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Athabasca University

Psychology Major

Regulations effective September 1, 2019.

Athabasca University’s Psychology program is designed to develop or expand your knowledge of the broad field of psychology. Both the concentration and major degree programs will provide grounding in foundational courses central to psychology as a science. The programs also provide options for students to focus their studies in the applied areas at Athabasca University (i.e., Career Development, Inclusive Education, Counselling). Students who complete the degree will be prepared for general employment across a number of fields (business, management, government research, program evaluation, human services, law, etc.) and/or graduate studies in applied and basic programs.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Did you know? Athabasca University also offers:

For specific degree requirements view each program page.

Program Requirements

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the 4-year BA with Major:

45 credits in designated Psychology major courses including 30 senior (300 or 400) level credits in designated Psychology major courses, including 12, 400-level credits. The senior-level courses in the required core are included as part of these 30 credits.

Required Core Courses (15 credits)

MATH 215 Introduction to Statistics (3)
PSYC 289 Psychology as a Natural Science (3)
PSYC 290 General Psychology (3)
PSYC 375 History of Psychology (3)
PSYC 304 Research Methods in Psychology *
Students who have obtained credit in PSYC 404 may not take PSYC 304.		 (3)

A minimum of 15 credits selected from the following foundational courses:

PSYC 323 Developmental Psychology
Note: PSYC 228 and PSYC 323 are precluded courses (students can complete PSYC 228 or PSYC 323 but not both). Note that PSYC 228 can be used in the Psychology Electives area only, and cannot be used as a foundational credit.		 (3)
PSYC 355 Cognitive Psychology (3)
PSYC 356 Introduction to Personality Theories and Issues (3)
PSYC 379 Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 387 Learning (3)
PSYC 402 Biological Psychology (3)
PSYC 435 Abnormal Psychology (3)
The remaining 15 credits may be completed by selecting additional foundational courses and/or courses from the following groups of electives: Psychology, Career Development, Educational Psychology, or Counselling. Students are encouraged to focus within an elective but may combine courses from two or more groups. Note that unspecified psychology credit for Psychology courses that are unavailable at AU and completed at other institutions, can be applied to the degree upon faculty approval.

Psychology Electives

PSYC 210 Experiential Learning in the Celebration of Diversity (3)
PSYC 228 Introduction to Human Development
Note: PSYC 228 and PSYC 323 are precluded courses (students can complete PSYC 228 or PSYC 323 but not both). Note that PSYC 228 can be used in the Psychology Electives area only, and cannot be used as a foundational credit.		 (3)
PSYC 315 Psychology and the Mass Media (3)
PSYC 333 Sensation and Perception (3)
PSYC 340 Introduction to Applied Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 350 Adolescent Psychology (3)
PSYC 381 Psychology of Adult Development (3)
PSYC 395 Forensic Psychology (3)
PSYC 418 Special Projects in Psychology (3)
PSYC 426 Psychology of Families and Parenting (3)
PSYC 432 Psychology and the Built Environment (3)
PSYC 450 Drugs and Behaviour (3)

Career Development Electives

Educational Psychology Electives

Counselling Electives

A maximum of three credits selected from the following courses may be used as elective credit:

 

Information effective Sept. 1, 2019 to Aug. 31, 2020.

Updated February 21 2020 by laurab

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