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 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
PSY 1107 Principles of Psychology I 3
PSY 1108 Human Development I 3
PSY 1109 Intro Practice and Self Care 3
EDI 1100 Equity Diversity Inclusion 3
ENG 1108 Critical Information Literacy 3
 Credits15
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
 Credits15
Second Year
Semester 3
EDI 2301 Dimension of Social Inequality 3
PSY 2304 Motivation 3
PSY 2305 Research Methods 3
PSY 2307 Counselling Ethics 3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 1 3
 Credits15
Semester 4
MTH 2404 Statistics I 3
PSY 2401 Biological Psychology 3
PSY 2404 Trauma Informed Practices 3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 1 3
One course from Group A ot B. 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Semester 5
IND 3501 Indigenous Healing 3
PSY 3503 Observation and Documentation 3
PSY 3505 Social Psychology 3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 1 3
One course from Group A. 3
 Credits15
Semester 6
PSY 3602 Psychological Assessment 3
PSY 3605 Personality 3
PSY 3603 Placement Seminar 3
One course from Group B. 3
MTH 3604 Statistics II 3
(OR One Degree Breadth for Research Paper Stream) 1
 Credits15
Semester 7
PSY 3701 Internship 12
 Credits12
Fourth Year
Semester 8
PSY 4806 Cognition and the Brain 3
EDI 4801 Inclusive Practice Topics 3
One Degree Breadth Elective Course. 1 3
One course from Group A or B. 3
PSY 4801 Thesis I 3
(OR Degree Breadth Elective Course for students taking the Major Research Paper in Semester 9) 1
 Credits15
Semester 9
PSY 4906 Interprofessional Collaborations 3
PSY 4902 Psychopharm 3
One course from Group A or B. 3
One Degree Breadth. 1 3
PSY 4901 Thesis II 3
(OR PSY 4904 Major Research Paper)
 Credits15
 Total Credits132

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.

GROUP A
PSY 2308ABA Concepts and Principles3
PSY 2309Autism and Developmental Disabilities3
PSY 2409ABA Measure and Experimental Design3
PSY 3507Dual Diagnosis3
PSY 3508ABA Assessment3
PSY 3606ABA Behavioural Change Procedure3
PSY 4807Compassionate Care in ABA3
PSY 4905Applications of ABA3
GROUP B
PSY 2310Models of Counselling Practice II3
PSY 2408Mental Health and Addictions3
PSY 3607Counselling for Couples/Groups3
PSY 3509Grief and Loss3
PSY 4808Trauma-Informed Interventions3
PSY 4903Trauma In Organizations3

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 PsychologyGeneral StreamBehavioural Science Stream
SEM 3EDI 2301 Dimensions of Social InequityPSY 2308 ABA: Concepts and Principles
Degree BreadthPSY 2309 Autism and Develop. Disabilities
SEM 4Select 1 course from Group A or BPSY 2403 Ethics and Behavioural Analysis
Degree BreadthPSY 2409 ABA: Measurement and Experimental Design
SEM 5Select 1 course from Group APSY 3507 Dual Diagnosis
Degree BreadthPSY 3508 ABA: Assessment and Intervention
SEM 6Select 1 course from Group BPSY 3606 ABA: Behavioural Change Procedure
SEM 8Select 1 course from Group A or BPSY 4807 Compassionate Care in ABA
SEM 9Select 1 course from Group A or BPSY 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 PsychologyGeneral StreamTherapeutic Practices Stream
SEM 3Degree BreadthPSY 2310 Models of Counselling Practice II
SEM 4Select 1 course from Group A or BPSY 2408 Mental Health and Addictions
SEM 5Select 1 course from Group APSY 3509 Greif and Loss
SEM 6Select 1 course from Group BPSY 3607 Counselling for Couples and Groups
SEM 8Select 1 course from Group A or BPSY 4808 Trauma-Informed Interventions
SEM 9Select 1 course from Group A or BPSY 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.