Psychology

Psychology delves into what makes people tick. Psychologists study the relationship between mind and behaviour by investigating the nature of thought processes and behaviours in humans and other animals. Psychologists also study the evolutionary, social and cultural factors affecting the development of our thoughts and behaviours, focusing on topics that have a direct bearing on our day-to-day experience. Unlike many academic disciplines, the subject matter dealt with in Psychology usually has a direct bearing on the day-to-day experiences of people; this makes it easier for students to focus on problems, and learn how to use the tools of the discipline to solve them.

Students interested in Psychology can complete:

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts and Science

Program Planning Guides

Skills

Attention to Detail
Carry Out Tasks with Thoroughness & Precision
Communicate Ideas Clearly & Efficiently
Communication
Conceptualize & Interpret
Creativity & Flexibility in Thinking
Critical & Analytical Problem Solving
Read Critically & Write Persuasively

Critically Analyze Evidence-Based Claims
Formulate & Defend Positions
Formulate Criteria, Evaluate & Make Decisions
Locate, Gather & Organize Information
Mathematical & Logical Reasoning
Negotiate & Mediate Conflict

Research & Information Management
Set Priorities & Handle Multiple Assignments and Tasks
Summarize Research Findings
Understand the Physiological, Emotional, Cognitive & Social Determinants of Human Behaviour

Work Environment

Psychology provides an excellent background for further professional training in a variety of disciplines including education, law, counselling and social services. Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology are also well trained for careers in medicine and biotechnology. Psychology graduates may find employment in community organizations, educational and research institutes, governmental organizations, human resources companies, law enforcement agencies, consulting and marketing firms, media companies, non-governmental or non-profit organizations, public relations offices, recreation facilities or social service organizations.

Key Areas of Specialization:

Abnormal Psychology
Biopsychology
Clinical Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Comparative Psychology
Counselling Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Experimental Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Education
Health
Human Factors
Personality

Career Possibilities

Entry Level

These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate, if one is available.

Admission Counsellor
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator
Case Specialist
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical Services Assistant
Clinical Subjects Associate
Clinical Trials Lab Assistant
Community Based Research Specialist
Consumer Product Testing Analyst
Contract Instructor Therapist
Employee Survey Analyst
Entry Level Behaviour Interventionist
Health Counsellor
Human Resource Officer – Developmental
Human Resources Coordinator
Instructional Assistant – Psychology
Intake Coordinator
Mental Health Therapy Assistant
Probation Officer
Program Assistant (Organizational Behaviour)
Program Services Coordinator
Psychology Technician
Research Assistant – Psychometrist
Research Assistant (Youth Bipolar Disorder)
Research Study Assistant
Resource Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator

Related Job Titles

These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education

Thinking Outside the Box: Other Possible Job Titles

On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.

Useful Resources

American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org
Association for Psychological Science http://www.psychologicalscience.org
Canadian Association for Neuroscience http://can-acn.org
Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs https://ccppp.wildapricot.org/
Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association http://www.ccpa-accp.ca
Canadian Professional Counsellors Association http://www.cpca-rpc.ca
The College of Alberta Psychologists http://www.cap.ab.ca/
Canadian Psychological Association http://www.cpa.ca
Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour & Cognitive Science https://www.csbbcs.org
Psychologists Association of Alberta http://www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca
The British Psychological Society http://www.bps.org.uk
The Psychonomic Society http://www.psychonomic.org/

Add Value to Your Degree

The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.

Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.

Connect with Others

Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.

Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.

Co-operative Education

Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.

Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.

Applied Studies

The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.

Student Clubs and Leadership

Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.

The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.

The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.

Research Opportunities

The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.

An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.

You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.

The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!

International Experience

International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).

Community Involvement

Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.

What can I do with a major in Psychology