Major map:
Psychology
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Psychology is the study of behaviour and mental processes, and their relation to one's physical and mental states and external environment. As modern society becomes increasingly complex, psychologists play a critical role in helping people better understand themselves.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying psychology at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
PSY 120.3 | Biological and Cognitive Bases of Psychology
PSY 121.3 | Social, Clinical, Cultural and Developmental Bases of Psychology
You choose
- From a variety of courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Attend MAJOR Possibilities hosted by the College of Arts and Science to help you decide on your ideal major
What will I learn?
- Gain hands-on experience conducting research studies
- Learn how to analyze quantitative (that is numeric) and qualitative (that is textual/visual) data
- Improve your written and oral communication skills
- Become aware of the ways in which psychological concepts can be applied to everyday life
- Acquire greater awareness of, and appreciation for, diversity on dimensions such as race, gender and sexual identity
Gain relevant experience
- Enroll in a First Year Research Experience (FYRE) course to have a meaningful research, scholarly, or artistic experience
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning class
- Volunteer in a psychology research lab
- Consider a study abroad experience to earn credit toward your degree
Create local and global connections
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Join the Saskatoon Psychology Students' Society (SPSS)
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
PSY 233.3 | Statistical Methods in Behavioural Sciences A
PSY 234.3 | Statistical Methods in Behavioural Sciences B
PSY 235.3 | Research Methods and Design
You choose
- Two PSY 200-level courses (6 cu) examining cultural and social issues in psychology
- Two PSY 200-level courses (6 cu) examining biological, cognitive, and neuropsychological influences on behaviour
You choose
- Two PSY 300-level research-based classes (6 cu) examining cultural and social issues in psychology and/or biological, cognitive, and neuropsychological influences on behavior
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks or meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Declare your major in the PAWS Arts and Science channel
- If you are wanting to apply to a Psychology Graduate Program in the future, be sure to enroll in the Psychology Honours Program
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of certificates to complement your major.
Gain relevant experience
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
- Become a peer mentor with the College of Arts and Science, Student Learning Services, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Gain relevant experience by enrolling in experiential learning psychology courses such as:
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and the Global Connections Network
- Attend the Undergraduate Research Conference (see events calendar)
Get career ready
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nuturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required program-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all major requirements.
You choose
- One or two PSY 400-level courses (3cu or 6cu)
PSY 400-level courses focus on an in-depth topic, or set of related issues in psychology. At this level, students are expected to be relatively autonomous, and to be capable of reading, learning, and thinking independently.
Academic tips
Consider applying to a graduate program in psychology (Honours degree needed to apply):
- Applied Social Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognition and Neuroscience
- Culture, Health, and Human Development
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Arts and Science Student Union (ASSU) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Consider connecting with professional associations, such as:
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nuturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Possible destinations
People with a psychology degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Administration
- Advertising
- Case Worker
- Community Worker
- Correctional Officer
- Cultural Diversity Consultant
- Government Researcher
- Health Services
- Human Resources
- Immigration Officer
- Labour Relations
- Law
- Market Research Analyst
- Medicine
- Mental Health Worker
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Policing
- Politics
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Program Coordinator
- Public Relations
- Recreation Specialist
- Sales Representative
- Social Services
- Speech Language Pathology
- Technical Writer
- Youth Worker
Graduates of the USask psychology program possess many of the competencies and skills we value. They are person-centred and looking to leave the world a better place than how they found it, and they possess strong organizational skills, problem solving skills and digital literacy.
—Emily Hurd, Program Manager, Sask Abilities
Where do USask alumni work?
- Bridges Health
- City of Saskatoon
- Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Government of Saskatchewan
- Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
- Learning Disabilities Association of SK
- Prairie Spirit School Division
- Saskatchewan Health Authority
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- Saskatoon Open Door Society
- Saskatoon Public Schools
- Saskatoon Sexual Health
- Sask Abilities
- SaskTel
- University of Regina
- University of Saskatchewan
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"I have a fundamental need to help others, through my knowledge, talent and abilities. Psychology is the best way to do that."
—Kiana, fifth-year psychology honours student
"I chose psychology because I wanted to be able to understand people better, as well as help them to be their best selves."
—Anna, third-year psychology student
"If you were ever curious about human behaviors or different psychology theories, then I think this is the right degree for you!"
—Rose, Bachelor of Arts '18 (with distinction) in psychology