Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Educational Psychology
Overview
Educational Psychology is the study of how people learn, including the different ways individuals acquire, process, and retain knowledge. The discipline examines the biological, cognitive, emotional, and social factors involved in learning, assessment, and intervention in typical and atypical populations. It drives the development of effective and innovative teaching methods and learning environments and explores factors that can enhance or hinder educational success.
Our four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Psychology is a truly innovative hybrid program (blend of in-person and online courses), designed to provide maximum flexibility and choice. It is also the only program of its kind in Canada. Students will develop knowledge and skills in the field of educational studies and psychology, leading to potential careers as teachers, instructional designers, trainers, learning specialists, educational consultants, counsellors, psychometrists, and social workers. We offer a wide range of courses focusing on foundations of learning and teaching, digital technologies, child and lifespan development, instructional design, mental health and education, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.
As a graduate of our program, you will:
- Understand how people learn across the lifespan, drawing on biological, cognitive, emotional, and social perspectives.
- Apply theories of learning, motivation, and development to real-world educational and community contexts.
- Learn how to assess and support diverse learners through knowledge of mental health, special education, guidance counselling, and psycho-educational assessment.
- Design inclusive and equitable learning environments that address the needs of individuals across cultures, abilities, and ages.
- Integrate technology and innovative approaches to enhance learning, assessment, and accessibility.
- Conduct and interpret research using psychological and educational methods, preparing you for evidence-based practice.
- Gain hands-on experience through practicum, internships, and community-engaged learning opportunities that connect theory to practice.
- Develop career-ready skills for roles in education, human services, mental health, assessment, and learning sciences, with pathways to professional and graduate studies.
The four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Psychology:
- Helps prepare for future careers in teaching (K-12 and college), instructional design, training and professional development, educational consulting, counselling, psychometry, social work, and research.
- Focuses on skills that will help you succeed, thrive, and lead in the workplace, including creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.
- Provides you with exceptional technology-based skills to support teaching and learning.
- Digital technology is one of our key strengths!
- Offers a wide variety of courses online and in-person to provide maximum flexibility.
Key benefits
- Flexible program with online and in-person options.
- Tailor your pathway according to your needs and interests through optional specializations.
- Combine two major disciplines, education and psychology, opening up multiple career opportunities.
- Leading-edge technology to help guide the future of education and learning.
- Extensive support for our first-year students.
Entry-level careers
These are a selection of roles available to graduates immediately upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program, located in schools, community organizations, or research settings:
- Educational Assistant / Learning Support Worker, applying knowledge of special education, inclusive practices, and mental health.
- Program Coordinator (Community, Youth, or After-School Programs), using skills in developmental psychology and equity/diversity training.
- Psychometry Assistant, supporting assessment and evaluation under the supervision of licensed psychologists.
- Rehabilitation Support Worker, working with individuals who have cognitive, developmental, or mental health needs.
- Training & Development Assistant, applying workplace learning and adult education courses to corporate training settings.
- Research Assistant (Education or Psychology Labs), using strong foundations in research methods, data analysis, and assessment.
- Social Services Worker (Non-Clinical), helping families, youth, and communities navigate learning and social challenges.
Careers requiring further graduate or professional study
Many students use this Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree as a stepping stone into regulated or advanced professional roles:
- Teacher (K-12), with a Bachelor of Education.
- Educational Psychology provides: Preparation for teaching in inclusive, diverse, and technology-rich classrooms.
- College Professor / Researcher, with an MA or PhD.
- Guidance Counsellor / School Counsellor, typically requires additional qualifications (e.g., BEd plus Master's in Counselling).
- Registered Psychologist / Clinical or Educational Psychologist, with required graduate study and licensing.
- Educational Psychology provides: Strong foundation in learning, assessment, and psychopathology.
- Social Worker (MSW / School Social Work), with required graduate training.
- Educational Psychology provides: Knowledge and competencies in mental health and inclusion.
- Speech-Language Pathologist / Occupational Therapist, with required professional master's degree.
- Educational Psychology provides: Strong, supporting background in learning and development.
Can I complete the entire degree online?
This program is offered in a hybrid format, with both online and in-person courses to offer a full and rich university experience. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an Academic Advisor to develop a tailored program that suits your needs and interests!
How are the online courses structured?
The delivery of online courses will vary across the university, but online courses offered in the Frazer Faculty of Education (courses beginning with EDST) are carefully drafted to maximize interaction, collaboration, and community building. A typical three-credit course is 12 weeks long and includes:
- Online synchronous tutorials in virtual classrooms (60 - 90 minutes) moderated by a teaching assistant or instructor and drawing on the materials and synthesis questions provided in advance of class as the starting point for discussion.
- Online discussions in a learning management system (e.g., Canvas) or other asynchronous tools.
- Work on problem- or inquiry-based learning scenarios with a collaborative team.
Students are expected to actively participate in the tutorial sessions using their webcam and microphone. It is easier to connect and understand the ideas being communicated by others in a virtual environment when facial expressions and body language are visible, rather than just listening to them.
What technology do I need?
Students require access to a computer (preferably a laptop) with a combination headset and microphone, a webcam, and good quality internet access. Please refer to IT Services' Technology-Enriched Learning Environment (TELE) guidelines for Ontario Tech students.
What software do I need?
Students will have access to standard office software (Google Workspace for Education) and other applications through Ontario Tech's software portal, and instructors will make use of open-source software packages as often as possible.
Students will also require a modern operating system (e.g., Windows 10 or newer, MacOS X 10.6x or newer) and web browser (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Safari). Please refer to IT Services' technology standards for current recommendations.
What computer skills do I need?
Some comfort with technology is needed for this program, but just as important is a growth mindset toward learning new digital technologies. If a specific tool is new to you, use the situation as the basis for an independent problem-based learning opportunity to try to figure it out for yourself or work collaboratively with your peers. Peers and instructors are great resources for learning technology, and Ontario Tech's Student Learning Centre can provide additional support!
How will I participate in the classes for this program?
Online classes will take place on Zoom or Google Meet. A link to the virtual classroom will be provided in the syllabus for each course (accessible on Canvas).
In-person classes will be face-to-face or hybrid. Most will be situated in our Downtown Campus at Charles Hall, Bordessa Hall, or Regent Theatre.
What teaching approach do you use?
Classes in the Frazer Faculty of Education are highly interactive and collaborative, incorporating an inquiry or problem-based approach where "students, working in small teams, examine a problem or situation and, through this exploration, are expected to locate the gaps in their own knowledge and skills in order to decide what information they need to acquire in order to resolve or manage the situation."
Integral to our courses will be the application of foundational educational principles to workplace / K-12 / community-specific contexts and problems to ensure depth and breadth of understanding. This understanding is further enhanced through exposure to contexts beyond students' own intended work and life environments.
Psychology courses in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities will vary in format. Lower-year courses will see larger classes (e.g., Introductory Psychology) while upper-year courses will be smaller, seminar-type classes. The professors are extremely dedicated, highly qualified, and will offer a rich and engaging learning experience.
How can I fund my degree?
Information on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP), scholarships, bursaries, and other sources of funding is available through Student Awards and Financial Aid. We have also compiled a list of Education-specific funding sources that may be available to support your education.
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Educational Psychology, students must meet both the degree requirements and requirements of the major as outlined below for a total of 120 credits (40 courses).
Year 1
- BIOL 1841U – Essentials of Biology
- EDST 1000U – Foundations of Learning
- EDST 1010U – Teaching, Learning and Educational Contexts
- EDST 1100U – Problem and Inquiry-Based Learning
- PSYC 1000U – Introductory Psychology
One of:
- COMM 1100U – Introduction to Communication and Digital Media Studies or
- CRMN 1000U – Introduction to Criminology and Justice or
- INDG 1000U – Introduction to Indigenous Studies or
- LGLS 1000U – Foundations of Legal Studies or
- SOCI 1000U – Introductory Sociology or
- POSC 1000U – Introduction to Political Science
One of:
- EDST 1130U – Writing and Information Literacy for a Digital Age or
- SSCI 1910U – Writing for the Social Sciences
Plus:
- Three General electives*
- Recommended: ALSU 1101U – Foundations for Academic Learning and Success
Year 2
- EDST 2110U – Assessment and Evaluation
- EDST 2500U – Foundations of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- EDST 2800U – Mental Health and Education [New!]
- EDST 3610U – Child Development and Health
- PSYC 2010U – Developmental Psychology
- PSYC 2030U – Psychopathology
- PSYC 2050U – Brain and Behaviour
- PSYC 2900U – Research Methods in Psychology
Plus:
- Two General electives*
Year 3
- EDST 2700U – Foundations of Special Education
- EDST 3820U – Psycho-education Assessments [New!]
- EDST 3830U – Introduction to Guidance Counselling [New!]
- PSYC 2020U – Social Psychology
- PSYC 2060U – Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 2910U – Data Analysis in Psychology
One of:
- PSYC 3910U – Advanced Data Analysis in Psychology or
- Psychology elective**
Plus:
- One Educational Studies elective***
- Two General electives*
Year 4
One of:
- EDST 4160U – Exploring Diverse Educational Environments [New!] or
- EDST 4000U – Inquiry and Professional Practice or
- EDST 4300U – Engaged Educator Project I or
- EDST 4980U – Work Integrated Learning I
One of:
- SSCI 4098U – Practicum or
- SSCI 4103U – Internship or
- Psychology elective**
One of:
- PSYC 4110U – Honours Thesis I or
- Psychology elective**
One of:
- PSYC 4120U – Honours Thesis II or
- Psychology elective**
Plus:
- One Psychology elective**
- Two General electives*
* General elective: Can be taken at or adjoining their year level, where permission has been granted and prerequisites have been fulfilled. Any non-required course in any faculty can count towards students' necessary general electives.
** Psychology elective: Any non-required course with a PSYC 3XXXU or PSYC 4XXXU designation can count towards students' necessary Psychology electives.
*** Educational Studies elective: Any non-required EDST course is eligible as Educational Studies electives.
Students may choose to further tailor their program by focusing on an area of specialization in Educational Psychology. This is not a requirement.
To obtain a specialization, students must complete a minimum of four electives from a designated area:
- One course from List A
- One course from List B
- Two additional courses from either list
Educational Psychology students may specialize in one of the following areas:
- Aging and Learning in an Era of Technology
- Developmental Science and Learning
- Inclusive Educational Studies
- Mental Health and Special Education
- Learning Sciences and Technology
Aging and Learning in an Era of Technology specialization
| List A - Education | List B - Psychology |
| EDST 2410U – Foundations of Adult Learning EDST 3120U – Workplace Learning EDST 3440U – Managing and Developing eLearning Projects EDST 3460U – Working with Clients and Partners EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology |
PSYC 3070U – Stress and Coping PSYC 3150U – Psychology of Aging PSYC 3XXXU – Aging and Mental Health PSYC 3XXXU – Positive Psychology |
Developmental Science and Learning
| List A - Education | List B - Psychology |
| EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy EDST 3170U – Developing Numeracy EDST 3610U – Child Development and Health EDST 4150U – Holistic Learning in Early Childhood Education EDST 4610U – Coding and Maker Pedagogies for Young Children |
PSYC 3035U – Adolescence PSYC 3045U – Child Maltreatment PSYC 3075U – Biopsychology of Sex PSYC 3330U – Developmental Psychopathology PSYC 3530U – Developmental Neuroscience |
Inclusive Educational Studies
| List A - Education | List B - Psychology |
| EDST 2170U – Designing Inclusive Learning Environments EDST 3140U – Digital Communication Technologies EDST 3500U – Unlearning and The Inclusive Curriculum EDST 3700U – Models of Inclusion EDST 4500U – Enabling Learning through Technology EDST 4530U – Social Justice Issues in Education |
PSYC 3060U – Personality Psychology PSYC 3075U – Biopsychology of Sex PSYC 3500U – Stereotypes and Prejudice PSYC 3550U – Psychology of Gender PSYC 4210U – Social Cognition SSCI 2020U – Issues in Diversity |
Mental Health and Special Education
| List A - Education | List B - Psychology |
| EDST 2700U – Foundations of Special Education EDST 3700U – Models of Inclusion EDST 3710U – Understanding the Diversity of Educational Needs EDST 4150U – Holistic Learning in Early Childhood Education EDST 4700U – Technology and Assistive Tools for Special Education |
PSYC 3045U – Child Maltreatment PSYC 3065U – Emotion PSYC 3070U – Stress and Coping PSYC 3085U – Drugs and Behaviour PSYC 3330U – Developmental Psychopathology PSYC 3XXXU – Aging and Mental Health FPSY 3055U – Treatment in Forensic Settings |
Learning Sciences and Technology
| List A - Education | List B - Psychology |
| EDST 2120U – Culture and Digital Technologies EDST 2140U – Creating Digital Tools EDST 2150U – Teaching to Facilitate Learning EDST 2160U – Online Learning EDST 3160U – Developing Literacy EDST 3170U – Developing Numeracy EDST 4120U – Games and Simulations for Learning EDST 4500U – Enabling Learning through Technology EDST 4470U – Trends and Issues in Educational Technology |
PSYC 3065U – Emotion PSYC 3610U – Thinking and Decision Making PSYC 3620U – Motivation and Emotion PSYC 3630U – Sleep and Consciousness PSYC 4210U – Social Cognition PSYC 3520U – Introduction to Cognitive Neuroscience |
Practicum
A limited number of fourth-year students are granted an opportunity to participate in a learning experience with a community organization. The Practicum course consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, in-class seminars, a set of academic assignments, and a major research paper and poster.
Internship program
This program offers students who have successfully completed three years of study with a cumulative 2.7 GPA an opportunity to engage in a work-integrated learning partnership with local and global organizations, enabling students to apply classroom concepts and gain valuable and relevant work experience.
Internship placements equate to a minimum of 280 hours of paid or unpaid field experience. Wages (where applicable) are paid by the sponsoring organization over a contracted period.
Admission to the Internship program is competitive. Completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee enrollment.
Engaged Educator Project
Students can pursue applied research and community engagement opportunities through Engaged Educator Project elective courses (EDST 4300U and EDST 4301U). Eligibility requires that students have:
- Attained fourth-year standing
- Submitted the EEP Application by the relevant semester's deadline
Applications received via the above form will be reviewed by Education program staff, and a decision will be provided through email.
Work Integrated Learning courses
A limited number of fourth-year students can enroll in EDST 4980U - Work Integrated Learning I, a field experience course consisting of 100 hours of unpaid fieldwork, online class sessions, a set of academic assignments, and a major final project. Students wishing to continue their fieldwork in a subsequent semester will have access to enroll in EDST 4981U - Work Integrated Learning II.
Eligibility requires that students have:
- Attained fourth-year standing
- 3.0 cumulative GPA
Attainment of the minimum requirements does not guarantee continued enrollment in the course. Students must agree to complete a series of preparatory modules and obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check (if required) at their own expense.
How do I apply to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Educational Psychology program?
Beginning in September 2025, students can apply directly to the Educational Psychology program (and their specialization of choice) on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
- Create an account, or log in to an existing OUAC account.
- Create an undergraduate program application.
- Fill in your Personal Details and Background, as requested by OUAC.
- Under Program Choices, navigate to Ontario Tech University.
- Under Frazer Faculty of Education, select one of the Educational Psychology program options.
OUAC charges a flat application fee for up to three program choices (across institutions); additional program choices will incur an extra fee.
For more information about admission requirements, including important application deadlines, English language proficiency requirements, and transfer credits, please refer to our digital viewbook.
Documents
- Program Overview: Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Educational Psychology Postcard
- Academic Calendar: Education and Psychology Course Descriptions