Psychology (Bachelor of Arts degree)

A Waterloo psychology degree student answers questions from prospective students

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.

Our graduates are treating mental illnesses, improving approaches to education, and creating more satisfying workplaces everyday.

You can study Psychology (Bachelor of Arts) through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

What courses will you take?

First year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

Honours Arts

September to December

  • PSYCH 101 – Introductory Psychology
  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Prospective major #2
  • 2 electives

January to April

  • Choose one course from
  • Prospective major #2
  • 3 electives

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

  • ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
  • ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
  • PSYCH 101 – Introductory Psychology
  • Prospective major #2
  • Elective

January to April

  • ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
  • ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
  • ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
  • Prospective major #2

Plus one course from

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

After first year

At least 40% of the classes you’ll take will be Psychology courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample upper-year courses

PSYCH 230 – Psychology and Law
PSYCH 317 – Child Psychopathology
PSYCH 307 – Human Neuropsychology
PSYCH 459 – Human Seminar - Close Relationships

Customize your degree in Psychology

Popular specializations and minors for Psychology majors include: 

You can also include one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

The optional Research Intensive Specialization provides in-depth training in experimental design. You'll learn to address problems of human motivation, memory, social relations, communication, and many other human capacities by translating them into solvable problems.

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

In the world's leading co-op program, you'll 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.

Option one: If you choose to study Psychology through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be in the winter term of second year.

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 -


Option two: Your first work term will be in the spring term after second year, 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 -


Learn more about co-op →

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.

The careers listed below are examples of what you might be able to pursue. Through the courses you take, specializations you choose, extracurriculars, and any work experience you gain, you'll graduate with a degree that's uniquely you and be ready to pursue a career that's right for you!

Mental health support specialist

You would support individuals facing mental health challenges by helping them access resources and develop coping skills. This role often works alongside psychologists or social workers and is a common entry point after a bachelor’s degree.

Graduate studies in psychology

Many students continue into master’s or doctoral programs to become psychologists, therapists, or researchers. Your undergraduate degree gives you the foundation in theory, research methods, and ethics needed for advanced study.

Human resources coordinator

You’d help with hiring, training, and workplace well‑being. Understanding motivation, behaviour, and communication gives you a strong advantage in managing people professionally.

Research coordinator

In this role, you would help design studies, collect data, and analyze results. It’s a great option if you enjoy experiments, surveys, and evidence‑based thinking.

Behavioural or autism support practitioner

You’d work directly with children or adults to support learning and daily skills. Psychology prepares you to understand behaviour and apply structured support techniques.

Counselling or therapy pathways (with further education)

You could become a counsellor, psychotherapist, or clinical psychologist after graduate training. A Psychology degree is one of the most common starting points for these careers.

Marketing or consumer research analyst

You would study how people make decisions about products or brands. Psychology helps you understand motivation, perception, and persuasion in real‑world settings.

User experience (UX) researcher

You’d study how people use apps, websites, or digital products and suggest improvements. This career blends psychology with technology and design.

Social services or caseworker (with additional training)

You would support individuals or families facing challenges like housing issues or stress. Empathy and problem‑solving skills are central to this role.

Education or student services advisor

You’d help students with academic planning, well‑being, or career decisions. Psychology helps you understand learning, motivation, and student development.

Public health specialist

You would help design or support programs that promote mental and physical well‑being. Understanding behaviour change is key in public health roles.

Corrections or probation officer (with required training)

You’d work with individuals involved in the justice system, supporting rehabilitation and safety. Psychology provides insight into behaviour, motivation, and decision‑making.

Nonprofit program coordinator

You would help plan and run programs focused on mental health, education, or community support. Strong communication and organizational skills are important here.

Data or evaluation analyst

You’d analyze information to see whether programs or interventions are working. Psychology builds comfort with statistics and critical evaluation.

Sales or client relations professional

You would build relationships with clients and understand their needs. Knowledge of communication, persuasion, and behaviour gives you an edge in people‑focused roles.

If you’re curious about how people think and behave—and want skills that apply in healthcare, business, research, and beyond—a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology offers a flexible and popular pathway with many career possibilities.

Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.

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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%)

Admission average: High 70s

Recommended course

Mathematics of Data Management

Not studying in Ontario?

Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

How to apply

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Psychology as your major at the end of first year.

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