Psychology Option

General Information and Curriculum
The Psychology discipline offers Majors, Honours, Specializations, Certificates, and two Minors.

Course requirements common to the Majors and Honours BSc degree are as follows:

First and Second Year 

Requirements:  

Electives:

  •   6 ch in Psychology courses.
  •   12 ch from List A.
  •   15 ch as electives.

Third and Fourth Year

Requirements:

Electives:
  •     27 ch in Psychology courses, which are expected to be third- or fourth year-courses
  •     12 ch from List A (6 ch must be from either the third or fourth year)
  •     15 ch as electives from either the third or fourth year

List A:
Biology 
Chemistry 
Computer Science 
Data Analysis 
Geology
Mathematics 
Physics 
Statistics

BSc Major Program
A student must successfully complete the equivalent of a minimum of 129 ch, including the 18 Psychology courses identified in the recommended sequence above. NOTE: All Psychology courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C.

Normally all Psychology courses counted toward the BSc. Major in Psychology degree must have been completed within the 10 years prior to graduation.

BSc Honours Program

The Honours program in Psychology provides a broad knowledge of this field and its research methods. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in psychology are advised to consider this program. 

Students may apply to the Honours program in December of their third year and can enrol in the Honours program when they have completed 90 ch (30 term-courses). To be eligible to apply they must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, as well as a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 in all psychology courses at the 2000, 3000, and 4000 level. Students must also take one of the following courses: PSYC 4021, PSYC 4111, PSYC 4121, PSYC 4122, or PSYC 4201. Please note that these minimum requirements do not guarantee acceptance into the Honours program; admittance is competitive, and students must have a faculty member willing to supervise them. As well, space may be limited. 

 

An Honours student must successfully complete an Honours thesis ((a minimum grade of B+ is required in the Honours thesis courses: PSYC 4142, PSYC 4143 and PSYC 4145). This typically requires that a student conceive, plan, perform and report an experiment under the supervision of a Faculty advisor. Normally, the thesis research is completed during the student's final year of study.

All Psychology courses (i.e., non-thesis psychology courses) taken for the Honours degree must be passed with at least a grade of C (2.0). Furthermore, to graduate with an Honours degree in Psychology an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+) is necessary, as well as a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 in all required Psychology courses. For a First-Class Honours designation, a grade point average of 3.6 is required in such Psychology courses. 

Specializations in Psychology

In addition to the BSc in Psychology, students can specialize in three areas of psychology. In addition to the required courses listed above, each specialization includes four courses that are selected as required electives. Courses will not be counted towards more than one specialization (this also includes the Criminal Justice minor), i.e. No double counting of courses is permitted. 

1. BSc Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience 

Required: 


2. BSc Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology 

Required: 

  • PSYC 3201 Child Development (3ch)

    Three additional courses chosen from: 
  • PSYC 3293 The Psychology of Aging (3ch) 
  • PSYC 3725 The Dementias (3ch)
  • PSYC 4266 Field Placement in Aging I (3ch)
  • PSYC 4267 Field Placement in Aging II (3ch)
  • PSYC 4293 Adolescence (3ch)
  • PSYC 4463 Attachment and Human Relationships (3ch)
  • PSYC 4493 Developmental Psychopathology (3ch)

3. BSc Psychology with a Specialization in Psychology and the Law 

Required:

  1. At least one of PSYC 3263, The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour (3ch), or PSYC 3265, Psychology in the Justice System (3ch)
  2. Three additional courses chosen from: 
  • PSYC 3263 The Psychology of Criminal Behavior (3ch)
  • PSYC 3265 Psychology in the Justice System (3ch)
  • PSYC 3322 Psychology in Health and Community (3ch)
  • PSYC 3493 Changing Behaviour (3ch)
  • PSYC 3553 Psychological Disorders (3ch)
  • PSYC 3752 Drugs and Behaviour (3ch)
  • PSYC 4263 Field Placement in Criminal Justice I(3ch)
  • PSYC 4264 Field Placement in Criminal Justice II (3ch)
  • PSYC 4265 Field Placement in Clinical Psychology (3ch)
  • PSYC 4813 Substance Use Disorders (3ch)

Minors

1. Minor in Psychology 

The Minor in Psychology is an eight-term course program aimed at students wishing to acquire a basic foundation in psychology outside of their major area of study. 

Admission to the Minor in Psychology is not open to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in a Major or Honours in Psychology or Bio-Psychology or a Certificate in Mental Health Studies. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses. 

NOTE: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for all Psychology courses. 

Required Courses

  • PSYC 1003 Introductory Psychology I (3ch)
  • PSYC 1004 Introductory Psychology II (3ch)
  • PSYC 2102 Research Methods in Psychology (3ch)(Prerequisites: PSYC 2901)  
  • PSYC 2901 Statistics for Psychologists (3ch)
  • Any four (4) 3000/4000 level Psychology courses 

2. Minor in Gerontology
A Multi-disciplinary Study of Aging 

Gerontology is the study of aging – the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur to individuals over the adult years. Gerontology also examines how outside influences impact the elderly in terms of health care, pensions, housing facilities, ethics, and end- of-life legislation. This minor will help students understand the needs of an aging community by examining changes from a multidisciplinary perspective. Opportunities will also exist for experiential learning in field placements in which students will work with seniors in our community. 

All eight term-courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. Courses cannot be counted towards both a minor and a major. Note: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for all PSYC courses at 
the 2000, 3000 and 4000 level; additional prerequisites may apply. 

Five Mandatory Term-Courses: 

Three Term Courses from the following list*: 
  • BIOL 1412 Anatomy and Physiology II (3ch)
  • PHIL 3134 Health Care Ethics II (3ch)
  • PSYC 2693 Foundations in Perception and Cognition (3ch)
  • PSYC 3723 Introduction to Human Neuropsychology (3ch)
  • PSYC 4266 Field Placement in Aging I
  • PSYC 4267 Field Placement in Aging II 
  • SOCI 2376 Sociology of Health, Illness and Healing (3ch)
    * Or other approved courses 

Certificates in Mental Health and Wellness

1. Mental Health and Wellness: Fundamentals

This certificate will introduce students to basic concepts and theories related to overall health and wellness. In this certificate, students will complete a series of third year courses that focus on psychological disorders and their treatment, the impact of individual characteristics, and the association between physical and psychological wellness. 

All courses offered within the program will be available in-person and online, though some of these courses may rotate between in-person and online delivery in a given academic year.  

Note that PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for the courses below. 

Required Courses:

Admission Requirements
     1. To be eligible to apply for the Certificate in Mental Health and Wellness: Fundamentals, candidates must have obtained their high school diploma (or its equivalency) or pursued a basic level (i.e., normally 30 ch) of approved post-secondary training in a mental health, social service, or health-related field from either an accredited community college or university. Interested applicants should note that the certificate requires students to be prepared for university-level study given that all courses for the certificate are undergraduate degree-credit courses.
     2.  Each student entering the certificate program on a full-time basis must have the prior approval of the Faculty of Science, Applied Science, and Engineering.

Program Requirements
     1.  Students who are currently enrolled in psychology degree programs at the University of New Brunswick (UNB)or at another university can apply to complete the program but will be advised as to how to meet the requirements of both programs. Students who have withdrawn from an undergraduate degree program in psychology may apply for the certificate and transfer credits (as applicable). 
     2.  To earn the certificate a student must successfully complete the number of credit hours in approved courses specified for the certificate, achieve a grade of at least C in all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 across all courses used towards the certificate.
     3.  A maximum of 50% of total program requirements may be transferred from another degree, certificate, or similar program whether taken at UNB or elsewhere. However, 50% of the certificate courses must be taken at UNB. Courses taken more than five years ago will be reviewed for approval by the Department. Relevant courses transferred from elsewhere will be assessed for purposes of averaging by the Faculty of Science, Applied Science, and Engineering at the time the candidate applies for the certificate.

2. Mental Health and Wellness: Community, Self, and Resilience

The certificate will provide additional education to professionals working in mental health-related fields (e.g., nursing, outreach/support workers, youth workers, correctional officers, social workers, counselors) who are interested in advancing their knowledge about mental health topics that relate to their work. This certificate will complement the education of professionals who have non-university and other university-level degree programs that did not offer as in-depth a psychological focus on mental health topics. 

All courses offered within the program will be available in person and online, though some of these courses may rotate between in-person and online delivery in a given academic year. 

Note that PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for the courses below. 

Required Courses:
PSYC 3322 Psychological Health in the Community (3ch)

Four of:

PSYC 3362 Counselling Psychology (3ch)
PSYC 3416 Psychology of Happiness (3ch)
PSYC 3453 Diversity and Culture in Psychology (3ch)
PSYC 3493 Changing Behaviour (3ch)
PSYC 3803 Psychology of Work (3ch)

Admission Requirements: Although prospective students do not have to have a post-secondary degree/diploma to be admitted, this certificate is designed for individuals who have some prior professional experience.

Program Requirements

  1. Students who are currently enrolled in psychology degree programs at the University of New Brunswick or at another university can apply to complete the program, but will be advised as to how to meet the requirements of both programs; students will not be able to double-count credits. Students who have withdrawn from an undergraduate degree program in psychology may apply for the certificate and transfer credits (as applicable). 
  2.  To earn the certificate a student must successfully complete the number of credit hours in approved courses specified for the certificate, achieve a minimum grade of C in all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 across all courses used towards the certificate. 
  3. A maximum of 50% of total program requirements may be transferred from another degree, certificate, or similar program whether taken at UNB or elsewhere. However, 50% of the certificate courses must be taken at the University of New Brunswick. Courses taken more than five years ago, will be reviewed for approval by the Department. Relevant courses transferred from elsewhere will be assessed for purposes of averaging by the Faculty of Science, Applied Science, and Engineering at the time the candidate applies for the certificate.