COURSE CURRICULUM

The four-year Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) in Psychology at Cape Breton University is structured to combine scientific study of behaviour with community-focused and applied learning. In the first year, students take introductory psychology courses along with core community studies and general arts electives, focusing on foundational topics such as behaviour, cognition, personality, development, and social psychology, while also learning basic academic writing and research skills. In the second year, students move into core areas including learning, cognition, developmental psychology, social psychology, personality theory, and research methods, gaining a stronger understanding of how psychological processes are studied scientifically. In the third year, the curriculum becomes more advanced and applied, including courses such as abnormal psychology, physiological psychology, sensation and perception, motivation and emotion, statistics, and applied social psychology, along with opportunities for research participation and seminar-based learning. In the fourth year, students complete senior-level seminars, advanced electives, and a capstone or independent research project that integrates theory and real-world psychological applications, often focusing on mental health, education, or community well-being. Across all four years, students develop strong skills in critical thinking, data analysis, communication, and research design. The BACS structure also allows electives from other disciplines, preparing graduates for careers in social services, health-related fields, research, education, and further academic study.