Get inside other peoples' heads.
Explore the frontiers of the mind. Examine human behaviour from a variety of perspectives, including neuroscience, cognition, clinical, developmental, industrial/organizational, and social psychology.
Then deepen your understanding with complementary courses in other subject areas, such as legal studies, sociology, biology, and health studies.
Want to customize your program even further? Work with one of our award-winning professors to design a directed studies course around your specific interest. Or get some work experience by enrolling in the co-op stream.
Graduate ready to make an impact. Waterloo Psychology is ranked in the top five in Canada (Academic Rankings of World Universities 2023), and our graduates are treating mental illnesses, improving approaches to education, and creating more satisfying workplaces everyday.
Faculty:
Faculty of Arts
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
Yes
Serious experience. At Waterloo, you’ll get to conduct hands-on research in our state-of-the-art labs. Take advantage of EEG machines, eye-tracking equipment, virtual reality rigs, and more.
Learn from the best. Waterloo’s internationally renowned Psychology program consistently rates among the best in Canada.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience —and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Research assistant
- Marketing and communications assistant
- Policy and research assistant
- Resource management coordinator
- Human resource assistant
- Junior user experience designer
- Teaching assistant
- Sustainability intern
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
If you choose to study Psychology through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
or after second year (which can be May to August 2027), if you choose Honours Arts
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Third | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fourth | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
What can you do with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree?
Graduates find a wide variety of career opportunities in areas such as counselling, various branches of therapy, mental health services, human relations, public education, speech pathology, research, education, and more.
Recent graduates
- Teacher, Autism Spectrum Disorders Team - Kerry's Place Autism Services
- Protection Support Worker - Children's Aid Society
- Psychologist - Community Health Centre
- Human Performance Manager - Bruce Power
- Customer Implementation Specialist - MappedIn
- Human Resource Generalist - ATS Automation Tooling Systems
- Therapist - Surrey Place Centre
Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.
Hear from some recent graduates
Rahim Thawer (BA '08) talks about different courses in the program and how it lead to a career path. Hear more about what you can learn from a Psychology degree.
Admission requirements
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)
Mathematics of Data Management is recommended.
Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
How to apply?
Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Psychology as your major at the end of first year.
After applying you may choose to co-register through Renison University College or St. Jerome's University, both located on Waterloo's campus. You'll earn a Waterloo degree but have a smaller community as your home base.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
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