Psychological Development (Specialization)
Add an element of expertise to your Psychology degree that will diversify you from other Psychology graduates.
Unravel the mystery of the mind and how the human brain develops from day one. Choose to focus your studies on child and adolescent development or grow your expertise on adults and aging. This specialization will provide you with real-world experience through practical and research opportunities on campus and in the community, enhancing your ability to work with individuals across the lifespan.
Career Experience:
- Take a practica to be a part of research both on campus and off campus
- Aging and conditions of aging research placements available at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science
- Living Lab experience – part of research but you’re interacting with real life people in applied real world setting. Still research that is being conducted, that has applications for treatment and implications
Career Paths:
- Therapist
- Counsellor
- Crisis Intervention Officer
- Police Officer
- Behaviour Analyst
- Rehabilitation Advisor
- Social Worker
- Human Resources
- Research Analyst
Required Courses
The Specialization in Psychological Development is open to students in the single- and joint major Honours degree programs and is intended for students interested in pursuing a career in developmental psychology and associated fields (e.g., graduate work with a specialization in developmental psychology, health care, social work, recreation or developmental services, child protection). This specialization provides students with course options designed for an in-depth examination of theoretical, empirical, methodological, and practical approaches to development related topics. Students who have fulfilled the requirements for an Honours degree in Psychology may graduate with a Specialization in Psychological Development if they have successfully completed the following 4.5 credits:
- 0.5 PSYC credit consisting of PSYC 2550H
- PSYC credit from PSYC 3500H (or 2500H), 3510H, or 3550H**
- PSYC credits from PSYC 3530H, 3550H**, 3560H, 4530H, 4531H, 4560H, 4570H, 4580H, 4590H, reading courses (PSYC 3900Y, 3901H, 3902H, 4900Y, 4901H, 4902H), practicum courses (PSYC 3801H, 3802H, 4801H, 4802H, or thesis (PSYC 4010Y/4020D) primarily focused on development
**may only count toward one list
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program specific prerequisites
- A minimum 70% overall final average
- ENG 4U with a minimum of 60%
- A 4U Math (Recommended)
