The Mount Royal BA in Psychology is designed to provide students with a broad base of knowledge in the key areas of the discipline by requiring courses in six core areas. It will also provide an understanding of research processes, the scientific method, and statistical analysis through specific courses in these areas as well as in senior courses that cover this material as it relates to specific topics. Students will also have the opportunity to choose from courses that will enable them to focus on a particular area within the Psychology discipline. The knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired in the BA program can lead students to a variety of career opportunities or to further study in Psychology and related fields.
Specific targeted outcomes for the graduates of the program include the following:
Knowledge of Psychology
Students will acquire foundational knowledge in the core areas of Psychology and in those areas in which they choose to focus. This outcome will be achieved through courses at the introductory and senior levels that cover the basic concepts, perspectives, and research findings from the main topic areas in Psychology. The core required areas include developmental Psychology, cognitive Psychology, Social Psychology, theories of personality, abnormal behaviour, and biological Psychology.
Students will develop an understanding of major theoretical perspectives, both historical and current, and will apply their understanding of these perspectives in a variety of content areas.
Students will acquire the ability to locate, read and understand primary and secondary sources in Psychology, and will be able to communicate with others, both orally and in writing, in the language of the discipline.
Research Methods in Psychology
Students will understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. This goal will be achieved through two required courses in statistics and one in research methods, through optional senior statistics and research methods courses, through participation in research projects, and through assignments in senior content courses. Students will also demonstrate the ability to design appropriate research strategies and will demonstrate proficiency in data analysis in assessing research results. Students in the Honours program will be expected to achieve a higher level of understanding through participation in senior statistics and research methods courses.
Thinking Skills in Psychology
Students will apply critical and creative thinking as well as problem-solving skills to research questions and issues related to behavioural and mental processes. They will develop the ability to recognize and critically examine the assumptions informing Psychology and to assess the credibility and validity of the information. Students will have opportunities to apply psychological principles to personal, social, and other real-life issues.
Ethics, Values, and Diversity in Psychology
Students will learn to tolerate ambiguity in psychological explanations, to understand the necessity for ethical guidelines in Psychology and act accordingly, and to develop appropriate objectivity and open-mindedness. They will appreciate and respect multicultural and interpersonal diversity.
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
Counsellor (addictions, career or education), Health or human services worker, Psychologist or psychotherapist
Research analyst, Marketing or public relations officer, Hospice coordinator, Government researcher, Technical writer
