Psychology (BSc)

Want to understand human behaviour? Dive into the workings of the human brain and human behaviour by studying the biological aspects of psychology. Study significant sub-fields of psychology and take complementary science courses in the natural and life sciences. In your upper years, you can participate in hands-on research with innovative faculty.

Apply your knowledge in the pharmaceutical industry, biomedical sciences or many other careers. Expand your knowledge further and combine this program with
 Biology, Computer Science or Neuroscience.

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:

  • Hands-On Lab Experience: Gain practical skills through extensive lab work and support faculty-led research projects, enhancing your learning and resume.
  • Learn from Top Experts: Study under award-winning faculty, engage in one-on-one mentorship, and contribute to groundbreaking research.
  • Explore Your Interests: Choose a psychology stream or specialization by your second year, and work closely with faculty to analyze behavior and share discoveries.
  • Pathways to Med School: 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 and St. George’s University.

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!): 

  • Co-op: Apply for co-op at the end of your first year and gain valuable work experience through multiple work terms throughout your degree.  Apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, build professional connections, and enhance your resume.
  • Community Service-Learning: Support your community and put your learning into action through required Community Service-Learning (CSL) placements.
  • Residence Learning Community: Participate in the Faculty of Science Residence Learning Community to enhance your academic and social success.
  • Study Abroad: Broaden your horizons and enrich your academic experience by studying abroad for an academic term.

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Core Courses

  • Introduction to Psychology I and II
  • Foundations for Community Engagement and Service
  • Biological Diversity and Evolution
  • Unifying Life Processes
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I and II
  • Information Processing with Microcomputer Systems
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Introductory Calculus for the Natural Sciences
  • The Anatomy of Earth
  • The Surface of Earth
  • Introduction to Physical Geography

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Film and the Image
  • Human Rights and Human Diversity
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System 

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Drugs and Behaviour
  • Research In Perception
  • Introduction to Neuropsychology
  • Research In Cognitive Neuroscience

Specializations

You can specialize in your degree by selecting elective courses in an optional concentration, for example:

  • Water Science and Environmental Health
  • Physical Forensics
  • Politics and Public Policy

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:

  • Environmental Science Option
  • Leadership Option
  • Law Option
  • Climate Change Management Option
  • Environmental Studies Minor
  • Economics Minor
  • Education Minor

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Management Option

The Management Option is for students interested in adding management-specific education to their degree. This is a direct-entry, 4.0-credit option that includes courses covering all the core pillars of business and economics. Apply directly to Psychology BSc with Management Option on OUAC.

Combinations

Expand your field of expertise by pairing your Psychology major with another major (or another whole degree):

  • Honours BSc in Biology & Psychology
  • Honours BSc in Computer Science and Psychology (optionally with Computation and Cognitive Neuroscience stream)

Pathways

The following opportunities allow you to pursue additional, related qualifications from another postsecondary institution (either before or after your time at Laurier): 

Check out other pathways to and from Laurier. 

Admissions

  • Format: full time or part time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)
  • OUAC codes: UPS; UMX (Psychology with Management 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
  • addictions counsellor
  • clinical psychologist
  • community agency director
  • lawyer/paralegal
  • psychometrist
  • speech-language pathologist

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.

Your Co-op Experience

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

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98%employment rate for co‑op students – 2023 / 2024

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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

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo 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?