Psychology

General Information and Curriculum

Successful completion of PSYC 1003 or an equivalent is necessary before taking PSYC 1004. Both PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 must be completed before taking any of the remaining psychology courses.

Normally, all Psychology courses counted toward the Psychology Major, BA Psychology Double Major, BA Honours Degree, Minor or Certificate in Mental Health, must have been completed within the 10 years prior to graduation. 

Major

To qualify for a Major degree a student must accumulate 14 approved term-courses in Psychology. Six term-courses are compulsory as follows: PSYC 1003, PSYC 1004, PSYC 2102, PSYC 2901 (or equivalent), PSYC 3913 (or equivalent), PSYC 4053 , and one of PSYC 4021, PSYC 4111, PSYC 4233, PSYC 4293, PSYC 4313, PSYC 4463, PSYC 4493, PSYC 4583, PSYC4733, PSYC 4813, PSYC 4833. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all Psychology courses taken to meet the Major requirement.

Double Major

A student who wishes to do a double major in Psychology and another discipline must complete 12 term-courses including 6 term-courses in upper level electives and all the compulsory courses for the single Major in Psychology. A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all psychology courses taken to meet the Double Major requirement.

Honours

The Honours program in Psychology provides a broad knowledge of this field and its research methods. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in psychology are advised to consider this program.

Students may apply to the Honours program during their third year and can enrol in the Honours program when they have completed 90 ch (30 term-courses). Applications to the Honours program are due in December for admission in the following year. To be eligible to apply they must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+), as well as, a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 in all psychology courses at the 2000, 3000, and 4000 level. Please note that these minimum requirements do not guarantee acceptance into the Honours program; admittance is competitive and students must have a Faculty member willing to supervise them. As well, space may be limited.

Students must complete 18 approved term-courses in Psychology for the Honours degree. Of the 18 term-courses the following 10 term-courses are compulsory: PSYC 1003; PSYC 1004; PSYC 2102; PSYC 2901 (or equivalent); PSYC 3913 (or equivalent); PSYC 4053; one of PSYC 4021, PSYC 4111, PSYC 4121, PSYC 4122, or PSYC 4201; PSYC 4142, PSYC 4143, and PSYC 4145.

An additional 9 term-courses derived from a selection of 3 term-courses from each of the following 3 groups is necessary. One of PSYC 4021, PSYC 4111, PSYC 4121, PSYC 4122, or PSYC 4201 can also be counted towards one of these 3 groups. 

Group I: Biological/Cognitive Basis of Behaviour I
PSYC 2712, PSYC 2693, PSYC 3343, PSYC 3383, PSYC 3503, PSYC 3513, PSYC 3603, PSYC 3632, PSYC 3712, PSYC 3714, PSYC 3723, PSYC 3743, PSYC 3752, PSYC 4021, PSYC 4201, PSYC 4583, PSYC 4712, PSYC 4733, PSYC 4833.

Group II: Social/Personality
PSYC 3035, PSYC 3201, PSYC 3265, PSYC 3263, PSYC 3293, PSYC 3401, PSYC 3412, PSYC 3416, PSYC 3453, PSYC 3461, PSYC 3695, PSYC 4266, PSYC 4267, PSYC 4293, PSYC 4463. 

Group III: Clinical/Applied
PSYC 3033, PSYC 3313, PSYC 3323, PSYC 3362, PSYC 3393, PSYC 3493, PSYC 3553, PSYC 3724, PSYC 3725, PSYC 3803,  PSYC 4233, PSYC 4263, PSYC 4264, PSYC 4265, PSYC 4313, PSYC 4493, PSYC 4813.

All Psychology courses taken for the Honours degree must be passed with at least a C (2.0). Furthermore, to graduate with an Honours degree in Psychology an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.3 (B+) is necessary, as well as, a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 in all required Psychology courses. For a First Class Honours designation, a grade point average of 3.6 is required in such Psychology courses. For an Honours designation, a grade point average of 3.3 is required in such Psychology courses.

Specializations in Psychology 

In addition to the BA in Psychology, students can specialize in three areas of psychology. In addition to the required courses listed above, each specialization includes four courses that are selected as required electives.  

BA Psychology with a Specialization in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience 

Required:  PSYC 3723 Introduction to Human Neuropsychology (Prerequisite: PSYC 2712 Foundations in Neuroscience) 

Three additional courses chosen from: 

  • PSYC 2693 Foundations in Cognitive Psychology 

BA Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology  

Required:  PSYC 3201 Child Development 

Three additional courses chosen from: 

BA Psychology with a Specialization in Psychology and the Law  

At least one of PSYC 3263 The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour, OR PSYC 3265 Forensic Psychology.

Three additional courses chosen from: 

  • PSYC 3323 Community Psychology and Mental Health 

Certificate in Mental Health Studies
[Note: Admission to Certifificate in Mental Health Studies is suspended]

This Certificate is intended to provide additional education to professionals working in mental health-related fields (e.g., nursing, outreach/support workers, youth workers, correctional officers, social workers, counselors) who are interested in advancing their knowledge about mental health topics that relate to their work (e.g., information about mental health disorders and psychosocial issues impacting on personal functioning, lifespan development, and intervention). This Certificate will complement the education of professionals who have non-university and other university-level degree programs that did not offer as in-depth a psychological focus on mental health topics.

The Certificate will require completion of 12 term-courses (36 credit hours). Students will be required to complete three (3) mandatory undergraduate term-courses (PSYC 1003, PSYC 1004, and PSYC 3553) and select a minimum of 9 elective term-courses: Two (2) from each of the four groups and an additional term-course from any of the four groups as outlined in the list of courses below. All courses for the Certificates are degree-credited courses. The duration of the program will be 1-2 years of full-time study, or up to 4 years of part-time study.

Individuals who successfully complete Certificate courses and who are subsequently admitted to a degree program normally will receive credit towards a degree for those courses acceptable for credit in the particular degree program.

To be eligible to register for the Certificate in Mental Health Studies, students must meet the following requirements:

a. There is no minimum age requirement for admission. To be eligible to apply for the Certificate in Mental Health Studies, candidates must have obtained their high school diploma (or its equivalency) and pursued a basic level (i.e., normally 30 credit hours) of approved post-secondary training in a mental health, social service, or health-related field from either an accredited community college or university. Interested applicants should note that the Certificate requires students to be prepared for university-level study given that all courses for the Certificate are undergraduate degree-credit courses.

b. Each student entering the Certificate program on a full-time basis must have the prior approval of the Faculty of Arts.

c. A Certificate will not be awarded to a student currently enrolled in psychology degree programs at the University of New Brunswick or at another university, but students who have withdrawn from an undergraduate degree program in psychology may apply for the Certificate.

d. To earn the Certificate a student must successfully complete the number of credit hours in approved courses specified for the Certificate, achieve a grade of at least C in all required courses and achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 across all courses used to complete the Certificate.

e. A maximum of 50% of total program requirements may be transferred upon approval from the Faculty of Arts from another degree, Certificate, or similar program whether taken at UNB or elsewhere. However, 50% of the Certificate courses must be taken at the University of New Brunswick. Courses taken more than five years ago will be approved on an individual basis. Relevant courses transferred from elsewhere will be assessed by the Faculty of Arts at the time the candidate applies for the Certificate.

List of all required courses.
PSYC 1003, PSYC 1004, PSYC 3553 (prerequisite PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004).

List of all elective courses.

Group I:
PSYC 3393 Systems of Therapy Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3493 Changing Behaviour Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3362 Guidance and Counselling Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3313, PSYC 4313 Introduction to Psychological Testing Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004, PSYC 2102.
PSYC 4265 Field Placement in Clinical Psychology Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor and PSYC 1003, PSYC 1004, PSYC 3553, PSYC 3493, as well as PSYC 3362, OR PSYC 3393; Minimum CGPA=3.3 (B+)
PHIL 3133 Health Care Ethics I Prerequisite: One term-course in Philosophy or permission of the instructor

Group II:
PSYC 2201 Child Development Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3293 Aging Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004, PSYC 2201 OR ED 3021
PSYC 4293 Adolescence Prerequisites: PSYC 2201 or PSYC 1273 and PSYC 2102
PSYC 4493 Developmental Psychopathology Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004, PSYC 2201, PSYC 3553 OR permission of the instructor

Group III:
PSYC 3033 Health Psychology Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3263 The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3725 The Dementias Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 4813 Substance Abuse and Dependence Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 , PSYC 3752 OR PSYC 4833

Group IV:
PSYC 3711 Biological Psychology Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 3723 Human Neuropsychology Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004, PSYC 3711
PSYC 3752 Drugs and Behaviour Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004
PSYC 4833 Psychopharmacology Prerequisites: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004, PSYC 3711

Minor in Psychology

The Minor in Psychology is an 8 term-course program aimed at students wishing to acquire a basic foundation in Psychology outside of their Major area of study.

Admission to the Minor in Psychology is not open to students who have completed or are currently enrolled in a Major or Honours in Psychology or Bio-Psychology. The minor requires a minimum of 8 term-courses. A minimum of grade of C is required in all courses.

NOTE: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for all Psychology courses.

Mandatory Psychology courses (4 term-courses)

PSYC 1003 Introductory Psychology
PSYC 1004 Introductory Psychology II
PSYC 2901 Introductory Statistics for Psychologists
PSYC 2102 Research Methods in Psychology (Prerequisites: PSYC 2901)

Required Psychology Electives (4 term-courses)

Any four (4) 3000/4000 level Psychology courses

Minor in Gerontology 
A Multi-Disciplinary Study of Aging

Gerontology is the study of aging – the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes that occur to individuals over the adult years. Gerontology also examines how outside influences impact the elderly in terms of health care, pensions, housing facilities, ethics, and end- of-life legislation. This minor will help students understand the needs of an aging community by examining changes from a multidisciplinary perspective. Opportunities will also exist for experiential learning in field placements in which students will work with seniors in our community.
Eligibility
Open to students pursuing a BA or BSc degree who meet their program requirements and the prerequisites for the 8 term-courses required for the minor. All 8 term-courses must be passed with a C or higher. Courses cannot be counted towards both a minor and a major. Note: PSYC 1003 and PSYC 1004 are prerequisites for all PSYC courses at the 2000, 3000 and 4000 level; additional prerequisites are in parentheses.

5 Mandatory Term-Courses:
PSYC 3293 The Psychology of Aging (PSYC 3201)
PSYC 3725 The Dementias
BIOL 1411 Anatomy and Physiology I – without lab (CHEM 122 and BIOL 122 – high school)
PHIL 3133 Health Care Ethics I (one term course in PHIL or permission of the instructor)
HSCI 2001 Introduction to Health

3 Term-Courses from the following list*:
BIOL 1412 Anatomy and Physiology II – without lab (BIOL 1411)
PSYC 2693 Foundations in Perception and Cognition
PSYC 3723 Human Neuropsychology (PSYC 2712)
SOCI 2376 Sociology of Health, Illness and Healing (SOCI 1001 with a C or higher)
PHIL 3134 Health Care Ethics II (PHIL 3133)
PSYC 4266 Field Placement in Aging I (PSYC 3293 and permission of the field placement coordinator; only for students completing the gerontology minor)
PSYC 4267 Field Placement in Aging II (PSYC 3293 and permission of the field placement coordinator; only for students completing the gerontology minor)
* or other approved courses