Psychology (BSc)(BA)
Understand human behavior and mental processes.
Why choose this program?
Psychology is about understanding how our minds work, why we feel certain ways, and how we behave. Dal is home to the largest psychology department in Atlantic Canada, which means you’ll get plenty of opportunities to be involved in research. You’ll develop an understanding of human and animal behavior and development, and can explore topics like language, mental health, forensic psychology, cognitive psychology, personality, and more. You’ll also get familiar with research methods and ethics.
Visit our psychology degree planner.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 75%
Academic English 12
Pre-calculus Math 12 (If pursuing through a BSc)
Three additional academic subjects (Four additional if pursuing through BA)
Financial information
A university education is a significant financial investment. Every student is unique, and so are their financial circumstances. We offer competitive tuition, a robust scholarship and bursary program, and resources and support to help you explore financial options and develop a plan that works for you.
Program options
Your degree will introduce you to broad areas like research methods, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and more. In later years, you’ll study specialized topics in areas that interest you. This includes lab courses that give you experience with psychology research.
The following psychology program options are offered by Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Science. Connect with an academic advisor after you start your studies to explore options such as:
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with Major in Psychology
Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with Double Major in Psychology
Concentrated Honours Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Combined Honours Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Minor in Psychology
What you will learn
If you’ve ever wondered why we do the things we do or how people think, behave, and interact with others, then you’ve wondered about topics studied in psychology. When you study psychology you'll learn about the brain, mental health, development, cognition, and more. You’ll also learn how to run, analyze, and interpret studies, helping you think critically about information in psychology.
Sample courses may include:
introduction to Psychology and Neuroscience I: From Neuron to Person
Introduction to Psychology and Neuroscience II: From Social Interaction to Psychopathology
Writing for the Sciences
Introductory Statistics for Science and Health Sciences
Methods in Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Research Methods in Memory
Personality
Drugs & Behaviour
Development of Language and Literacy Abilities
Contemporary Issues in Psychology
Social Determinants of Health and Child Development
Contemporary Issues in Human Sexuality
Topics in Clinical Psychology
In our program, you’ll learn to think like a scientist: What do we know about psychology, how do we know it, and what does it mean? You will build lifelong skills that help you use psychological science to make informed decisions in your life and career.
Careers
By studying psychology, you’ll develop transferrable skills like scientific thinking, communication, and information management. Many graduates use these skills to find rewarding careers in community and social services, human resources, student services, and forensic services. Other careers require additional education. Psychology provides a foundation for graduate programs like speech-language pathology, social work, occupational therapy, law, education, and clinical psychology.
Opportunities for future studies are abundant with a psychology degree. You may consider completing a Master of Science (MSc) in a psychology discipline that interests you, as well as pursuing a career in law, business, or medicine.
