Program Highlights: Douglas College Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology

This provides an overview of Douglas College Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology, including entry requirements, courses, and options for field of concentration.

The different facets of the human mind and behaviour remains a subject constantly presented with new theories, discoveries, and applications. Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour, covering a variety of sub-disciplines such as human development, sports, health, clinical, social behaviour, and cognitive processes. The range of knowledge and the associated career that can be pursued with a degree in psychology is one of the reasons why it remains a top choice among post-secondary students. In 2018, University Magazine.ca listed Psychology as the 7th most popular college major for students entering college and university that year.

Douglas College, British Columbia’s largest degree-granting college, offers a four-year, 120 credits, bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology under the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science. This program is a concentrated study beginning at the third year, upon students’ completion of a two-year Associate of Art or Associate of Science in Psychology degree. It provides students with foundational knowledge in psychological theory and research, while highlighting the application of the discipline in various workplace settings.

To enter the program, students must meet all the general college admission requirements of Douglas College, and have 60 credits of undergraduate coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, including the completion of six lower-level psychology courses with a minimum grade of C (60%). Tuition fees for international students is CAD $9,000 per semester (15 credits), excluding miscellaneous fees, and cost of living.

While taking the Applied Psychology bachelor’s program, students will have three mandatory upper-level course (9 credits), while the remaining credits can be chosen from a variety of other upper-level psychology courses, elective courses, and areas of concentration.


  • During the fourth year, students will choose one field of concentration from the following applied areas:Applied Theory and Research provides a broad theoretical knowledge of psychology that can be applied in a range of fields and categories such as personality/social, developmental, cognitive, clinical, and quantitative psychology. It is common that students in this concentration pursue an academic career and continue onto a graduate degree.
  • Disability and Applied Behaviour Analysis is for those interested in a rewarding work in the education and human services field, and in specializing in behavioural analysis for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
  • Forensic/Criminology is for students interested in both psychology and criminology, with a focus on the role psychology plays in the legal system.
  • Leadership Management is for students interested in applying psychology in management and leadership roles. Some career options for graduates include human resource practitioner and organizational manager.
  • Pre-Counselling provides a solid starting point for students who want to pursue a career as a clinical counselor. It provides most pre-requisite courses for a graduate degree in counseling psychology, the completion of which is required to gain a professional license in most provinces.
  • Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) involves coursework and practicum to equip students with the right knowledge and skills to conduct PSR assessments and prepare rehabilitation plans for community mental health and substance use programs.


With several options for courses and specialization, Douglas College Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology opens a variety of potential career paths for students who are fascinated by this multifaceted field of study and how it is relevant in various work settings.

Interested in pursuing a fulfilling career founded in psychology? Sign up for a free student account at Global Study Guide. Our dedicated team will support you as you navigate through your post-secondary journey and establish connections with Canada’s premiere colleges like Douglas College.

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