Psychology, Applied (Bachelor of Arts)
DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL APPLICATIONS
Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.
Overview
The Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology is a third-year entry program for people who have completed 60 credits of undergraduate coursework, which is usually completed through an Associate of Arts in Psychology.
In this program, you'll complete at least 30 upper-level credits in psychology, gaining essential knowledge in psychological theory and research. You'll also get 45 hours of field experience as well as valuable practice with psychology computer tools and lab time. Volunteer opportunities with the Douglas Psychology Society are also available.
Things to remember before applying
If you intend to apply to this program, please contact the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology Coordinator within your first two years at Douglas for advisement on course selection, concentrations, career paths and other questions you may have. You can apply to the program while in your last semester of coursework toward the BA admission requirements to receive a conditional acceptance. A conditional acceptance activates as soon as grades are processed at the end of the semester. For additional information, visit the admissions requirements tab.
Pick one of six concentrations
During your third and fourth years, you will focus on at least one 15- or 18-credit concentration in one of six areas where psychology is typically applied in the workplace:
- Pre-counselling
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation
- Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (18 credits)
- Forensic/Criminology
- Applied Theory and Research
- Leadership and Management
For details on the concentrations, see the program requirements tab.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:
- General College Admission Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 60 University Transferable credits (notes 1, 2) with a GPA of 2.0 including the following:
- A minimum grade of C- or higher in each of:
- A minimum grade of C or higher in each of:
- 3 credits of university transfer English (note 5)
- 3 credits of university transfer laboratory science
- 3 additional credits of university transfer Math, Statistics, or Science (note 4)
NOTES:
- An Associate of Arts or Science is recommended to satisfy the 60 University transferable credits.
- A university transferable course is a course that transfers to one of the research universities - SFU, UBC (UBCV or UBCO), UNBC, or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide.
- PSYC 2300 requires Pre-Calculus 11 or Foundations of Mathematics 11, or approved substitute with a minimum grade of “C”.
- PSYC 2315 with a minimum grade of C will satisfy both the UT Science and PSYC 2315 requirements.
- A university transfer English is a course in English, written Communications, or Creative Writing that transfer to a research university as English.
Additional Admissions Requirements for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Concentration:
For admission to the PSR concentration, students must demonstrate their readiness to successfully complete the concentration’s course work through a structured interview process.
Readiness will be evaluated by the following criteria:
- A minimum of 90 credits towards the Bachelor of Applied Psychology program completed prior to the start of PSR coursework
- PSYC 3390 (completed or in progress)
- Work/volunteer experience relevant to a helping role in the mental health sector
- Submission of the following:
- A Letter of Intent outlining the reasons for choosing this concentration, long- and short-term goals, and strengths and limitations
- An up-to-date resume including any volunteer or paid work relevant to a helping role in the mental health sector
- Interview with Coordinator
Cost
Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more.
For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements:
- Successful completion of 120 credits, including at least:
- 102 University Transferable (UT) credits, a UT course is a course that transfers to one of the research universities - SFU, UBC - UBCV or UBCO, UNBC, or UVIC in the BC Transfer Guide;
- 60 credits in UT Arts;
- 45 credits of Upper-Level coursework, including 30 credits of Upper-Level Psychology; and
- 48 credits completed at Douglas College, of which 21 credits must be Upper-Level Psychology.
- A minimum program GPA of 2.00
- Time limit to complete the program graduation requirements: 10 years. Any courses completed outside of that time limit will not be usable. Students may seek the permission of the Department/Program to complete a credential outside the approved time limits.
Course Requirements:
|
Course Number |
Course Title |
Credits |
|
An Introduction to Social Psychology |
3.00 |
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Applications of Psychological Knowledge (Service Learning & Research) |
3.00 |
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Select one course from the following courses: |
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Critical Issues in Psychology |
3.00 |
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History and Philosophy of Modern Psychology (see program coordinator for availability) |
3.00 |
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Select one course from the following courses: |
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Child Behaviour and Development |
3.00 |
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Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood |
3.00 |
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Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging |
3.00 |
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Select one course from the following courses: |
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PSYC 3300 (see note 1) |
Applied Intermediate Research Methods & Data Analysis |
3.00 |
|
PSYC 3301 (see note 1) |
Applied Data Analysis in Psychology |
3.00 |
|
Any level UT or 5000-level PSYC elective(s) (see notes 2 and 3) |
Any 15 UT or 5000-level PSYC credits, including at least: |
15.00 |
|
·Three Humanities UT credits (students may have completed prior to admission to the program) |
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·Three English UT credits (which are in addition to the minimum of 3 credits ENGL required for admission; students who had 6 or more ENGL UT credits upon admission to the program do not need an additional UT ENGL course for this requirement) |
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·Three non-Psychology Social Science UT credits (students may have completed prior to admission to the program) |
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Upper-Level UT or 5000-level PSYC (see note 3) |
Any 15 Upper-Level UT or 5000-level PSYC credits (These credits must be in PSYC if students choose the Disability and Applied Behaviours Analysis Concentration, Forensic Criminology Concentration, Leadership Management Concentration, or a non-Psychology minor.) |
15.00 |
|
Concentration (see note 3) credits |
Select at least one Concentration from the following list: |
|
|
Applied Theory and Research (Concentration) |
15.00 |
|
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Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (Concentration) |
18.00 |
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Forensic/Criminology (Concentration) |
15.00 |
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Leadership Management (Concentration) |
15.00 |
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Pre-Counselling (Concentration) |
15.00 |
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Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Concentration) |
15.00 |
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NOTES FOR TABLE ABOVE:
1. PSYC 3300 and PSYC 3301 are only offered once per year. Students should contact the program coordinator to confirm when they will be offered.
2. A university transfer English course is a course in English (ENGL), written Communications (CMNS), or Creative Writing (CRWR) that transfers to a research university as English credit. For more information on the Humanities and Social Science UT credits, see Associate of Arts checklist (available on the FAQ section of the Program Page) for what counts as a Humanities or Social Science course.
3. Students with a Concentration in Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (DABA) will use all 15 Concentration credits and 3 credits from the Any Level UT or 5000-level PSYC credits category to complete their concentration. Thus, they only have 12 Any Level UT or 5000-level PSYC credits required. Students who complete a Criminology Minor will meet the requirements for a Concentration; however, students who complete the Criminology (Minor) cannot use the same courses to graduate with the Forensic/Criminology (Concentration).
Applied Theory and Research (Concentration)
This concentration provides an opportunity for students to study a broad base of psychological theories and learn how they are applied across a variety of fields.
Concentration Requirements:
|
Course Category |
Course Number |
Credits |
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Select five (5) courses from at least 4 different categories below: |
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Category A: Personality/Social/Forensic/Health Psychology Category |
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PSYC 3304, PSYC 3314, PSYC 3331, PSYC 3340, PSYC 3361, and/or PSYC 3906 |
3.00-6.00 |
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Category B: Developmental/Gender |
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PSYC 3120, PSYC 3320, PSYC 3321, PSYC 3322, PSYC 3342, and/or PSYC 3905 |
3.00-6.00 |
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Category C: Cognitive/Biological Psychology |
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PSYC 3305, PSYC 3315, PSYC 3341, PSYC 3365, PSYC 3370, PSYC 3385, PSYC 3902, and/or PSYC 3904 |
3.00-6.00 |
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Category D: Clinical/Counselling Psychology |
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PSYC 3333, PSYC 3375, PSYC 3903, PSYC 4370, PSYC 4371, PSYC 4373, and/or PSYC 4375 |
3.00-6.00 |
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Category E: Quantitative/Analytical/Critical |
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3.00-6.00 |
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Total Concentration Credits |
15.00 |
|
Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (Concentration)
Students interested in education, health or human services, or who want to specialize in the rewarding and challenging area of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), may benefit from the concise, flexible and timely Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (DABA) Concentration. The courses within this 18-credit concentration are verified by the Association of Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) and approved by the Teacher Qualification Service (TQS). These approvals make the credential highly attractive to professionals aspiring to become Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analysts (BCaBA) and/or K-to-12 teachers working toward a higher pay level and specialized knowledge base.
DABA courses run as a cohort and are only offered in the specified semesters. The courses in this concentration must be completed in one academic year. Some courses are online, some hybrid, and some in-person. Students must take all DABA program courses offered in a semester unless they have approved transfer credit.
The Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis (Concentration) requires the 18 credits listed in the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis Advanced Certificate program. Please see the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis program page for program/course requirements.
Students completing this concentration within the BA Applied Psychology Degree will not be eligible to graduate with the Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis Advanced Certificate as the coursework is equivalent.
Criminology (Minor)
Please see the Criminology (Minor) program page for the course requirements.
NOTE: Students who complete the Criminology (Minor) cannot use the same courses to graduate with the Forensic/Criminology (Concentration).
Forensic / Criminology (Concentration)
Students interested in both psychology and criminology may choose to specialize in the area of forensic psychology. This concentration will focus on psychology as it applies to the legal system, which may include a focus on courts, corrections, police, cognitive and social aspects of behaviour, mental health law, victimology and policy work.
NOTE: Students who complete Forensic/Criminology (Concentration) cannot use the same courses to graduate with the Criminology (Minor).
Concentration Requirements:
|
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Psychology and Law |
3.00 |
|
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Upper-level UT CRIM |
Any six 3000- to 4000-level UT Criminology credits |
6.00 |
|
Any level UT CRIM (see note) |
Any six 1000-level or higher UT Criminology credits. |
6.00 |
|
|
Total Concentration Credits |
15.00 |
NOTE: In order to meet the BA Applied Psychology’s graduation requirement of at least 45 upper-level credits, students may need to take upper-level credits in the concentration’s any-level UT CRIM category or the program’s UT or 5000-level PSYC elective(s) category.
Leadership and Management (Concentration)
Students interested in combining psychology with business, leadership and/or marketing might be interested in this concentration.
Concentration Requirements:
|
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Upper-level UT CBA |
Any six 3000- to 4000-level UT Commerce & Business Administration (ACCT, BUSN, BLAW, COBA, CSIS, ECON, FINC, or MARK) credits |
6.00 |
|
Any level UT CBA or SOSC (see note) |
Any nine 1000-level or higher UT Commerce & Business Administration (ACCT, BUSN, BLAW, COBA, CSIS, ECON, FINC, or MARK) or SOSC credits |
9.00 |
|
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Total Concentration Credits |
15.00 |
NOTE: Recommended: SOSC 2140 or SOSC 3140
Pre-Counselling (Concentration)
Counselling psychology typically focuses on therapeutic practices that facilitate social, educational, occupational, health, emotional and developmental functioning. Many counsellors have a Masters degree in a field such as counselling psychology or educational psychology, which allows them to register as a Clinical Counsellor in most provinces. Our Pre-Counselling concentration will provide students with introductory courses in the discipline of counselling as well as the pre-requisite courses needed to enter into most graduate programs in counselling psychology.
NOTES:
1. PSYC 2341 is recommended prior to admission to the BA in Applied Psychology program.
2. PYSC 4360 is only offered once a year. Students should contact the program coordinator to confirm when it will be offered.
Concentration Requirements:
|
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy |
3.00 |
|
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Psychological Assessment |
3.00 |
|
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Counselling Skills Fundamentals |
3.00 |
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Select two Concentration electives from the list below: |
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Developmental Psychology: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood |
3.00 |
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Developmental Psychology: Adulthood and Aging |
3.00 |
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Cultural Competency and Counselling with Canada's Indigenous Peoples |
3.00 |
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Drugs and Behavior |
3.00 |
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Developmental Psychopathology |
3.00 |
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The Psychology of Learning |
3.00 |
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The Psychology of Memory |
3.00 |
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Group Counselling: Theory and Practice |
3.00 |
|
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Vocational Assessment and Counselling |
3.00 |
|
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Clinical Psychology |
3.00 |
|
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Total Concentration Credits |
15.00 |
Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Concentration)
Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) approaches include programs, services and practices with well-documented effectiveness in facilitating the recovery of persons living with serious mental illness, substance use problems or concurrent disorders. PSR approaches focus on programs and services in the major life domains of employment, education, leisure, wellness, housing, family and peer support. PSR approaches are enhanced in their effectiveness by other treatment approaches and practices, including cognitive retraining, cognitive behaviour therapies and motivational interviewing.
Students who complete the set of PSR courses, including the practicum will have the knowledge and skills to conduct strengths-based PSR assessments and to prepare and implement psychosocial rehabilitation plans in community mental health and substance use programs. Upon completion of this concentration, students will be eligible to write the Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioners (CPRP) exam, which is recognized throughout Canada and the US.
PSR courses generally run as a cohort and are only offered in specified semesters (Fall, Winter and Summer).
NOTES FOR THE PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION (CONCENTRATION):
1. PSYC 2341 is a pre-requisite for PSR courses.
2. Students graduating with this concentration within the BA Applied Psychology Degree will not be eligible to also graduate with the Graduate Diploma in Psychosocial Rehabilitation as the coursework is equivalent.
3. It is highly recommended that students complete PSYC 3390 prior to PSYC 5005.
Concentration Requirements (see notes 1 and 2):
|
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credits |
|
Mental Health Services and Systems: History and Trends |
3.00 |
|
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Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery |
3.00 |
|
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Psychosocial Rehabilitation Practitioner Competencies |
3.00 |
|
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Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Best and Promising Practices |
3.00 |
|
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PSYC 5005 (see note 3) |
Seminar and Practicum in Psychosocial Rehabilitation |
3.00 |
|
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Total Concentration Credits |
15.00 |
Program Guidelines
Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.
FAQs
You will apply as you are completing the last of the 60 credits of undergraduate coursework (Associate of Arts Psychology or Associate Science), including PSYC 1100, PSYC 1200, PSYC 2300, PSYC 2301, and two of PSYC 2341, PSYC 2360 or PSYC 2315 (with a minimum of a C in each of the above PSYC courses). We recommend applying before April 30 to gain entry to the BA in time for Fall registration. This will be important, so that you can hopefully get a seat in the Service Learning course within the coming academic year.
Yes, as soon as you are enrolled in your last AA courses you can apply to the BA program for the following semester. You will be “conditionally accepted” that semester and you will be officially accepted once you have finished the courses you are enrolled in.
YES, all lower level (1000-2000 level) courses and most upper level (3000-4000) courses are open to all Douglas College students. However, each course has specific pre-requisites that you must meet in order to enrol in the course.
While there are core Psychology courses you must take, your program of studies requires that you take core courses and electives outside of Psychology such as English, Criminology, Sociology and Philosophy.
Yes, this is possible if you are attending full time (5 courses per semester). You may need to take day or night classes or to travel to both campuses, depending on course offerings and availability of seats in the course(s) you require.
For some courses we will offer multiple sections (e.g. Introduction to Psychology). For some, such as our upper level courses, we may offer one section per year. The majority of courses are offered in Fall and Winter with a smaller selection offered in the Summer term.
Currently most 1st and 2nd year psychology courses are offered face-to-face at both New Westminster and David Lam campuses. A few select courses are also offered as hybrid and/or fully on-line. Most of our 3rd and 4th year courses will be taught on New Westminster campus, with the exception of a few existing Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Disability and Applied Behavior Analysis courses, which are currently offered as hybrid and/or fully on-line.
YES, there is room within our degree to complete two of our applied concentrations. Up to two concentrations will be noted on your transcript when you graduate. You must make sure, however, that you have a total of 30 upper level (3000-4000) Psychology credits for the BA Applied Psychology degree and 45 upper level Psychology credits for the BA Applied Psychology – Honours degree.
No, for these courses you will need to be enrolled in the BA Applied Psychology program and declare your interest in one of these concentrations to the BA Applied Psyc Coordinator.
For these two concentrations, the courses are offered in a sequence beginning each Fall. You will need to take the courses in a specific order: Fall ➾ Winter ➾ Summer.
It is recommended that you wait until your fourth year to take the PSR courses. It is strongly recommended that you take PSYC 3341 – Drugs and Behaviour before you enrol in your first PSR course. It is required you take PSYC 3390 Applications of Psychological Knowledge, Service Learning and Research and PSYC 2341 - Abnormal Psychology.
Yes, it is required you take PSYC 3390 Applications of Psychological Knowledge, Service Learning.
BA in Applied Psychology/Honours Program Coordinator
Dr. Laura Dane
danel@douglascollege.ca
Psychology Department Chair
Dr . Joseph Thompson
Pathways Coordinator
Dr. Stephen Rochefort
Testimonials
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More Information
Tuition deposit
When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required.
Career Pathways
Career opportunities include:
- Academic Advisor / Tutor
- Addictions Counsellor
- Advertising Copywriter
- Career Coach
- Case Manager
- Child/Youth Protection Worker
- Community Relations Officer
- Credit Counsellor
- Conflict Mediator
- Data Analyst
- Employment Counsellor
- Fundraiser / Development Officer
- Hospice Coordinator
- Housing Manager
- Human Resources Advisor
- Immigration/Border Officer
- Indigenous Counsellor
- Laboratory/Research Manager
- Market Researcher
- Military Personnel
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Program Coordinator/Evaluator
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation Worker
- Public Relations Specialist
- Psychologist Assistant
- Technical Writer
Careers with Additional Credentials (e.g. Professional or Masters Degree):
- Behaviour Analyst / Consultant
- Clinical Supervisor
- Counsellor (Registered Clinical, Family, School, Corrections, Vocational)
- Human Resources Manager
- Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
- Lawyer
- Mental Health and Wellness Consultant
- Music Therapist
- Nurse (Psychiatric, etc.)
- Occupational Therapist
- Physician (Psychiatrist, etc.)
- Post-Secondary Instructor
- Psychometrist
- Psychotherapist
- Registered Psychologist (Clinical, School, etc.)
- Research Associate/Scientist
- Teacher (Elementary/Secondary)
- Trauma Specialist