Psychology

Welcome to Psychology at Nipissing University

We offer the following degree options;

Are you fascinated by why people behave, think, and feel the way they do? Are you interested in learning how people cope with stress, why people feel happy, or how people remember information? These are just of few of the questions that you can explore when you study Psychology at Nipissing University. Whether it’s working on brain tissue or learning about psychotherapy, Nipissing’s Psychology program has you covered. Award winning and funded Professors regularly encourage undergraduate students to join their lab groups. This provides students with invaluable research experience that helps them engage with their courses and prepare for future careers or graduate studies. Nipissing Universities’ relatively small size provides a huge advantage for students in terms of increased opportunities to get involved while not sacrificing on course offerings. The Psychology Department offers a full slate of courses that cover all major areas of the discipline.

Students can choose between the Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree programs when they study Psychology at Nipissing University. The main difference between the two degree options is in the electives you choose. BA students will take humanities and social science elective courses (e.g., English, Philosophy, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and History), while BSc students will take electives from the sciences (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics). The BSc program offers the possibility of adding a Certificate in Neuroscience when certain courses are combined with an Honours thesis in a Neuroscience area. The BA program offers a Certificate in Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention – Autism Spectrum Disorder.​

Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) - Lifespan

In addition to earning a degree, students pursuing either a Child and Family Studies, or a Psychology (BA) Honours Specialization, Specialization, or Major, may elect to complete the Certificate in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)-Lifespan. The required courses provide opportunity for students to gain experience in designing and implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs for individuals with emotional/behavioural and/or developmental needs.

Certificate in Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI) - Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Students pursuing either a Child and Family Studies, or a Psychology (BA) Honours Specialization, Specialization, or Major, may elect to complete the Certificate in Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI)-Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The required courses allow students to gain experience in designing and implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) programs in Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI) settings, and to work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Certificate in Program Evaluation and Applied Research (PEAR)

Students pursuing either a Child and Family Studies, or a Psychology (BA) Honours Specialization, Specialization, or Major, may elect to complete the Certificate in Program Evaluation and Applied Research (PEAR). The required courses offer experience to upper-year students in applied research and evaluation as part of a departmental research team and in collaboration with community stakeholders.

Certificate in Neuroscience

If you are interested in studying the brain and nervous system functions, and complete specific courses within the Honours BSc in Biology or the Honours BSc in Psychology programs, you can earn a certificate in Neuroscience. The required courses provide you with an opportunity for interdisciplinary research that explores the processes of the brain at all phylogenetic levels and help to prepare you for graduate school in Neuroscience or a related field.

​​​​​​​Certificates available to all Nipissing students

psych lab samples

You will have opportunities, as an undergraduate student to conduct hands-on research in many of our active research labs. You will work alongside faculty to investigate topics like the brain's influence on how younger and older adults process and understand speech, the functions of brain cells, issues involving human biology, behaviour and mating, or the mechanisms involved in human competitive and aggressive behaviour.​

Psychology Research Facilities​

Academic Support Services

Our goal is to support your academic and personal development. Look for assistance with accessibility services, learning style assessments, writing skills, writing formats, study strategies, time management, note-taking skills, academic resources, group seminars, peer support, career development activities, and more. Learn More...

Financial Support Services

Achieve your goals on time and on budget. We’ll help you fund your education through scholarships, awards, bursaries, government assistance, and work study programs. Learn More...

Scholarships, bursaries, and awards for student in a Psychology program

Internationalize your Degree

If you want to experience a year or a semester at one of our partner schools across the globe, we have support services and programs to help you get there. If you want to assist International students with adjusting to life in Canada, we’ll connect you. Check out your options...

Personal Counselling Services

Our registered counsellors offer free, year-round personal counselling services, specialized therapeutic groups, referral services and a host of wellness, educational and awareness events to all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Learn More...

Residences

Our top-rated residences will make you feel right at home. You will make fast friends with your residence community. Our student leaders, Residence Dons, and award winning residence staff give tutorials on everything from the basics of laundry and cooking to making connections within the community. Learn More...

The Nipissing Psychology Society

The Psychology Society strives to get psychology students together and help students with their questions in psychology or with their career choices! We throw events for staff and students so we are not just all work!

The Psychology Society is a student run group on campus. We are a vital link between students and professors.

NU Psych Society on Facebook NU Psych Society on Instagram ​Email NU Psych Society

“I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Confucius

Experiential learning is an effective medium that enhances and reinforces classroom learning. In addition, skills and competencies in the areas of communication, teamwork, analysis, work ethic, and problem solving are all learning outcomes that assist with finding the right career path for you.

Third and fourth year Arts and Science Students will be interested in our 3 credit course, UNIV 3006 Experiential Learning for Arts and Science Students. Within this course, academic assignments and at least 60 hours of placement in the community within a field that is related to your course of study is offered.

Experiential Learning Program for Arts & Science Students (ELAS) 

The Experiential Learning for Arts & Science Program (ELAS) is an exclusive project between Student Development & Services, the North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce (NBDCC) and the Faculty of Arts & Science. This project focuses on providing students with hands-on learning experiences directly related to their academic interests. 

With a strong emphasis on learning competencies, the ELAS immerses students with enriched learning opportunities that focus on the development of professional skills resulting in confident, successful and highly employable graduates ready for the workforce. 

The ELAS program provides support for Arts & Science students to participate in activities such as: 

  • Conferences and speakers 
  • Site visits and field trips 
  • Work placements 

When it comes to experiential learning at Nipissing University, you have lots of choices. Let us help you navigate your options, so you can find the best fit for your personal and professional goals, as well as your schedule.  

Visit nipissingu.ca/academics/ELAS for more information.

Leadership and Community Engagement

If you are eager to get involved beyond the classroom, take part in the annual Undergraduate Research Conference, which gives you the opportunity to present your work to peers, professors, and family members. You may also have opportunity to work as a Research Assistant to help a professor conduct research and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Record of Student Development

Your experience at Nipissing University is more than just the time spent learning great things in lectures, labs, and seminars. It’s also about the activities you are involved in outside of the classroom, the causes you champion to make change on campus, the clubs you organize, the awards you receive, the workshops you participate in, the volunteering you do, and all the learning that occurs outside of the classroom. 

The Record of Student Development (RSD) is Nipissing University's way of recognizing that learning is happening everywhere on campus. It is a formal record, otherwise known as a co-curricular transcript, where you can include workshops, volunteer experiences, awards, activities, and on campus employment experiences that you participate in throughout your degree. 

Each RSD Approved activity in our database is linked to competency areas employers are looking for such as:    

  • Critical Thinking 
  • Leadership  
  • Digital Literacy  
  • Equity and Diversity 
  • Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence 
  • & more!  

To see the full list of competencies and get started building your Record of Student Development go to: rsd.nipissingu.ca

Nipissing University Student Union (NUSU)

Students attending Nipissing University in North Bay and long distance students are members of the Nipissing University Student Union. Our organization strives to represent students democratically, provide a communication framework, and lobby for legislative change on issues that affect students.

Athletics

Exercise and healthy competition always help to clear the mind.

INTRAMURAL SPORTS

Nipissing’s Athletics Department offers a wide range of intramural activities to keep you on your game

LAKERS CLUB SPORTS

Club sports are available to all Nipissing students and are both recreational and competitive.

VARSITY SPORTS

Go Lakers! Our varsity athletes always bring their “A” game. Get your friends together and come out to cheer on your favourite teams.

STUDENT ATHLETICS CENTRE

Whether you are a gym enthusiast or a weekend warrior, Nipissing has just what you need.

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“The psychology program at Nipissing is truly unique because it allows students to obtain an amazing research opportunity. My work in the NURON lab helped me realize my passion for neuroscience research. Working with Dr. Weeks and Dr. Saari has been such a fantastic opportunity and I feel appreciated as a student rather than being just another number in a giant classroom. I have also found it easier to connect with other psychology professors outside of the classroom. I love the assortment of classes I got to take during my degree and the hands on training I received in the field of research. The campus life at Nipissing is also extraordinary as it feels more like a community than a regular campus. Everyone at Nipissing opens you with arms wide open anytime. I have truly valued my time at Nipissing University.”

Taylor McCharles, BSc '17

“I came to Nipissing as a History student. About a month into my studies I realized that my passion was psychology. I am now in my last year of my undergrad and can confirm that psychology has been so rewarding. My education path was unique as I am not a thesis student because I am not going to grad school. I am in the education stream and will be pursuing teacher’s college next year. Psychology has allowed me to view my future classroom with a unique lens. The campus life is amazing. I was able to be apart of a variety of groups on campus. In addition to the great campus life, the small class sizes make the campus atmosphere so much more welcoming. You get to know your professors on a personal level. One of my favourite things about Nipissing is the mental health support that they offer their students.”

Melissa Wright, BA '17

Nipissing’s Honours Psychology grads have a very high rate of acceptance into excellent national and international graduate programs. Many also receive prestigious scholarships at both provincial and national levels.

Many other students go on to successful careers in community development, social work, education, speech pathology, medicine, law, journalism, human resources, public relations, research, and counselling. A degree from our Psychology department can also lead to work at organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Career and Academic Options

  • Graduate Studies
  • Professional School (Education, MBA, Medicine)
  • Careers as a counsellor, personnel administrator, recruitment coordinator, and research analyst​