Admission to the Psychology Major occurs after Year One. Students may apply for the Psychology Major in March and April of Year One.
Current University of Waterloo students: Please attend the information session for prospective Psychology majors. Refer to the Psychology undergraduate website for the date and time (late February or March).
All applicants to the Psychology Major: See the Psychology undergraduate website for the application documents required, frequently asked questions regarding admission decisions, course offerings by Psychology area, tips regarding course planning and student success, experiences and opportunities for current students, etc.
To be considered for a Psychology Major, students must have completed a minimum of four academic course units (i.e., eight courses) including PSYCH 101/PSYCH 101R and preferably one of PSYCH 207, PSYCH 211, PSYCH 253/PSYCH 253R, PSYCH 257/PSYCH 257R, or PSYCH 261. Most admission decisions for the Psychology Major are for fall term admission and are normally made after winter term grades are available. For those whose admission decisions are deferred pending spring term grades, admission decisions will be made early September.
The minimum cumulative average requirements for admission to the various Psychology (Bachelor of Arts) academic plans are as follows:
- Three-Year General Psychology: 60% overall and 65% in Psychology.
- Four-Year General Psychology: 60% overall and 70% in Psychology.
- Honours Psychology: 70% overall and 75% in Psychology.
- Honours Psychology "Departmental" Co-op: Refer to Honours Psychology Co-op for details.
- Honours Psychology with Arts and Business: 70% overall, 75% in Psychology, and 70% in the Arts and Business courses. Direct inquiries regarding admission to Arts and Business (Regular or Co-op) to the Arts and Business advisor.
- Joint Honours Psychology: 70% overall, 75% in Psychology, and the average requirement specified for the second major.
- Joint Honours Psychology "Departmental" Co-op (first major must be Psychology): Refer to Honours Psychology Co-op for details.
For those not enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, the minimum cumulative averages required for admission to Joint Honours Psychology are as follows: 60% overall, 75% in Psychology, and the average requirement for the second Honours Major. Refer inquiries regarding admission to the co-op system of study to the academic advisor for the Home Faculty.
Honours Psychology is also available as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree. Refer to Honours Psychology (Bachelor of Science) for details.
If you completed a research methods course and/or a statistics course, seek advice at the Psychology Undergraduate Office regarding your degree requirements before the first term of enrolment as a Psychology major.