Concentrations

Undergraduate students now have an opportunity to explore one of these themes in depth by selecting a concentration.


What is a concentration?

Who can select a concentration?

How many courses must I complete to earn a concentration?

How do I know which courses to select for a given concentration?

How do I add a concentration?

When should I add my concentration?

I still have questions. What should I do?

What is a concentration?

A concentration is a way of enhancing your degree by selecting a group of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year courses that are thematically related. If you are passionate about one of our areas of research, the relevant concentration will provide you with a “road map” that will help you choose the very best courses for you.

In addition, your concentration will be formally recognized when you graduate. Your diploma will explicitly state “B.A. (or B.Sc.) in Psychology with a concentration in [the area that you have chosen].”

You will be able to use it to show future employers or graduate programs that you have acquired expertise in an area of psychology that goes beyond the typical undergraduate degree.

Who can select a concentration?

You can only select a concentration if you are presently a student in the B.A. Honours Psychology, B.Sc. Honours Psychology, or the B.A. Combined Honours program. Only one concentration may be taken in a psychology program. Students registered for a minor in psychology or a  B.A. are excluded.

How many courses must I complete to earn a concentration?

Each concentration requires 3.5 credits in a given area of research. However, this does not mean that you will have to complete additional courses to finish your degree. You can fulfill program and concentration requirements simultaneously.

How do I know which courses to select for a given concentration?

All concentrations include at least one introductory course at the 2nd year level (e.g., PSYC 2301 – Introduction to Health Psychology). Then, a variety of options are given to fulfill the remaining credits at the 3rd or 4th year levels.

Please click on the links provided below to view the courses that you can select within a given concentration:

Concentration in Cognitive Psychology

Concentration in Developmental Psychology

Concentration in Forensic Psychology

Concentration in Health Psychology

Concentration in Social and Personality Psychology

How do I add a concentration?

You can add a concentration by going to Carleton Central and selecting “changing program elements.” To add a concentration, you must change your major to Psychology with a concentration in [the area that you have chosen]. Please note, when making adjustment to your program elements, we strongly encourage you to meet with your academic advisor.

When should I add my concentration?

Ideally, you should start your concentration in the second year of your program.

The earlier you start, the more likely you will be to finish the 3.5 credits required for its completion. You should also be aware that your registration into a concentration does not allow you in any way to sidestep the regular conditions for enrollment into a given course.

For instance, some courses have a major CGPA requirement (e.g., Third Year Honours Seminars and Honours theses), some courses have limited enrollment (e.g., the Community Practicum course), and some courses require you to secure a supervisor before you can enroll (e.g., an independent study).

Finally, note that many courses, including the Community Practicum, the Independent Study, the Honours Project, and the Honours thesis, may be used in fulfillment of all six concentrations.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the work you do in those courses is consistent with the theme of your concentration.

All these concentrations look very exciting. Can I take more than one?

Only one concentration can be formally recognized. You can do many courses outside your concentration, however, as long as you don’t forget to meet your requirements for graduation.

I still have questions. What should I do?

Contact the Undergraduate Office at the following:

The office is open weekdays from 8:30-12:00 and 1:00-4:30. There is no need to make an appointment.