Psychology (Associate of Arts)

Curriculum Guideline

Effective Date:
Program code
AAPSYC
Discontinued
No
Program
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Psychology
Credential type
Associate Degree
Transcript title
Arts/PSYC
Date of first offering
Start term
201830
End term
201920
Credential
Associate Degree in Arts
Length of program
Four semesters
Credits
60.00
Admissions requirements

Applicants must meet the admission requirements listed below:

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements:

  • Successful completion of 60 credits as listed below
  • Require a minimum GPA of 2.00

(Specializations will be noted on the transcript and will not be noted on the credential)

Course Requirements:

To complete an Associate of Arts Degree with a Specialization in Psychology, students must complete:

  • 18 or more credits (of the 60 credits required for their associate degree) in Psychology
  • nine of those 18 credits must be considered second-year courses. To qualify as a second-year course, a course must transfer to one of the research universities (SFU, UBC, UBC-O, UVic, or UNBC) at the second-year level.

The following Psychology courses are recommended:

Course Number Course Title Credits

PSYC 1100

An Introduction to Psychology I

3.00

PSYC 1200

An Introduction to Psychology II

3.00

PSYC 2300*

Data Analysis in Psychology 

3.00

PSYC 2301

Research Methods in Psychology

3.00

Two of the following:

PSYC 2315

Biological Bases of Behaviour

3.00

PSYC 2341

Abnormal Psychology

3.00

PSYC 2360

Cognitive Psychology

3.00

*Note: PSYC 2300 has a Math prerequisite. Students are required to have a "C" or higher in Foundations or Principles of Math 11 (or equivalent), before taking PSYC 2300.

The following are the general requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree at any B.C. college:

  • 6 credits (2 courses) English* electives
  • 6 credits (2 courses) Humanities electives
  • 6 credits (2 courses) Social Sciences electives
  • 6 credits (2 courses) Arts** electives
  • 18 credits (6 courses) second-year Arts** electives in 2 or more subject areas
  • 3 credits (1 course) Lab Science elective
  • 3 credits (1 course) Math, Statistics or Computing Science elective
  • 3 credits (1 course) Math, Statistics or Science elective
  • 9 credits (3 courses) other University Transfer electives

* English courses can include courses in written Communications and Creative Writing that transfer to one of the B.C. research universities (SFU, UBC, UBC-O, UVic or UNBC) as English credit. A maximum of 3 credits can come from such an equivalent; at least 3 credits must be earned in an actual ENGL course so-named. For purposes of the Associate of Arts degree, English courses cannot be counted as Humanities courses.

** Arts courses are available in the Faculty of Languages, Literature, and Performing Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. To confirm whether a course is designated as "humanities" or "social sciences", check with an Academic Advisor. Courses in Economics and Mathematics also may be used as Arts electives toward an Associate of Arts Degree.

Definitions:

A course is defined by the subject for which it is granted transfer credit at one of the research universities (SFU, UBC, UBC-O, UNBC, or UVic).

  • An Arts course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Arts Degree at one of the research universities.
  • A Science course is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate of Science Degree or Baccalaureate of Applied Science Degree at one of the research universities.
  • The requirements specified above are intended to provide breadth of exposure to a variety of disciplines in both Arts and Sciences. In some instances there may be some ambiguity as to whether a course is in the Humanities or Social Sciences and is an Arts course or a Science course. Most Physical Geography and Mathematics would be designated as Science courses.
  • A course in an "other" area is defined as any course in a subject area for which there is a Baccalaureate Degree other than in Arts, Science or Applied Science at one of the research universities.
  • first-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 100-level at one of the research universities.
  • second-year course is defined as a course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at the 200-level or higher level at one of the research universities.
  • laboratory science course is one in which a substantial component of instruction involves the study of natural phenomena, either in the laboratory or in the field.

For detailed information you should meet with an Academic Advisor.

Co-operative Education Option:

Students enrolled in this program may be eligible for a Co-operative Education designation. Co-operative Education involves alternating full-time academic and work terms. For information contact the Co-operative Education Office.