Program at a glance
Credential
Associate Degree
Work experience
Co-op / internship
Study options
Full-time
Part-time
Open to International
Yes
Area of study
Length
2 years
Promoting physical and psychological health
Start in September, January or May!
Camosun offers academic psychology and applied psychology in the form of introductory interpersonal relations and counselling courses. We're focused on teaching and helping you gain the knowledge and skills that will make it possible for you to continue with university studies or with a career.
What's an Associate Degree?
An associate degree is a two-year academic program made up of 20 university-level courses. It is a stand-alone provincial credential you can list on your resume, as well as a good option to consider if you plan to continue your education to complete a university degree.
The Associate Degree program provides some flexibility with course choices and scheduling, you can study full-time or part-time, and potentially year round.
Camosun's academic advisors are available to help you understand how to choose the right courses to meet your educational goals. With this assistance, you will be able to make informed choices to ensure the courses you select will be usable for the specific university program you'd like to pursue.
A career in psychology
Psychology is a tremendously varied field. Psychologists can counsel, conduct research, assist business, industry and community, study social development, promote physical and psychological health through careers in private and public practice.
In BC, you must have a doctoral degree in psychology to become a registered psychologist. Beginning your studies with an associate degree is the perfect way to get a solid foundation in psychology, whether your goal is a graduate degree or a career in a related field. This AD can also lead to a full block transfer to Royal Roads University's Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication program.
Work experience option
As an Associate Degree student, you can gain practical work experience through Co-op or an Internship. Work terms may be paid or unpaid, and are available after you've completed at least eight courses.
Choose between one four-month internship or two work terms with co-operative education.
Student Psychology Club (temporarily on hold)
You'll find support and encouragement throughout your studies at Camosun by joining the Student Psychology Club—meeting other students in a social environment featuring guest speakers and activities that include movies, field trips, conferences, socials and excellent preparation for resume creation, scholarship applications, and admission to universities after Camosun. Learn more.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
What you'll learn
Camosun College offers an Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology; during the two-year, 20-course program you'll study psychology, English, and a variety of arts courses. This two-year, 20-course program will give you a biopsychosocial grounding in the study of psychology.
As an associate degree student, you will have access to excellent academic advice; you'll have a definite learning path, but with room to explore along the way. You'll be well-prepared for success if you choose to continue with further post-secondary studies.
You may also choose to take psychology courses as electives to satisfy university transfer requirements for many other Camosun programs.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Psychology, Associate of Arts Degree
$7,431 (domestic)
$32,864 (international)
Psychology, Associate of Arts Degree, Internship designation
$8,204 (domestic)
$35,142 (international)
Psychology, Associate of Arts Degree, Co-op designation
$8,894 (domestic)
$36,833 (international)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Curriculum & courses
Admission requirements
One of:
When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...
Ready to get started?
Check our current program availability.
Missing admission requirements?
You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact us today!
If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your classes contact artsci@camosun.ca or the program chair.
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Kristina Andrew
Instructional Assistant & Instructor Psychology - On Leave
andrew@camosun.ca
250-370-3195
Fisher Building
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Instructor, Psychology
I was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia. I earned a BA with Honours in psychology from the University of Victoria in 1998, where for my Honours thesis I tested a novel treatment for epilepsy that involved microstimulation of the brainstem in an animal model of epilepsy. I then worked as a research technician for my former Honours supervisor, Dr. Michael Corcoran, in a medical research facility at the University of Saskatchewan where he served as Vice-President of Research. During my time in the Corcoran lab I was trained in various methods of behavioural assessment, including tests of memory and emotions.
In 2001, I moved to Vancouver to study under Dr. Ralph Mistlberger at Simon Fraser University (SFU), investigating the brain mechanisms and functions of sleep and circadian rhythms. For my MA thesis I located the area of the brain which controls REM sleep in the rat, and for my PhD thesis I investigated the mechanism of how sleep deprivation produces a rapid antidepressant response. During my time as a graduate student at SFU, I also had the opportunity to work as a teaching assistant for many of the faculty members in the psychology department, to teach my own courses there, and was contracted by the biomedical company NeuroDetective International to conduct pre-clinical trials of novel medications.
After completion of my PhD I continued to teach as a sessional instructor at SFU as well as the University of the Fraser Valley and the Fraser International College. In 2012, I accepted a full time continuing position at Camosun College where I am currently a faculty member of the psychology department.
Teaching Courses
- PSYC 110 Experimental Psychology
- PSYC 130 Contemporary Issues
- PSYC 215 Biological Psychology
- PSYC 245 Drugs & Behaviour
Areas of Study
Cognitive & neural sciences
Research Interests
Sleep, dreams, consciousness, memory and emotions.
Selected Publications
Mueller, A. D., Pollock, M. S., Lieblich, S. E., Epp, J. R., Galea, L. A., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2008). Sleep deprivation can inhibit adult hippocampal neurogenesis independent of adrenal stress hormones. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 294(5), R1693-R1703.
Hannesson, D. K., Pollock, M. S., Howland, J. G., Mohapel, P., Wallace, A. E., & Corcoran, M. E. (2008). Amygdaloid kindling is anxiogenic but fails to alter object recognition or spatial working memory in rats. Epilepsy & Behavior, 13(1), 52-61.
Webb, I. C., Pollock, M. S., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2006). Modafinil [2-[(diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide] and circadian rhythms in syrian hamsters: assessment of the chronobiotic potential of a novel alerting compound. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 317(2), 882-889.
Pollock, M. S., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2005). Microinjection of neostigmine into the pontine reticular formation of the mouse: further evaluation of a proposed REM sleep enhancement technique. Brain research, 1031(2), 253-267.
Pollock, M. S., & Mistlberger, R. E. (2003). Rapid eye movement sleep induction by microinjection of the GABA-A antagonist bicuculline into the dorsal subcoeruleus area of the rat. Brain research, 962(1), 68-77.
Faculty/staff profile
Randal Tonks
Psychology Instructor, Activity Instructor: Tai Chi
tonks@camosun.ca
250-370-3197
Ewing Building
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Anneke van Alderwegen
Instructor, Psychology
vanAlderwegen@camosun.ca
250-370-3107/ 4463
Fisher Building and Liz Ashton Campus Centre
Full bio
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Learn more
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.
Contact information
School of Arts & Science
International students please contact Camosun International