Psychology


Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It seeks to understand human nature and why people do what they do.

Overview

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. It seeks to understand human nature and why people do what they do.

The objectives of psychological study are to understand human nature, for its own sake, and to provide an increasingly reliable basis for the application of psychological principles to education, social policy, and medical treatment.

The goals are to describe, explain, and predict behaviour, allowing for a scientific means of optimizing human development, abilities, and quality of life.

At a Glance

Degree options
Bachelor of Arts (BA), major or honours
Bachelor of Science (BSc), major or honours
Minor

Curriculum

At Mount Allison, the Psychology program offers students a diversity of courses, while maintaining a strong core curriculum.

As the scientific study of mind and behaviour, psychology is a:

  • social science
    how people influence the behaviour of others, why we do what we do, personality and self-concept
  • biological science
    physiological mechanisms, neuroanatomy, evolutionary origins of mental and behavioural phenomena
  • cognitive science
    sensation and perception, abstract thinking, reasoning, language, memory

Courses are offered in areas of psychology like:

  • developmental
  • biological
  • neurological
  • cognitive
  • social
  • personality
  • abnormal
  • learning
  • health

Psychology students develop their knowledge by using scientific methods to analyze behaviour, employing careful observation and experimentation to develop and test theories. The results are theories, backed up by facts, that further your comprehension of the human mind.

You may also have the chance to participate in directed studies projects, independent summer research projects, honours theses, and volunteer work.


Degree options

At Mount Allison, there are different degree options in Psychology depending on your interests and career goals.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology

As a Bachelor of Arts student with a major in Psychology, you'll combine your Psychology courses (42 credits) with complementary courses in arts and letters, humanities, and social sciences (18 credits).

BA honours Psychology is also available.

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psychology

As a Bachelor of Science student with a major in Psychology, you'll combine your Psychology courses (42 credits) with complementary courses in Science (18 credits).

BSc honours Psychology is also available.

Minor in Psychology

A minor in Psychology consists of a selection of core and elective Psychology courses (24 credits) and can be combined with any degree.

Not sure about the difference between a major, a minor, an honours, and a certificate?

 

Second-year biopsychology class

Careers

Whether you're entering the job market or continuing your education, your Mount Allison degree will stand out.

Mount Allison has been recognized by Maclean's as the top primarily undergraduate university in Canada more times than any other university.

With experiential learning and career development opportunities available in every degree, you'll also graduate with hands-on learning and real-world experience.

Our graduates also boast extraordinarily high acceptance rates to top graduate programs and professional schools such as law and medicine.

Popular career paths for Psychology graduates include:

  • researcher
  • clinical psychologist
  • psychological counsellor
  • employment/career development counsellor
  • child/youth worker
  • teacher/guidance counsellor/educational psychologist
  • corrections officer/police officer
  • border services/immigration officer
  • social policy analyst
  • human resources specialist
  • speech-language pathologist/audiologist/occupational therapist
  • marketing specialist
  • art psychologist/art or music therapist
  • health care administrator
  • doctor/dentist/optometrist/nurse
  • lawyer
  • social worker

Alumni Spotlight

Dr. Lindsay Ross-Stewart ('03)
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Psychology professor and sport psychology consultant, Southern Illinois University Edwardville (SIUE)

» Sport psychologist professor Dr. Lindsay Ross-Stewart ('03) works with college teams on imagery-assisted virtual reality training

Testimonials

Image
Quote icon

Some of the best things about the Psychology program at Mount Allison are the number of hands-on research opportunities, as well as the support and strong sense of community within the department. I am incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities and experiences I have had through this program from completing a directed studies project, working as a research assistant, and spending a summer working in the department.


Sarah
English
'19
BA Psychology, minor in Music
Maclellan’s Brook, NS
Image
Quote icon

I love the Psychology professors at Mount A. They are all so knowledgeable and experienced, and yet they are approachable rather than intimidating! They share personal anecdotes to make the material more memorable and encourage asking questions because they are genuinely invested in student success.


Hannah
Ingalls
'19
BSc honours Pychology, minor in Biology
Saint John, NB

Extras

Undergraduate research

Faculty members in the Psychology department all have active research programs in their own area of specializations.

Psychology students at Mount Allison are able to participate in the research process in a number of ways:

  • faculty members supervise research projects
  • students can apply for summer research awards
  • students can work or volunteer in faculty research laboratories
  • students in introductory classes are given the opportunity to become a participant in the many studies conducted each year in the department

Facilities

Facilities in the Department of Psychology include computers for professional database searches and statistical data analysis, a human interaction observation laboratory, and laboratories for demonstration and research with humans and animals.

Psychology labs include:

  • Psychobiology of Stress and Health (PSHL) Lab
  • Mount Allison Sexual Health Research Lab (MASHLab)
  • MtA Personality Lab
  • Cognition Education Lab
  • Neuroscience Lab
  • Lifespan Lab

 

Field School in Psychology

The Utrecht Field School in Psychology is two-week summer course on cross-cultural sexuality. The Netherlands field trip includes a visit to Amsterdam to visit museums and exhibits.

In this class, students learn how perspectives on sexuality and sex education differ across cultures.

/current-students/department-psychology

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

Admission Requirements

Our admissions decisions are based on your academic record, leadership skills, a high level of commitment, and the potential for personal growth. The drop down menu below will help you find information on what pre-requisites are recommended for either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science.

Academic Awards

Image

Mount A is #2 in student awards


Maclean’s ranks Mount Allison second in student and faculty awards in its latest University Rankings. To date, 56 Mount Allison students have become Rhodes Scholars — one of the best per capita records in Canada.

Next Steps

Be part of Canada's best undergraduate university