Psychology - Associate of Arts Degree

Program at a Glance
Length
2 years
Campus
Castlegar
Intake Dates
Fall
Winter
Spring
Overview

Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour. Psychologists seek to understand all aspects of human thought, experience and action.

The Associate of Arts - Psychology is a pathway to a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and to careers in counselling, communications, business, and education.

The Associate Degree is a formally established credential recognized province-wide. Graduation from this program requires the completion of sixty (60) credits of university-level study in selected areas with an overall GPA of 2.0. For details, see the B.C. Council of Admissions and Transfers at www.bctransferguide.ca

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of an Associate of Arts program, learners will be able to:

  1. Explain terms, concepts and theories of the discipline(s)
  2. Read, write and communicate effectively and creatively across academic disciplines
  3. Ask informed questions to deepen the level of enquiry
  4. Use quantitative and qualitative evidence to support claims
  5. Research and analyze evidence from scholarly and professional publications
  6. Synthesize and summarize literature and data
  7. Demonstrate developing critical, creative thinking and problem-solving skills
  8. Use current and emerging technology
  9. Demonstrate collaborative skills in a multicultural environment
  10. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner in an academic environment

In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, as outlined in Policy 8611: Admissions, applicants to Associate of Arts must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:

a) 60% in English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, or ENGL 601

1Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the College’s English Language Proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions Appendix A.

Additional Requirements

None.

Graduation and Promotion

Selkirk College awards an Associate of Arts - Psychology to a student who completed at least sixty (60) credits of courses in University Arts and Sciences and other areas, achieves a minimum GPA of 2.00, and whose course selection meets the following criteria1:

a) Two three-credit courses in 100-level English.

b) Six three-credit courses in 100-level or higher arts other than English. Two courses must be in humanities and two courses must be in humanities.
i. Including: PSYC 100 and PSYC 101

c) Three three-credit courses in science. Once course must be in math, statistics or computer science, and one course must be a lab science2.

d) Six three-credit courses in 200-level or higher arts in two or more subject areas.
i. Including: PSYC 200 and PSYC 202, and one of the following pairs: PSYC 230 and PSYC 231, or PSYC 240 and PSYC 241.

e) Three three-credit courses in arts, sciences or other areas3.


1Students are advised to ensure that their course selections will meet the degree requirements of the university where they intend to transfer.

2Commonly selected lab sciences include BIOL 101, GEOG 130, GEOG 232, and GEOL 132 and GEOL 232.

3Courses must transfer for three or more credits to at least one of SFU, UBC (Vancouver or Okanagan), UNBC or UVIC. See the BC Transfer Guide at www.bc.transferguide.ca


Students are advised to check the prerequisites for the courses they select.

All prerequisite courses in University Arts and Sciences disciplines require a minimum grade of 60% unless otherwise noted.

Term 1
Courses

ENGL 110 introduces students to the world of scholarly writing -- reading it, thinking about it, and producing it as academic researchers. Students will explore how professional and/or academic writers across disciplines communicate to a variety of audiences. Students will practice active reading, writing and critical thinking skills by conducting scholarly research on a topic. This course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to write effectively within academic contexts.

Prerequisites
English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60 with a minimum grade of 60%
Credits
3.00

PSYC 100 Introductory Psychology I is an introduction to the methods, theory and practice of psychology as a science. Among others, topics will include motivation and emotion, learning and memory, biological foundations, sensation and perception. Other topics are added at the discretion of the individual instructor. Class demonstrations and activities are used to illustrate concepts. Teaching methods and resources in the course vary with the instructor.

Prerequisites
English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60 with a minimum grade of 60%
Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00
Elective Courses

Suggested electives:

one 100-level or higher arts (humanities) elective (not English)
one 100-level or higher arts elective (not English)
one lab science elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

 

 

Term 2
Courses

ENGL 111 Introduction to Literature is about living more intensely. Rather than providing answers, literature prompts us to ask better questions of ourselves and each other. Drama, poetry, short stories, and novels will guide us in discussion, reflection, and writing about literature.

Prerequisites
English 110 with a minimum grade of 60%
Credits
3.00

PSYC 101 Introductory Psychology II covers topics include thinking and other cognitive processes, development of the individual, personality, mental disorders, health and social psychology. Other topics are added at the discretion of the instructor. Class demonstrations and activities are used to illustrate concepts. Teaching methods and resources in the course vary with the instructor.

Prerequisites
English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 60 with a minimum grade of 60%
Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00
Elective Courses

Suggested electives:

one 100-level or higher (humanities) elective (not English)
one 100-level or higher arts elective (not English)
one math, statistics or computer science elective

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

 

Term 3
Courses

PSYC 202 Research Methods. This course introduces prospective Psychology majors to the major methodological principles that guide research in Psychology. The primary focus is on experimental design, but students will be exposed to some elementary statistics. Topics include critical thinking and scientific reasoning, principles of measurement, types of variables, validity and reliability, and research ethics. Weekly labs offer hands-on applications of basic concepts to the design of research.

Prerequisites
PSYC 100 and PSYC 101 both with a minimum of 60%
Credits
3.00

PSYC 230 Mental Health and Psychological Disorders I is the study of Abnormal Behaviour. Initially we will study the key concepts of major personality theories as they apply to abnormal psychology. This is followed by an introduction to the DSMIV (or DSMV) Classification System and research strategies used in abnormal psychology. The course begins its examination of specific disorders by considering disorders related to anxiety, trauma and stress. The final unit looks at Depressive and Bipolar disorders and Suicide.

Prerequisites
PSYC 100 and PSYV 101 both with a minimum grade of 60%
Credits
3.00
or

PSYC 240 Child Development is an introduction to normal child development; this course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to middle childhood; and examines the major theories of child development.

Prerequisites
PSYC 100 or PSYC 101 with a minimum of 60%
Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00
Elective Courses

Suggested electives:

one 200-level or higher arts elective (not psychology)
one science elective
one elective in arts, sciences or other areas

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

 

Term 4
Courses

PSYC 200 Biological Psychology is recommended for majors in psychology or other biological sciences. It will emphasize fundamental neurological processes which underlie sensation, perception, learning, and motivation, and will also explore selected topics in other areas.

Prerequisites
PSYC 100 and PSYC 101 both with a minimum of 60%
Credits
3.00

PSYC 231 Mental Health and Psychological Disorders II is the second of two courses which study psychological disorders. In this course we will examine psychotic, pervasive and other major psychological disorders. We will consider the causes, prognoses and treatments of such disorders as: affective disorders; the schizophrenias; developmental disorders; eating disorders; substance-abuse disorders; and sexual disorders.

Prerequisites
PSYC 230 with a minimum grade of 60%
Credits
3.00
or

PSYC 241 Adult Development is an introduction to teenage and adult development. This course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development from adolescence thru late adulthood.

Prerequisites
PSYC 100 or PSYC 101 with a minimum of 60%
Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00

Credits
3.00
Elective Courses

Suggested electives:

one 200-level or higher arts elective
two electives in arts, sciences or other areas

See the UAS Courses by discipline page for course selections.

 

Effective Term:

Fall, Winter, Spring

Effective Year:

20240801

Advanced Standing:

  1. Transfer credit for 100- and 200-level University Arts and Sciences (UAS) courses will be given for equivalent courses successfully completed during the past ten years from accredited post-secondary institutions. Students who have completed courses more than ten years earlier require permission from the school chair to receive transfer credit at Selkirk College.
  2. All prerequisite courses in UAS disciplines require a minimum grade of 60% unless otherwise noted.


Assessment:

  1. Courses with a lab/seminar and lecture may require passing both lecture and lab/seminar to pass the course. If this requirement applies to a course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.
  2. For some online courses, students must pass the final exam to receive a passing grade in the course regardless of their grade to date, and students who fail the final exam will receive a maximum grade of 49%. If this requirement applies to an online course, the requirement will be noted in the course outline.
  3. All instructors will outline their policies with respect to missed or late assignments in their current course outlines.
  4. Credit will be granted for a course with a minimum grade of 50%, however, students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 to graduate.
  5. All prerequisite courses in UAS disciplines require a minimum grade of 60% unless otherwise noted.


Grading Table:

Standard Academic and Career Programs

Types of Assessments:

  1. See individual course outlines.

Attendance:

  1. Attendance at scheduled lectures, laboratories, field trips, seminars, tutorials, and examinations is expected. Students absent from class for any reason are responsible for the work they have missed. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor when an absence is required.
  2. All instructors will outline their policies with respect to attendance in their current course outlines.


Other Regulations:

  1. Students in the School of University Arts and Sciences are subject to the overall policies affecting all students at Selkirk College. College policies may be viewed on the college website.


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