Overview
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
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?
PSYC 1001 — Introduction to Psychology I
This course introduces the concepts, problems, and methods of modern scientific psychology. Topics include neuroanatomy and other aspects of the biological bases of psychological processes, learning, motivation, sensation, perception, aspects of cognition, memory, and language.
PSYC 2431 — Child and Adolescent Development
This course is an overview of social, cognitive, and biological development during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. Topics include: the development of perception, memory, emotions, and family relationships; puberty, identity, peer groups, and adolescent sexuality.
PSYC 3101 — Human Neuropsychology
This course examines the structure and functions of the cerebral cortex. Topics include cerebral asymmetry in function, the anatomy and functions of the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, and the neural substrates of higher functions such as memory, language, emotion, spatial behaviour, and attention. (Format: Lecture 3 Hours, Laboratory 1.5 Hour)
PSYC 3241 — Forensic Psychology
This course examines the relationship between psychology and the legal system. Topics include: police psychology, eyewitness testimony, jury decision-making, risk-assessment in legal situations, violent offenders, and psychopaths.
PSYC 3331 — Death and Dying
This course examines psychological perspectives on issues related to death, dying, and bereavement. Topics include hospice palliative care, end-of-life decisions, suicide, euthanasia, funeral practices, dealing with grief and bereavement, and cross-cultural perspectives on and attitudes toward death and dying.
PSYC 3511 — Psychology of Gender
This course systematically reviews psychological theories and research findings about gender. Topics include biological effects on gender development, gender roles, health and reproduction, personality and social interaction, work, sexuality, gendered violence, and mental health. It also considers the ways that race, ethnicity, class, physical ability, sexual orientation, and age modify women's and men's experience.
PSYC 3851 — Sport Psychology
This course presents an overview of sport psychology within the framework of psychological science. Sports psychology involves the study of psychological variables that impact participation and performance in athletics; this study incorporates theories and research from many areas of psychology, including personality, social, cognitive, and clinical. In this course, relevant theories and research will be reviewed and applied to the context of performance in sport and participation in physical activity as well as to coaching. Course content will bridge theory and empirical study with practical applications to health and sport.
PSYC 4801 — Psychology, Science, and Science-Fiction
This seminar integrates various aspects of the scientific method and psychology (including, but not limited to neuroscience, cognition, perception, human sexuality, and social psychology) to analyze the portrayal of psychology in science-fiction media using novels, movies, and television series. Science-fiction will provide an overarching framework for discussing topics that highlight the divide between 'real science' and psychology vs. pseudoscience.
Find a full list of Psychology courses in our Academic Calendar — Psychology.
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Gene Ouellette
Professor, Psychology
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)
Testimonials
The Psychology Department at Mount Allison is just amazing. Getting extra support is very accessible, and there is ample opportunity to get involved in research. I feel that I have gained so much throughout my experience here, and I'm walking away from this degree feeling inspired.
For anybody looking to study psychology, I would highly recommend MtA. The class sizes are the perfect amount, allowing you to meet new students while still being able to form meaningful connections with your professors. On top of that, professors want nothing more than to see you succeed, and will provide plenty of opportunities for you to do so!
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
/current-students/department-psychology
Admission Requirements
Academic Awards
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.