Specialist Program

You should consider pursuing the Specialist Program in Psychology if you want a greater concentration in Psychology than provided by the Major Program. Please note that having a Specialist is not required in order to be admitted to a graduate program in Psychology later on.

Enrolment Requirements

This is a limited enrolment program. Note there are different options depending on whether a student has completed between 4.0 and 8.5 credits, or 9.0 or more credits.

Variable Minimum Grade or Minimum Grade Average
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee entrance to the program. Students must prepare to achieve a higher grade/grade average than the posted minimums listed below, which will depend each year on both available program spots and the number of competitive applicants. The following courses must be completed:

For students who have completed 4.0 to 8.5 credits:

  • PSY100H1 (80%)*
  • Gr. 12 Calculus (passing grade)
  • Gr. 12 Biology (passing grade)

To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade lower than 80% in required courses will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining this minimum final grade does not guarantee admission to the program.

For students who have completed 9.0 or more credits:

*In past admission cycles, the average grade cut-off for the Specialist program ranged from approximately 82-83%.

Notes:

1. In lieu of PSY100H1, we will also accept:

However, we will not accept AP or IB Psychology for this requirement.

2. For students who are missing Gr. 12 Calculus and/or Biology, please visit our Calculus and Biology Requirement page for more information on these requirements and how they can be fulfilled.

3. We will accept equivalent/exclusion statistics courses from UTM/UTSC in lieu of PSY201H1 and PSY202H1. Please contact the Undergraduate Administrator to verify if your stats courses qualify.

Students in this program have the option to request enrolment in the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream. Students can apply for the ASIP stream after Year 1 (Year 2 entry) or after Year 2 (Year 3 entry, starting Fall 2025). Full details about ASIP, including student eligibility, selection and enrolment, are available in the ASIP section of the Arts & Science Academic Calendar. Please note that the majority of students enter ASIP in Fall term of Year 2. Space is more limited for Year 3 entry and there are program-specific year 3 entry enrolment requirements. Students applying for Year 3 entry must have been admitted to the Psychology Specialist program in the Summer after Year 2 and must have completed PSY201H1; plus, any two of the following: PSY210H1, PSY220H1, PSY230H1, PSY240H1, PSY260H1, PSY270H1, PSY280H1, PSY290H1.

 

Completion Requirements

(10.0 credits):

  1. PSY100H1 (NOTE: We will also accept PSY100Y5 from UTM, or both of PSYA01H3 and PSYA02H3 together from UTSC, in place of PSY100H1 for this requirement)
  2. PSY201H1 (or one of ECO220Y1/​ EEB225H1/​ GGR270H1/​ IRW220H1/​ POL222H1/​ SOC202H1/​ STA220H1/​ STA238H1/​ STA248H1/​ STA288H1)
  3. PSY202H1 (or one of ECO220Y1/​ SOC252H1/​ STA221H1)
  4. PSY203H1
  5. 1.0 credit (from Cluster A) PSY210H1, PSY220H1, PSY230H1, PSY240H1
  6. 1.0 credit (from Cluster B) PSY260H1, PSY270H1, PSY280H1, PSY290H1 (NOTE: HMB200H1 cannot be used in place of PSY290H1)
  7. 0.5 credit in PSY at the 300/400-level from Group 1 in Cluster A
  8. 0.5 credit in PSY at the 300/400-level from Group 1 in Cluster B
  9. 1.5 credits in PSY at the 300/400-level from Group 1 (any of Clusters A, B, and C)
  10. One lab course (0.5 credit), and no more, taken from the following: PSY319H1, PSY329H1, PSY339H1, PSY349H1, PSY359H1, PSY369H1, PSY379H1, PSY389H1
  11. Two seminar courses (1.0 credit), and no more, taken from the following: JLP471H1, PSY402H1/​ PSY403H1/​ PSY404H1, PSY410H1, PSY420H1, PSY430H1, PSY440H1, PSY460H1, PSY470H1, PSY471H1, PSY480H1, PSY490H1, PSY497H1
  12. 2.0 credits from Group 1 (Clusters A, B, and C) and/or Group 2, at any level

Students in this program have the option to complete the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream.

Notes:

1. No more than 3.0 credits from PSY306Y0, PSY299H1, PSY299Y1, PSY399H1, PSY399Y1, PSY405H1, PSY406H1, PSY405Y1, and PSY406Y1 can be used for program requirements.

2. We will accept equivalent/exclusion statistics courses from UTM/UTSC in lieu of PSY201H1 and PSY202H1. Please contact the Undergraduate Administrator to verify if your stats courses qualify.

3. These are all individual requirements and cannot overlap or be used twice within the Specialist.