Conducting Research
  
  
• GLOSSARY OF TERMS
  
  
• CONTACTS

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WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

Psychology, the study of mind and behaviour, is one of today's most exciting and rapidly advancing scientific frontiers.

The Psychology Department at the University of Waterloo is one the largest of its kind in the province of Ontario. Our faculty members (38 full-time) have expertise in several of the subareas of Psychology including behavioural neuroscience, clinical, cognition, developmenal, industrial/organizational, and social. At UW you can explore a very broad range of topics such as:

• how people see, hear, think, and solve problems
• workings of memory and attention
• acquisition of linguistic, cognitive, and social abilities in infants and young children
• interpersonal and intergroup relations
• communication and persuasion
• cultural influences on behaviour
• cognitive factors that influence reading disabilities and attention disorders in children
• schizophrenia, depression, self-esteem, and anxiety disorders in adults
• neural, physiological, and chemical bases of behaviour
• feelings, thoughts, and behaviour of people in work situations; employee stress; and leadership and motivation processes in work organization

For further details, please review our course offerings in Psychology and the research interests our faculty members.

Students choose to study psychology because they find the discipline fascinating and they want to learn how and why they and others think and behave the way they do. In addition to studying the wealth of knowledge that already exists in the field of Psychology, Psychology Majors also learn the scientific procedures for acquiring new knowledge in Psychology. As a result, they become critical consumers of information. For example, they question the bases of claims (e.g,. anecdotal evidence versus sound empirical evidence) made in the media regarding people's abilities and inclinations.

Applied psychology is the application of scientific principles and theory to pragmatic problems in individuals, systems, organizations, and society. Psychology at UW encompasses both the purely scientific and applied aspects of psychology.

PSYCHOLOGY IS A POPULAR UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR

The Psychology Department is one of the largest and most diverse departments at the University of Waterloo.

Currently, we have approximately 703 Psychology Majors including 454 Honours Psychology Majors (including 413 in the Faculty of Arts and 41 in the Faculty of Science) and 249 General Psychology Majors. In addition, there are approximately 125 students in Majors other than Psychology who are pursuing the Psychology Minor.

For each of the last 15 years (1995-2009) in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo, more students graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology than a Bachelor's degree in any other Major.

According to the Canadian and American Psychological Associations, Psychology is one of the most popular Majors in North America.

PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT UW

 

PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY MEMBERS

We are confident that you will find the study of Psychology extremely interesting and that our faculty members (39 full-time) will challenge you to achieve your very best. Our students are exposed to the cutting edge research methods, theories and experiments in the science of the mind that now appear in the news headlines on an almost daily basis.

The research and scholarly work of our faculty members is outstanding and recognized by the university as well as nationally and internationally. For example, 14 of our 39 faculty members received the UW Outstanding Performance Award between 2004-2008 for their 'outstanding contributions in teaching and scholarship'. Other examples of the honours and awards received include:

• University Research Chair (UW)
• Excellence in Research Award (UW)
• Distinguished Teacher Award (UW)
• Outstanding Performance Award (UW)
• Excellence in Graduate Supervision (UW)
• Canada Research Chair
• Premier's Research Excellence Award
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
• New Investigator Award from the American Psychological Association
• New Investigator Award from the Ontario Mental Health Foundation
• Early Research Award from the Government of Ontario
• President's New Researcher Award from the Canadian Psychological Association
• American Psychological Foundation Award
• Fellow Status awarded by the Board of Directors of the American Psychological Association
• Society for Personality and Social Psychology's Theoretical Innovation Prize
• Donald T. Campbell Award for Distinguished Research in Social Psychology
• Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society of Experimental Social Psychology

Many of the faculty members have been active as editors, associate editors, consulting editors or as members of editorial review boards for major scholarly journals.

We are confident that you will find the study of Psychology fascinating and that our faculty members will challenge you to achieve your very best.

See the Faculty Listing on the Psychology Department website for further details about individuals.  

RESEARCH INTERESTS OF FACULTY MEMBERS - BY DEPARTMENTAL DIVISIONS

 

Our faculty members have expertise in several of the subareas of Psychology including:

• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Social Psychology

Collaborative research between members of more than one Departmental division is common.

Undergraduate Psychology Majors do not officially specialize in any one of these subareas of Psychology. However, they are required to sample course offerings from several areas in order to gain a broad perspective of the discipline.

Behavioural Neuroscience

The branch of psychology known as behavioural neuroscience takes a biological approach to the study of psychology. Investigators in this field study the relations between the structure and activity of the brain and its function in generating integrated, adaptive behavioural responses. As such, behavioural neuroscientists are generally more interested in 'systems-level' explanations of brain-behaviour relations than in very restricted and reduced explanations of cellular or subcellular mechanisms in the nervous system. Behavioural neuroscientists are most likely to use methods that focus on the role played by large neuronal systems in the orchestration of behaviour. Under experimental conditions, they study the behaviours of normal people or animals, as well as the behaviours of people or animals with brain damage (e.g., damage due to strokes or brain tumors, or in the case of animals, experimentally induced damage). They may also measure the activity of functioning brains in people or animals using electrophysiological methods (electroencephalography) or brain imaging techniques (PET, MRI).

Click here for further details.

Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology involves the psychological assessment and treatment of people who have emotional and behavioural problems. Many clinical psychologists have a PhD in Psychology. This training leads to expertise in psychological testing, research methodologies (experimental psychopathology, evaluation research, and other areas important to advancing our understanding of services and patients), and psychotherapy.

A person can engage in practice as a clinical psychologist only after passing an internationally normed written examination and an oral exam to review their fitness to practice. For information about the differences between clinical psychology and other treatment services (e.g., counselling psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry, social work) as well as the licensing requirements to practice Psychology in Canada,see question 17 of FAQ.

Click here for further details.

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychologists study the underlying mechanisms that make vision, hearing, and other senses possible. They also study the underlying mechanisms that make thinking possible. These mechanisms include the storage and retrieval of information from memory, attention, consciousness, language, communication, reading, problem solving, reasoning, judgment and decision making. These areas of investigation are at the core of what is known as cognitive science.

Click here for further details.

Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychology is concerned with change and continuity in psychological processes across the life span, beginning in infancy and continuing through adolescence and adulthood. Goals include communicating to students the role that research with infants and children can play in better understanding developmental processes and in improving practices related to children in families, as well as in child care, educational, recreational, and clinical settings. Major topics of study include: infant-caregiver communicative interaction; theory of mind; narrative, pragmatic, and conversational development; conceptual development, semantic development, and vocabulary acquisition; mother-child discourse; young children's ability to resolve conflicts with family members.

Click here for further details.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Industrial/organizational psychologists are interested in the behaviours, thoughts, and feelings of people in work situations. Research in I/O psychology seeks theoretical understanding of these phenomena, and practical contribution to problems concerning communication, job satisfaction, perceptions of fairness, decision making, productivity, employee selection, training, motivation, leadership, stress, and conflict resolution. I/O psychologists are also interested in organizational structure, culture, change, and development.

Click here for further further details.

Social Psychology

Social psychology is an extremely broad field. Social psychologists focus most of their attention on how people think about, influence, and relate to one another as well as how people are affected by their physical and social environments. Faculty members and graduate students are currently engaged in studies of dating and marriage, attitudes and attitude change, social cognition, autobiographical memory, stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, social comparison, interpersonal conflict, and health psychology.

Click here for further details.

RESEARCH INTERESTS OF FACULTY MEMBERS - BY INDIVIDUALS

Click here for the contact information and research interests of individual faculty members in the Psychology Department (note sort features on that website).

The above listing is useful to Psychology Majors who are seeking volunteer and/or paid research positions* as well as course supervisors for the Honours Thesis course (Psych 499A/B/C), Directed Studies courses (Psych 480-486), or Research Apprenticeship courses (Psych 264 or 464).

*A high proportion of the Psychology faculty members benefit from the contribution of undergraduate students to their research labs. It is not unusual for there to be 110-130 students per term, particularly in the Fall and Winter terms, to be serving as volunteer and/or paid research assistants (click here for further details). The research assistant positions provide valuable experience for undergraduate students seeking an enhanced education with an aim towards graduate school.

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WHY MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY?

 

LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Students choose to study psychology because they find the discipline fascinating and they want to learn how and why they and others think and behave the way they do, and why they react as they do to situations and to one another.

In addition to studying the body of knowledge that already exists in Psychology, Psychology Majors also learn the scientific procedures for acquiring new knowledge in Psychology. As a result, they become critical consumers of information. For example, they question the bases of claims (e.g., anecdotal evidence versus sound empirical evidence) made in the media regarding people's abilities and inclinations.

The above knowledge is very useful in everyday life as well as at work.

PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS DEVELOP DISTINICTIVE MARKETABLE SKILLS

A liberal arts education provides students with opportunities to develop a wide variety of marketable skills including interpersonal, oral and written communication, organizational, time management, critical thinking, and problem solving. In addition, Psychology Majors develop distinctive marketable skills including observation, analytic, numeracy, computer, and oral (including public speaking) and written communication skills. The degree to which these skills are developed will depend on the specific academic plan in which the student is enrolled (e.g., to a greater degree in Honours Psychology than General Psychology) as well by activities outside the classroom (e.g., volunteer or paid research assistant positions).

Employers expect their employees to be able to analyze information and make decisions about problems that arise at work. For example, why did sales decrease this year? Would it be cost effective to change computer systems? In order to do this kind of data analysis, people need to be able to clarify the question, identify the data required, determine methods to obtain those data, and employ analytic techniques to allow one to draw a conclusion. A very good way to acquire these skills is to obtain a Bachelor's degree with a Major in Psychology.

Observation, Analytic, Numeracy, and Computer Skills

Psychology Majors, in contrast to those in many other areas of the liberal arts, receive extensive training in data analysis and interpretation. They have quite varied experience in interpreting data summaries in both numeric and graphical forms. In addition, numeric and analytic skills are applied in a variety of substantive and methodological contexts. These skills extend to a variety of computer-based skills including the use of statistical and graphics software in senior methods courses. Students may also use spreadsheets packages, databases, and specialized programming for experimental work (e.g., during volunteer or paid research positions in the Psych Dept. or when doing an Honours Thesis).

Experimental Procedures
Training in the analytic skills of experimental design is a major component of the Honours Psychology curriculum and, to a less degree, of the General Psychology academic plan. Students are trained to address problems of human motivation, memory, social relations, communication, and many other human capacities and dispositions, by translating them into solvable empirical problems. This also entails critical evaluation of the bases of claims about human abilities and inclinations.

Fieldwork and Observation
Several areas of psychology require special methods for observing and recording human activity in natural or enriched naturalistic experimental procedures.

Interviewing Skills
Many areas of psychology require the application of interviewing skills, often for very targeted purposes, for example, collecting data to address specific research questions - procedures directly relating to such critical activities as making diagnoses or hiring decisions.

Test Construction, Interpretation, and Evaluation
This is a highly mathematically formalized sub-discipline within psychology. Testing is a major component of much psychological research and practice and may often be combined with experimental procedures, fieldwork and naturalistic observation, as well as interviews.

Oral and Written Communication Skills

It is uncommon to find disciplines that produce graduates who are simultaneously numerate and literate.

A liberal arts education strives, above all, to produce alumni who are highly literate. This is something we also strive for in psychology. Moreover, the diversity of methods in psychology inevitably leads to a diversity of modes of expression that exceeds perhaps any other discipline.

Essays and Review Papers
These are an integral part of all parts of a liberal arts education and the mainstay of advanced study in most humanities subjects. Such writing requires integrating and organizing large amounts of material and communicating the results. Psychology students gain much experience in this genre of writing both within psychology and across related humanities disciplines.

Experimental Reports
In contrast to most liberal arts students, Psychology Majors gain experience in writing that, in contrast to the tradition of essay writing, requires making general ideas specific, achieving exacting precision in description, translating human action into quantitative terms, and employing mathematical procedures to evaluate theories. Considerable discipline is required to remain within the exacting confines of this genre.

Observational Reports and Case Studies
Less common than experimental reports and somewhat less rigid in their structure, this sort of writing is nonetheless sometimes required of undergraduate students. These genres share with essay writing the requirement of organizing large amounts of information, detecting the essential, and communicating this in a clear and coherent manner, but differ in requiring that the student integrate concrete, specific material gathered first-hand, with more general, conceptual material.

Perspectives on Human Thought and Action

Multiple Perspectives
Psychology Majors are required to take a broad array of courses that require that they understand human action from individual as well as social perspectives, from practical and applied as well as theoretical-conceptual perspectives, from a cognitive-neuroscience perspective, from developmental perspectives, to name just a few.

Interpersonal Awareness
A large component of psychology deals with issues of human relations. Students are sensitive to, and have frameworks for understanding, the complex dynamics of both individual motives and group dynamics, as well as the implications of the limited capacity of humans to deal with complex information that lead to errors, misunderstandings, and conflict.

Awareness of Environmental Effects on Human Behaviour
Psychologists are sensitive to the powerful and immediate control of environmental conditions that affect human performance and relationships. Students are encouraged to analyze the environmental and interpersonal signals that control and moderate human actions.

PREPARE FOR FURTHER STUDIES

A Bachelor's degree in Psychology is a practical stepping stone to vast array of further studies.

Students should identify at least two or three careers/jobs that they are interested in pursuing (see the 'Why Major in Psychology' and 'Psychology Majors at Work' sections above for examples) and then thoroughly investigate the level of education and the types of experience (e.g., volunteer work and/or paid employment related to the field, networking) that are required in order to obtain such positions. Students' choices will affect the decisions that they make regarding their study habits, course selections, amount/type of volunteer work they choose to do, the kinds of summer and part time jobs they seek, the amount/type of networking they do, the student groups they get involved with, etc.

University Level (Other Than Psychology)

Many students with a Bachelor's degree in psychology further their education at the university level in areas other than psychology. Examples include:

If you are interested in applying to any of the above programs, please determine as soon as possible whether or not there are any specific prerequisites that are necessary for admission (e.g., courses, programs, experience).

See 'Further Studies' on the Psych UG website for links to programs at other universities.

College Programs

Many students with a Bachelor's degree in psychology further their education at the college level in order to obtain applied skills for a particular career path.

Examples for Psychology Majors to consider:

* Watch for the programs that require a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite because many of those programs will only require 1 year of study beyond the Bachelor's degree. If you are unsure that you will have the necessary background to apply to one of these programs (e.g., the Major for your Bachelor's degree is different than the one listed in the advertised prerequisites but you have taken the necessary course prerequisites), contact the host school directly to discuss your background in relation to those course requirements.

Addictions Counselling* Addictions and Mental Health* Applied Counselling* Autism and Behavioural Science* Behavioural Science Technologist (e.g., to work as support workers or counsellors for special populations such as those with brain injury, autism, developmental disabilities, physical challenges, young offenders, etc.)* Career Development Practitioner* Child and Youth Worker Communicative Disorders Assistant* Corporate Communications and Public Relations* Developmental Services Worker* Early Childhood Education* Early Childhood Education - Advanced Studies in Special Needs* Educational Assistant Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Practioner* Human Resources Management* Instructor for Blind and Visually Impaired - Rehabilitation Teaching* International Business Management* Marketing Management* Nursing Police Services (e.g., Police Foundations, Advanced Police Studies, Law and Security)* Public Relations* Research Analyst* Social Services Worker* Social Services Worker - Gerontology Teaching English as a Second Language* Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion* etc.

See 'Further Studies' on the Psych UG website for links to Ontario Colleges.

Graduate Studies in Psychology

Typically no more than 5-15% of those graduating with an Honours degree in Psychology will pursue graduate studies in Psychology. These numbers reflect not only the competition for admission to graduate programs in Psychology but also the wide range of other interests/plans of Psychology Majors (e.g., further studies in areas other than Psychology at the university or college level, and/or to seek employment after graduation).

At the graduate level, students will concentrate their studies in one of the many sub-disciplines of psychology. Examples include:

Behavioural Neuroscience (Click here for the UW program)

Clinical Psychology* (Click here for the UW program)

Cognitive Psychology (Click here for the UW program)

Counselling Psychology

Developmental Psychology (Click here for the UW program)

Environmental Psychology

Educational Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Health Psychology (Click here for the UW program - see Social Psych)

Industrial/Organizational Psychology (Click here for the UW program)

School Psychology

Social Psychology (Click here for the UW program)

etc.

 

If you are planning to apply for admission to graduate studies in Psychology, please review 'Graduate Studies in Psychology' on the Psych UG website. Preparation for applying to graduate school should begin before fourth year.

* NOTE: A person can engage in practice as a clinical psychologist only after passing an internationally normed written examination and an oral exam to review their fitness to practice. For information about the differences between clinical psychology and other treatment services (e.g., counselling psychology, psychotherapy, psychiatry,social work) as well as the licensing requirements to practice Psychology in Canada, for see question 17 of FAQ.

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UW PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS AT WORK

 

PSYCHOLOGY CO-OP STUDENTS ON WORK TERM

The wide range of capabilities of, and career possibilities for, graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology is reflected in the wide variety of positions obtained in both the private and public sectors by Honours Psychology Majors who are enrolled in the Co-op system of study.

Psychology Majors are valued by co-op employers and are performing a wide variety of tasks in numerous sectors. They typically report that the responsibilities of their co-op positions become more challenging as they progress through their work terms as a result of their developing knowledge, skills, and abilities. See below for examples of the tasks, positions, employers, and sectors for co-op positions.

Examples of the Potential Sectors for Co-op Positions for Honours Psych Co-op Students

• boards of education
• business (including accounting firms and banks) and manufacturing
• camps for children
• family and children's services
• government (federal and provincial)
• hospitals and treatment/health facilities
• nonprofit (e.g., labour unions, chambers of commerce, business associations)
  and charitable organizations (e.g., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Muscular Dystrophy Assoc.)
• police and probation services
• recreational
• services for people with special needs (e.g., camps, residential facilities, community assistance programs)
• technological enterprises
• universities and colleges
• etc.

Examples of the Potential Tasks of Honours Psych Co-op Students

• administration
  (e.g., planning, coordinating, organizing, facilitating, problem solving, information gathering)
• assistance for people with special needs
  (e.g., physical, social, or educational support)
• communication
  (e.g., responding to inquiries verbally or in writing, preparing and giving presentations)
• computer support
  (e.g., software development, software testing, use of computer software packages for web page design, database management, word processing, statistical analysis, graphs, etc.)
• customer or public relations
• human resource activities
  (e.g., recruitment, interviewing, selection, training, policy review)
• management/supervision
• marketing
  (e.g., advertising, promotion, marketing analysis)
• program analysis
• quality control
• research
  (e.g., research design, data collection, data analysis, report writing)
• sales
• teaching/tutoring
  (e.g., English or computer skills)
• writing/editing
  (e.g., technical writing, report writing, preparing brochures and/or newsletters)
• etc.

Examples of the Employers Who Hired Honours Psych Co-op Students and the Diverse Co-op Positions

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT 1st Impressions Corporate and Sportswear, Chim & Seto - LLp Chartered Accountants, Microsoft Canada, The RAM Group

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ASSISTANT Canadian Progressive Tool and Transfer, Ceres Environmental Solutions Industries Inc., Correctional Services of Canada, Guyana Red Cross Society, Harold M. Brathwaite Secondary School, Human Resource Development Canada, Imperial Oil, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Manulife Financial, Music Department - Univ. of Toronto, Ox Narrows Lodge and Marine, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Region of Peel, Research in Motion, The Rising Atlantis International, Toronto Board of Trade, Toronto Dominion Information Technology, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, UW Conference Centre, UW Housing Dept., UW Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

CAREER LIASON/INFORMATION OFFICER Bank of Montreal, Human Resource Development Canada

CASE ADJUDICATOR Maritime Life Assurance Company

COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE/ASSISTANT Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, dmA Planning and Management Services, Microsoft Canada, Mini Minit Products Inc., Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, UW Co-operative Education & Careers Services Dept.

(COMPUTER) DATABASE/PROGRAM ASSISTANT MTI Polyfab, Ontario Senior's Secretariat, United Assoc. of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada

COMPUTER LAB SUPERVISOR Martingrove Collegiate Institute

COMPUTER PROGRAMMER Multilingual E-Data Solutions

(COMPUTER) SOFTWARE TESTER/QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST Corel Corporation, Inscriber Technology, Research in Motion, RBC Financial Group - Global Technology Operations

(COMPUTER) TECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFF Health Canada, Information & Systems Management at Wilfrid Laurier Univ., Royal Canadian Mounted Police, UW Arts Computing Office, UW Information Systems Technology Dept.

(COMPUTER TRAINING/TUTOR ASSISTANT Humber College, UW Computer Science Dept.

(COMPUTER) WEB PAGE DESIGNER/DEVELOPER/MANAGER/SPECIALIST Bank of Montreal, Human Resources Development Canada, Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ministry of Energy and Infrasture, Ontario Super Build Corporation, The Q Group, United Way of Kitchener/Waterloo and Area

(COMPUTER) WEB PUBLISHER AND MARKETING/RESEARCH ASSISTANT Industry Canada, Pearson Canada

COUNSELLOR, ASSISTANT (OR COMMUNITY SUPPORT WORKER) FOR COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (I.E., PROGRAMS OTHER THAN CAMPS OR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS) Community Head Injury Resources Services of Toronto, Dufferin Child and Family Services, Grandview Children's Centre, Hutton House Association for Adults with Disabilities, Shadow Lake Centre (Toronto Assoc. for Community Living), Victim/Witness Assistance Program

COUNSELLOR/ASSISTANT/INSTRUCTOR FOR SHORT TERM PROGRAMS (E.G., CAMPS) Camp Arowhan, Camp Brebeuf, Camp Kirk, Camp Wahanowin, Connor Homes, Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, Outdoor Education Centres for the Toronto District School Board, Planet Kids, Reach for the Rainbow, Tim Horton's Children's Foundation, UW Arts Computer Experience

COUNSELLOR/ASSISTANT FOR RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS (I.E., COMMUNITY LIVING CENTRES) FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Glencairn Academy, L'Arche (various locations in Ontario)

CURRICULUM INNOVATOR/MANAGER Desire2Learn

CUSTOMER SERVICE ANALYST/COORDINATOR/ASSISTANT Canada Bread Company Limited, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Ericsson Canada Inc., Lipton Soup Company, UW Conference Centre, UW Co-operative Education & Career Services Dept.

ENGLISH TUTOR Benxi Future English Training Centre (China), Canada Penergy Education Services Center (China), George Brown College, Humber College, Seneca College, Sheridan College, Comunidad de Estudiantes Cristianos del Ecuador

EVENTS COORDINATOR Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Community Head Injury Resource Services, Imperial Oil

FINANCIAL ANALYST ASSISTANT Xerox

FINANCIAL ANALYST/EDITOR ASSISTANT Industry Canada

FITNESS/WELLNESS COORDINATOR UW School of Architecture

FUNDRAISING ASSISTANT Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., The Rising Atlantis International

GROUP ORGANIZER/FACILITATOR Hepworth and Associates Counselling Services

GUIDANCE/AT-RISK SUPPORT ASSISTANT Toronto District School Board

HEALTH PROGRAM DEVELOPER / HEALTH PROMOTION ASSISTANT La Caridad in Honduras, UW Health Services Dept.

HOME SUPPORT WORKER Sarnia District and Children's Treatment Centre

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT Brantford Urgent Care, Bruce Power LP, Canada Trust Company, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Delano Technical Corporation, Destinator Technologies, Ericsson, Human Resources Development Canada, Image Craft, Ontario Power Generation, Platform Computing Corporation, Region of Peel, Research in Motion, Sybase, SYNNEX Canada, Toronto Star, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., Xstrata Zinc Brunswick Mines.

(HUMAN RESOURCES) RECRUITMENT ASSISTANT Research in Motion, Sybase

INVENTORY CONTROLLER Pipeline Automotive

LEGAL CLERICAL ASSISTANT - Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

LIBRARY CLERK UW Library

MARKETING ASSISTANT Advanced Utility Systems Corporation, Bank of Montreal Master Card, Betancourt Computer Services Inc., Canada's Technology Triangle, CD-Rom Store, Drayton Entertainment, Epilepsy Ontario, iAnywhere Solutions, IDC Canada, IBM Canada, Lifking Industries Inc., Mallot Creek Strategies, Med Tech Wristbands Inc., Microsoft Canada, Nasser Daher, Norgen Biotek Corporation, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Open Text Corporation, Sybase, UW Co-operative Education and Career Services Dept., UW Housing Dept., UW Marketing and Recruitment

MULTIMEDIA SUPPORT ASSISTANT Cultural Careers Council of Ontario

PENSION FUND ASSISTANT Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Pension Trust, UW Human Resources Dept.

(JUNIOR) POLICY ANALYST - Ministry of Education

PROGRAM (OR PROJECT) DIRECTOR/MANAGER Camp McGovern (K-W Big Brothers Big Sisters), City of Cambridge Community Services Dept. (Aquatics)

PRODUCT EDUCATOR Therapy Supplies and Rental Limited

PRODUCT MANAGER Bell Canada Inc.

PROJECT ASSISTANT Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Indian Residential School Resolutions Canada, Justice Canada - Canadian Institute for Health Dept., Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Toronto District School Board, University Health Network (Toronto), UW Information Centre for Learning and Teaching Through Technology (LT3 Centre), UW Information Systems and Technology Department, UW Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

RECREATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT Royal Ottawa Mental Health Cenre, Vision Nursing Home Sarnia, Wingham and District Hospital

RECORDS ASSISTANT Castle Kilbride, Registrar's Office at UW, UW Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

RESEARCH ASSISTANT Agriculture Canada, Campbell Soup Company, Canada's Technology Triangle Inc., Dept. of National Defense, Defense Research and Development Canada, Finance Canada, Hamilton General Hospital, Health Canada, Homewood Health Care Centre, Human Resources Development Canada, Indian Residential School Resolution Canada, Justice Canada, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, London Health Services Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, National Research Council of Canada, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (U of T), Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Princess Margaret Hospital, Psychology Dept. at Temple Univ., Public History Inc., Real Net Canada Inc., Research in Motion, Research Work! For Child Literacy, Statistics Canada, St. Demetrius Development Corporation,Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, Transport Canada, University Health Network Toronto, UW Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation, UW Centre for Learning and Teaching Through Technology (LT3 Centre),UW Psychology Dept., UW Sociology Dept., Waterloo Centre for the Advancement of Co-operative Education (WatCACE)

REVENUE MANAGEMENT ANALYST Canadian National Railways

SAFETY POLICY ADVISOR Ontario Ministry of Transportation - Safety Policy and Education Branch

SALES ASSOCIATE BW2, Hertz Rental Car Company, Kiddie Kobbler, Talisman Mountain Resort

SUPERVISOR/MANAGER/ASSISTANT MANAGER African Lion Safari, General Motors Services Parts Operation, Paramount Canada's Wonderland, UW Marketing and Undergraduate Recruitment Department, Zellers Inc

TEACHER'S ASSISTANT Bramalea Secondary School, CB International Japan, Cultural Destination Nepal, Durham Forest Valley Outdoor Environmental Education Centre, George Brown College, Humber College, Maplecrest School, Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School, North Park Secondary School, Peel District Secondary School Board, Toronto District School Board, Yorklea Children's (Detention) Centre

VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT COORDINATOR/ASSISTANT Peel District Secondary School Board

WRITER/EDITOR ASSISTANT Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Industry Canada, Ontario Ministry of Transportation

WRITER, TECHNICAL Alias Systems Corp., Business Objects, Corel Corporation, Multi-Health Systems Inc., Ontario Ministry of Transportation, RAND Worldwide, Toronto Transit Commission, Workbrain Inc

WRITER/TRANSLATER TakingITGlobal (French translation)

 

EMPLOYMENT OF ALUMNI WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY

UW Psychology alumni report obtaining similar employment after graduation to the Honours Psychology Co-op students:

ADMISSIONS AND RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST Registrar's Office (UW)

ADULT EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR Achievement Solutions (Waterloo)

ASSISTANT MANAGER Milestones Restaurant (Toronto)

ASSISTANT PERFORMANCE ANALYST Navtech Inc. (Waterloo)

BEHAVIOUR THERAPIST/ASSISTANT Family and Adolescent Services at Chedoke Hospital (Hamilton)

BENEFIT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE Sunlife Financial (Waterloo)

CASE WORKER Family and Children's Services (Toronto), Key Program Inc. (Boston)

CHANGE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT Andersen Consulting (Toronto)

CLIENT SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR Victim Services of Haldimand and Norfolk

COMMUNITY YOUTH AND HEALTH WORKER Lang's Village Farm Association (Cambridge)

COMPUTER PROGRAMMER Zuric Insurance (Toronto)

COMPUTER SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Intellitactics (Kitchener)

COMPUTER SUPPORT/DATA MANAGEMENT University Health Network (Toronto)

CURRICULUM COORDINATOR Royal Military College (Kingston)

CUSTOMER SERVICES ASSISTANT; CUSTOMER CONTACT ANALYST Open Text (Waterloo); Enbridge Gas Distribution (Toronto)

DATA TECHNICIAN KW Sleep Lab (Waterloo)

EDUCATION COORDINATOR Planned Parenthood (Waterloo)

EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR Achievement Solutions (Waterloo)

ENGLISH TUTOR in Japan, Korea, and Tiawan

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Equip Kids International (Toronto)

FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ASSISTANT Platinum Synergy Group (Kitchener)

HUMAN FACTORS ANALYST/DESIGNER Atomic Energy Canada (Ottawa)

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT/ADVISOR Canadian Tire Head Office (Toronto), Ehvert Engineering (Toronto), NAVCAN (Ottawa), OpenText (Waterloo), Sybase (Waterloo), Ministry of Education and Training for Ontario Colleges and Universities

(HUMAN RESOURCES) RECRUITMENT OFFICER Canadian Tire Head Office (Toronto), Research in Motion (Waterloo), Trilogy Software (Austin Texas)

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANT KPMG (Toronto), Ositech Communications (Guelph)

LIVING-LEARNING PROGRAM ASSISTANT UW Housing

MANAGER OF COMMUNITY INTEGRATION University Health Network (Toronto)

MARKET/RESEARCH ANALYST Survey Site (Toronto)

MARKETING MANAGER/CONSULTANT Great Exposures Inc. (Toronto), IBM (Toronto), Mallot Creek Strategies (Fergus)

OFFICER TRAINEE Canadian Armed Forces

OUTDOOR THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM ASSISTANT (Alabama)

PATIENT SATISFACTION COORDINATOR Ontario Hospital Association (Toronto)

PROBATION OFFICER Cambridge, Toronto

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR Healthy Start - Canadian Mental Health Association (Kitchener-Waterloo)

PROJECT MANAGER steelecommunications inc. (London)

RESEARCH ASSISTANT Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care (Toronto), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Toronto), Defense Research and Development Canada (Ottawa), Government of the Northwest Territories, Health Canada (Ottawa), Homewood Health Centre (Guelph), Ontario Ministry of Finance (Toronto), Rotman Research Institute (Toronto), Royal Ottawa Psychiatric Hospital (Ottawa), Psychology Departments at UW, Harvard Univ. (Cambridge Massachusetts), Washington Univ. (St. Louis Missouri),Yale Univ.(New Haven Connecticut)

RESEARCH/LAB COORDINATOR Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (Toronto), Centre for Research on Community Services at the Univ. of Ottawa, Psychology Departments at UW and the Univ. of Chicago

RESIDENTIAL COUNSELLOR KW Rehabilitation Services (Waterloo)

SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR Lung Association (Hamilton)

SUPERVISOR Behavioural Treatment Programs at Pioneer Youth Services (Kitchener-Waterloo)

TEAM LEADER World Access Canada - Travel Insurance Products (Waterloo)

TESTER Attention Deficit Disorder Centre (Toronto)

TOURIST RESEARCH INTERN Government of the Northwest Territories

TRAINER P & P Data Systems (Toronto), SoftSys (Toronto), Workbrain Inc (Toronto)

USABILITY ANALYST Corel Incorporated (Ottawa)

 

For graduation and employment rates for those with Bachelor's level degrees, please refer to 'Career Planning' on the Psych UG website.

 

PSYCHOLOGY MASTER'S AND PHD GRADUATES AT WORK

The range of specializations for graduate level training (i.e., Master's and PhD level) in psychology is diverse. Thus, career options and job settings for those who pursue graduate level training in psychology are diverse and include:

• faculty members at universities are involved in research and teaching activities.
• research scientists in government or industrial research and development labs (e.g., aerospace industry, information technology).
• clinical psychologists provide assessment and treatment services for individuals or groups who have emotional and behavioural problems. They work in all applied settings, for example, mental health facilities, hospitals, clinics, the penal system, or in private practice. They also conduct research on psychological disorders and treatment effectiveness.
• counselling psychologists do similar work to clinical psychologists but tend to provide services to less severely disordered clientele (For further details, see question 17 of FAQ).
• psychometrists are skilled in the design and administration of psychological tests. They work in all applied settings including education, mental health, business, and government.
• health psychologists conduct research and are involved in health promotion and illness prevention programs.
• clinical neuropsychologists conduct research as well as do assessment and treatment for disorders of the central nervous system (e.g., brain damage due to a head injury or stroke).
• educational psychologists are interested in basic research on effective learning strategies and the assessment of learning difficulties. They work at all levels of the education system, for government or business training programs, or as consultants;.
• industrial/organizational psychologists are employed as researchers, consultants, and/or human resource managers. They are interested in such issues as job satisfaction, perceptions of fairness, decision making, productivity, training, leadership, and biases in the interview process. Click here for further details.
• product/market researchers in the private sector.
• senior administrators in numerous settings including universities.
• directors in mental health facilities and hospitals.

For further information regarding careers and employment trends for Master's and PhD graduates, please refer to 'Career Planning' on the Psych UG website. 

An Honours degree in Psychology (or equivalent) that includes an honours thesis is typically required for admission to graduate school in Psychology. Preparation for applying to graduate school should begin before fourth year. For details, please refer to 'Graduate Studies in Psychology' on the Psych UG website.

 

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ACADEMIC PLANS IN PSYCHOLOGY AT UW

The Psychology academic plans are administered by the Psychology Department which is housed in the Faculty of Arts.

Psychology is fascinating discipline. Students from all Faculties take Psychology courses as 'unspecified electives'. Further, students in the Faculty of Arts may choose to take courses in Psychology in order to satisfy half of the Social Science requirements in the 'Arts Breadth Requirements' for the degree. Those who have a more keen interest in the study of Psychology will choose to Major (e.g., General Psych, Honours Psych, Joint Honours Psych, Combination Honours Psych) or Minor in Psychology. The choices of academic plan in Psychology vary according to the student's Faculty of home registration. Details are provided in the chart below.

FACULTY OF HOME REGISTRATION	CHOICE OF ACADEMIC PLAN IN PSYCHOLOGY
ARTS (Those in the first five of the six groups in this category earn a Bachelor of Arts degree = BA)	Three Year General Psychology Four Year General Psychology Honours Psychology (Regular Stream or Co-op Stream) Joint Honours also available Honours Psychology and Arts & Business (Regular Stream or Co-op Stream) Joint Honours also available Psychology Minor for those enrolled in Honours Majors or Four-Year General Majors in disciplines other than Psychology Make-Up Psychology (This is not degree studies)
APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCE ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES	Joint Honours Psychology Psychology Minor for those in Honours Programs
MATHEMATICS	Combination Honours Psychology Psychology Minor for those in Honours Programs
SCIENCE (These students earn a Bachelor of Science degree = BSc)	Honours Psychology (Regular Stream or Coop Stream) Joint Honours Science (No Major) and Psychology (Regular Stream of Study Only) Joint Honours Science Major (e.g., Biology) and Psychology Psychology Minor for those in Honours Programs

Click below to compare:

• Requirements for Psychology Academic Plans
• Length of Time to Complete Psychology Academic Plans
  
  

Note Regarding Access to a Psychology Major:
Only those who are available to take courses on-campus at UW during the daytime (e.g., Psych 291 and 292) will be considered for admission to the Psychology Major.

As of March 2007, those who plan to take courses by distance education (DE) and/or evening study only will not be admitted to the Psychology Major. Exceptions will not be granted for DE and evening studies students who also plan to take courses at other universities* (e.g., on Letter of Permission or on Cross-Registration at Wilfrid Laurier University). This decision is regrettable but necessary due to budget constraints. For a list of Majors that are available by DE, click here for details.

Which academic plan in Psychology is suitable for an individual will depend on his/her qualifications for admission to the particular Faculty of home registration and academic plan in Psychology as well as his/her interests and long term goals.

Students cannot enrol in the Psychology Major or Minor academic plan prior to year 2.

See below for an overview of each of the Psychology academic plans (links also provided in the chart above).

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information for the various academic plans in Psychology.

THREE-YEAR GENERAL BA IN PSYCHOLOGY

Students in Three Year General Psychology take 15.0 academic course units including 5.0 units in Psychology. Two of the Psychology courses are research methods and introductory statistics which introduce them to the scientific methods for understanding mind and behaviour. The remaining Psychology courses provide students with a general overview of the body of knowledge that currently exists in the diverse and exciting field of Psychology.

Those who choose their remaining courses carefully could pursue an Interdisciplinary Option (e.g., Applied Language Studies Option; Human Resources Management Option; Legal Studies and Criminology Option; Peace and Conflict Studies Option; Peace and Conflict Studies Minor or Option; Sexuality, Marriage, and the Family Option; Speech Communication Option, Women's Studies Option; etc.). See the UG Calendar for further details regarding Options. Also see FAQ 12 for important details for Psychology Majors

Note that a General BA in Psychology will not be sufficient for admission to graduate studies in psychology. An honours degree in psychology (or equivalent) that includes an honours thesis is typically required.

Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information.

FOUR-YEAR GENERAL BA IN PSYCHOLOGY

Students in Four Year General Psychology take 20.0 academic course units including 7.0 units in Psychology. Two of the Psychology courses are research methods and introductory statistics which introduce them to the scientific methods for understanding mind and behaviour. The remaining Psychology courses provide students with a general overview of the body of knowledge that currently exists in the diverse and exciting field of Psychology.

For those who choose to do the Four Year General Psych program instead of the Three Year General Psychology program, the additional year should be an opportunity to purse an Option, Minor or Certificate in another area of study (e.g., Applied Language Studies Option; Human Resources Management Studies Minor or Option; Legal Studies and Criminology Option; Sexuality, Marriage, and the Family Minor or Option; Social Work Certificate in Child Abuse; Speech Communication Minor or Option; etc.) and/or to obtain prerequisites for further study (see ' Prepare for Further Studies').  See the UG Calendar for further details regarding these various academic plans. Also see FAQ 12 for important details for Psychology Majors

Four-Year General Psychology will be of particular interest to those who require a Four-Year degree in order to pursue further studies that do not require an honours degree for admission (e.g., admission to some Faculties of Education).

Note that a General BA in Psychology will not be sufficient for admission to graduate studies in psychology. An honours degree in psychology (or equivalent) that includes an honours thesis is typically required.

Some students will find it more practical to do a College program after a Three Year General BA in Psychology instead of doing a Four Year General BA in Psychology (with or without an Option or Minor) so that their fourth year of study is spent obtaining applied training for a particular career path. Watch for the College programs that require a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite because they probably give advanced standing for previous post-secondary education. See ' Prepare for Further Studies' for further details.

Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information.

HONOURS BA OR BSc IN PSYCHOLOGY

The Honours Psychology Major is available at UW as a Bachelor of Arts degree (home Faculty Arts) or a Bachelor of Science degree (home Faculty Science).

Honours Psychology at UW has several attractive features:

• in-depth study of psychological theory and research
• develop distinctive observation, numeric, analytic, computer, and written and oral communication skills (see Why Major in Psychology for further details)
• option of enrolling in the Co-op system of study (see below for further details)
• opportunities for third and fourth year students to:
  • study in small seminar groups (20-25 students):
    • Psych 392-399 (obtain hands-on laboratory training in specific content areas within psychology)
    • Psych 420, 453-463 (Honours Seminars)
  • work one-on-one with faculty members:
    • Psych 264 or 464 (Research Apprenticeship Courses)
    • Psych 480-486 (Directed Studies courses)
    • Psych 499A/B/C (Honours Thesis)
  • gain practical field experience:
    • Psych 465 (Applied Apprenticeship) or Psych 467 (Human Resources Apprenticeship) - various applied settings in Kitchener and Waterloo
• provides an excellent background for graduate studies in psychology.

The required psychology courses are the same for the Honours Psychology BA and BSc academic plans.

In addition to their psychology courses, students in the Honours Psychology BA plan take breadth courses from the humanities and social sciences (Note: those admitted to the Faculty of Arts Fall 2008 or later will follow the 'Arts Breadth Requirements' rather than the 'Arts Group Requirements'.) as well as several electives. The elective choices for the degree tend to be taken primarily from within the Faculty of Arts, but are not limited to this Faculty. Some students will choose electives according to a second area of interest (e.g,. Joint Honours, Minor, Option, or Specialization - see FAQ 12 for details) or for prerequisites for further study (see ' Prepare for Further Studies').

In addition to their psychology courses, students in the Honours BSc Psychology plan take required courses from mathematics and the sciences as well as a few elective choices. The Honours BSc plan is particularly appropriate for students interested in behavioural neuroscience or cognitive psychology, or who plan to seek professional training in medicine, perhaps with specialization in neurology, psychiatry or pediatrics. A strong background in the 'natural science' areas of psychology would complement a student's preparation for research or graduate work in these fields of study. Some of these students choose to include the requirements for a Biology Minor or the Human Resources Specialization in their study plan.

An Honours degree in psychology that includes a thesis is typically required for admission to graduate training (e.g., Master's or PhD) in psychology. For details regarding applying to graduate school in Psychology, please refer to Graduate Studies in Psychology on the Psych UG website.

For those interested in Joint Honours Psychology, click here for further details.

For those interested in pursing an Option, Minor or Certificate in another area of study (e.g., Biology Minor; Math Minor; Applied Language Studies Option; Human Resources Management Studies Minor or Option; Legal Studies and Criminology Option; Sexuality, Marriage, and the Family Minor or Option; Social Work Certificate in Child Abuse; Speech Communication Minor or Option; etc.), see the UG Calendar for further details about these various academic plans. Also see FAQ 12 on the Psychology Undergraduate website for important details for Psychology Majors.

Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information.

Honours Thesis (Psych 499A/B/C)

Honours Psychology Majors may elect to complete an Honours Thesis (Psych 499A/B/C). The Honours Thesis course offers a student the opportunity to carry out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and to present the findings in a scholarly paper. Psych 499 is recommended for students 1) who are considering graduate or professional programs that may require a completed honours thesis for admission, or 2) who have a strong interest in, and commitment to, conducting original research. For further details regarding Psych 499, please refer to the Honours Thesis Handbook.

Human Resources Management Specialization

Human Resources Management (HRM) is a set of interrelated organizational functions and processes, including staffing the organization, designing jobs and teams, training and developing skilled employees, assessing and rewarding employee performance, and maintaining and retaining employees. Honours Psychology Majors (BA or BSc) who are interested in employment in this field may want to pursue the HRM Specialization. Please refer to the HRM Website for further details.

Those interested in a career in human resources will seek employment upon graduation and/or pursue further academic studies, for example:

• complete the requirements for the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation
  (Note: several of the courses in the HRM Specialization provide exemptions from required courses for CHRP).
• post-diploma program or post-graduate certificate program in Human Resources at College
  (Several of these programs require a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite meaning that they give advanced standing for previous post-secondary studies.)
• graduate studies in:
  • industrial/organization psychology
  • industrial relations
  • business (e.g., with a concentration in HRM)

Click here for further details regarding studies in the area of human resources beyond the Bachelor's degree.

Departmental Co-op for Honours Psychology

Click here if you were seeking informaton about the Psychology and Arts and Business Co-op program instead of Honours Psychology Co-op (also referred to Departmental Co-op).

Those accepted to Honours Psychology* (BA or BSc) at the end of year one may apply for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op during the 2A Fall school term only following the Psychology Co-op Information Session (typically November). Admission decisions for Co-op for the 2B Winter school term will be made the first week of January once the Fall 2A term grades are available.

*Those in Joint Honours Psychology cannot apply for admission to Departmental Co-op unless the first Major is Psychology.

Admission is limited and is based on academic standing and space availability.

Academic Term / Work Term Sequence for Honours Psych (Department) Coop

Honours Psychology Co-op provides students with the opportunity to integrate four four-month work terms into their academic sequence. Those accepted will have the first work term (WT) at the end of year two. Following the first work term, students then alternate between academic terms and work terms, and end the sequence with a school term.

	The 'Prescribed' School and Work Term Sequence	Important Courses to Take When	Professional Develop. Course req'ts (click here for details)	Work Term Report Req't (click here for details)
F2009	1A
W2010	1B
S2010	off
F2010	2A	Psych 291
W2011	2B	Psych 292	PD1
S2011	WT1		PD2
F2011	3A	Psych 391 1 of Psych 393, 395, 397, 399 The Hon Seminar can be here or later
W2012	WT2		third PD course	Write Work Report 1
S2012	3B	1 of Psych 392, 394, 396, 398 (see the Psych UG website regarding limited choice in the Spring)
F2012	WT3		fourth PD course	Write Work Report 2
W2013	4A	If doing an Honours Thesis (Psych 499A/B/C) - optional - enrol in Psych 499A here (or Psych 499A and 499B) because the project takes at least 2 terms
S2013	WT4			Write Work Report 3
F2013	4B

 

Co-op students must maintain full-time registration and follow the school/work sequence to which they have been assigned or as prescribed for their program. Requests for deviation from the 'prescribed' sequence must be approved (click here for details).

Psychology Majors are valued by co-op employers and are performing a wide variety of tasks in numerous sectors. Please refer to 'UW Psychology Majors at Work' for examples of the tasks, positions, employers, and sectors for co-op positions. Students typically report that the responsibilities of their co-op positions become more challenging as they progress through their work terms as a result of their developing knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Advantages of the Co-op System of Study

• a break from school every four months.
  
  
• gain experience interviewing for jobs.
  
  
• gain knowledge through observation, 'hands-on' experience, and communication with supervisors and fellow employees, for example,
  • about careers, job characteristics, organizational climate and working conditions at different settings,
  • about the affects of different leadership styles on morale and productivity,
  • insight into your work values and working style (e.g., prefer to work alone or in groups), etc.
  • insight into your vocational interests and aptitudes which may affect your:
    • educational goals e.g., whether or not to pursue further studies and if so in which area,
    • employment goals e.g., what sector you want to work in (e.g., business, education, government, treatment facilities, etc.) and/or the target audience you wish to work with (e.g., children, adolescence, adults, the elderly, those with attentional and or recognition impairments due to brain damage, etc.)
    • course selections e.g., prerequisites for further study or particular job related courses,
    • choices of co-op positions,
    • motivation e.g., aspire to achieve higher grades in order to achieve new goals.
      
      
• opportunities to practice skills learned in your course work (e.g., analytic, numeracy, computer, oral and written communication skills) as well as to develop new marketable skills.
  
  
• receive valuable feedback from employers about your skill development.
  
  
• opportunities for networking.
  
  
• earn income (in most cases) to fund school terms. The average income for the first two works in an Arts Co-op program for January to December 2009 was as follows:
  • first work term: $13.84 per hour (range $10.00-18.67) and $519.00 per week (range $375.00- 700.13)*
  • second work term: $15.90 per hour (range $11.50-20.19) and $596.25 per week (range $431.25-757.13)*
    
    *The data for the Faculty of Science is slightly less. Click here for details.
    
    
• build a resume that future employers may find attractive.
  
  
• complete your degree requirements in December rather than April. Students who finish their studies at the end of December may find it easier to get full-time employment than those who are not available to begin work until May. Also, those who are planning to continue their education the following September will have 8 months rather than 4 to earn income to fund their next school year.

Disadvantages of the Co-op System of Study

A) Long Range Course Planning is Essential:

• Course offerings on-campus, including Psychology course offerings, are limited in the Spring term.
  
  In February each year, the Psychology Department posts the Fall/Winter/Spring Psychology Course Offerings List for the upcoming year on the Psych UG website. We typically offer only one or two Natural Science Research Methods Courses (e.g., from Psych 392, 394, 398), one Advanced Psychology Course, and one Honours Seminar in the Spring term.
  
  Minimize this disadvantage by planning your course selections ahead and consider the following opportunities for the Spring term:
  -Distance Education courses,
  -Directed Studies courses (Psych 480-486),
  -a Research Apprenticeship course (Psych 264 or 464),
  -an Honours Thesis (Psych 499A/B/C).
  
  Requests for changes to the school/work term sequence on the basis of limited Spring term course offerings is frowned upon. Click here for further details.
  
  
• Students who plan to do a school term(s) abroad on an exchange program must consult with all his/her academic advisors about the implications of the exchange on course selections and the target for completing the degree.
  
  These students will also have complications regarding the search for a co-op position for the term following the exchange program. Students are advised to either arrange their own co-op position for that work term or to contact the Co-op Advisor in the Co-operative Education and Careers Services (CECS) Department two weeks prior to returning to Canada to begin the application/interview process through JobMine. For those in the Faculty of Arts, contact Shirley Thomson. For those in the Faculty of Science, contact Diane McKelvie.
  
  Click here for further details for Psychology Co-op students who are planning to participate in exchange programs.
  

B) Demands of Being a Co-op Student:

Participation in co-op employment activities (e.g., applying for co-op positions, going to interviews, etc.) during academic terms is very time consuming and can be as much work as taking an extra course. You must take this into consideration when you are planning your study time and your extracurricular activities (e.g., part-time paid work and volunteer work).

C) Additional Financial Costs:

Students must pay co-op fees (e.g., $587.00 for Winter 2010) for 5 school terms beginning in the 2B term (Winter). These fees are necessary to offset costs incurred by the University in operating the co-op program (e.g., soliciting co-op positions, co-op coordinators visiting students on the job, additional course offerings, etc.) which are not provided for in the operating grants received from the government. Co-op fees are not refunded to students who do not obtain co-op positions or to those who find their own co-op positions. The good news however, is that typically 95-100% of Psychology Majors obtain co-op positions each term. There are also costs associated with moving every four months.

How Students Obtain Work-Term Positions

Details regarding the search for co-op positions and the interview process are on the CECS website and will be described in the Information Seminar for PD1 in January of the 2B term.

Supplementary notes:

In addition to the positions advertised by CECS, students may also find their own co-op positions. In these situations, students must have their employment approved beforehand by the Coop Advisor in the Co-operative Education and Careers Services (CECS) Department. For those in the Faculty of Arts, see Shirley Thomson (or Sarah de la Chevriotiere in Shirley's absence). For those in the Faculty of Science, see Diane McKelvie.

Normally students are committed to returning for a second consecutive work term to the same employer if requested to do so by the employer (note this could be 2 two regularly scheduled work terms, or 2 back-to-back work terms referred to as a 'double work term'). Thus, the employer has the advantage of hiring a student who has already received some training in their organization and therefore, the employer can give the student progressively greater responsibility. Note however, that employers are not obligated to hire students back for a second work term.

Although every effort is made by the CECS to find a sufficient number of work term positions for all co-op students, no guarantee of employment can be made. The employment process is competitive and academic performance, skills, motivation, maturity, and attitude will determine whether a student is offered a co-op position.

Students should be aware that some co-op positions do not provide a salary. Where this is the case, the information will be provided in the posting for the position. For example, a community living centre might employ co-op students as assistants and/or counsellors in exchange for room and board. Although such positions do not provide a salary, students have found the experiences very valuable and rewarding.

Co-op students in the Faculty of Arts who complete a work term in the service of others locally, nationally, or abroad with little or no remuneration may apply for a 'Manulife Financial Community and World Service Award' or the 'University of Waterloo Community and World Service Award' to partially offset the cost of their next term's tuition. Contact Susan Andrews (Arts Special Programs) for further information (PAS 2433; email sandrews@uwaterloo.ca).

If you are planning to do an international work term or international volunteer experience, click here to peruse the full list of possible International Experience Awards listed in the 2010/2011 UG Calendar. For example:

Kavelman-Fonn Foundation International Experience Award

Approximately 25-35 awards, valued at $1,250 - $5,000 each, will be available annually for undergraduate students in any faculty who wish to participate in an international volunteer experience, an international co-op work term providing little or no remuneration, or an international field/work placement pursued as part of the academic degree. This award program will run for five years, beginning with the 2009/2010 academic year.  Interested students are asked to apply during the term prior to departure and award selection will take place each term. Click here for additional information regarding the Kavelman-Fonn Award.

Familiarity with several computer applications will often be an asset when students are applying for co-op positions. Further, students who have a lot of experience with computers will be able to generalize their skills and learn new software quicker while on the job. Students can develop their computer skills by teaching themselves how to use various types of software (e.g., note that students have free access to a variety of computer software on their UW computer accounts) as well as by taking courses. For example, there are courses at UW that can be taken for academic credit (e.g., CS 100 and 200) as well as courses that are not for academic credit (e.g., see courses offered by the Information Systems and Technology Department). Honours Psychology Majors also gain experience in their senior methods courses with statistical and graphics software. They may also use spreadsheets packages, databases, and specialized programming for experimental work (e.g., during volunteer or paid research positions in the Psych Dept. or when doing an Honours Thesis).

Professional Development (PD) Course Requirements for Honours Psych (Department) Co-op

(Those admitted to Honours BA Psych Co-op Winter 2008 or later,
as well as those admitted to Honours BSc Psych Co-op Winter 2009 and later,
must satisfy the PD Course Requirements.)

Those admitted to Honours Psych Coop (BA or BSc) must enrol and successfully complete four Professional Development (PD) Courses on-line. All students must successfully complete PD1, PD2, and 2 of PD3 through PD7.

No academic credit is given for the PD courses towards the Bachelor's degree; however, completion of all of the modules is a requirement for enrolment and continuation in the Co-op program.

The PD modules are as follows:

PD MODULES	TOPICS	DEADLINES FOR COMPLETING THE ON-LINE MODULES
PD1 is required	Co-op Fundamentals (includes info regarding resume writing, how to apply for co-op positions, interview skills, etc.)	Regarding applications for Winter 2011 admission: Admission decisions for Honours Psych Co-op will be made the first week of classes in January 2011 once the Fall 2010 grades are available. Those admitted must successfully complete PD1 during the Winter 2011 term. Attendance at the Information Seminar for PD1 is mandatory. Don't miss the Seminar while you are waiting on the admission decision! Please attend one of the following: (the dates will be during the first week of classes in January 2011 and will be posted here by Nov 2010).
PD2 is required	Critical Reflection and Report Writing	Successful completion of PD2 during Work Term 1 (Spring 2011 for those admitted to Co-op Winter 2011) is required.
Choose 2 of: PD3 PD4 PD5 PD6 PD7	PD3 - Communication PD4 - Teamwork PD5 - Project Management PD6 - Problem Solving PD7 - Conflict Resolution	You are required to successfully complete one PD course during each of Work Terms 2 and 3. Choose from PD3 through PD7 in any order.

 

Click here for further details about the PD courses.

Click here for the contacts for course-specific support for the PD courses.

 

Work-Term Report Requirements for Honours Psychology (Department) Co-op

 

(These instructions are effective Winter 2008 for Honours BA Psych Co-op and effective Winter 2009 for Honours BSc Psych Co-op)

The Work-Term Reports provide the Psychology Undergraduate Office with useful information about the co-op positions held by Psychology Co-op students that can be shared with Psychology Majors and prospective students. It has been our experience that co-op positions reflect the wide range of capabilities of, and career possibilities for, graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

The Work-Term Report that was previously required for Work Term 1 is now waived in lieu of successful completion of the PD2 course (Professional Development Course - Topic: Critical Reflection and Report Writing) during Work Term 1. See above for details regarding the PD courses.

Following completion of each of work terms 2, 3, and 4, please submit a Work-Term Report to the Psychology Department for evaluation. Click here for the Guidelines for Writing Psychology Work-Term Reports.

 

Responsibilities of Co-op Students

Please read all of the following information:

• The chapter regarding the 'Co-operative Education System' in the Undergraduate Calendar particularly the section regarding the responsibilities of students
  
• Co-op Student Manual includes details regarding the co-op process and the responsibilities of students
• Career Development Manual provides tips for search job, resume writing, etc.
  
• For those who will be having work terms outside of Canada, please read the responsibilities of students regarding 'safety in student abroad programs'
  

HONOURS BA IN PSYCHOLOGY & ARTS AND BUSINESS

Students in the Arts and Business plan must be accepted to an Honours Major (or to Joint Honours Majors) at the beginning of second year.

This program combines the requirements of the Arts and Business academic plan (Regular or Co-op system of study) with those of the Honours Psychology BA academic plan (see above for a general overview) including the option for doing an Honours Thesis and/or the Human Resources Management Specialization. A Joint Honours Major is also possible.

The University of Waterloo does not have a business school. The Arts and Business academic plan is an interdisciplinary package of courses that are relevant to various business careers.

Students who are not enrolled in Arts and Business will not be precluded from pursuing careers in business. Some Honours Psychology Majors choose not to officially Major in a second academic plan such as Arts and Business so that they have more flexibility in their elective choices. These students may choose to take similar courses to those of the Arts and Business students and/or to enrol in one of the Human Resources Management academic plans (see Honours BA or BSc in Psychology above) or a Management Studies Minor (see the UG Calendar for details). Graduates from the various Honours Psychology plans who are interested in a career in business will seek employment upon graduation or will pursue further academic studies, for example, graduate studies in industrial/organizational psychology, industrial relations, or business. Also, post graduate programs such as human resources management are available at numerous colleges.

For those interested in Joint Honours Psychology, click here for further details.

For those interested in pursing an Option, Minor or Certificate in another area of study (e.g., Biology Minor; Math Minor; Applied Language Studies Option; Human Resources Management Studies Minor or Option; Legal Studies and Criminology Option; Sexuality, Marriage, and the Family Minor or Option; Social Work Certificate in Child Abuse; Speech Communication Minor or Option; etc.), see the UG Calendar for further details about these various academic plans. Also see FAQ 12 on the Psychology Undergraduate website for important details for Psychology Majors.

Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

For details regarding applying to graduate school in Psychology, please refer to Graduate Studies in Psychology on the Psych UG website.

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information.

Current Arts and Business Co-op Students

See 'Why Major in Psychology' for examples of the diverse co-op positions and settings held by Honours Psychology Co-op Majors.

Please read all of the 'Co-operative Education System' chapter of the Undergraduate calendar, particularly the section regarding the responsibilities of students in the Co-op system of study.

Those in Arts and Business Co-op who prefer Departmental Co-op (i.e., dropping the Arts and Business academic plan) should discuss their plans with the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor. Typically students can switch from Honours Psychology & Arts and Business Co-op to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op following completion of the 2A term if they are in satisfactory standing in both Arts and Business as well as Honours Psychology, have successfully completed at least 2.0 units in Psychology including Psych 101 and Psych 291, and have satisfied the English Language Proficiency Exam requirement. Submit the request for a plan change on a Plan Modification Form to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) by Dec 22, 2010 for Winter/Spring 2011 admission. At the same time, you must also submit the 'Request for Academic/Work Term Sequence Form' and a course plan.
Note:Honours Psychology and Arts and Business Co-op students who switch to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op will have a maximum of 4 work terms before graduation regardless of whether or not they previously qualified for 5 work terms while in the Arts and Business Coop plan.

Academic Term / Work Term Sequence for Arts and Business Co-op

Co-op students must maintain full-time registration and follow the school/work sequence to which they have been assigned or as prescribed for their program. Requests for deviation from the prescribed sequence must be approved (click here for details).

The number of Work Terms for those in Arts and Business Co-op depends on the point of admission to the Co-op stream of study. See below for details.

For those admitted to Arts and Business Coop in 2008/2009:

POINT OF ADMISSION TO COOP	NUMBER OF WORK TERMS (4 months in length each)	FIRST WORK TERM OCCURRING AFTER WHICH SCHOOL TERM
1A Fall 2008	6	Spring term following 1B
1B Winter 2009	6	Spring term following 1B
2A Fall 2009	5	Winter term following 2A
2B Winter 2010	4	Spring term following 2B

Following the first work term, students will alternate between academic terms and work terms, and end the sequence with a school term.

For those admitted to Arts and Business Coop in 2009/2010:

POINT OF ADMISSION TO COOP	NUMBER OF WORK TERMS (4 months in length each)	FIRST WORK TERM OCCURRING AFTER WHICH SCHOOL TERM
1A Fall 2009 or 1B Winter 2010 or 2A Fall 2010	5	Winter 2011 following the 2A school term*
2B Winter 2011	4	Spring 2011 following the 2B school term**

*Those eligible for 5 work terms will be alternating between school and work terms beginning at the 2A school term. Work terms 1, 2, and 3 will follow the 2A, 2B, 3A school terms respectively. Work term 4/5 (double work term) will follow the 3B school term. The sequence will be ended with 4A/4B school terms assuming that individuals are able to secure back-to-back work terms for work terms 4 and 5. Click here for further details.

**Beginning at the 2B school term, those eligible for only 4 work terms will alternate between academic terms and work terms, and end the sequence with a school term.

For those admitted to Arts and Business Coop in 2010/2011:

POINT OF ADMISSION TO COOP	NUMBER OF WORK TERMS (4 months in length each)	FIRST WORK TERM OCCURRING AFTER WHICH SCHOOL TERM
1A Fall 2010 or 1B Winter 2011 or 2A Fall 2011	5	Winter 2012 following the 2A school term*
2B Winter 2012	4	Spring 2012 following the 2B school term**

*Same notes as above for the 2009/2010 class.

**Same notes as above for the 2009/2010 class.

 

Professional Development (PD) Courses for Arts and Business Co-op

Those admitted to Honours Psych and Arts and Business Coop Fall 2006 or later must enrol and successfully complete four Professional Development (PD) Courses on-line. All students must successfully complete PD1, PD2, and 2 of PD3 through PD7.

No academic credit is given for the PD courses towards the Bachelor's degree however, completion of all of the modules is a requirement for enrolment and continuation in the Co-op program.

The PD modules are as follows:

PD MODULES	TOPICS	DEADLINES FOR COMPLETING THE ON-LINE MODULES
PD1 is required	Co-op Fundamentals (includes info regarding resume writing, how to apply for co-op positions, interview skills, etc.)	PD1 is taken in the school term preceeding the first Work Term. (Note - attendance at the information seminar for PD1 the first week of classes is also mandatory. Check with the Arts and Business Advisor for details).
PD2 is required	Critical Reflection and Report Writing	Successful completion of PD2 during Work Term 1 is required.
Choose 2 of: PD3 PD4 PD5 PD6 PD7	PD3 - Communication PD4 - Teamwork PD5 - Project Management PD6 - Problem Solving PD7 - Conflict Resolution	You are required to successfully complete one PD course during each of Work Terms 2 and 3. Choose from PD3 through PD7 in any order.

 

Click here for further details about the PD courses.

Click here for the contacts for course-specific support for the PD courses.

Work-Term Report Requirements for Honours Psychology & Arts and Business Co-op

The Work-Term Reports provide the Psychology Undergraduate Office with useful information about the co-op positions held by Psychology Co-op students that can be shared with Psychology Majors and prospective students. It has been our experience that co-op positions reflect the wide range of capabilities of, and career possibilities for, graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Click here for the Guidelines for Writing Psychology Work-Term Reports. See below for the number of Work-Term Reports that are required and when they are to be written.

Those admitted to Arts and Business Co-op prior to Fall 2006 are required to submit 4 Work-Term Reports to the Psychology Undergraduate Office. For those eligible for only 4 work terms, you will be writing a Work-Term Report following the completion of each of work terms 1 through 4. For those eligible for more than 4 work terms (depends on school term of entry to Co-op), strongly recommend that you also complete the Work-Term Report requirements by work term 4 in case for any reason you decide to only do 4 work terms (approval required to do so).

Those admitted to Arts and Business Co-op Fall 2006 or later are required to submit 3 Work-Term Reports in total. The Work-Term Report that was previously required for Work Term 1 is now waived in lieu of successful completion of the PD2 course (Professional Development Course - Topic: Critical Reflection and Report Writing) during Work Term 1. See the chart above for details regarding the PD courses. For those eligible for only 4 work terms, you will be writing a Work-Term Report following the completion of each of work terms 2, 3, and 4. For those eligible for more than 4 work terms (depends on school term of entry to Co-op), strongly recommend that you also complete the Work-Term Report requirements by work term 4 in case for any reason you decide to only do 4 work terms (approval required to do so).

Responsibilities of Co-op Students

Please read all of the following information:

• The chapter regarding the 'Co-operative Education System' in the Undergraduate Calendar particularly the section regarding the responsibilities of students.
  
• Co-op Student Manual includes details regarding the co-op process and the responsibilities of students
• Career Development Manual provides tips for search job, resume writing, etc.
  
• For those who will be having work terms outside of Canada, please read the responsibilities of students regarding 'safety in student abroad programs'

Requests to Switch from Arts and Business Regular to Arts and Business Co-op

Those in Honours Psych & Arts and Business Regular who wish to apply for admission to Arts and Business Co-op for the 2A (Fall) or 2B (Winter) terms should consult with the Academic Advisor for Arts and Business Co-op (Susan Andrews; PAS 2439) as well as the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006).

Note: For those requesting admission to Arts and Bus Coop for Winter 2011 (2B), also submit a Plan Modification Form requesting admission to Co-op to Susan Andrews (PAS 2439) by the end of November 2010.

See comments above to the current Arts and Business Co-op students.

JOINT HONOURS PSYCHOLOGY

See below for the lists of past/current Joint Honours Honours plans. Note that the Faculty of home registration (e.g., Arts, Science, Applied Health Science, etc.) relates to the first Major not the second Major.

Before embarking on a Joint Honours plan, please consult with the academic advisors of both disciplines regarding application procedures, admission requirements, degree requirements (e.g., research courses and statistics courses to be taken in the Home Major if there is overlapping content between disciplines) and course planning (e.g., course availability in the Spring term if a Co-op student).

See 'Honours BA or BSc in Psychology' above for an overview of the Honours Psychology plan.

Joint Honours Psych students take 2 fewer psychology courses than those in the single Honours Psych Major and have the option of doing an Honours Thesis in psychology (Psych 499A/B/C). Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information.

Joint Honours Psychology Majors whose home Faculty is Arts or Science may pursue the Human Resources Management Specialization.

Those in Joint Honours Psychology cannot apply for admission to Psychology Departmental Co-op unless the first Major is Psychology.

Psychology Majors have pursued Joint Honours Psychology with the following disciplines in the Faculty of Arts:

(these students earn a Bachelor of Arts degree)

• Anthropology
• Classical Studies
• Drama
• Economics
• English
• Fine Arts
• French
• Geography (for those enrolled in the academic plan Spring 2009 or earlier)
• Geography and Environmental Management (new academic plan effective Sept 1, 2009)
• German
• History
• Legal Studies
• Music
• Peace and Conflict Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religious Studies
• Russian
• Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Studies
• Social Development Studies
• Sociology
• Spanish
• Speech Communication

Psychology Majors have also pursued Joint Honours Psychology with the following disciplines outside the Faculty of Arts:

 

JOINT HONOURS PSYCH AND:	HOME FACULTY	COMMENTS
Biology	Science
Biomedical Science	Science
Environment and Resources Studies	either Arts or Environment
Health Studies	Applied Health Science
Kinesiology	either Arts or Applied Health Science
Mathematics	Arts	For those whose home Faculty is Arts and interested in doing Joint Honours Psych and Mathematics, click here advice from the Math Faculty. For those whose home Faculty is Mathematics and interested in pursuing a Joint Honours plan with Psychology, see 'Combination Honours with Psychology' below.
Mechanical Engineering	Engineering
Planning	Environment
Recreation and Leisure Studies	either Arts or Applied Health Science
Science (Non-Major)	either Arts or Science	Those in Joint Honours Psych and Science (i.e., Home Faculty Arts) have the option of applying for admission to the Co-op system of study for the 2B school term (Winter) only. Students enrolled in the Faculty of Science who are registered in the Honours Science (Non-Major) academic plan who are also interested in a Psychology Major should apply for admission to the Honours BSc Psych academic plan (Regular and Co-op system of study available) rather than to the Joint Honours Science and Psych academic plan (Regular system of study available only).
Therapeutic Recreation	either Arts or Applied Health Science

 

Note: The above students earn the degree which relates to the Faculty of home registration e.g.,

• Honours Bachelor of Science in the case of Joint Honours Science and Psychology
• Honours Bachelor of Arts in the case of Joint Honours Psychology and Science

There are degree requirements associated with the 'academic plan' (e.g., Joint Honours Psychology). In addition, the Faculty of home registration dictates the 'Faculty/Program level' requirements for the degree; for example, those whose home Faculty is Science are not required to satisfy the 'Faculty of Arts Breadth Requirement'.

Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

For those whose home Faculty is Mathematics and interested in pursuing Joint Honours Psychology, see instead 'Combination Honours with Psychology' below.

COMBINATION HONOURS WITH PSYCHOLOGY (Home Faculty Math Only)

The Faculty of Mathematics uses the term 'Joint Honours' for two Honours Majors within the Faculty of Mathematic and 'Combination Honours' to indicate one Major within the Faculty of Mathematics and one Major outside the Faculty of Mathematics. A few students in Acturial Science, Computer Science, Mathematical Science, and Statistics have pursued Combination Honours with Psychology.

See 'Honours BA or BSc in Psychology' above for an overview of the Honours program in Psychology.

Before embarking on a Combination Honours plan, please consult with the academic advisors of both disciplines regarding application procedures, admission requirements, degree requirements and course planning (e.g., course availability in the Spring term if a Co-op student).

There are degree requirements associated with the 'academic plan' (e.g., Psychology). In addition, the Faculty of home registration dictates the 'Faculty/Program level' requirements for the degree; for example, those in the Combination Honours plans are not required to satisfy the 'Faculty of Arts Breadth Requirements'.

Combination Honours Psych students take 2 fewer psychology courses than those in the single Honours Psych Major and have the option of doing an Honours Thesis in psychology (Psych 499A/B/C). Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

Refer to the 'X and Z' requirements in the Faculty of Mathematics section of the UG Calendar (Chapter 10) for the requirements for the Mathematics Major.

Click here for the degree requirement check lists for Psychology Majors including course sequence information.

See the table of contents for the links to application and admission information.

PSYCHOLOGY MINOR

The Psychology Minor provides a general overview of the field of psychology. Students enrolled in Honours or Four-Year General Majors in the Faculty of Arts, or in Honours Majors in other Faculties, may pursue a Minor designation in Psychology. Five units (i.e., 10 term courses) in psychology are required for the Psychology Minor.

Click here for details regarding the application/admission information for the Psychology Minor as well as the course requirements for the Psychology Minor.

PSYCHOLOGY MAKE-UP STUDIES (THIS IS NOT DEGREE STUDIES)

The Make-Up Psychology plan is intended for students who wish to apply for graduate programs in Psychology, but they have:

1. an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Psychology or
2. or a Three-Year or Four-Year General BA in Psychology from a school other than UW.

The Make-Up Psychology plan is similar to Post-Degree studies in that students are not pursuing a degree. The two plans differ in that only those in the Make-Up Psychology plan will be permitted to enrol in courses that are normally restricted to those enrolled in Honours Psychology plans.

The goal of these students is to take enough Psychology courses so that they will have the equivalent background in Psychology to students who have completed an Honours degree in Psychology. Students usually complete at least 5.0 to 6.0 units (i.e., 10 to 12 term courses) in Psychology from UW including an Honours Thesis (Psych 499A/B/C).

How quickly the Make-Up studies can be completed will be affected by the students' background in the content areas of Psychology as well as research methods and statistics. It is not uncommon for students to register for three (F,W,S) to five (F,W,F,W,S) school terms in order to complete the necessary courses.

Before developing your course plan, please review the following information:

• the description of the Honours Psychology academic plan
• the Honours Psychology course requirements including the Supplementary Course Sequence Information
• information regarding the Honours Thesis course (Psych 499A/B/C)

Also review your course plan with the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) as well as the Graduate Studies Program Advisor at the school to which he/she will be applying.

Those who will be on campus less than 2 years will have similar difficulties to UW distance education students (the General Psych Major is no longer available by DE) who transfer to on-campus studies for Honours Psychology. See questions 13 and 14 of FAQ for further details.

Applicants to the Make-Up Psychology plan should be aware that courses completed and grades earned will be recorded on the official transcript but that no diploma/degree will be issued. Further, Psychology Make-up studies versus an Honours degree in Psychology may not be sufficient for admission to graduate studies in Psychology at all schools, and admission to Psychology Make-up does not guarantee admission to graduate studies in psychology at UW. Students must compete for admission to graduate studies per usual.

For details regarding applying to graduate school in Psychology, please refer to Graduate Studies in Psychology on the Psych UG website.

Click here for application/admission information for Make-Up Psychology.

Additional Notes for International Students:

Click here for details regarding the English Language Requirement for admission to the University of Waterloo. Also, please consult with the agency in your home country that issues student visas regarding whether or not it is possible to obtain a student visa for a program that it is not degree studies (e.g., Post-Degree or Make-Up Studies in Psychology).

---

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGY ACADEMIC PLANS

 

COURSE AND AVERAGE REQUIREMENTS

(The details in this section are stored elsewhere on the Psychology Undergraduate website.)

Comparison of the length of time to graduate with the various Psychology academic plans - click here.

Overview/comparison of the degree requirements for the various Psychology academic plans - click here.

Detailed degree requirement check lists (including course sequence information) for the various Psychology academic plans - click here.

• for those entering the Psychology Major beyond the 2A term level, see the 'Supplementary Course Sequence Information also'.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

Students pursuing an academic plan in Psychology (Major or Minor) must satisfy the residency requirements for the Faculty of Arts as well as those of the Psychology Department. See below for details.

If your home Faculty is not Arts, review also the transfer credit policies and residency requirements dictated by your home Faculty for your degree. Consult the UG calendar as well your academic advisor in your home Faculty for details.

Faculty of Arts Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit Policies

Please read carefully the Faculty of Arts Residency Requirements which appears in the UG Calendar. Here is an excerpt from that policy:

Students are required to take at least 50% of the courses required for their current degree (or diploma) program at the University of Waterloo while registered in the Faculty. This residency requirement applies in the case of all transfers, whether internal or external, including second BA degrees (see the Transfer credit section for exceptions). These UW courses must include:
- at least half the total number of academic course units required for each major, minor, option, or diploma......

Please read carefully the Faculty of Arts Transfer Credit Policy which appears in the UG Calendar. Here is an excerpt from that policy:

The maximum number of transfer credits which can be granted by the Faculty of Arts is:
- 10.0 academic course units for a four-year degree;
- 7.5 academic course units for a three-year degree.
- See Residency Requirement for further details.

This total includes all and any credit given at the point of admission (or readmission) and any units completed by Letter of Permission, Cross-Registration or by registration in Wilfrid Laurier University courses appearing on the University of Waterloo Schedule of Classes…….

Note when reading the policies above that transfer credits include both:

• Internal Transfer Credits
  e.g., a 'cleared average' because of a Faculty transfer, a 'Required to Withdraw' academic standing, or you are pursuing a second UW degree
  
  
• External Transfer Credits e.g.,
  • course credit for academic studies prior to studies at UW
  • courses taken after you began your UW studies e.g.,
    • on a Letter of Permission (universities other than Wilfrid Laurier University)
    • on WLU Cross-Registration - note that the Cross-Registration agreement applies to all WLU courses including WLU Business courses that appear on the UW Schedule of Classes
    • on an International Exchange Program

Warning - Grades for transfer credits will not be included in the UW average calculations. See the following 2 websites for details:
- Letter of Permission and WLU (Wilfrid Laurier University) Cross-Registration
- Transfer Credits (including courses taken on International Exchange)
The only exceptions to the rule for Psychology Majors in the Faculty of Arts is that grades for Span 101/102 taken by distance education from Wilfrid Laurier University or the University of Guelph (consortium agreement between UW, WLU, and the U of G) will be included in the UW average calculations.

Warning to those who switch from Four Year General Psych or Honours Psych to Three Year General Psych:
For those who were previously enrolled in Honours Psychology or Four-Year General with 8.0 to 10.0 units of transfer credits (from external or internal sources) and later switch to Three-Year General Psychology, the total number of transfer credits will be reduced to a maximum of 7.5 units if the first registration in the Faculty of Arts was Fall 2004 or later.

Warning to those who plan to take UW courses offered on a CR/NCR basis:
Those who have transfer credits who are interested in taking courses on a CR/NCR (Credit versus No Credit) grading basis should discuss their plans beforehand with his/her academic advisor(s) because such courses will be counted towards the maximum allowable limit of non-graded credits for the degree. Note that at least 50% of the academic units for the degree must be taken on a numerical grading basis and these courses must be included in the cumulative overall average calculations for the degree.
Example: Those who have the maximum amount of transfer credit are not eligible to take courses on a CR/NCR basis unless they are willing to take such courses beyond the minimum number of courses required for the degree or to forfeit an equal number of existing transfer credits.

Psychology Department Residency Requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Arts residency requirements and transfer credit polices described above, note the following additional Departmental residency requirements for those pursuing a Psychology Major or a Psychology Minor.

ALL PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS All Psychology Majors must successfully complete at least half of the total number of units required in Psychology for their academic plan from UW on a numerical grading basis and these courses must be included in their cumulative Psychology average. Please keep these restrictions in mind if you have: transfer credits from other institutions e.g., courses taken: prior to studies at UW on international exchange programs* as a visiting student on Cross-Registration to Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) from UW - note that the Cross-Registration Agreement includes WLU Business courses that appear on the UW Schedule of Classes* as a visiting student on a Letter of Permission from UW (at universities other than WLU)* a cleared average (e.g., as a result of a Faculty Transfer or Failed Required to Withdraw academic standing), or you are planning to enrol in any of the apprenticeship courses (i.e., Psych 264, 464, 465, 467) which are offered on a Credit/No Credit (CR/NCR) grading basis rather than a numerical grading basis. Note Regarding Access to a Psychology Major: As of March 2007, only those who are available to take courses on-campus at UW during the daytime (e.g., Psych 291 and 292) will be considered for admission to the Psychology Major. Those who plan to take courses by distance education (DE) and/or evening study only will not be admitted to the Psychology Major. Exceptions will not be granted for DE and evening studies students who also plan to take courses at other universities* (e.g., on Letter of Permission or on Cross-Registration at Wilfrid Laurier University). This decision is regrettable but necessary due to budget constraints. For a list of Majors that are available by DE, click here for details. *For further details about taking courses at other universities, click here. Please see below for additional requirements for your specific academic plan in Psychology. Click below to jump to the residency requirements for: Three Year General Psych Four Year General Psych Honours Psych (Single Major, Joint Honours, Combination Honours)

THREE YEAR GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY See the notes above for 'All Psychology Majors'. If you are hoping to apply for admisssion to Four Year General Psychology or Honours Psychology in the future, please read the information below.

FOUR YEAR GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY See the notes above for 'All Psychology Majors'. In addition, Four Year General Psychology Majors must take at least 1.5 units in Psychology at the third or fourth year level (excluding Psych 323R) from UW. If you are hoping to apply for admisssion to Honours Psychology in the future, please read the information below.

HONOURS PSYCHOLOGY (Single Major, Joint Honours, Combination Honours) See the notes above for 'All Psychology Majors'. In addition, Honours Psychology Majors must take the following courses from UW: at least 2 of Psych 291, 292, 391, 492 including at least 1 of Psych 391 or 492* at least 1 of Psych 392-399 (Advanced Research Methods Courses) at least 1.5 units in Psychology from the following categories of courses: Advanced Psychology courses (see Question 1 of FAQ), Honours Seminars (i.e., Psych 420, 453-463 or 485), Psychology electives at the 300 and/or 400 level - - NOTE: Those who choose to satisfy the 'Psych elective' requirements by doing an Honours Thesis must enrol in Psych 499A/B/C at UW. *Although Psych 492 is not a degree requirement for Honours Psychology Majors who are enrolled Fall 2009 or later (click here for details), one of Psych 391 or 492 is still required for the Psychology residency requirements. Psych 492 will be offered Winter 2011 and hopefully Winter 2013. Those who take equivalents of any of Psych 291, 292, 391, 392-399, 492, or Honours Seminars (Psych 453-463) on Cross-Registration (Wilfrid Laurier University only) or Letter of Permission (universities other than WLU) will be required to earn a minimum grade of 75% (instead of the normal 60% grade minimum) in each approved course in order to receive transfer credit for the course. (Note warning below). Only those who are in satisfactory academic standing in the Honours Psychology plan (e.g,, at least 60% overall and at least 75% in Psychology; Honours BSc Psych also require a 60% Science average) will be permitted to take equivalents of any of the following courses on Cross-Registration or Letter of Permission: Psych 391 (Advanced Statistics) Honours Seminars (Psych 420, 453-463) Psych 492 (Tests and Measurement) For further details about taking courses at other universities, click here. Strongly recommend that you do not request permission to do both Psych 291/292 elsewhere unless you are sure that you will be able to take both Psych 391 and 492 at UW (see note 1 above). Warning re WLU courses : Psych 291/292 at UW are equivalent to Psych 295/296 (courses taken by Honours Psych students) at Wilfrid Laurier University not Psych 291/ 292 at WLU (courses taken by General Psych Majors). Those in Honours Psychology at UW (or applying for admission to Honours Psychology at UW) who are given permission to Cross-Register to WLU to take Psych 291/292 will require at least 83% in each course in order to be exempt from taking Psych 291/292 at UW (e.g., prerequisites needed for proceeding to Psych 391). This practice parallels the practice at WLU for exemptions from taking Psych 295/296.

PSYCHOLOGY MINOR In addition to the rules of your home Faculty governing transfer credits and residency requirements, the following criteria of the Faculty of Arts and the Psychology Department must also be met: At least 2.5 of the 5.0 PSYCH units must be taken from UW. At least 2.5 of the 5.0 PSYCH units must be taken on a numerical grading basis and these courses must be included in the cumulative Psychology average. Click here for further details about the Psychology Minor.

 

Please consult with the Psychology Advisor (PAS 4006) if you have questions regarding the residency requirements.

 

COOP STUDENTS - NON ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE

(The details in this section are stored elsewhere on the Psychology Undergraduate website.)

• Professional Development (PD) Course Requirements
  • Honours Psychology (Department) Co-op
  • Honours Psychology & Arts and Business Coop
    
    
• Work Term Requirements
  • Honours Psychology (Department) Co-op
  • Honours Psychology & Arts and Business Co-op
    
    
• Guidelines for Writing Psychology Work-Term Reports - click here

 

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APPLICATION / ADMISSION TO
DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
PART 1 - CURRENT UW STUDENTS

 

(If you are pursuing a second degree, click here for information)

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Information regarding 'Psychology Academic Orientation for Prospective Majors' and application instructions for the Psychology Major are available on the Psychology UG website. Click here for details.

Note: Only those who are available to take course on-campus at UW during the daytime will be considered for admission to the Psychology Major. Effective March 2007, the Psychology Department will no longer be admitting students who are pursuing degrees by distance education and/or evening study only to the Psychology Major. This decision is regrettable but necessary due to budget constraints.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY

To be considered for a Psychology BA Major (Home Faculty Arts), applicants must have successfully completed at least 4.0 units (i.e., 8 term courses) including Psych 101 (Introductory Psychology). Although not a requirement for admission, it is preferred that students will also have taken one of the following prior to admission:

• Psych 207 (Cognitive Processes)
• Psych 211 (Developmental Psychology)
• Psych 253 (Social Psychology),
• Psych 257 (Psychopathology),
• Psych 261 (Physiological Psychology).

See the NOTE below to first year students regarding Psychology course selections. There is no math requirement for admission to the Psychology Major. However, click here for details regarding the math background required for enrolment in Psych 292 (Statistics).

To be considered for admission to Honours BSc Psychology (Home Faculty Science), applicants must have successfully completed all of the Year One course requirements for Honours Science (those are courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus) plus Psych 101 (Introductory Psychology). Although not a requirement for admission, it is preferred that students will also have taken one of the following prior to admission:

• Psych 207 (Cognitive Processes)
• Psych 211 (Developmental Psychology)
• Psych 253 (Social Psychology),
• Psych 257 (Psychopathology),
• Psych 261 (Physiological Psychology).

See the NOTE below to first year students regarding Psychology course selections. For those in Honours Life Science Coop Year 1, please see FAQ I in the 'Admission Decisions' section for further details.

NOTE to First Year Students Regarding Psychology Course Selections:

Although it is possible to take Psych 101 in the second term of year one (1B) and apply for a Psychology Major for year two admission, most students who are interested in a Psychology Major will take Psych 101 in the first term of year one (1A) and one of Psych 207, 211, 253, 257, 261 in the second term of year one (1B).

Please do not take more than one Psychology course per term during first year. A breadth of courses in year one is important for your university experience, for example:

• When the admission decisions are made for the Psychology Major, note that the Psychology average calculation for an individual is the average of all of the Psychology grades taken to date. For those whose averages are below the desired targets for admission (see chart below), note that taking an overload of Psychology courses in year one (i.e., more than Psych 101 plus 1 Psych course at the second year level) is not grounds for an appeal for admission to the Psychology Major or for an appeal for admission to Honours Psychology instead of General Psychology. See FAQ 21 for further details regarding improving the Psychology average (if necessary).
  
  
• Greater effort may be required in some of your courses in order to be successful. The more 'required' (e.g., courses which affect average calculations for a future Major/Minor/Option/Specialization) versus 'elective' courses that you are taking in a given term, the more difficult it is to allocate your time differently to each course.
  
  
• It is a good idea to have a plan A and B for a Major in case plan A doesn't work out (e.g., grades not high enough or you change your mind about your interests),
  
  
• You might discover a new subject area that you want to pursue as a Major (e.g., instead of psychology or to do as Joint Honours with Psychology), Minor, Option, or Specialization. Gaining this insight in year one is helpful for gaining prerequisites for future courses as well as reducing the possibility of additional time being required in order to complete the degree.
  
  
• A variety of courses will hopefully help you to gain insight into your future educational and employment goals which in turn will define the prerequisites (e.g., course requirements, volunteer and/or paid experiences, etc.) that you will need over your remaining years of study to pursue those goals.

If you are having difficulty choosing between Psychology courses, review course outlines from previous terms.

AVERAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY

 

	Cumulative Overall Average Required	Cumulative Psych Average Required	Other Requirements
3 Year General Psych (BA)	60%	65%
4 Year General Psych (BA)	60%	70%
Hon Psych (BA)	70%	75%
Hon Psych & Arts and Business (BA) (Regular or Co-op)	70%	75%	Students must currently be enrolled in Arts and Business. 70% Arts and Business average is required.
Hon Psych (BSc)	60%	75%	60% science average also required. Students not currently enrolled in the Faculty of Science should consult an academic advisor in the Science Undergraduate Office regarding the high school prerequisites.
Joint Honours with Psych - Home Faculty Arts	70%	75%	Average requirements of the second Major
Joint Honours with Psychology - Home Faculty not Arts	60%	75%	Average requirements of the second Major
Combination Honours with Psychology - Home Faculty Math only	60%	75%	Average requirements of the second Major

 

Upgrading Your Psychology Average

If you are applying for admission to the Psychology Major for the Fall term and you are concerned that your averages (particularly your cumulative Psychology average) do not meet the criteria above, suggest that you enrol in a Psychology course for the Spring term (e.g., by distance education) to raise your average. If you are offered admission to the Psychology Major after the Winter term, you have the option of dropping that Spring course. If your admission decision is 'decision deferred pending Spring grades' it would be wise to proceed with the course so that your application for the Psych Major can be reconsidered after the Spring term. Only those admitted to the Psych Major can take Psych 291 (Research Methods) in the Fall term. Psych 291 is only offered once per year. Psych 291 is one of the prerequisites for enrolment in Psych 292 (Winter only).

If you have difficulty enrolling in a Spring term Psych course, contact the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor for advice. Indicate in the message your full name, ID number, and whether or not you have submitted the application documents for the Psych Major.

See FAQ 21 for further strategies for improving your grades.

Extenuating Circumstances

If your grades were affected by extenuating circumstances (documentable if requested e.g., illness; death in the family) and you did not report this information on your Application for the Psychology Major, please email this information to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor. Include your full name, ID number, and the program you applied to. Put your last name and 'supplementary app info' in the subject line of the message (e.g., Jones - supplementary app info).

See the 'Admission Decision' section below for answers to commonly asked questions about the admission process.

ADMISSION DECISIONS FOR DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis.

The Psychology Undergraduate Advisor will notify applicants regarding admission decisions by email. For those being considered for the Psychology Major after the Winter term grades are available, decisions will be made during the last two weeks of May. May is a very labour intensive month. Please be patient for a response.

If admitted to a Psychology Major in 2010, please plan on taking Psych 291 Fall 2010 and Psych 292 Winter 2011 (exception: Honours Psych and Arts and Business Coop take Psych 292 in the 3A Winter term which is Winter 2012). Please refer to the following information when planning your course selections:

• degree requirement (including course sequence information) for Psychology Majors
  • supplementary course sequence information for those admitted beyond the second year level
• Psychology Course Information
• Math Background required for taking Psych 292.

If you change your mind about the Psychology Major, please notify the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor.

If you were admitted to Honours Psychology (Regular Stream) and you plan to apply for admission to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Coop, refer to the 'Application/Admission to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op' section for details.

The Psychology Department reserves the right to restrict the number of students admitted on conditonal standing (e.g., the Psychology average is less than the minimum required) to any academic plan in Psychology. Those admitted on conditional standing typically must raise their average(s) to the target average within one academic term.

FAQ ABOUT ADMISSION DECISIONS

If you were refused admission to the Psychology Major or you were offered admission to a different academic plan in Psychology than the one you applied to, click below on the context that best describes your situation to obtain further details.

Home Faculty Arts:

• A) Refused admission to a Psychology Major (including Three Year General Psych) because the Psych Average is too low - Click here
  
  
• B) Refused admission to Four Year General Psych but offered admission to Three Year General Psych - click here
  
  
• C) Refused admission to Honours Psych (single Major in the Faculty of Arts; not Coop) but offered admission to General Psych - click here
  
  
• D) Refused admission to Honours Psych and Arts and Business (Regular Stream) but offered admission to General Psych - click here
  
  
• E) Refused admission to Honours Psych and Arts and Business (Coop Stream) but offered admission to General Psych - click here
  
  
• F) Refused admission to Joint Honours Psych - click here

Home Faculty not Arts or Science:

• G) Refused admission to Joint Honours Psych (Home Faculty not Arts) or Combination Honours Psych (Home Faculty Math only) - click here
  
  

Home Faculty Science:

• H) Refused admission to Honours BSc Psych - click here
  
  
• I) Life Science Co-op in first year - Wanted admission to Honours BSc Psych Co-op in second year but was admitted to Honours BSc Psych Regular stream - click here

A. Refused Admission to a Psychology Major (including Three Year General Psych) Because the Psych Average is Too Low

You cannot take courses that are restricted to Psychology Majors (e.g., Psych 291 and 292) at this time.

If you want to be considered for admission to a Major other than Psychology, please consult with the academic advisor for that department. If you are uncertain about your options, please speak to an Academic Counsellor in the Arts Undergraduate Office (PAS 2439).

If you raise your Psychology average to at least 65% in the future, please apply again for admission to Three Year General Psychology. Click here for full details about average requirements for admission to various programs. Please see FAQ 21 for strategies for improving your grades.

Students enrolled in Honours or Four-Year General Majors in the Faculty of Arts (Liberal Studies is not a Major), or in Honours Majors in other Faculties, may pursue a Psychology Minor.

B. Refused Admission to Four Year General Psych But Offered Admission to Three Year General Psych

You will automatically be considered for admission to the Three Year General Psychology unless otherwise specified on your Application Form for the Psychology Major. Please see FAQ 21 and 24 for further details regarding improving your grades and reapplying for admission to Four Year General Psych for a future term.

C. Refused Admission to Honours (BA) Psych (single Major in the Faculty of Arts; not Coop) But Offered Admission to General Psych

You will automatically be considered for admission to the Three- Year or Four-Year General Psychology unless otherwise specified on your Application Form for the Psychology Major. Please see FAQ 21, 22, and 23 for further details regarding improving your grades, reapplying for admission to Honours Psych for a future term, course planning information, etc.

D. Refused Admission to Honours Psych and Arts and Business (Regular Stream) But Offered Admission to General Psych

You will automatically be considered for admission to the Three- Year or Four-Year General Psychology unless otherwise specified on your Application Form for the Psychology Major. Options to consider:

• enrol in General Psychology if admissible (e.g., to take Psych 291 in the Fall and Psych 292 in the Winter). Please see FAQ 21, 22, and 23 for further details regarding improving your grades, reapplying to Honours Psych (or Honours Psych and Arts and Business) for a future term, course planning information, etc.
  
  
• enrol in a different Honours Major if admissible (you cannot take Psych 291/292). Options:
  
  
  • reapply for admission to the Honours Psychology Major in a future term if your Psychology average improves. Please see FAQ 21 and the 'Supplementary Course Sequence Information' provided in the degree requirement checklist for further details.
    
    
  • consider enrolling in the Psychology Minor plan instead of pursuing a Psychology Major.

E. Refused Admission to Honours Psych and Arts and Business (Coop Stream) But Offered Admission to General Psych

You will automatically be considered for admission to the Three- Year or Four-Year General Psychology unless otherwise specified on your Application Form for the Psychology Major.

Please discuss your options with the Arts and Business Advisor as well as the academic advisor(s) of the proposed Major(s). For example:

• enrol in General Psychology if admissible (e.g., to take Psych 291 in the Fall and Psych 292 in the Winter). Please see FAQ 21, 22, and 23 for further details regarding improving your grades, reapplying for the Honours Psych Major for a future term, course planning information, etc. Admission to Honours Psych (Departmental) Coop or Honours Psych and Arts and Business Coop beyond the 2B term (Winter) will not be possible.
  
  
• enrol in a different Honours Major if admissible (you cannot take Psych 291/292). Options:
  
  
  • Switching to Honours Psychology and Arts and Business Coop in the future will be problematic because several of the core courses for Honours Psychology (e.g., Psych 291, 292, 391, Third Year Research Methods Courses) are only offered once per year and must be taken in sequence. If you raise your Psychology average to 75% in the future, discuss your options with the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (e.g., some students in these situations give up Coop to pursue the Psychology Major).
    
    
  • consider enrolling in the Psychology Minor plan instead of pursuing a Psychology Major.

F. Refused Admission to Joint Honours Psych (Home Faculty Arts)

You will automatically be considered for admission to the Three- Year or Four-Year General Psychology unless otherwise specified on your Application Form for the Psychology Major.

Please discuss your options with the academic advisor(s) of the proposed Majors. For example:

• enrol in General Psychology if admissible (e.g., to take Psych 291 in the Fall term and Psych 292 in the Winter term). Please see FAQ 21, 22, and 23 for further details regarding improving your grades, reapplying to Honours Psych (or Joint Honours Psychology) for a future term, course planning information, etc.
  
  
• enrol in an Honours Major in another discipline if admissible (you cannot take Psych 291/292/391). Options:
  
  
  • reapply for admission to Joint Honours Psychology in a future term if your Psychology average improves. Please see FAQ 21 and the 'Supplementary Course Sequence Information' provided in the degree requirement checklist for further details.
    
    
  • consider enrolling in the Psychology Minor plan instead of pursuing Joint Honours.

G. Refused Admission to Joint Honours Psych (Home Faculty not Arts) or Combination Honours Psych (Home Faculty Math only)

You cannot take courses that are restricted to Psychology Majors (e.g., Psych 291, 292, 391, etc.)

Please discuss your options with the academic advisor(s) of the proposed Majors. For example:

• reapply for admission to Joint Honours Psychology in a future term if your Psychology average improves. Please see FAQ 21 and the 'Supplementary Course Sequence Information' provided in the degree requirement checklist for further details.
  
  
• consider enrolling in the Psychology Minor plan instead of pursuing Joint Honours Psych or Combination Honours Psych

H. Refused Admission to Honours BSc Psych (Home Faculty Science)

General Psychology is not available in the Faculty of Science.

Please discuss your options with the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor as well as an academic advisor in the Science Undergraduate Office (ESC Room 252G). For example:

• If your averages (Psych, Overall, and Science) are satisfactory for admission to Honours BSc Psych but you haven't completed all of the Year One Math/Science course requirements for admission (e.g., must repeat Math 128 or Phys 112), your options include:
  
  
  • you might be admissible to Joint Honours Science and Psychology (Home Faculty Science). If so, you could enrol in Joint Honours Science and Psych (e.g., to take Psych 291 Fall and Psych 292 Winter) and then reapply for admission to Honours BSc Psych in a later term after you have completed the necessary Year One courses. Students who successfully complete the first year Math and Physics requirements, should be in Honours BSc Psych rather than Joint Honours Science and Psych (BSc).
    
    
  • remain in your current Science program (e.g., General or Honours Science) until you have completed all of the necessary Year One courses for admission to Honours BSc Psych (aim to do this as soon as possible and definitely within 1 or 2 terms) and speak to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor about the possibility of an 'override' to enrol in Psych 291 for the Fall term. Requests for Psych 292 enrolment will not be considered until the Fall term grades are available.
    
    
• If you meet all of the Year One course requirements for Honours BSc Psych and your overall and Science averages are satisfactory but your Psych average is less than 75%, your options include:
  
  
  • Psych average at least 70% - speak to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor about the possibility of an 'override' to enrol in Psych 291 for the Fall term and to be reconsidered for admission to Honours BSc Psych after the Fall term grades are available.
    
    
  • Psych average less than 70% - you cannot take Psych 291 or 292 at this time. Remain in your current academic plan and reapply to the Psych Major in the future if you raise your Psych average to 75%. See FAQ 21 and the 'Supplementary Course Sequence Information' provided in the degree requirement checklist for further details.
    
    
• if your Psychology average is less than 75% and you haven't completed all of the Year One Math/Science course requirements for admission to Honours BSc Psych, you cannot take Psych 291 or 292 at this time. Remain in your current academic plan and reapply to the Psych Major in the future if you raise your Psych average to 75% and complete the necessary Year One courses. See FAQ 21 and the 'Supplementary Course Sequence Information' provided in the degree requirement checklist for further details.
  
  
• consider enrolling in the Psychology Minor plan instead of pursuing a Psychology Major.

I. Life Science Co-op in first year - Wanted admission to Honours BSc Psych Co-op in second year but was admitted to Honours BSc Psych Regular stream

We do not accept students to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op prior to the 2B (Winter) school term.

Those hoping for admission to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op should seek admission to Honours Psychology (Regular stream) for the 2A Fall term in order to take Psych 291 (Research Methods). These instructions apply to all students including those who were enrolled in Life Science Co-op during year one.

Applications for admission to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op will be accepted during the 2A school term following the Psychology Co-op Information Meeting in November. See 'Application/Admission to Honours Psychology (Departmental) Co-op' below for further details.

Those admitted to Honours Psychology Co-op will search for a co-op position for the Spring term (the first work term of four) during their full-time 2B (Winter) school term which will include enrolment in Psych 292 (Introduction to Statistics).

MATH BACKGROUND REQUIRED FOR TAKING PSYCH 292

Students who have not successfully completed one of the following courses:

• an Ontario Academic Credit (OAC) Mathematics course (e.g., Finite Math)
  
  
• Ontario 4U Math (e.g., Mathematics of Data Management)
  
  
• Grade 12 Math from a province other than Ontario
  
  
• a first year University Math course (e.g., Math 103, 104, or 127 at UW)
  
  
• or an approved equivalent (e.g., if you took a college level math course or a math course outside of Canada, consult with the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor)

will be required to take Math 103 (Algebra) concurrently with Psych 291 (Basic Research Methods) in the Fall term before taking Psych 292 (Basic Data Analysis) in the Winter term.

For those who are required to take Math 103 before taking Psych 292:

Alternatives to taking Math 103 in the Fall term would be to take one of the following courses a term earlier (i.e., Spring term):

1. a 4U Math course during summer school at a high school (e.g., Math of Data Management)
   
   
2. a 4U Math course by distance education from the Independent Learning Centre in Toronto ( e.g., Math of Data Management).

If option 1 or 2 is your plan, proof that the course was passed will be required at the Psychology Undergraduate Office (PAS 4006) before classes begin in September.

Consider the following details when deciding whether to take Math 103 versus a 4U Math course:

• Math 103 counts as an elective towards your degree and the final grade will count in your cumulative overall average.
  
  
• 4U Math will not count as an elective towards your degree and the final grade will not count in your cumulative overall average.
  
  
• Would you rather take Math 103 while taking a full course load in the Fall term or take a 4U Math course when you are not doing other courses (e.g., Spring term)?
  
  
• the on-campus section of Math 103 will have tutorial sections but the distance education section will not. (We don't know whether or not the 4U Math courses have tutorial sections.)

If your math background was grade 9 or 10, see FAQ 33 for further details before proceeding to Math 103 or a 4U Math course.

For those who are not required to take Math 103 before taking Psych 292:

If you are worried about taking Psych 292 because your math skills are weak, see FAQ 32 for further details.

CLASS ENROLMENT

It is important that students plan their courses at least two terms ahead particularly if they are in the Co-op system of study. Please refer to the Degree Requirements and Course Sequence Information for the various academic plans when choosing your courses.

Check Quest for the dates for the following enrolment windows for a given term: 'pre-enrolment', 'class enrolment appointments', and 'open enrolment'.

Please check the Psychology UG website for Psychology Course Offering Information for the coming year as well as class enrolment announcements on the Bulletin Board for Psychology Majors.

APPLICATION/ADMISSION TO HONOURS PSYCHOLOGY (DEPARTMENTAL) CO-OP

Those accepted to the Honours Psychology BA or BSc Regular academic plan at the end of year one may apply for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op during the 2A Fall school term only following the Psychology Co-op Information Session (typically November). Admission decisions for the 2B Winter school term will be made the first week of January once the Fall term grades are available.

Sidebar:

Only students in second year of Honours Psychology will be considered for admission to Coop (see admission details below). Further, we only accept students from Honours Psych Regular to Honours Psych Coop in the Winter term.

The application deadline for Winter 2011 admission to Honours Psych Coop is pending but will be no later than Dec 22, 2010. The actual date will be available by the time of the Psychology Co-op Information Session in Nov 2010.

Admission is limited and is based on academic standing and space availability. We typically receive less than 35 applications for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op per year.

Notes regarding space availability for Honours Psych Co-op:

Class Size for Honours Psych Co-op for Winter 2009 Admission: 31 applications were received. 25 of the 31 were admitted to Honours Psych (Dept) Co-op for Winter 2009. The 6 applicants who were refused admission did not meet the admission criteria. 3 of the 25 who were admitted to Co-op decided to switch back to the Regular Stream of Study.

Class Size for Honours Psych Co-op for Winter 2010 Admission: Due to the state of the economy, the Cooperative Education Department advised us Sept 2009 not to admit more than 25 students to Honours Psych Coop for Winter 2010. We were able to achieve that goal without having to raise the admission criteria noted below. 42 applications were received. Decisions were as follows: 25 accepted to Honours Psych Co-op (including 1 student who dropped Co-op in Feb 2010 and 1 student who dropped Co-op in March 2010) 4 applications were withdrawn 13 refused.

Class Size for Honours Psych Co-op for Winter 2011 Admission: Feb 2010 - It is too early to anticipate the class size restriction for Winter 2011 but we anticipate that no more than 25 students will be admitted to Honours Psych Co-op Winter 2011.

 

At the time of admission to Co-op, students must have fulfilled all of the following criteria:

• be in satisfactory standing (i.e., 'satisfactory', 'good', or 'excellent' standing) in Honours Psych (BA or BSc).
  
  
• have successfully completed at least 7.0 units (i.e., 14 term courses)
  but no more than
  
  a) 9.0 units (i.e., 18 term courses) including transfer credits if enrolled in the Faculty of Arts or
  
  b) 10.5 units including transfer credits and labs if enrolled in the Faculty of Science.
  
  
• have successfully completed at least 2.0 units in Psychology including
  • Psych 101 (Introductory Psychology) and
  • Psych 291 (Basic Research Methods).
    
    
• have successfully completed the Math background required for enrolment in Psych 292.
  
  
• be enrolled in Psych 292 (Basic Data Analysis) at the time of admission to Co-op (Winter term only).
  
  
• have satisfied the English Language Proficiency requirement:
  • Click here for the Faculty of Arts
  • Click here for the Faculty of Science
    
    
• attended the PD1 Information Seminar the first week of January (2B Winter term).
  
  
• for those in the Faculty of Science, all of the Year One required courses for the Faculty of Science must be completed.
  

Averages required for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op are higher than those for Honours Psychology Regular system of study because participation in co-op employment activities (e.g., applying for jobs, going to interviews, etc.) during academic terms is very time consuming and can be as much work as taking an extra course. Further, students with lower averages find it very difficult to obtain co-op positions.

The averages required for admission to Co-op are typically 70-75% overall and 78% in Psychology; however, Honours BSc Psych applicants will be considered with a slightly lower overall average. These averages do not guarantee admission because we cannot predict the number of applications that will be received nor the grades of the applicants.

Click here for further details about the application/admission process for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op for Winter 2011.

Appeals for Admission to Honours Psychology Co-op

Typically only students who are entering the 2B (Winter) level can be considered for admission.

If you are in the Honours Psychology BA program and will have more than 9.0 units (i.e., 18 term courses) at the end of the Fall 2010 term, or you are in the Honours Psychology BSc program and will have more than 10.5 units (including labs) at the end of the Fall 2010 term, a letter of appeal will be required with your request to be considered for admission to Honours Psych Co-op for Winter 2011 admission because we typically do not admit students beyond these levels to the Co-op system of study.

Submit your request for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op by the posted deadline. Letters of appeals for admission to Co-op can be submitted by email (or attachment to email) to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) up to Dec. 31, 2010 for Winter 2011 admission. Include:

• your reasons for wanting to be in the Co-op program,
  
  
• a chart indicating when your work terms and school terms will be if you are admitted to Co-op,
  
  
• and a term-by-term list of the remaining courses that you will be taking for the degree (do your best and include requirements for all of your academic plans). Before drafting the course plan, please review carefully your remaining degree requirements and all of the information on 'Request to Change the Academic/Work Term Sequence (Information for Psychology Majors)' website.

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APPLICATION / ADMISSION TO
DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
PART 2 - TRANSFER STUDENTS TO UW AND
UW STUDENTS PURSUING A SECOND DEGREE

 

UW ALUMNI WHO WISH TO UPGRADE A GENERAL BA IN PSYCHOLOGY TO AN HONOURS BA IN PSYCHOLOGY

Those who hold a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Waterloo at the General level (i.e., Three Year General Psych or Four Year General Psych) and want to upgrade that degree to Honours Psychology must apply for readmission.

The cumulative average requirements for admission to Honours Psychology are 60% overall and 75% in Psychology. The Coop system of study will not be an option.

If accepted, these students will retain all courses and averages from the first degree because the Major (Psychology) has not changed.

Please refer to the following information for further details:

• Application for Readmission (deadline for Fall admission is typically June 30)
• Psychology course information for the coming year
• degree requirement check list for Honours Psychology
  • supplementary course sequence information

An honours degree in psychology that includes an honours thesis (Psych 499A/B/C) is typically required for admission to graduate studies in Psychology. Click here for details regarding Psych 499 (e.g., the course prerequisites, finding a thesis supervisor, etc.).

UW ALUMNI WHO WISH TO UPGADE A THREE-YEAR GENERAL BA IN PSYCHOLOGY TO A FOUR-YEAR GENERAL BA IN PSYCHOLOGY

Those who hold a Three Year General BA in Psychology from the University of Waterloo and want to upgrade the degree to a Four Year General BA Psych must apply for readmission.

The cumulative average requirements for admission to Four Year General Psychology are 60% overall and 70% in Psychology.

If accepted, these students will retain all courses and averages from the first degree because the Major (Psychology) has not changed.

An Option or Minor in a second discipline is recommended.

Please refer to the following information for further details:

• Application for Readmission (deadline for Fall admission is typically June 30)
• Psychology course information for the coming year
• degree requirement check list for Four Year General Psychology

UW ALUMNI (NOT A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR) WHO WISH TO PURSUE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY

A General BA in Psychology (3 Year and 4 Year plans) is available from the Faculty of Arts only. Honours Psychology is available through the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.

Attention Distance Education (DE) students:

Honours Psychology was never available by DE at UW.

Effective March 2007, the Psychology Department will no longer be admitting students who will be completing degrees by distance education studies and/or evening study only to General Psychology. This decision is regrettable but necessary due to budget constraints. Click here for further details re 'Access to Programs, Plans, and Courses'.

Applications to the Faculty of Arts

UW alumni who did not have a Psychology Major and who wish to pursue a second Bachelor's degree with a Psychology Major must apply for readmission.

If admitted to a Psychology academic plan, courses taken as part of the first degree will be cleared from the average calculations for the second degree. Student will be considered for the following maximum amounts of transfer credit from the first degree towards the second degree:

• entering Honours Psychology (BA) - 10.0 units (i.e., 20 term courses)
  
  
• entering Four-Year General Psychology (BA) - 10.0 units (i.e., 20 term courses)
  
  
• entering Three-Year General Psychology (BA) - 7.5 units (i.e., 15 term courses)

All students are required to complete at least half of the required number of psychology courses for the specific Psychology academic plan from the University of Waterloo. Click here for further details regarding 'residency requirements' for the degree.

Those who have a 'Minor' designation in Psychology on the first degree (the Major for that degree will not be Psychology) can be considered for admission to Four Year General Psychology or Honours Psychology at UW but not Three Year General Psychology. For those who do not know what a 'Psychology Minor' is, click here for details.

Those admitted to Honours Psychology will not be eligible for admission to the Coop system of study.

Please refer to the following information for further details:

• Application for Readmission (deadline for Fall admission is typically June 30)
• courses required for admission, averages required for admission, and admission decisions
• math background required for enrolment in Psych 292 (Basic Data Analysis)
• Psychology course information for the coming year
• degree requirement check lists
  • supplementary course sequence information

An honours degree in psychology (or an equivalent - see Make-Up Psychology below) that includes an honours thesis (Psych 499A/B/C) is typically required for admission to graduate studies in Psychology. Click here for details regarding Psych 499 (e.g., the course prerequisites, finding a thesis supervisor, etc.).

UW alumni (other than Psychology Majors) who are seeking admission to Honours Psychology and have a cumulative UW overall average and Psychology average of 80% or better should refer to the information regarding the Make-Up Psychology plan as well as the admission requirements for that plan.

Applications to the Faculty of Science

UW alumni holding a Bachelor's degree from a Faculty other than Science and are interested in the Honours BSc Psychology plan or the Joint Honours Science and Psychology plan should consult with an academic advisor in the Science Undergraduate Office as well as the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) before applying for admission. Those admitted will not be eligible for admission to the Coop system of study.

Please refer to the following information for further details:

• Application for Readmission (deadline for Fall admission is typically June 30)
• courses required for admission, averages required for admission, and admission decisions
• Psychology course information for the coming year
• degree requirement check lists
  • supplementary course sequence information
• transfer credit policy for the Faculty of Science

UW alumni holding a Bachelor of Science degree are typically not eligible to pursue a second Bachelor of Science degree at UW (click here for further details). These students should consult with an academic advisor in the Arts Undergraduate Office (PAS 2439) as well as the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) about the possibility of doing degree studies in the Faculty of Arts (e.g., General or Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology). Those admitted to degree studies will not be eligible for admission to the Coop system of study.

An honours degree in psychology (or an equivalent - see Make-Up Psychology below) that includes an honours thesis (Psych 499A/B/C) is typically required for admission to graduate studies in Psychology. Click here for details regarding Psych 499 (e.g., the course prerequisites, finding a thesis supervisor, etc.).

UW alumni (other than Psychology Majors) who are seeking admission to Honours Psychology and have a cumulative UW overall average and Psychology average of 80% or better should refer to the information regarding the Make-Up Psychology plan as well as the admission requirements for that plan.

TRANSFERRING INTO DEGREE STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY FROM ANOTHER INSTITUTION

A General BA in Psychology (3 Year and 4 Year plans) is available from the Faculty of Arts only.

Honours Psychology is available through the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.

Click here for information for prospective students such as application procedures and deadlines as well as information regarding tuition, housing, notes for international students, etc.

Official transcripts from all previous secondary and post-secondary institutions should be sent directly to the University of Waterloo Registrar's Office. Those who have taken a research methods course and/or a statistics course will be required to submit a copy of the course outline (i.e., detailed list of the topics covered the title/author of the textbook used) to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) for evaluation.

Applicants will be notified in writing of the admission decision and the transfer credit assessment by the Registrar's Office.

Those who cannot be admitted for a Psychology Major at UW include:

• Effective March 2007, the Psychology Department will no longer be admitting students who will be completing degrees by distance education studies (DE) and/or evening study only to General Psychology (Honours Psychology was never available at UW by DE). This decision is regrettable but necessary due to budget constraints. Click here for further details re 'Access to Programs, Plans, and Courses'.
  
  
• Those whose first degree included a Psychology Minor designation will not be considered for admission to Three Year General Psychology (BA only).
  
  
• Those currently holding a Bachelor of Science degree are not eligible to pursue a second Bachelor of Science degree at UW (click here for further details). These students should consult with an academic advisor in the Arts Undergraduate Office (PAS 2439) as well as the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) about the possibility of doing degree studies in the Faculty of Arts (e.g., General or Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology). Those admitted to degree studies will not be eligible for admission to the Coop system of study. See the Arts section above for further details.
  
  
• Those holding a Bachelor's degree from a Faculty other than Science and are interested in the Honours BSc Psychology plan or the Joint Honours Science/Psych plan should consult with an academic advisor in the Science Undergraduate Office as well as the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (PAS 4006) before applying.

The admission cut offs for transfer students into Psychology academic plans are typically:

• Three-Year General Psychology (BA only) - 68% cumulative overall average and a 68% cumulative Psychology average. See above for further restrictions regarding the request for admission.
  
  
• Four-Year General Psychology (BA only ) - 72% cumulative overall average and a 72% cumulative Psychology average.
  
  
• Honours Psychology (BA) - 75 to 78% cumulative overall average and a 78% cumulative Psychology average.
  
  
• Honours Psychology (BSc) or Joint Honours Science and Psychology (BSc) - 65-70% cumulative overall average and a 78% cumulative Psychology average. See above for further restrictions regarding the request for admission.

The maximum amount of transfer credit possible from previous institutions is as follows:

• entering Three-Year General Psychology (BA only) - 7.5 units (i.e., 15 term courses)
  
  
• entering Four-Year General Psychology (BA only) - 10.0 units (i.e., 20 term courses)
  
  
• entering Honours Psychology (BA) - 10.0 units (i.e., 20 term courses)
  
  
• entering Honours Psychology (BSc) - 10.5 units (including lecture units and lab units)

Click here for further details regarding transfer credits to the Faculty of Arts.

Click here for further details regarding transfer credits to the Faculty of Science.

All students are required to complete at least half of the required number of psychology courses for the specific Psychology academic plan from the University of Waterloo. Click here for further details regarding 'residency requirements' for the degree.

There is only one window of opportunity for applying for admission to Honours Psychology Co-op (BA or BSc) and it is at the 2B Winter school term only. Please refer to Application/Admission to Honours Psychology Co-op above for further details.

An honours degree in psychology (or an equivalent - see Make-Up Psychology below) that includes an honours thesis (Psych 499A/B/C) is typically required for admission to graduate studies in Psychology. Click here for details regarding Psych 499 (e.g., the course prerequisites, finding a thesis supervisor, etc.).

Those holding Bachelor level degrees who are seeking admission to Honours Psychology and have a cumulative UW overall average and Psychology average of 80% or better should refer to the information regarding the Make-Up Psychology plan as well as the admission requirements for that plan.

Other information of interest:

• math background required for enrolment in Psych 292 (Basic Data Analysis)
• Psychology course information for the coming year
• degree requirement check lists including course sequence information
  • supplementary course sequence information for those admitted beyond the second year level

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APPLICATION / ADMISSION TO
'MAKE-UP' STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
(This is not Degree Studies)

 

Click here for a desciption of 'Make-Up' studies in Psychology before reading this section.

If you have not been a UW student previously, click here for application procedures, deadlines, etc. NOTE: Follow the application procedures for part-time 'Post-Degree' studies even if you plan to study on a full-time basis. Part-time is 1 or 2 courses per term. Full-time is 3-5 courses per term.

If you have been a UW student previously, click here for the application procedures, deadlines etc. If you have been away from your UW studies for 3 or more consecutive terms, please also submit an 'Application for Readmission Form' and note the submission deadline on that form.

After submitting the application, please notify the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor that the application has been submitted.

Please send official transcripts from all previous secondary and post-secondary institutions including proof of the previous degree to the University of Waterloo Registrar's Office. When the transcripts have been submitted, please notify the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor.

Those who have taken a research methods course and/or statistics course must submit a copy of the course outline (i.e., a detailed list of the topics covered and the title/author of the textbook used) to the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor for evaluation. Click here for the mailing address.

Enrolment in Make-Up Studies in Psychology is subject to space availability. The grade cut off for admission is typically 80-85% (overall and in Psychology). Applicants will be notified in writing of the admission decision by the Registrar's Office.

Note that the prerequisite for admission to the Honours Thesis course (Psych 499A/B/C) includes a psychology average of at least 82%. Click here for further details about the course.

Please refer to the following information for further details:

• math background required for enrolment in Psych 292
• Psychology course information for the coming year
• degree requirement check lists including course sequence information (also see the supplementary course sequence information if applying for Honours Psych)

Additional Notes for International Students:

Click here for details regarding the English Language Requirement for admission to the University of Waterloo. Also, please consult with the agency in your home country that issues student visas regarding whether or not it is possible to obtain a student visa for a program that it is not degree studies (e.g., Post-Degree or Make-Up Studies in Psychology).

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GRADUATION AND FUTURE PLANS

This section of the handbook has been moved elsewhere on the Psych UG website:

• Career Planning Including the Search for Employment, Volunteer, and Internship Positions
• Convocation Information
• Further Studies Beyond the Bachelor's degree (Miscellanous)
• Applying to Graduate Studies in Psychology

Click here for details.

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COMPUTER ACCOUNTS

Please check the website for the Information Systems & Technology (IST) Department for information regarding setting up your UW computer account, accessing the Internet, costs for laser printing, accessing your account from off-campus, etc. If you are enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, please also check the website for the Arts Computing Office for information.

The UW computer accounts give students free access to applications such as word processing, statistical and graphics packages, spreadsheets, and electronic mail. Students also have access to the Internet which allows them to use the UW Electronic Library including the electronic journal article databases. Students are charged for printing and can put money for printing on to their resource account at various locations across campus including PAS 1080 using their WATCARD.

E-EMAIL

Students should use their UW e-mail accounts for all e-mail correspondence to UW personnel for reasons such as identification, reliability, and security. The UW account is just as easy to use as hotmail or yahoo accounts.  Please include your full name and ID number on all messages and make the subject lines meaningful. It is your responsibility to check e-mail regularly for important correspondence from UW so that you do not miss important and/or time sensitive messages.  

If you are using an alternate email address and you don't want your alternate e-mail address to be displayed on the UW directory, then "forward" your mail from the UW account to your alternate account. If you are using free web accounts such as hotmail or yahoo, please keep the number of messages in your "in" box to a minimum in order to minimize the number of "undeliverable messages" to your account.

Excerpts from the UW Statement Regarding "OFFICIAL STUDENT EMAIL ADDRESS" (approved by Executive Council April 16, 2003)

General Information and Guidelines

1. The University, through its Faculties, provides an email address and account to all students for the receipt of official communications and their participation in an academic program at UW.
2. .......
3. An appropriate forwarding capability is provided so that students may, if they so choose, redirect mail to an alternate account.
4. Students are responsible for monitoring the contents and condition of the mailbox to which they have forwarded their UW email.
5. .....
6. Students should configure their email client programs to include their preferred given name and surname.
7. Students should be aware that mail from a UW account may receive a higher priority than mail sent from off-campus.
8. Students should use informative subject lines including course numbers where relevant

The full document is available at on the Information Systems and Technology (IST) website.

The Psychology Department sends group e-mail messages to Psychology Majors several times term.  When these global e-mail messages are sent, the e-mail addresses of all students are confidential and not included with the global messages. Please ensure that the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor (hsmith@uwaterloo.ca) knows your current e-mail address each term because the University computer systems do not update our Departmental e-mail list. We do not want you to miss important messages.

 

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PSYCH SOCIETY

All Psychology Majors are members of the Psych Society. Getting involved with the Psych Society is enjoyable and provides opportunities for developing marketable skills (e.g., administrative, interpersonal, problem solving, leadership, teamwork), to meet new people, and to become better acquainted with the faculty and staff of the Psychology Department. Volunteers are always needed to work in the office and to organize events. Check the website for the Psych Society for further details.

Office: PAS 3080 (near the third floor lounge)
Phone number: (519) 888-4567 Ext. 35293
Click here for the Psych Society website.

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DEPARTMENTAL GRADE APPEAL PROCEDURES

Click here for the grade appeal procedures for the Faculty of Arts.

Procedures for grade appeals for Psychology courses:

Students should first see the relevant instructor informally regarding the grade appeal as soon as possible and at least within six months of receipt of the grade.

If the student is not satisfied, he/she should then speak to the Associate Chairman for Undergraduate Affairs of the Psychology Department (a written petition is preferred but is not necessary). The Undergraduate Chairman will attempt to understand the student's complaint, to convey the complaint to the faculty member, to obtain the faculty member's response, and to convey that response to the student.

If the student is still not satisfied, the Undergraduate Chairman will appoint an uninvolved faculty member (one acceptable to the student) to look into the case and make a recommendation to the Undergraduate Chairman. The Undergraduate Chairman will then convey the recommendation to the student and the faculty member.

If the student is still not satisfied with the above results, he/she may take the case to the Associate Dean. Full details regarding Policy 70 (Student Grievance Policy) are on the Secretariat website.

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ACADEMIC INTEGRITY, ACADEMIC OFFENSES, GRIEVANCE, AND APPEALS

 

ADVICE FROM THE FACULTY OF ARTS

To protect course integrity, as well as to provide appropriate guidance to students, the Faculty of Arts provides the following notes on the avoidance of academic offenses:

Academic Integrity: in order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo community are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.

Grievance: A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy70.htm

Discipline: A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity, to avoid committing academic offenses, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offense, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about 'rules' for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the Undergraduate Associate Dean. When misconduct has been found to have occurred, disciplinary penalties will be imposed under Policy 71 - Student Discipline. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71 - Student Discipline, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy71.htm

Appeals: A student may appeal the finding and/or penalty in a decision made under Policy 70 - Student Petitions and Grievances (other than regarding a petition) or Policy 71 - Student Discipline if a ground for an appeal can be established. Read Policy 72 - Student Appeals, http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/infosec/Policies/policy72.htm

Click here for further information from the Faculty of Arts on the avoidance of academic offenses.

POLICY 71 - STUDENT DISCIPLINE POLICY

Policy 71 defines academic and non-academic offenses and explains procedures for resolution, right of appeal, and disciplinary actions. Below are a few excerpts from Policy 71 (dated September 1, 2008) to highten awareness regarding the contents of that document:

Offences include, but are not limited to, the following:

ACADEMIC

NON-ACADEMIC

cheating plagiarism unauthorized co-operation or collaboration as defined by the course instructor unauthorized aids or assistance as defined by the course instructor unauthorized resubmission of work violation of examination regulations impersonating another student or entering into an arrangement with another to be impersonated obtaining, distributing, or receiving any confidential academic material without the express consent of the instructor theft of intellectual property academic or admission fraud discovered after registration altering, falsifying or withholding a relevant document misrepresentation misconduct in research including breach of ethics regarding human or animal testing contravention of statute (e.g., Copyright Act)

disruptive, dangerous, aggressive or threatening behaviour, including by electronic means misuse of University resources, equipment or supplies, including, but not limited to, computers and network, keys, records, permits, letterhead mischief vandalism theft infringing unreasonably on the work of others violation of instructor’s communicated rules, such as prohibition of recording lecture violation of safety regulations in a laboratory or other setting unauthorized use of equipment, material or a facility or service unethical behaviour contravention of statute (e.g., Liquor License Act; Criminal Code)

 

See the bottom of the Policy 71 website for the full glossary of the above terms. A couple of examples from the glossary:

cheating - trying to gain/give an improper advantage in an academic evaluation. Cheating includes but is not limited to: copying from another student's work (with or without permission) or making it possible for another student to copy from one's own work; submitting another student's work as one's own; fabrication of data; consultation with any unauthorized person during an examination or test; possession, use or intent to use unauthorized aids during an examination or test.

impersonation - pretending to be another person for the purposes of someone gaining an academic advantage including in the taking of tests and examinations or the carrying out of laboratory or other assignments.

plagiarism - presenting, whether intentionally or not, the ideas, expression of ideas or work of others (whether attributed or anonymous) as one’s own in any work submitted whether or not for grading purposes Plagiarism includes reproducing or paraphrasing portions of someone else’s published or unpublished material, regardless of the source, and presenting these as one’s own without proper citation or reference to the original source. Examples of sources from which the ideas, expressions of ideas or works of others may be drawn from include, but are not limited to: books, articles, papers, material on the internet,  literary compositions and phrases, performance compositions, chemical compounds, artworks, laboratory reports, research results, calculations and the results of calculations, diagrams, constructions, computer reports, and computer code/software. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to: - Using ideas or direct, verbatim quotations, paraphrased material, algorithms, formulae, scientific or mathematical concepts without appropriate acknowledgment in any academic assignment - Using another’s data or research findings without appropriate acknowledgement - Submitting a computer program developed in whole or in part by someone else, with or without modifications, as one’s own - Failing to acknowledge sources through the use of proper citations when using another’s works and/or failing to use quotation marks - Submitting a take­-home examination, essay, laboratory report or other assignment written, in whole or in part, by someone else.

unauthorized co-operation or collaboration - co­-operation or collaboration with another student/other students in the completion of an academic assignment, in whole or in part, beyond what the instructor has indicated is acceptable; failure to follow the instructor’s directions regarding the level of group work that is permissible for a particular assignment

unauthorized resubmission of work - submission of the same work or piece of a work more than once without prior written permission of the course instructor in which the submission occurs.  This includes work for which credit has previously been obtained or is being sought in another course or program of study in the University or elsewhere, as well as un-graded prior submissions and no-credit submissions. Minor modifications and amendments, such as phraseology in an essay or paper do not constitute a significant and acceptable reworking of an assignment.

 

ETHICAL STANDARDS IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH

Failing to adhere to established standards in the conduct of research is an offense. Further details are available in the Psychology Honours Thesis Handbook.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Terminology	Explanation
Academic Plan	Refers to the type of student at the department level e.g., Honours Psychology, Three-Year General Psychology. There are specific degree requirements at the department level. For example, Honours Psychology Majors must take 18 psychology courses and have a cumulative psychology average of at least 75%.
Academic Program	Refers to the type of student at the Faculty level e.g., Honours Arts, General Science, etc. There are specific degree requirements at the Faculty level. For example, students in the Faculty of Arts must satisfy the Faculty of Arts Group A and B requirements.
Academic Term or Term	Fall term = Sept. through Dec.; Winter term = January through April; Spring term = May through August
Antirequisite	When two courses are listed as antirequisites, this means that there is too much overlap between the two courses to allow credit towards the degree for both courses. Please do not enrol in a course that is named as an antirequisite for a course that you have already taken without first consulting with your Undergraduate Advisor about your request.
Class Enrolment	Choosing courses and dropping/adding courses for a specific term.
Corequisite	A course that is named as a corequisite for another course must be taken before or at the same time as the course for which it is listed as the corequisite.
Cross-listed Courses	Cross-listed courses cover the same course material. Students may receive credit towards their degree for taking one of the courses that is named in the cross-listed set (e.g., take only one of Psych 257 and Psych 323R). WARNING - QUEST does not prevent enrolment in more than one course that is listed in a cross-listed set (e.g., Psych 218, Hlth 218, Geron 218) but it will give a warning message regarding "repeat rules" if you are trying to add a course that is cross-listed with a course previously taken and passed. Do not enrol in such courses without first talking to an Academic Advisor.
Elective (Course)	An elective is a course to be chosen freely by the student either within a specific group of courses (e.g., a psych elective) or more broadly from courses offered anywhere across the University (e.g., unspecified electives). Course requisites (e.g., prerequisite, corequisite, antirequisite) must be satisfied in order for the student to be able to self-enrol for elective courses on QUEST.
Full-Time Student Status	A student is considered a full-time student when his/her course load reaches or exceeds 1.5 units in a given academic term.
Part-Time Student Status	A student is considered a part-time student when his/her course load is less than 1.5 units in an academic term.
Prerequisite	The requirement(s) that must be met in order to be eligible to enrol in a course (e.g., a previous course that must have been passed, registration in a specific program or plan, a specific academic level that must have been reached, or a specific average requirement that must have been met).
Repeat Rules	If you receive a message regarding "repeat rules" from QUEST when you are attempting to add a course, do not add the course and contact your Academic Advisor. Permission is required to repeat courses (this includes taking an additional course from a set of cross-listed courses) that were already passed and only one of the pair/set of courses will be credited towards the progression of the degree requirements.
Schedule of Classes	The Schedule of Classes contains information regarding course availability as well the times, locations (i.e., buildings, rooms), campus location (e.g., UW, St. Jerome's, or Renison campus versus Distance Education Home or Web), instructors, course limits, etc. for courses. You need to know the "class number" for a particular course/component (e.g., seminar, lab, tutorial, etc.) including section number in order to enrol in a course on QUEST. The Schedule of Classes for the University for the current term as well as the next term is available on the web (http://www.adm.uwaterloo.ca/ infocour/CIR/SA/under.html). Note that course availability including course times for a given term can change up to the start of class enrolment for a particular term. In March each year, the Psychology Department posts the Psychology Course Offerings List for the Fall/Winter/Spring terms for the upcoming year on the Psych UG Website (http://www.psychology.uwaterloo.ca/ ugradprog/current/course_info/index.html). Typically, there is not much variability in the information after it is posted. Long range planning is important particularly for students in the Co-op system of system.
Study Lists	Summary of the courses (including course times etc.) that the student is enrolled in for a specific academic term.
Units	1.0 units = 2 term courses 0.5 units = 1 term course

 

For a more comprehensive list, see Glossary of Terms on the Quest website.

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CONTACTS

 

STUDENTS REGISTERED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO OR RENISON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, PLEASE CONTACT:

Psych Undergraduate Advisor and Program Coordinator	Heather Smith PAS 4006 Ph: (519) 888-4567 Ext. 32819 E-mail: hsmith@uwaterloo.ca Click here for mailing information and office hours.
Psych Undergraduate Program Assistant Academic Advisor for the Psychology Minor plan and the Human Resources Management academic plans.	Theresa Bauer PAS 4005 Ph: (519) 888-4567 Ext. 36535 E-mail: tbauer@uwaterloo.ca
Psych Undergraduate Studies Home Page	Click here (http://www.psychology.uwaterloo.ca/ ugradprog/index.html)
Psych Undergraduate Office	PAS 4005 and 4006
Psych Department FAX	(519) 746-8631

 

STUDENTS REGISTERED AT ST. JEROMES UNIVERSITY (SJU), PLEASE CONTACT:

Dr. John Rempel (until June 30, 2010)
SJU Room 2018
Ph (519) 884-8111, Ext. 28212
E-mail: jrempel@uwaterloo.ca

Dr. Chris Burris (July 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010)
SJU Room 2016
Ph (519) 884-8111 Ext. 28213
E-mail: cburris@uwaterloo.ca