Psychology (BA)

Study psychology to discover how personality, genetics, environmental factors, cultural differences and societal contexts influence the ways people think, feel and behave. Work one-on-one with faculty researchers or engage directly with the community to gain practical experience in fields related to psychology and end your degree equipped with versatile skills for countless career paths.

Add a Forensic Psychology specialization and explore how psychology can help us better understand crime, criminals, victims and the law. This specialization is available to all Psychology students on our Brantford campus, including courses in forensic psychology and criminology.

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Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:  

  • Intimate Class Sizes and Hands-On Experiences: Laurier Brantford's, small class sizes and a tight-knit community offer a personalized education. Gain real-world experience through diverse field placements.
  • Engage in Cutting-Edge Research: Get involved with exciting research projects alongside faculty like Associate Professor Danielle Law, who leads the Child and Adolescent Research and Education (CARE) Lab. Dive into impactful studies, explore theory in-depth and attend conferences.
  • Pursue Your Passion with Directed Studies: Explore interests through Directed Studies or thesis projects with award-winning faculty. Investigate issues like stress management, grief, and resilience.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Community Service-Learning: Support your community and put your learning into action through required Community Service-Learning courses.
  • Hands-on Research: Engage in research studies and understand the research process through the Psychology Research Experience Program (PREP) and gain valuable experience by volunteering in a faculty member's research lab
  • Publish Your Work: Enhance your academic resume by submitting your research to Bridges: An Undergraduate Journal for Contemporary Connections for a chance to be published.
  • Study Abroad: Broaden your horizons and enrich your academic experience by studying abroad for an academic term. 

 

Courses, Options and Pathways

Sample First-Year Courses

  • Introduction to Psychology I
  • Introduction to Psychology II
  • Foundations for Community Engagement and Service

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Fundamentals of Human Rights
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • Leadership and Personal Development

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Psychology of Exceptional Children, Youth and Adults
  • Introduction to Clinical Psychology
  • Positive Psychology

Specializations

The Forensic Psychology Specialization allows you to take the same courses as a traditional BA in Psychology with additional specialized courses in forensic psychology and criminology, including:

  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • Psychology of Crime
  • Offender Rehabilitation
  • Addiction and Crime
Interested in learning more about the biological science of DNA analysis, trace evidence, and toxicology? Consider adding a minor in Physical Forensics to your Forensic Psychology Specialization.

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Game Design and Development Specialization Minor/Option
  • Leadership Minor/Option 
  • Computer Sciences Minor 
  • Public Safety Minor/Option
  • Politics and Public Policy Option 

Check out other options to enhance your degree

Teaching Option

Prepare for future studies and a rewarding teaching career. Teaching Option direct entry pathway is a path to the Bachelor of Education program (BEd). Students applying on OUAC for an honours degree with the Teaching Option will be considered for admission directly into the BEd program. 

Medical School Pathway

We prepare you for a clinical career in Canada. Laurier students apply to med school with a competitive edge and gain preferential status with internationally accredited medical schools, including the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and St. George’s University.

Check out other pathways to and from Laurier. 

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term), January (winter term) or May (spring term)
  • OUAC codes: UVD (Psychology); UVE (Psychology with Teaching Option)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • academic advisor
  • child/youth worker
  • clinical psychologist
  • disability services worker
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • program coordinator/manager
  • social policy researcher

A degree in Psychology already gives you lots of career options. The Forensic Psychology Specialization will expand your options to include forensic- and law-related jobs, such as:

  • child protection worker
  • corrections officer
  • mental health worker
  • forensic psychologist (with additional graduate training)

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. Close to great walking and biking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?