Psychology Program

It is important for one to find one’s calling by learning to think critically about what one is doing and why one is doing it. Learning about research methods helps one think critically about oneself because doing so teaches students about how to gain a deep understanding of topics like human thinking, emotion, biology, development, social experience, and so forth. Psychological theory exposes students to ways of seeing themselves and others in a new light because one learns to see oneself and others through the eyes of a scientist. This sort of awareness enables students to be agents of change by seeing their own biases.

The Canadian Psychological Association and American Psychological Association set the standards for undergraduate education in Psychology. This program meets and exceeds these standards. You will also have the potential to gain valuable experience working one-on-one with faculty, which is an experience that will make you exceptionally competitive if you seek further studies. The standards upheld by this program prepares you for graduate programs that make you eligible for registration with bodies like the College of Alberta Psychologists.

Profile of the Graduating Student

Understanding: Graduates should be able to articulate their understanding of foundational concepts, theories, methods, ethics, and data in Psychology, especially regarding (a) sociocultural and diversity issues; (b) human development; (c) cognition, learning and information processing; and (d) biological bases of behaviour.

Research: Graduates should be able to demonstrate their comprehension of research ethics as well as quantitative and qualitative methodology in Psychology that includes designing, gathering, interpreting, and communicating primary and secondary social scientific research.

Analysis: Graduates should be able to engage in scientific inquiry broadly conceived, critical thinking, and problem solving by integrating and applying foundational knowledge in Psychology when analyzing and evaluating diverse and complex scientific literature, ‘real-world’ problems, and their own experience, showcasing original ideas in the process.

Communication: Graduates should be able to communicate their knowledge and express themselves in written and verbal forms, doing so clearly, concisely, and compellingly.

Character: Graduates should be able to demonstrate ethical, socially responsible, and Christian attitudes and behaviours in a pluralistic global context, maintaining the dignity and respect for all people via practices attentive to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This includes proven proficiency in areas of self-discovery, intellectual and cultural humility, and awareness of the limits of one’s knowledge.

Professional Competence: Graduates should be able to demonstrate critical self-reflexivity of their vocation alongside professional development knowledge and abilities for working in a variety of human service fields or continue to graduate work or after-degree programs. These competencies include the total sum of knowledge and skills detailed in outcomes #1-5, plus knowledge and application of ethical and professional standards, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and teamwork. 

Career and educational paths

The Psychology program is aimed at preparing students for graduate school. It is ideal for those wanting to go into graduate school in clinical psychology or do further work in basic research. It prepares students to work in the helping profession or in an academic research profession. The program also equips you with expertise in collecting and assessing information, which is necessary in our current informational economy.