Co-op
The University of Waterloo is a global leader in co-operative education. We have the world's largest co-op program of its kind with more than double the amount of students than the next largest co-op program in Canada. Why co-op?
Psychology students at Waterloo can take advantage of the co-op program to get valuable work experience during their undergraduate degree.
Co-op is available to Honours Psychology students. Students may only apply for co-op admission before year 2. Request co-op during the 'Declare your major' process.
EDGE
EDGE is an experiential education certificate program, effective Fall 2017. EDGE gives Waterloo students in regular (not co-op) programs an opportunity to develop key professional skills, explore their career options, and market themselves to employers.
Required components include a Skills Identification and Articulation Workshop, a Career Development course, three Work or Community Experiences, and a capstone workshop.
International Exchange
Participate in an international exchange program!
Travel, experience a new culture, and maybe even learn a new language while earning credits toward your Waterloo degree. Waterloo offers more than 140 exchanges in 35 different countries, including Australia, Germany, France, Mexico, Norway, and South Korea.
Exchange programs - studies abroad (information for Psychology Majors)
Research opportunities
In Psychology at Waterloo, there are tons of opportunities to get hands on research experience. Undergraduate students can develop research skills through course work, volunteering, and paid work. Why is research experience valuable?
Tips for obtaining research experience
It is important to cultivate research experience inside and outside the classroom beginning as early as year two. Not only is the research experience itself valuable, but it can help you make connections with faculty members who can later write you good reference letters for jobs or graduate studies.
How to obtain research experience
How to approach faculty members about research assistant positions
Networking
Connect with your faculty members:
- who will be potential supervisors for a directed studies course (PSYCH 480-486) or an honours thesis projects (PSYCH 499A/B/C).
- for whom a volunteer or part-time research position could lead to a full-time research position for you in the future.
- who could be potential writers of recommendation letters regarding your potential for graduate studies or future employment, worthiness for scholarships for future study, etc.
Get involved with the Psychology Undergraduate Student Society (PsychSoc) to have fun, discuss issues with your peers that are important to you currently and beyond the Bachelor's degree, develop marketable skills, etc.
Volunteering
Gain valuable experience, confidence, and insight into your future goals, as well as the experience profile needed for future employment and/or for admission to studies beyond the Bachelor's degree by volunteering.
Get involved in student organizations, peer mentoring programs, etc. to develop leadership skills.
Conferences
If in Honours Psychology and doing an honours thesis (PSYCH 499A/B/C), consider attending the Ontario Psychology Undergraduate Thesis Conference. The conference provides an informal forum for students to present a summary of their honours thesis (either orally or in poster format) to a friendly and enthusiastic audience of peers.
Publishing opportunities
Publishing opportunities for undergraduate research (not restricted to Honours only)