Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Department of Psychology Faculty of Health

BA/BSc

The Bachelor of Psychology is a 90-credit degree program designed for students who want an introduction to the foundations of contemporary psychology. Students who graduate from this program will have demonstrated depth of knowledge in core and specialty areas of psychology as well as a basic understanding of psychological research and writing.  

This program is well-suited for students wishing to complete a 3-year university degree and then begin a career or pursue a college diploma following graduation.

Psychology Links

Degree Program Requirements

We have recently made program changes. Your degree program requirements are often based on your year of entry. If you started your degree program here at York University in 2017 or later, you will need to satisfy the New Degree Requirements.

If you joined our department prior to 2017, you will typically follow the Previous Degree Requirement (as of Fall 2013; Major credits only). However, if you (a) changed to the Faculty of Health, (b) changed your degree type (e.g., BSc to BA), or (c) entered the Specialized Honours program in 2017 or later, OR, if you anticipate finishing your degree requirements after the Winter 2021 term, you will follow the New Degree Requirements. 

Also, if you entered the university prior to 2013, your degree requirements outside of the major may differ. 

Please check your Degree Progress Report, the Academic Calendar from your year of entry, and/or consult with OSAS or the Undergraduate Office in the Department of Psychology if you have any questions.

Psychology (BA Program): 90 Credits

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 course credits and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at York University.

Graduation requirement: all graduates must complete a total of at least 90 credits with a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 4.00 (C).

General education: a minimum of 18 credits as follows:

  • six credits at the 1000 level in approved Faculty of Health general education or humanities categories approved by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • six credits at the 1000 level in approved Faculty of Health general education or social science categories approved by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • six credits at the 1000 level in natural science (NATS) offered by the Faculty of Science

Note 1: it is strongly recommended that students complete the general education requirements above within their first 54 credits.

Note 2: students may complete a maximum of 30 credits in general education, any additional credits not being used to fulfill general education may count toward electives.

Note 3: general education requirements are satisfied by taking natural science courses, approved humanities or social science categories courses and Faculty of Health general education courses. For further information please visit https://www.yorku.ca/health/general-education-requirements-prior-to-fall-2021/.

Major credits: students must complete at least 33 credits in psychology, including at least 12 credits at the 3000 level in psychology.

Psychology courses must include:

At least three credits chosen from Group 1 (2100 series):

At least three credits chosen from Group 2 (2200 series):

At least twelve credits from psychology (PSYC) at the 3000 level.

Note: to be eligible to enrol in 3000-level psychology courses, students must have: at least 54 credits, HH/PSYC 1010 6.00 with a minimum grade of C and all additional course prerequisites.

Upper-level credits: a minimum of 18 credits must be taken at the 3000 level or 4000 level.

Credits outside the major: a minimum of 18 credits outside the major. Credits outside the major may be used to fulfill upper-level credits.

Psychology (BSc Program): 90 Credits

Residency requirement: a minimum of 30 course credits and at least half (50 per cent) of the course credits required in each undergraduate degree program major/minor must be taken at York University.

Graduation requirement: all graduates must complete a total of at least 90 credits with a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 4.00 (C).

General education requirement: a minimum of 18 credits as follows:

  • six credits at the 1000 level in approved Faculty of Health general education or humanities categories approved by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • six credits at the 1000 level in approved Faculty of Health general education or social science categories approved by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
  • six credits at the 1000 level in approved Faculty of Health general education or humanities or social science categories approved by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

Note 1: it is required that students complete the general education requirements above within their first 54 credits.

Note 2: students may complete a maximum of 30 credits in general education, any additional credits not being used to fulfill general education may count toward electives.

Note 3: general education requirements are satisfied by taking approved humanities or social science categories courses and Faculty of Health general education courses. For further information please visit https://www.yorku.ca/health/general-education-requirements-prior-to-fall-2021/.

Basic science requirement: a minimum of 15 credits as follows:

Note: Psychology students are strongly recommended to take LE/EECS 1570 3.00.

Major credits: students must complete at least 33 credits in psychology.

Psychology courses must include:

At least three credits chosen from Group 1 (2100 series):

At least three credits chosen from Group 2 (2200 series):

At least twelve credits from psychology (PSYC) courses at the 3000 level

Note: To be eligible to enrol in 3000-level psychology courses, students must have: at least 54 credits, HH/PSYC 1010 6.00  and all additional course prerequisites.

Upper-level credits: a minimum of 18 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level, including 12 credits in the major.

Required science credits outside the major: A minimum of nine credits in science disciplines outside the major, of which three credits must be at the 2000-level or above. Required science credits outside the major can be selected from the following:

Electives: additional elective credits as required for an overall total of at least 90 credits. Elective credits may be used to fulfill science and upper-level credits.

Please note: below we outline only your Major (meaning your psychology) requirements.  The psychology course requirements are identical for students pursuing either a BA or a BSc degree.

However, additional university-wide (e.g., General Education Requirements) and Faculty-Wide degree requirements will differ based on your degree type (i.e., BA or BSc) AND your year of entry. 

Please search online for the York University academic calendar for your year of entry for more information about your degree requirements.  Please also consult your Degree Progress Report.  If questions remain, please feel free to book an advising appointment through OSAS and/or the Department of Psychology.**

Major credits: students must complete at least 30 (but not more than 42) credits in psychology, including at least 12 credits at the 3000 level or 4000 level in psychology.

Psychology courses must include:

at least three credits chosen from:

at least three credits chosen from:

additional credits from psychology (PSYC) for an overall total of at least 30 credits.

There are additional requirements, including upper level credits and credits outside of the major. Please consult the Academic Calendar from your year of entry into the Faculty of Health for more information, or access your Degree Progress Report.

Discover more

Faculty Resources for Department of Psychology

History of Psychology Department at York

Undergraduate Psychology Students' Association

Calumet College