Degree options and specializations

The Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar is the official resource for degree, program, and plan level requirements for students at the University of Waterloo. The information provided on this page is supplementary to the total requirements outlined in the calendar. Students are ultimately responsible for understanding and meeting their academic requirements.

*Research Intensive Specialization

  • Only available to Honours Psychology BA majors (must have at least 75% psych average)
  • Please see the Undergrad Calendar for all degree requirements.
  • To add the Research Intensive specialization please contact the Psychology Undergraduate Advisor.
  • Recommended for those seeking to pursue graduate studies as there is In-depth training in the analytic skills needed for experimental design.
  • Students 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 bases of claims about human abilities and inclinations.
  • Honours Thesis (optional), PSYCH 499 A/B/C (3 courses) will count toward 3 of the 5 PSYCH courses at the 300-400 level requirement.
Program checklist Faculty UG calendar link
Honours Psychology (co-op and and regular) Science Psych (BSc)

Additional information

Honours Psychology (BA)

  • PSYCH 291 and PSYCH 292 must be completed in Year Two.
  • At least 5 of the 6 Core Discipline courses must be completed by the end of Year Two.
  • Students must complete the Math requirement prior to enrolling into PSYCH 292.

Honours Psychology (BSc)

  • Please see the Faculty of Science web page for more information about the science requirements
  • PSYCH 291 and PSYCH 292 must be completed in Year Two.
  • At least 4 of the 5 Core Discipline courses must be completed by the end of Year Two.
  • PSYCH 391 must be completed in Year Three. It is also a corequisite to PSYCH 389, 390, and the Research Seminars.
  • Normally, both PSYCH 389 and PSYCH 390 (Advanced Research Method courses) will be completed in Year Three.
  • PSYCH 492 completed in Year Four.
  • Honours Thesis (optional), PSYCH 499 A/B/C is worth (3 courses) will count toward 3 of the 4 PSYCH coursers at the 300-400 level requirement.

Psychology Four-Year General

  • PSYCH 291 and PSYCH 292 must be completed in Year Two.
  • At least 5 of the 6 Core Discipline courses must be completed by the end of Year Two.
  • Students must complete the Math requirement prior to enrolling into PSYCH 292.

Psychology Three-Year General

Psychology Minor

  • To declare the minor please send a plan modification form to the Psychology minor advisor
  • Need to successfully complete PSYCH 101 and one PSYCH 200 level course with 65% or greater cumulative average before declaring the Minor
  • This is a great option for those who want a general overview of the study of mind and behaviour
  • Those who declare the minor can take advantage of the reserved space in PSYCH courses

Cognitive Science Minor

  • To declare the minor please send a plan modification form to the Cognitive Science minor advisor
  • Need to successfully complete PSYCH/PHIL 256 course with 65% or greater average before declaring the Minor
  • This is a great option for those who want an interdisciplinary look at the mind through the breadth of required courses from different faculties allowing a diverse look at how models of the mind are examined

Human Resources Management Minor

  • To declare the minor please send a plan modification form to the HRM minor advisor
  • Need to successfully complete the HRM 200 course with 70% or greater average before declaring the Minor
  • This is a great option for those who are interested in management and seeking a career in HR after graduation
  • Those who declare the minor can take advantage of the HRM 300 level courses and professional development exclusive events 
  • For more information on the minor please see the HRM Program webpage
Any questions please contact our academic advisors