Saint Michael's College

What you'll study

The BA in Psychology combines core courses in psychological science with small-group seminars, laboratory and field experiences. You will build knowledge across major subfields including developmental, social, cognitive, biological/physiological and abnormal psychology, and you will develop quantitative and qualitative research skills.

• Introductory and core courses: introductory psychology, statistics for the behavioural sciences, and research methods in psychology.
• Foundational topics: developmental psychology across the lifespan, social psychology, personality theory, abnormal psychology and biological bases of behaviour.
• Advanced seminars and electives: courses in cognition, learning, perception, health psychology, child psychopathology, and specialised topics that change with faculty expertise.
• Research and lab work: laboratory courses, training in experimental design and data analysis, and opportunities to assist faculty with active research projects.
• Capstone and practicum: senior capstone or honours project involving an independent research thesis or an applied practicum with local agencies, schools or counselling settings.
• Interdisciplinary study: coursework and electives across related disciplines such as sociology, biology, education and philosophy, supported by the college's liberal arts curriculum.

Entry requirements

Saint Michael's College seeks students with a strong secondary-school record and an interest in liberal-arts learning. Typical admissions materials include a completed application, official high school transcripts, and a personal statement or essay describing academic interests and extracurricular involvement.

• Academic preparation: preparation in mathematics (statistics or algebra) and laboratory science is helpful; college-preparatory coursework is expected.
• Standardised tests: the college's policy on standardised tests may vary; applicants should consult the admissions office for current guidance.
• Recommendations and activities: at least one teacher or school counsellor recommendation and evidence of community or extracurricular engagement strengthen applications.
• International applicants: must demonstrate equivalent academic credentials and meet English-language proficiency requirements as specified by the college.

Career prospects

A BA in Psychology from Saint Michael's prepares graduates for a range of entry-level roles and for graduate study. The degree emphasises transferable skills—research design, statistical reasoning, communication and critical thinking—valued by employers across sectors.

• Direct employment: positions in social services, case management, rehabilitation, residential programmes, human resources, community outreach, and research assistant roles.
• Further professional training: many graduates go on to postgraduate study for careers in clinical psychology, counselling, school psychology, social work, occupational therapy, and higher-level research (MA/MS, PsyD, PhD).
• Other fields: psychology graduates also pursue careers in education, public health, marketing and user experience research, data analysis, and nonprofit management.

Why study at Saint Michael's College

Saint Michael's offers a close-knit liberal-arts environment where psychology students benefit from small class sizes, personalised faculty mentoring and abundant opportunities for undergraduate research. The college's emphasis on experiential learning means students can undertake practicum placements with community partners in the Burlington region and beyond.

• Faculty mentorship: students work directly with faculty on research projects and senior theses, gaining hands-on experience in study design and data analysis.
• Community engagement: partnerships with local schools, clinics and social-service agencies provide applied learning and service opportunities.
• Supportive resources: students have access to on-campus advising, writing and quantitative support centres to help succeed in coursework and independent research.
• Liberal arts foundation: a broad curricular approach encourages interdisciplinary thinking, ethical reasoning and preparation for diverse career paths or graduate study.