Psychology
Dalhousie University's Psychology and Neuroscience Department is the most distinguished in the Atlantic provinces, offering Majors in both Neuroscience and Psychology with courses taught by award-winning faculty. Complete your undergraduate degree as a major, or consider completing an honours degree and/or earning one or more certificates if certain courses are taken as part of the program.
Your major map: Psychology
The Psychology Major Map highlights academic and co-curricular opportunities and provides an overview of how students can optimize their degree. Students are encouraged to connect with advising supports at Dalhousie and use the Academic Calendar and Timetable to create their course plan.
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Complete required introductory courses in Psychology: PSYO 1011/1012 (or PSYO 1031/1032, their online equivalents), and courses in other elective subjects. See the first-year course planner worksheet for more information
- At the end of your first year, you can declare your major and register for second-year courses
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- You will start taking more core courses* in PSYO, gaining knowledge and lab experience: PSYO 2000, PSYO 2501, PSYO 2470 + 9 credit hours selected from nine options
- Consider combining your degree with another subject with a double major, minor, or certificate
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- Aim to take 4-6 PSYO courses* grouped around topics that interest you. Make sure you're on track with course requirements using DARS
- Apply for an honours degree ahead of your fourth year if you are considering graduate studies
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
- In your final year, you should be taking 4-6 PSYO* courses
- Complete any remaining requirements for a certificate or minor and check your degree audit to ensure you are on track to graduate
- Apply to graduate by Dec 1 for spring convocation and July 2 for fall convocation
*Note that not all courses are offered each semester or year and that course requirements may vary according to your degree type (major, double major, minor, honours). Be sure to keep track of these by consulting the academic calendar.
*After declaring your major, we strongly encourage you to connect with program advisors for course planning and any other questions related to your program
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Build connections by enrolling in a first-year interest group (FIGS) like Psychology and Human Behaviour, or Neuroscience and the Brain
- Sign up to be mentored by an upper-year student
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Explore the myCareer portal to browse through work and volunteer opportunities on and off campus
- Participate in ongoing psychology research experiments: sign up with SONA
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- There are 70 Faculty-coordinated summer research awards available each year that you can apply for on a competitive basis
- Other opportunities include science communication internships, science innovation and entrepreneurship through SURGE, and student society leadership roles
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
|
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST YEAR
- Attend the Dal Science Welcome Party
- Attend the Faculty of Science Program Fair for help planning your next steps
- Consider joining DAPS – Dalhousie Association of Psychology Students! Meet other like-minded students and participate in fun events
30-60 CREDIT HOURS /SECOND YEAR
- Volunteer in a world-class research centre lab with one of the Department's many award-winning researchers. See current opportunities for getting involved
- Attend the Psychology Colloquium Series to listen to talks by industry experts
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR+
- Consider running for a position with the Dal Science Society's Executive or with your student society
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
|
< 30 CREDIT HOURS/FIRST-YEAR
|
30-60 CREDIT HOURS/SECOND YEAR
- Explore career paths and industries that spark your interest by attending an alumni panel discussion
60-90 CREDIT HOURS/THIRD YEAR
- See which scholarships and prizes might be available to your through the department, on a competitive basis
90-120 CREDIT HOURS/FINAL YEAR
- Time to celebrate your achievements and graduate!
- Connect with the Bissett Student Success Success Centre career supports to get prepared for interviews, and more as your prepare to head out on the job hunt or to apply for graduate school
For any questions about your major, enrolling in a minor or certificate, summer research, or honours, speak with a program advisor!
Where your degree can take you
A BSc or BA degree in psychology provides great preparation for a variety of careers. The skills and knowledge acquired through this program can be applied, but are not limited to, career paths in:
Counselling, labour relations, social and community services, speech pathology, audiology, technical writing, corrections, probation, marketing and public relations, gerontology, health services, and mental health.
A bachelor's degree in psychology is often an important first step towards other professional careers such as education, social work, medicine, law, and management.
Students who wish to pursue psychology as a career will need to complete a PhD, or a Master's degree (MA or MSc) at minimum, in order to become a practicing psychologist.
Core competencies gained
Discipline-level skills:
- An understanding of the various sub-disciplines in psychology, major theories, and the history
- Experience with psychological research methods such as data collection and analysis
- An understanding of the physiological, emotional, cognitive, and social determinants of behavior
- Knowledge of research ethics
Transferable skills:
- Academic writing and presentation skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Leadership and teamwork
- Basic statistical analyses
- Research skills
Possible careers and employment
Psychology Alumni can be employed within a variety of industries and have multiple career path options. These are influenced by the student's elective courses, experiential learning choices, and certificates. Some of the options below will typically require graduate-level training*, while some can be pursued following the completion of baccalaureate program only.
- Counsellor*
- Psychologist*
- Occupational therapist*
- Child and youth worker
- Community worker
- Case manager
- Clinical coordinator
- Researcher*
- Teacher/professor*
- Social worker*
- Advertising
- Addictions counsellor*
- Correctional officer
- Career counsellor*
- Customs agent
- Program coordinator
- Psychiatric aide
- Recreation specialist
- Mental health worker
- Professional consultant
