Honours Program

The Honours degree program in psychology enables high achieving psychology major students to increase their concentration in psychology and to gain research experience in the completion of an Honours thesis. Students are expected to satisfy high levels of competency in their courses and to successfully complete a research project under the supervision of a member of the Psychology department.

Students intending to pursue graduate studies in Psychology are advised to consider taking the Honours Program since many Canadian universities expect potential graduate students to have completed an Honours degree.

Admission Requirements

  • Fourth-year standing;
  • Minimum overall average of 76%;
  • Minimum average in Psychology courses of 76%;
  • Preliminary thesis topic approved by a thesis supervisor (note: the unit head must approve the thesis supervisor);
  • Completion of PSYO 270, 271.

Graduation Requirements

  • All general program requirements for the B.A. or B.Sc. degree, including the general, English, Science, Language other than English, and Distribution requirements;
  • All requirements for the Psychology Major, including the breadth requirement;
  • Completion of PSYO 372 (Research Methods and Statistics), PSYO 373 (Advanced Research Methods and Statistics), and PSYO 490 (Undergraduate Honours Thesis) with a minimum average of 76% and at least 70% in each of these courses;
  • An average of at least 76% from all courses in Psychology;
  • An overall average of at least 76%;
  • Public presentation of the thesis; and
  • A minimum of 54 credits of Psychology, of which 42 must be upper-level courses.

HONOURS PROGRAM WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

This new honours certificate program at the UBC Okanagan campus will provide a small number of top psychology undergraduate students the opportunity to concentrate their studies in forensic psychology during the completion of their psychology hours degree.  UBC is the only university in Canada to offer such a program.  This program will allow students to learn - through each of coursework, a thesis on a forensic topic, and hands-on experience working with psychologists in forensic settings - about the various roles that psychologists play in the legal system, psychological aspects of crime and criminal investigation, the assessment of risk for violence, and mental health issues/psychological interventions among both victims and offenders.

This therefore provides an excellent foundation for the develoment of relevant research and professional skills with further graduate level training.  Practically, the certificate will provide students with an advantage in gaining admission to very competitve graduate programs that lead to a professional career in psychology (academic and/or practicing forensic psychologists).  Students would also be well-positioned to pursue further professional training in law, policing, criminology, forensic science, and government/corrections. 

A major component of the new program is the required successful completion of two practica in forensic settings:

Practicum Requirements

Students in the certificate program are required to complete two practica in approved forensic settings in the Okanagan Region.  The minimum number of hours for practica will be 160 hours (four full-time weeks which can be spread throughtout the school year or during the summer months).  Each practicum will allow a student to: (a) observe/shadow psychologists and other forensic staff in their work, (b) receive relevant on-the-job training, and (c) work with a trained staff member during their interaction with crime victims and/or criminal offenders.  Students will be evaluated by the practicum supervisor at the end of the practicum.  Grading will be Pass or Fail, as evaluated according to pre-set criteria depending on the practicum site (e.g., attendance, acquisition of relevant knowledge, ethical behaviour, etc.).  Students will complete their practica in one of two ways (1) one practicum in the summer following their third year and one across the fourth year or (2) one practicumin the summer following the third year and one during the summer following the fourth (final) academic year.  This will be decided on an individual basis.  The practica may or may not be paid depending on the setting.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission of students to the Forensics Program will occur on a competitive basis.  A limited number of students will be accepted each year based on compatibility with research interests of potential supervisors, and practicum and supervisor availability.  Applicants must have completed PSYO 372 (Research Methods and Statistics) and 373 (Advanced Research Methods and Statistics) with a minimum weighted average of 76% and at least 70% in each of these courses.  Applicants' overall weighted average will also be considered, and a minimum weighted average of 76% over the last 60 credits will normally be required.  Qualified applicants will undergo an interview by the selection committee.  Acceptance will be based on both academic performance and posession of interpersonal skills and ethical knowledge suitable for work with forensic staff and populations.

 

Applicants must first meet the requirements of applying for the Psychology Honours Program as stated above. 

Additional requirements for the Forensics Specialization include:

Courses:

Psychology (all required with at least 76% in each course)

PSYO 355 (3 credits) & 356 (3 credits): Forensic Psychology I & II

PSYO 381 (3 credits): Directed Studies in Psychology on a “forensic” topic, broadly defined

PSYO 490 (6 credits): Undergraduate Honours Thesis. The thesis must address a “forensic” topic, broadly defined.

PSYO 508 (3 credits): Advanced Topics in (Forensic) Psychology

 

Psychology courses (minimum 15 credits required with at least 76% in each course)

PSYO 241 (3 credits): Personality

PSYO 252 (3 credits): Introduction to Social Psychology

PSYO 311 (3 credits): Memory

PSYO 335 (3 credits): Drugs and Behaviour

PSYO 343 (3 credits) Psychopathology I

PSYO 344 (3 credits): Psychopathology II

PSYO 353 (3 credits) Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality I

PSYO 354 (3 credits) Psychological Aspects of Human Sexuality II

PSYO 380D (3-9 credits) Special Topics in Psychology (based on topic)

PSYO 442 (3 credits) Interpersonal Behaviour and Psychopathology

PSYO 443 (3 credits) Psychometrics and Test Evaluation

PSYO 444 (3 credits) Psychological Tests and Administration

PSYO 480D (3-9 credits) Advanced Special Tests in Psychology (based on topic)

Non-Psychology Courses (at least 68% in each course)

Students will also be required to take two relevant courses in Sociology as part of their degree elective requirements. Students must complete:

SOCI 249 (3 credits): Crime and Society

and ONE of:

SOCI 270 (3 credits) Youth, Crime and Deviance

SOCI 309 (3 credits) Violence in Intimate Relationships

SOCI 371 (3 credits) Deviance and Social Control

or another relevant Sociology course as determined by the program.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

1. Applicants are required to complete the on-line application form.

2. Applicants with academic records from other institutions are required to submit a transcript with their application.

3. Qualified applicants will undergo an interview by the selection committee.

Acceptance will be based on both academic performance and possession of interpersonal skills and ethical knowledge suitable for work with forensic staff and populations.

For more information about this program contact:

Marla MacDonald
Tel: 250-807-9528
E-mail:marla.macdonald@ubc.ca

Click here to fill in and submit the application to the Specialization in Forensics program.

 

 

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Last reviewed 5/10/2012 2:46:04 PM

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