Program options

As a Psychology student, you have many options! You may select either the Major, Honours or Specialization. You can opt for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or the Bachelor of Science (BSc), which requires electives in the science.

What's more, Psychology BSc students may complete a Specialization or Honours in Neuroscience. 

What is the difference between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc)?

Most students will have to complete 90-120 credits to earn a Bachelor's degree at Concordia. Most courses are worth three or six credits. Therefore, to complete a Bachelor's degree one would have to complete the equivalent of 30, three credit courses. If you are a student majoring in Psychology, many of your courses will be in Psychology and others (electives) will be taken in other departments (for example, Math, English, Sociology etc.). The number of Psychology credits that you have to take depends on whether you are in the Major, Specialization or Honours stream.

In terms of your Psychology courses, there is no difference between the BA degree and the BSc. The difference comes in the electives. Science students will select a number of their electives from the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) while Arts student will select primarily from the arts and humanities.

A science background is required for students contemplating careers in neuroscience and it may be an asset in applying for medical school.

Major, Specialization, or Honours

What is the difference between Major, Specialization, and Honours?

If you are a student majoring in Psychology, many of your courses will be in Psychology and others (electives) will be taken in other departments (for example, Math, English, Sociology etc.). The number of Psychology credits that you have to take depends on whether you are in the Major, Specialization or Honours stream. The Minor is available to students majoring in a subject other than Psychology. Note: Until further notice, the Department is not accepting applications from current Concordia students wishing to enrol in the Minor in Psychology program.

• The Major consists of 42 credits in Psychology and is relevant for someone seeking a good general degree which could have applications in a variety of fields related to teaching, business, personnel, or community involvement.
  
  
• The Specialization consists of 60 credits in Psychology and as a more concentrated program is appropriate for someone with career plans in an area involving Psychology. It can prepare students for employment in such areas as those listed above for the Major but is recognized as a more intensive degree. Depending on the selection of courses the Specialization may also provide a background for graduate work such as a Master’s degree in counselling Psychology, or social work, or even in an MBA program.
  
  
• The Honours degree is the most intensive of all consisting of 66 credits of Psychology and including two Honours seminars and an Honours thesis in the last year. At least partly because of these courses this program gives the best preparation for admission to graduate school. Admission to Honours is by application and normally occurs after a student’s first 30 credits have been completed with a GPA of 3.7.