Psychology Specialist (HBSc)

Admissions Category: Psychological & Health Studies

Are you a prospective student applicant?

You can enter the Health Sciences Stream to accelerate your career in a health care profession

Program Overview

Psychology examines how and why people think and act the way they do, with the ultimate goal of understanding and improving the human condition. The psychology programs offer the opportunity to understand and further investigate into various areas of psychology: how humans learn, adapt, and remember; how they change over their lifetimes; how they are affected by the presence of others; and, how their behaviour relates to their physiological functions. The Specialist program is a research-intensive program, and provides an opportunity to study typical thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, through courses in the fields of Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Behavioural Neuroscience.  Programs in Psychology and Mental Health Studies cannot be combined.


Complementary Programs:

 NeuroscienceHuman BiologyHealth StudiesSociologyAnthropologyLinguistics



Check out future career opportunities and skills acquired from completing this program:

Competencies & Skills

  • Communication (oral and written)
  • Interpersonal abilities
  • Mediate and negotiate
  • Knowledge of mental health issues
  • Analytical and critical thinking
  • Research
  • Teamwork
  • Planning/Organizing
  • Problem-solving and reasoning
  • Leadership

Careers for Graduates

  • Case Manager in Social Services
  • Psychometrist’s Assistant in Psychological Services
  • Research Assistant in Hospitals
  • Human Resource Assistant in Business
  • Youth Worker in Community Services
  • Marketing Representative in Business Services
  • Employment Consultant in Non-Profits

Further Education

  • Psychology
  • Clinical or Counselling Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Education
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • ABA Behaviour Therapy
  • Human Resources

Program Pathway

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
  • Attend the UTSC Faculty Mix & Mingle Fair to connect with professors and learn more about their specialties.
  • Start building your Co-Curricular Record (CCR) and search for Experiential Learning opportunities.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career

Year 2
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
  • Consider completing a Supervised Study course [PSYB90H3].
  • Seek out volunteer positions in faculty research labs.
  • Apply to the Budding Scholars Research Award to receive funding toward a faculty-supervised project.

Apply Theory to Practice
  • Get involved in the Psychology & Neuroscience Undergraduate Journal Club to learn how to critically analyze scientific literature, and discuss articles with peers.
  • Check out Global Research Abroad opportunities through the ISC to gain valuable international and research experiences.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career
  • Gain experience by applying for a summer, part-time or Work Study position via CLNx (
  • Considering grad school?  Speak to professors and advisors early so you are on track.
  • Explore careers through the AA&CC’s Job Shadowing and In The Field programs.


Year 3
Choose Your Courses Wisely
Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
Apply Theory to Practice
  • Build on your skills and knowledge through relevant events offered through your department, student groupsDSL and the AA&CC.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
Plan for Your Future Career

Year 4
Choose Your Courses Wisely
  • 0.5 credit at the D-level from the PSY 10-20 series courses.
  • 0.5 credit at the D-level from the PSY 50-60 series courses.
  • Complete any remaining program requirements.
  • Ensure you have at least 4.0 credits in your program at the C- or D-level.
  • Register your “Intent to Graduate” on ACORN by the deadline.

Develop Your Academic & Research Skills
  • Consider completing a Thesis course [NROD98Y3]. Plan ahead to ensure you meet prerequisite requirements.
  • Apply for a travel award through the DSL or Department of Psychology.
  • Again, consider competing for UTSC LibraryNSERC, and UTEA awards.

Apply Theory to Practice
  • Attend the Summer & Full-time Job Fair in January to meet with potential employers looking to hire students for relevant summer and full-time positions.

Become an Engaged Citizen (Locally & Globally)
  • Participate in the AA&CC’s Partners in Leadership program to learn and network with an alumni mentor about transitioning into the work field or further education.

Plan for Your Future Career
  • Attend the AA&CC’s Get Hired job search conference in April/May.
  • Attend a Jobs for Grads orientation for a job search “crash course” and for access to full-time job listings.
  • Discuss grad school plans early with staff at the AA&CC and your professors and get your Personal Statement reviewed in the AA&CC.

Glossary

  • AACC - Academic Advising and Career Centre (www.utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc)
  • CCR - Co-Curricular Record (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/ccr/overview.htm)
  • CLNx - Career Co-Curricular Learning Network (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/home.htm)
  • CTL - Centre for Teaching and Learning (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl)
  • DSL - Department of Student Life (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife)
  • ISC - International Student Centre (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/utscinternational)
  • NSERC - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp)
  • PNDA - Psychology and Neuroscience Departmental Association (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/psych/psychology-and-neuroscience-departmental-association-pnda)
  • SCSU - Scarborough Campus Students Union (https://www.scsu.ca)
  • UTEA - U of T Excellence Award (https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/research/university-toronto-excellence-award)


Contacts


Departmental Contact

Ainsley Lawson

E-mail: psychology-undergraduate@utsc.utoronto.ca

https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/psych/welcome-department-psychology


Psychology Librarian

Sarah Guay

E-mail: sarah.guay@utoronto.ca
Location: ARC main floor
Phone: 416-287-7497

https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/librarians


Psychology and Neuroscience Departmental Association [PNDA]

https://www.facebook.com/thepnda/


Academic Advising & Career Centre

Location: AC213
Phone: 416-287-7561

https://utsc.utoronto.ca/aacc/


Department of Student Life

Location: SL157
Phone: 416-208-4760

https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/studentlife/

Did You Know?

Student presenting research poster

UTSC is home to the Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science, offering an MA/PhD program in clinical psychology.