Department of Psychology

Undergraduate Program (BA)

Curriculum Overview

Through a unique set of courses, students delve into experimental and clinical research methodologies and explore the program’s core areas — cognition and neuroscience, developmental and social psychology, clinical and health psychology and advanced research specialization. The Psychology curriculum builds on one year of predominantly social science foundations followed by three years of specialized study in Psychology.

Year One:
In the first year - which is shared with the Criminal Justice, English, Politics and Governance, and Sociology programs - you will learn the fundamentals of psychology in Introduction to Psychology I and II, along with courses from the other areas in the shared platform. You can also choose courses from a variety of other fields, such as French, history, philosophy, business and the natural sciences (such as biology, chemistry and physics).

Years Two, Three and Four:
In the upper years, you will develop a sharper focus on psychological theories and research methods. You will complete a broad range of courses that encompass topics such as aging and memory, childhood and adult psychological disorders, drugs and addictions, the history of psychology, cultural diversity, gender, sexuality, psychology and law, neuroscience, and more.

You will also continue to explore other subject areas, and you may choose professionally related electives that lead to a broad range of minors, such as Human Resources Management, Information Systems, Politics, Marketing, Family Supports and Community Practice, Sociology and others. Through a range of courses in all four years, you will develop essential skills, including how to think critically, communicate effectively, interpret and conduct research, negotiate and work in teams, and understand written, graphic and computer communications.

Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in Psychology will have the option of taking advanced courses from the Advanced Methods and Independent Study Group and will conduct supervised research with a faculty member.

Transferability Guidelines

Students who have been admitted into the Bachelor of Arts without declaring a program choice (Undeclared Arts) must seek admission to one of Criminal Justice, English, Politics and Governance, Psychology, or Sociology by second semester. Please see link: Transferability Guidelines for Undeclared Arts.

Students who wish to choose one of these programs or transfer from one of these programs to another may apply for the Fall term by February 1 in the previous year to receive equal consideration.  All applications/program changes will be considered subject to space availability and on a competitive basis.

• Students Admitted Fall 2011 may apply to transfer into Criminal Justice, English, Politics and Governance, or Sociology
• Students Admitted Fall 2010 and Prior may apply to transfer into Criminal Justice, Politics and Governance, or Sociology.

Students who transfer to Psychology must have successfully completed PSY 102 and PSY 202 in order to register in second year program courses.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Learn more about to maintain Academic Integrity whether you are concerned with avoiding the pitfalls which might lead to unintentional academic misconduct, want to understand what academic misconduct is, or are just looking for a comprehensive guide to learning at Ryerson.

CURRICULUM OUTLINE

For further details, view the complete Psychology Curriculum Outline.

LIBERAL STUDIES

Students admitted Fall 2011must take two lower level liberal studies courses and four upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.

Students admitted Fall 2010 and Prior must take three lower liberal studies courses and thre upper level liberal studies courses to graduate.

For more information on Liberal Studies, please see link: Liberal Studies.

MINORS

Students are able to combine professionally related electives to earn a Minor in several disciplines that will uniquely complement a degree in Psychology and broaden their career preparations. Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with exceptions), and are eligible for only one Minor. For a complete list and description of available Minors and information on individual Minor requirements and restrictions, please see the Minors Policy section of the current Undergraduate Full-Time Calendar. [2010-2011 Calendar Minors Policy]

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

Please visit Ryerson's page on Admission Procedures and Policies or visit Ryerson's Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment website for more information. 

TRANSFER CREDITS

Ryerson undergraduate students who have confirmed their Offer of Admission are eligible to submit Transfer Credit Applications for courses completed at accredited Ontario colleges and universities. Visit the Transfer Credit website for more information, instructions, and forms.