Turn your ability to lend a compassionate, listening ear into a career where your commitment to helping others is front and centre
If you have an interest in understanding the behaviours of others, have an investigative nature, excel in social situations, and care deeply about the well-being of others, then a rewarding career in psychology may be for you!
Through a trauma-informed approach to care, you will gain knowledge and skills in psychology over the course of four years to support individuals from diverse backgrounds and improve socially important behaviour, including addictions, health, education, psychological disorders, traumatic injuries, and the treatment of prevalent developmental disabilities.
This unique program allows you the ability to specialize in therapeutic practices, behavioural sciences, or pursue a general degree in applied psychology in your second year. Included are opportunities for a fully paid internship, applied research, preparation for graduate studies, and applying your training in community settings.
As a graduate, you will be able to pursue graduate studies in various Psychology programs (e.g., Applied Psychology, clinical/Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology), Applied Disability Studies, or Applied Behavioural Analysis.
Program highlights
- Only program of its kind in Ontario to offer three streams of specialization
- Complete your degree as a psychology generalist or specialize in either therapeutic practices or behavioural sciences
- Opportunity for a paid internship
- Gain hands-on, practical work experience throughout the program
- Opportunity to complete a thesis or major paper to prepare for further research and graduate programs
- Focus on diversity and inclusion to provide culturally sensitive care to Indigenous communities and special populations
Program of study for 2025-26 Academic Year
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| PSY 1107 | Principles of Psychology I | 3 |
| PSY 1108 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 1109 | Intro Practice and Self Care | 3 |
| EDI 1100 | Equity Diversity Inclusion | 3 |
| ENG 1108 | Critical Information Literacy | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PSY 1201 | Models of Couns Practice | 3 |
| PSY 1205 | Intro to ABA | 3 |
| PSY 1206 | Principles of Psychology II | 3 |
| PSY 1208 | Intro to Trauma and Behaviour | 3 |
| SCI 1201 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Majors
During the degree program, students will be exposed to general Psychology education through core courses, knowledge in other domains through non-core degree breadth courses, and specialized majors in a chosen discipline.
1. General Psychology
In the Bachelor of Applied Psychology program (HBAP), students will learn about the history and main theoretical approaches to the broader field of psychology. Through the selection of courses from the HBAP Group A and Group B lists, students can deepen their understanding of behavioural sciences and therapeutic practices to prepare them as graduates with well-rounded knowledge and skills in the field of applied psychology.
Students wishing to graduate with a General Psychology degree without a major can select electives from any of the areas listed above to develop a more rounded skill set.
Note: Some courses have required pre-requisites. Please plan accordingly.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GROUP A | ||
| PSY 2308 | ABA Concepts and Principles | 3 |
| PSY 2309 | Autism and Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| PSY 2409 | ABA Measure and Experimental Design | 3 |
| PSY 3507 | Dual Diagnosis | 3 |
| PSY 3508 | ABA Assessment | 3 |
| PSY 3606 | ABA Behavioural Change Procedure | 3 |
| PSY 4807 | Compassionate Care in ABA | 3 |
| PSY 4905 | Applications of ABA | 3 |
| GROUP B | ||
| PSY 2310 | Models of Counselling Practice II | 3 |
| PSY 2408 | Mental Health and Addictions | 3 |
| PSY 3607 | Counselling for Couples/Groups | 3 |
| PSY 3509 | Grief and Loss | 3 |
| PSY 4808 | Trauma-Informed Interventions | 3 |
| PSY 4903 | Trauma In Organizations | 3 |
2. Behavioural Science
Students wishing to graduate with a major in the Behavioural Science Stream will note the following changes in delivery:
| Honours Bachelor of Applied Psychology | General Stream | Behavioural Science Stream |
| SEM 3 | EDI 2301 Dimensions of Social Inequity | PSY 2308 ABA: Concepts and Principles |
| Degree Breadth | PSY 2309 Autism and Develop. Disabilities | |
| SEM 4 | Select 1 course from Group A or B | PSY 2403 Ethics and Behavioural Analysis |
| Degree Breadth | PSY 2409 ABA: Measurement and Experimental Design | |
| SEM 5 | Select 1 course from Group A | PSY 3507 Dual Diagnosis |
| Degree Breadth | PSY 3508 ABA: Assessment and Intervention | |
| SEM 6 | Select 1 course from Group B | PSY 3606 ABA: Behavioural Change Procedure |
| SEM 8 | Select 1 course from Group A or B | PSY 4807 Compassionate Care in ABA |
| SEM 9 | Select 1 course from Group A or B | PSY 4905 Applications of ABA |
3. Therapeutic Practices
Students wishing to graduate with a major in the Therapeutic Practices Stream will note the following changes in delivery:
| Honours Bachelor of Applied Psychology | General Stream | Therapeutic Practices Stream |
| SEM 3 | Degree Breadth | PSY 2310 Models of Counselling Practice II |
| SEM 4 | Select 1 course from Group A or B | PSY 2408 Mental Health and Addictions |
| SEM 5 | Select 1 course from Group A | PSY 3509 Greif and Loss |
| SEM 6 | Select 1 course from Group B | PSY 3607 Counselling for Couples and Groups |
| SEM 8 | Select 1 course from Group A or B | PSY 4808 Trauma-Informed Interventions |
| SEM 9 | Select 1 course from Group A or B | PSY 4903 Trauma in Organizations |
Admission requirements
To be eligible to enter the Honours Bachelor of Applied Psychology program, graduates of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSS; 30 credits) or equivalent or mature student status must complete at least six grade 12 U/M courses with a minimum overall average of 65% and must qualify to obtain their OSSD.
Ontario High School applicants require the following Grade 12 credits:
- Any grade 12 English (U) (minimum 60%)
- Any 5 additional grade 12 courses (U) or (M)
Applicants with previous post-secondary education will be assessed on an individual basis in accordance with College and PEQAB guidelines/policies for advanced standing.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants with transcripts from institutions where the language of instruction is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency with a minimum test score on one of the following language proficiency tests or equivalent scores from another internationally recognized English language test:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
- TOEFL iBT 88, paper-based test 570
- CAEL 70, no sub-test band score less than 60
- PTE Academic 61
Note:
To participate in the Internship, students will need Synergy Basic clearance including: First Aid, CPR C, CPIC Vulnerable Sector Check, WHIMIS, AODA, Workplace Health & Safety, Workplace Violence & Prevention, and a WSIB Student Agreement.
Additional medical clearance may be required for some placement sites which support vulnerable populations, including: MMR, TB Step 1 and 2, Varicella, Tetanus/ Diphtheria (Td), Pertussis, Polio, and Hepatitis B.
Program delivery
2025-2026
Fall term start
Year 1
SEMESTER 1: Fall 2025
SEMESTER 2: Winter 2026
Year 2
SEMESTER 3: Fall 2026
SEMESTER 4: Winter 2027
Year 3
SEMESTER 5: Fall 2027
SEMESTER 6: Winter 2028
SEMESTER 7: Spring 2028 (Internship)
Year 4
SEMESTER 8: Fall 2028
SEMESTER 9: Winter 2029
Specific program pathways
Pathways for graduates from Cambrian's Child and Youth Care, Social Services Worker, Social Services Worker – Indigenous Specialization and Developmental Services Worker programs are currently being developed. Please email CIPS@cambriancollege.ca for further details.
Employment opportunities
Practitioner in:
- Community and social agencies
- Education settings
- Therapeutic services
- Research settings
- Health care and mental health services
Graduates can also pursue graduate studies.
Please note: Cambrian College strives to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website. Please note that the academic curriculum is continually reviewed and revised to ensure that Cambrian's programs and courses remain relevant. The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.
