Housed within the Faculty of Arts and Science, the Psychology Department at Queen’s University provides internationally renowned programs known for: the excellence and integrity of its faculty, students and training; the innovation and value of its research, scholarship, and skill development; and the fostering of leadership in the delivery of service to the community, to the field of psychology, and to society.
Pathways to study psychology
We offer a variety of pathways to study psychology at the Undergraduate level.
All students begin their education in psychology at Queen's by taking PSYC 100 "Principles of Psychology". This introduction survey of basic areas of psychology include perception, cognition, learning and motivation and their biological substrata. Also reviewed are child development, individual differences, social psychology and behaviour disorders. This survey course is required for students who wish to pursue undergraduate degrees in psychology.
The Psychology Major is offered through both a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree plan.
Queen’s University offers Joint Honours degrees through the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree. Joint Honours degrees provide multidisciplinary training by building expertise in two areas.
This Specialization plan is through the Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree plan. This plan provides multidisciplinary training, allowing students to build expertise in both biology and psychology.
The Minor can be paired with a Major in another unit, and provides a focus into psychology.
To learn more about the specifics of degree plan requirements in Psychology plans, please see the Academic Calendar.
To learn about the general flow of a 4-year Honours undergraduate degree, we encourage you to check out the Queen’s University Major Maps.
Get to Know PSYC at Queen’s University
Psychology is the study of mental processes and behaviour. Psychologists study the relationship between behaviour, the environment, and brain function. As a discipline, it covers a wide range of subjects including (but not limited to) cognitive and behavioural neuroscience, clinical psychology, developmental psychology, and social psychology.
As scientists, psychologists follow scientific methods, using careful observation, experimentation, and statistical analysis to learn more about all aspects of the human experience.
Studying psychology helps you to answer the following questions:
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How do perceptions vary across individuals and contexts?
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How do we acquire language? How do we communicate?
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How does stress affect us?
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How do early experiences affect our development?
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What kinds of behaviours are atypical, and why?
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What are the most effective treatments for mental illness?
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What makes people behave differently in groups?
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Do people have free will?
The Department of Psychology is home to many research labs where faculty members conduct research in Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science, Developmental, Social, and Clinical Psychology.
Students have an opportunity to get engaged in research both as volunteers, and for course credit. For information on our researchers and the studies currently underway, please visit our research laboratories.
After taking the introduction course PSYC100 “Principles of Psychology” in their first year, students choose increasingly specialized courses in their second and third years. In the PSYC Major, they then complete their degree requirements with either a thesis or three advanced seminars. In the Joint Honours and BioPsychology Specialization, students complete their course breadth requirements in PSYC in 4th year. All students can get involved in research.
Please note: PSYC100 is a prerequisite for all other psychology courses. It can only be waived if a student has completed a similar advanced high school (AP, IB) or college level introductory psychology course and official transfer credit is noted on the student’s Queen’s transcript. PSYC100 must be taken at Queen’s for admission into an Honours Psychology plan.
To explore course offerings in Psychology, please visit the Academic Calendar.
Prospective students pursuing a Psychology concentration are admitted into the Faculty of Arts & Science by the Undergraduate Admission office, in either the Arts or the Sciences Undergraduate degree (BAH or BScH). Please contact the Undergraduate Admission office at admission@queensu.ca for any questions on admission requirements.
Students may apply for admission to Queen’s Arts (QA) or Science (QS) through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). Following the completion of first-year at Queen’s, students may apply for a Psychology degree plan through a process called Plan Selection.
Information regarding program requirements (high school course prerequisites), tuition and fees, financial assistance, and student services, can be found at:
Undergraduate Admission (Office of the University Registrar)
www.queensu.ca/admission
Email: admission@queensu.ca
Phone: 613-533-2218
Faculty of Arts & Science
www.queensu.ca/artsci
Phone: 613-533-2470
The Department of Psychology is currently at capacity and is unable to accept upper-year transfer students into our Honours Psychology plans.
Go to a list of available programs through the Faculty of Arts & Science.
Find out more about Undergraduate Admission Requirements for Upper Year Transfer Students.