As you work through your undergraduate degree, you may be thinking of what is next. There are many different pathways that you can pursue including graduate studies. It is important to think ahead in order to set yourself up for success.
Research Intensive specialization
The Research Intensive specialization (RI specialization) is strongly recommended for those thinking about graduate studies as there is in-depth training in the analytic skills needed for experimental design.
Students in this specialization address problems of human motivation, memory, social relations, communication, and many other human capacities and dispositions by translating them into solvable empirical problems. This also entails critical evaluation of the basis of claims about human abilities and inclinations.
Required Average
- Honours Psychology major average of at least 75%
The RI specialization is an additional four Psychology courses. They are as follows:
- PSYCH389 - Social Science Advanced Research Methods Topics
- PSYCH390 - Natural Science Advanced Research Methods Topics
- PSYCH391 - Advanced Data Analysis
- PSYCH492 - Psychological Measurement: Foundations of Research and Practice
To add the Research Intensive specialization please contact the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor.
Honours Psychology Thesis
Completing a PSYCH 499 honours thesis is a great preparation for graduate school. There are also other benefits including:
- A thesis can be seen as 'mini-grad school' as you will be working with a supervisor to produce your own piece of research.
- An honours degree in Psychology that includes a thesis is typically required for admission to graduate programs in Psychology.
- A thesis is also recommended for those who want to showcase the culmination of the extensive training that they have received in research methods and data.
- A thesis is a good choice for students with a strong interest in conducting original research and wish to gain greater experience in research design, data analysis and interpretation.
- Thesis supervisors are able to write more meaningful reference letters for students' applications for further studies, scholarships, or employment!
Want a little more information? Visit our Honours Psychology Thesis page for pre requisite requirements and an extended description!
Research Apprenticeship courses
Are you interested in psychology research? Want to know the behind the scenes of that SONA study you just did? Want research lab experience? Maybe a research apprenticeship is right for you!
PSYCH 264 or PSYCH 464 is an unpaid apprenticeship in a psychology research lab for one academic term. Either course is worth 0.5 academic units. Grading is on a credit (CR) versus no credit (NCR) basis.
Enrolment is possible Fall, Winter, or Spring term as long as you find a supervisor willing to supervise you during that term.
Note: PSYCH 264 cannot be taken if PSYCH 464 has been completed.
Want a little more information? Visit our PSYCH 264/464 webpage for an extended description
Found a supervisor and ready to apply? Fill out the application form
Directed Studies courses
Are you interested in material not covered in a course we offer in Psychology? Want to focus on your own research project? Need to a seminar course credit but none of the topics interest you? Want a grade to focus on advanced data analysis? Maybe a Directed Studies course is right for you!
Directed Studies courses (PSYCH 480-486) provide opportunities for students to work one-on-one with faculty members in an area of interest to the student. Grading is on a numerical grading basis.
Enrolment is possible Fall, Winter, or Spring term as long as you find a supervisor willing to supervise you during that term.
PSYCH 480, 481, 482, 485, 486 (0.5 academic units each) provide opportunities to study material that is not available in an existing PSYCH courses. Also, PSYCH 485 fulfills the Seminar course requirement for Psychology Majors.
PSYCH 483 and PSYCH 484 (0.5 academic units each) provide opportunities to gain additional research experience by conducting your own focused research project with a final report.
Want a little more information? Visit our Directed Studies webpage for an extended description!
Found a supervisor and ready to apply? Fill out the application form!