BA Honours Specialization in Psychology

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What is the Honours Specialization in Psychology BA Module?

• The Honours Specialization in Psychology BA module focuses broadly on biological, social, and psychological foundations of behaviour.

• This program module is highly research-focused so it is well-suited for individuals who are considering pursuing research-based graduate training programs in psychology.

• This program will teach students how to apply the concepts, content, research methods, and data analytic procedures of the discipline to create new knowledge. You will learn how to think critically, to write research reports using the writing conventions of the discipline, and to communicate your ideas orally to faculty and other students.

Is This Module Right for You?

Here are some important considerations to make before selecting this module:

• This module is suited for those considering research as a possible option for future studies or career options, such as graduate programs in psychology.

  • NOTE: If you are not considering research, this program may not be a good fit as many upper-year courses are suited to teach skills that are required to be a researcher such as statistical knowledge, research methodology, and discipline-specific research knowledge.

  • Alternative: Someone who wants a less research-focused option should consider a major in psychology. Those who specifically want an Honours degree can still obtain one by completing an Honours Double Major.

• Most competitive research-based psychology graduate programs, such as Clinical Psychology, require an Honours degree which includes a thesis. This is exactly what is offered in this module.

• This module is broad and offers flexibility in course choices across various disciplines of psychology. This is well-suited for individuals who do not know exactly what they wish to study in the future and would like to explore their options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a thesis?

A: A thesis is an independent research project completed by a student under the supervision of a faculty member. This involves using various skills taught in previous courses such as statistics and research methods in order to answer a specific question that will contribute to the understanding of psychology. The thesis is usually completed in a student's fourth year of study when a student registers in Psychology 4850E. NOTE: A thesis is currently guaranteed if you are in this Honours Specialization BA in Psychology Module, but an individual who wants to work in a specific subdiscipline or with a specific faculty member would benefit from contacting that individual to volunteer the year prior to starting the honours thesis course or earlier.

Q: How does a BA differ from a BSc in Psychology career-wise?

A: Speaking generally, in most cases, it does not differ much. A BSc requires more specific, science-related psychology courses to be taken which means that individuals who know that those types of courses are of interest to them may select to be part of this module. However, most graduate programs do not typically select those with a BSc more than a BA and generally consider the degrees equally. Those who want a more broad and flexible choice of courses that are not limited to science or neuroscience dominant content may benefit from selection the BA Honours Specialization in Psychology. Being in the BA program does not limit a student from taking more science-based psychology courses. These programs are more about personal preference as a BSc program is more specialized while BA is more general.