Psychology is the study of behaviour and the mind. As a science, psychology employs careful investigation to understand behaviour, thinking and experience. The profession of psychology applies this information to promote human welfare. The combination of writing, research and statistical analysis acquired in an undergraduate psychology degree is a sound preparation for many careers.

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• Admission requirements - entry to the university
• Your first year
• Admission requirements - admission to the major
• Sample courses
• Career opportunities

Psychology at Memorial

Our major programs in psychology provide students with a solid background in the science of psychology, and culminate with small classes offering direct, hands-on experience in conducting research in a wide variety of areas such as observation of sea bird behaviour, assessment of people’s attitudes, and experiments on memory and spatial learning.

We offer major, minor and honours programs leading to either a bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (B.Sc.) in psychology. A joint program is offered in biology/psychology (B.Sc. honours).

Co-operative education option

The Department of Psychology offers a co-operative education option available to psychology majors. Co-op students complete three work terms, which consist of full-time paid employment.

Admission to the co-op option is competitive for a limited number of places.

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Admission requirements - entry to the university

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to apply by:

You may apply for admission into the Faculty Science or the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences by indicating bachelor of science or bachelor of arts, respectively, as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission.

Direct entry into the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences from high school is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate courses in mathematics and a laboratory science for bachelor of science. Applicants without a laboratory science subject should apply for bachelor of arts.

Important to know: You cannot choose psychology as your major at the time of application. Admission into the major requires the completion of university level courses. Follow the information listed below under your first year and admission to the major for further details.

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Your first year

You can complete the psychology major as part of a BA or B.Sc. program. Choose the appropriate degree below and have a look at a sample schedule of courses you may need to take before you apply to the psychology major.

This is a sample only. Meet with an academic advisor to create a plan that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

Bachelor of arts students (BA or iBA)

1. Both LS courses must be in the same language. If your first language is not English and you do not meet the standards for entry into regular first-year English courses you may use English 1020 and 1021 to fulfill this requirement. Such students are permitted to complete up to an additional six credit hours in English CRW courses at the 1000 level in order to fulfill the CRW requirement. 
   
   
2. Selection of a mathematics course depends on your background and ability. Students should refer to the Math Criteria Chart prior to selecting a first-semester math course. Mathematics 1000, 1006 (or equivalent) or Statistics 1500, or two of Mathematics 1090, 1050 or 1051 (or equivalent) are required for admission to the major program in psychology. Students who complete Mathematics 1000, 1006 or Statistics 1500 in the Fall semester may complete an elective in the Winter semester.

Bachelor of science students

1. Selection of a mathematics course depends on your background and ability. Students should refer to the Math Criteria Chart prior to selecting a first-semester math course. Mathematics 1000, 1006 (or equivalent) or Statistics 1500, or two of Mathematics 1090, 1050, 1051 (or equivalent) are required for admission to the major program in psychology. Students who complete Mathematics 1000, 1006 or Statistics 1500 in the Fall semester may complete an elective in the Winter semester.
   
   
2. Students should consult the Calendar course descriptions to determine whether Mathematics 1000 (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite for other (non-Psychology) courses they plan to take. In particular, students considering Joint Majors or Joint Honours programs should consider taking both Mathematics 1000 (or equivalent) and Statistics 1500.
   
   
3. If you are registered in Physics 1050, you must also be registered in Mathematics 1000 (not 1090).
   
   
4. You are required to complete six credit hours in CRW courses, including at least three credit hours in English. 

Further assistance

For assistance with course selection, contact the Academic Advising Centre.

For additional program information, visit the Department of Psychology or contact the Academic Program Manager.

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Admission requirements - admission to the major

Current Memorial students

Entry into the psychology major is competitive, selective and based on academic standing. Selection is based on academic performance, normally cumulative average and performance in recent courses. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee admission to the program.

To be eligible for admission to the psychology major, you must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours (eight courses), including the following:

• six credit hours in Critical Reading and Writing (CRW) courses, including at least three credit hours in English
• one of Mathematics 1000, 1006 or Statistics 1500 or two of Mathematics 1090, 1050 or 1051 (or equivalent)
• Psychology 1000 and 1001
• six credit hours of elective courses (three additional credit hours if only Mathematics 1000 is completed) 

A minimum average of 65% in Psychology 1000 and 1001 and an overall average of 60% in psychology, CRW, and mathematics courses is required.

Apply to the major

Students intending to major in a psychology program must submit a departmental online application form by June 1 to the Department of Psychology. Forms are usually submitted at the end of the second semester.

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Sample courses

PSYC 3450 - Human Cognition
PSYC 3650 - Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 4980 - The Psychology of Money and Financial Behaviour

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Career opportunities

A bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree, with a major in psychology, prepares students for a variety of careers including:

• administration
• advertising
• clinical psychologist
• health educator
• human resources
• lawyer
• social services
• speech-language pathologist

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.

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