Psychology
Psychology is the study of behaviour and mental processes. In this program you’ll address questions about the human experience.
Potential careers
What can you do with a psychology degree? Here are a few jobs and fields that relate to the program:
- policy researcher
- policy analyst
- human resources specialist
- recruitment advisor
- user experience researcher
- market research analyst
- social media coordinator
- content coordinator
- public relations
- fundraiser
- multimedia journalist
- youth care worker
- case worker
- probation officer
- employment advisor or facilitator
- mental health worker
- sports psychology consultant
- Canada border immigration officer
- secondary school teacher
- clinical counsellor
- psychologist
- behaviour analyst
- media and advertising
- human resources
- communications
- business consultancy
- marketing
- sales
- advertising
- business development
- software development
- government administration
Some of these roles may require post-graduate studies or training.
Find a career that fits you
- Use this tool to explore career possibilities
- Explore your career options at an appointment with a career educator.
- Attend career development workshops as you search for work.
- Take part in the Career Clarity program to generate career ideas and plan your next steps.
Experience & connections
Opportunities in the psychology program
- With the Co-op Program you can alternate study with paid work.
Opportunities outside your program
- With a work study position you can develop skills during your study term.
- Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community while you build skills.
Networks you can connect to
Here are a few professional associations related to psychology:
Hands-on learning opportunities
These courses in the psychology program offer extensive hands-on learning.
Co-op
Co-op work terms
Alternate academic study with paid work terms to gain workplace experience
Course-based
PSYC 431G - Self-Regulation and Goals
Apply theoretical perspectives to the creation of behavioural interventions
Field placement
PSYC 461 - Field Placement in Psychology
Gain firsthand experience working with clients with physical, cognitive, emotional or psychological differences (65 hours of volunteer field placement with community agency)
Research project
PSYC 492 - Research Seminar in Psychology
Work with professors doing hands-on research in their labs
PSYC 499 - Honours Thesis and Seminar
Research and write graduating honours essay and present results at Psychology Students of Vancouver Island Poster Session
These courses are not always offered as described.
What you'll learn
Every student at UVic builds skills all employers look for. At UVic Co-op & Career we call these "competencies". This is what you’ll learn in the psychology program.
Knowledge base
- be familiar with the major concepts, perspectives, findings and historical trends in psychology
- treat psychology as a discipline
- understand selected content areas of psychology
- use the concepts, language and major theories of the discipline to explain psychological phenomena
- explain major perspectives of psychology such as social/environmental or biological/neuropsychology
Research methods
- use basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis and interpretation
- describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology
- explain different research methods used by psychologists
- design and conduct basic studies to address psychological questions
- follow the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics in the treatment of human and nonhuman participants in psychological research
Biology and neuropsychology
- understand the biological and neurological basis of behaviour through the study of human and animal anatomy and physiology
- use your knowledge of neurological, experimental and clinical psychology to understand normal cognitive and affective functioning
- understand the physiological basis of behaviour as expressed in areas such as sleep, reproduction, aggression and mental disorders
- understand the physiological aspects of behaviour
- understand the basic principles of drugs, behaviour and the central nervous system
- study brain dysfunction following brain damage using classical and contemporary readings, methods of testing and diagnosis
- use your knowledge of biological psychology to make oral presentations in seminar format
Learning, cognition and perception
- understand how classical and contemporary concepts and research relate to cognition and learning through the study of cognitive and sensory processes
- understand the environmental determinants affecting the acquisition, maintenance and modification of behaviour
- understand the approach to studying cognitive processes
- use mathematical and statistical methods to measure sensory experience
- use aspects of hypothesis testing to understand the construction of our perceptual world
- use critical inquiry to analyze issues such as memory, consciousness, vision and cognitive control
Social and environmental
- understand the concepts, theories and research regarding the nature of human-human and human-environmental interaction
- understand group and individual interaction through studying social motivation, perception, attitude development and change
- understand the role of attitudes, values, culture and ethnicity in consumer behaviour
- understand the processes of organizational psychology through the study of motivation, selection, training, leadership, management and organizational development
- use primary sources to study verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal systems and systemic approaches to psychopathology
- understand the psychological and biological bases of language
- understand the how psychological research contributes to crime investigation and the legal system
Developmental
- understand the concepts, theories and research regarding human development across the lifespan
- understand evolutionary perspectives on psychological topics such as learning, cognition, consciousness, families and culture
- study psychological processes from conception through to adulthood
- understand the theories and methods for the study of human psychological development across the lifespan
- examine specific processes in infants, children, adolescents and adults
Values
- value empirical evidence
- recognize the need for ethical behaviour in all aspects of psychology
- have reasonable skepticism and intellectual curiosity, and ask questions about causes of behaviour
- tolerate ambiguity and realize that psychological explanations are often complex and tentative
- understand the limitations of your own psychological knowledge and skills
Personal and Abnormal Psychology
- understand the concepts, theories and research regarding personality, psychological disorders and psychological therapies
- understand the major strategies followed in conceptualizing and measuring personality
- study the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors in human health
- use basic behavioural modification techniques and appreciate the potential problems involved
- assess biological, learning, developmental, humanistic and cross-cultural perspectives to understand psychological disorders of adulthood
- work with individuals with physical, cognitive, emotional or psychological differences
- study the historical development of clinical psychology including practitioner training, current research and ethical issues
- study the causes, description and treatment of disorders in childhood and adolescence
- assess recent research in applied behaviour analysis
- survey learning and developmental differences with emphasis on the education of children with developmental differences