Program

Psychology, Applied (Bachelor of Arts, Honours)

DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS

Fall 2023: Currently accepting applications, 2022 Deadline: April 30, 2023

Campus
New Westminster
Coquitlam
Learning Format
Full-time
Part-time
Admission Type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

If graduate school or taking part in intensive research is part of your future plans, the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology – Honours program is for you. The program incorporates a research thesis that gives you the opportunity to develop and carry out supervised, independent research. You'll also get other hands-on experience in the field, lab and through volunteering with the Douglas Psychology Society.

During your third and fourth years, you'll focus on at least one of six concentrations where psychology is typically applied in the workplace:

  • Pre-counselling
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitation (includes practicum)
  • Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • Forensic/Criminology
  • Applied Theory and Research
  • Leadership and Management.

Things to remember before applying

If you intend to take the honours program, you should first apply to the regular Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology. Then, you should attend a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology info session (which includes information about the honours program) or contact the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology Coordinator for advising. Once you are in your final (fourth) academic year, you will then be able to apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology – Honours program. 

If you are planning to apply to the Honours program you should start planning early and begin searching for a faculty supervisor. 

You must apply to the program via Education Planner B.C. AND must submit a secondary application form directly to the BA Psychology Coordinator by the application deadline. The secondary application form may be obtained on the Psychology Blackboard Communication Centre.  You must find a faculty supervisor by the application deadline. You will not be accepted in the Honours program without approval from the department. For more information, visit the admissions requirements tab.

    Admissions Requirements

    All applicants must meet the General Admission Requirements for Douglas College.

    Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology will occur after the completion of 60 credits. Students must have all of the following: 

    a) Coursework equivalent to a two year (60 credit) Associate of Arts or Science degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

    b) Completion of the following courses with minimum grade of C- in each (or equivalent): 

    PSYC 1100 (Introduction to Psychology I)

    PSYC 1200 (Introduction to Psychology II)

    c) Completion of the following courses (or their appropriate equivalent) with a minimum grade of C (60%): 

    PSYC 2300 Data Analysis in Psychology,

    PSYC 2301 Research Methods in Psychology,

      And two of:

    PSYC 2315 (Biological Psychology), or

    PSYC 2341 (Abnormal Psychology), or

    PSYC 2360 (Cognitive Psychology)

     

    Additional Admission Requirements for the Honours Degree:

    1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.33 (or approval by the program coordinator in special circumstances);
    2. A completed application form from the Psychology Department, including agreement from a Psychology faculty member to supervise the honours thesis.

    Psychosocial Rehabilitation Concentration

    PSR entrance interview for BA Applied Psychology or Applied Psychology Honours students

    The departmental admission process uses a structured interview by a coordinator to provide information about the roles and responsibilities of students and faculty, and to evaluate whether students have met the following criteria that are needed for successful completion of the PSR courses, including:

    •     4th year status by start of PSR coursework

    •     Service learning course (PSYC 3390) completed or in progress

    •     Work/volunteer experience relevant to a helping role in the mental health sector

     

    Students will

    •   submit a Letter of Intent outlining the reasons for choosing this program, long- and short-term goals, and strengths and limitations.

    •   submit an up-to-date resume including any volunteering or paid work relevant to a helping role in the mental health sector.

    Cost

    You can get an average cost for your program - tuition and student fees, books, uniforms, lab fees etc - on the Program Cost page. 

    Only programs approved for student loan funding are listed on the Program Cost page. For all other programs, refer to the Tuition Fee page.

    Program Requirements

    Curriculum Framework

    Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023:

    • Successful completion of a minimum of 45 credits of upper-level psychology courses
    • Maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.0
    • Succesful completion of PSYC 4400 and PSYC 4401 (Honours Thesis) with an average GPA of at least 3.33
    • In addition to the 60 credits of first and second year coursework comprising the program admissions requirements, students must complete an additional 60 credits (120 total) of University Transfer coursework.
    • A University Transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the research universities - SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide.
    • A minimum of forty five (45) credits must be at the 3000-4000 level in Psychology.
    • At least 40% (48 credits) of all course work, and 30 credits of Upper Level Psychology course work must be completed at Douglas College. 
    • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: ten (10) years

    Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023:

    • Successful completion of a minimum of 45 credits of upper-level psychology courses
    • Maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.0
    • A minimum program GPA of 3.33 is required.
    • Succesful completion of PSYC 4400 and PSYC 4401 (Honours Thesis) with an average GPA of at least 3.33
    • In addition to the 60 credits of first and second year coursework comprising the program admissions requirements, students must complete an additional 60 credits (120 total) of University Transfer coursework.
    • A University Transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the research universities - SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide.
    • A minimum of forty five (45) credits must be at the 3000-4000 level in Psychology.
    • At least 40% (48 credits) of all course work, and 30 credits of Upper Level Psychology course work must be completed at Douglas College. 
    • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: ten (10) years

    Required (Mandatory) Courses:

    PSYC 3300 Applied Intermediate Research Methods & Data Analysis with a B grade or better

    3 credits
    PSYC 3301 Applied Data Analysis in Psychology

    3 credits

    PSYC 3309

    or

    PSYC 3308

    Critical Issues in Psychology

    History and Philosophy of Modern Psychology

    		 3 credits
    PSYC 3330 An Introduction to Social Psychology 3 credits
    PSYC 3390 Applications of Psychological Knowledge (Service Learning and Research) 3 credits
    PSYC 4390 Honours Seminar 3 credits
    PSYC 4400 Honours Thesis I 3 credits
    PSYC 4410 Honours Thesis II 3 credits

    One of:

    PSYC 3320 Child Behaviour and Development 3 credits
    PSYC 3321 Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood 3 credits
    PSYC 3322 Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging 3 credits

    NOTE: PSYC 3300 must be taken before enrolling in PSYC 4410 - Honours Thesis II

    NOTE: PSYC 3301 should be taken in the same semester as PSYC 4410.

    Elective Courses:

    One (1) upper level psychology courses  3 credits
    Five (5) upper level or lower level University Transfer courses from any discipline * 12-15 credits

    Applied Area of Concentration:

    Students will complete courses within at least one applied area of concentration (see BA Applied Psychology program page) 15 -18 credits

    *Students completing the 18 credit DABA concentration will complete three credits less of upper or lower level University Transfer electives

    The BA in Applied Psychology – Honours is best suited for students who are interested in applying for graduate school, or who would like more intensive research experience.

     

     

     

     

    Program Guidelines

    Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

    (Current)

    FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Once you are in your final (fourth) academic year (application deadline is April 30), you will then be able to apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology – Honours program.

    To apply to the honours program you will need to:

     

    1. apply to the BA Applied Psychology - Honours program  (even if you are currently a Douglas College student). Go to the Apply page, choose the group that applies to you and follow the instructions.
    2. complete the Departmental Honours Application. Copies are also available in room 3400 at the New Westminster Campus.

    Yes, one is an application to the program through Enrolment Services and the other is a Departmental application submitted to the BA Applied Psychology coordinator.

    Yes. You should apply to the regular BA Applied Psychology program in your third year (after you have completed your Associate of Arts requirements), and then apply for the Honours degree before your final year.

    While there are core Psychology courses you must take, your program of studies requires that you take core courses and electives outside of Psychology such as English, Criminology, Sociology and Philosophy.

    Yes, the Honours degree has the same basic structure as the Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Psychology, so all students will be required to complete a 15 credit concentration. For more information on concentrations see the BA Applied Psychology.

    Each year the BA Applied Psychology coordinator will have a list of faculty members (and their areas of research) who are interested in supervising Honours students. You can contact one of the faculty members on that list, or simply approach one of your favorite Psychology instructors to see if they are interested in supervising you.

    No, graduate programs in Psychology and Counselling Psychology are quite competitive and an Honours degree does not guarantee you will be accepted into a graduate program. Most graduate schools evaluate potential students on a combination of GPA, letters of reference, student-faculty fit, coursework completed, and practical experience (volunteer, research or other related experience). You should check with each specific graduate program you are interested in to clarify their requirements. 

    If you are in the Honours program and you do not meet the graduation requirements you will be able to graduate with a BA in Applied Psychology (as long as you meet the requirements for that degree).

    BA in Applied Psychology/Honours Program Coordinator
    Dr. Nicole Vittoz
    vittozn@douglascollege.ca

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    More Information

    Tuition deposit

    When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.

    Career Pathways

    Career opportunities include:

    • Academic Advisor 
    • Career Counsellor 
    • Community Relations Officer 
    • Conflict Mediator 
    • Hospice Coordinator 
    • Human Resources Generalist 
    • Immigration Officer 
    • Market Research Analyst 
    • Psychometrist 
    • Volunteer Coordinator