- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, including six Grade 12 U or M courses with a minimum overall average of 65%, or a mature applicant.
- Required courses with minimum final grade of 65% in each:
- English: Grade 12 ENG4U
Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology (BBP)
About the Program
The Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology (BBP) program is the first four-year undergraduate honours degree in Canada that offers you a comprehensive study in the rapidly growing field of behavioural psychology and applied behaviour analysis (ABA). The curriculum emphasizes the interaction of behaviour and the environment within a biopsychosocial framework, covering a range of subjects across the human lifespan.
The BBP program aligns with the latest professional standards, preparing you for various psychology disciplines and making you competitive in the job market upon graduation. The curriculum and practice both reflect a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, aiming to meet the diverse needs of the local community and ensure you feel valued and supported throughout your academic journey. The curriculum also integrates the principles of sustainability and truth and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of these values in psychological practice and community engagement.
Flexible learning modalities — including online, HyFlex, hybrid and in-person classes — accommodate your diverse learning styles and life commitments. You will engage in hands-on learning through dedicated labs in behaviour assessment, intervention, behaviour gerontology, biological influences on behaviour, and other practical experiences. This approach fosters deep engagement with course material and allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. You will graduate with in-depth theoretical, conceptual and applied knowledge in the field of behavioural psychology, well-prepared for a variety of professional paths.
Credential Awarded
Honours Bachelor Degree
Duration
8 Semesters (4 Years)
Starts
January, September
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in Seneca's hybrid delivery format with some courses available in Seneca's flexible delivery format. Some coursework is online and some must be completed in person. Students will need to come on campus to complete in-person learning requirements. For courses offered in the flexible delivery format, professors use innovative learning spaces and technology to teach students in a classroom or lab and broadcast in real time to students attending remotely. In flexible courses, students have the choice of coming on campus or learning online.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
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Identifying supports needed for developmental and intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder
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Working with special populations across the human lifespan, (e.g., behaviour gerontology, acquired brain injury, mental health and developmental disabilities)
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Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary communication, with a strong focus on ethics and professional standards
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Analyzing information critically, assessing situations and making informed decisions, particularly in clinical and community settings
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Conducting research in individual, community and group-based applications and interventions
Work Experience
Mandatory Degree Work Term
A work experience that includes at least one term in a formal work environment. The work term(s) may be a paid or unpaid position that is completed between two academic semesters and requires a minimum of 420 hours of work. Students must be in good standing and meet all identified requirements prior to participating in the work experience. The successful completion of the work term(s) is required for graduation. Eligibility for participation does not guarantee that a work position will be secured. Additional fees are required for the mandatory degree work term regardless of success in securing a work position.
Your Career
Graduates of the program can explore the following career options:
- Autism instructor therapist
- Behaviour therapist
- Behavioural consultant
- Associate behaviour analyst
- Mental health worker
- Youth worker
- Addictions worker
- Educational assistant
- Family counsellor
- Rehabilitation counsellor
Affiliations/Associations
The Association for Behavior Analysis International has verified a course sequence in this program that makes students eligible to take the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst Examination (BCaBA). Applicants will need to meet additional requirements before they can be deemed eligible to take the examination.
Program of Study
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| BBP181 | Behaviour Observation and Measurement | 3 |
| BBP182 | Applied Behaviour Analysis | 3 |
| ENG106 | Writing Strategies | 3 |
| PSY113 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
| PSY383 | Human Development | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BBP281 | Experimental Designs in Behaviour Analysis | 3 |
| BBP282 | Applied Behaviour Analysis II | 3 |
| LSP320 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| PSY114 | Introduction to Psychology II | 3 |
| PSY681 | Human Development II | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| BBP381 | Behaviour Assessment | 3 |
| BBP382 | Interventions I | 3 |
| BBP383 | Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Disabilities | 3 |
| PSY306 | Psychological Disorders | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| BBP481 | Acquired Brain Injury and Rehabilitation | 3 |
| BBP482 | Ethics in Behavioural Intervention | 3 |
| BBP483 | Interventions II | 3 |
| BBP484 | Forensic Behaviour Science | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 5 | ||
| BBP581 | Behavioural Psychology in Context | 3 |
| BBP582 | Adulthood and Aging | 3 |
| PSY583 | Biological Influence of Behaviour | 3 |
| SWO400 | Theories of Counselling | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| BBP680 | Behavioural Counselling | 3 |
| BBP681 | Behavioural Approaches to Education | 3 |
| BBP682 | Special Topics in Behavioural Analysis | 3 |
| STA683 | Applied Statistics in Social Sciences | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Semester 7 | ||
| BBP780 | Industrial and Organizational Behaviour | 3 |
| BPR774 | Research Methods: Behavioural Psychology | 3 |
| PSY783 | Mental Health and Addiction: Behavioural Psychology | 3 |
| PSY785 | Developmental Disabilities and Behavioural Intervention Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| WTP200 | Work Term Preparation | 1 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
| Work-Integrated Learning Term | ||
| BBP881 | Behavioural Psychology, Work Term | 35 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| BBP880 | Legislation, Policy and Systems | 3 |
| BBP882 | Advanced Topic: Behavioural Gerontology | 3 |
| BPR884 | Research Project | 3 |
| PSY881 | Seminar: Assessing Complementary Therapies | 3 |
| plus: Liberal Studies Course (1) | 3 | |
Seneca has been granted consent by the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security to offer this degree for a seven-year term starting Dec. 9, 2022. In conformity with the Minister's criteria and requirements, Seneca will submit an application for the renewal of the consent for this program 12 months prior to the expiration of the consent. Seneca shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- Design interventions and strategies based on the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis to assess strengths, increase adaptive behaviours, develop new skills and decrease maladaptive behaviours.
- Evaluate client case information and theory to make collaborative interventions and recommendations for short and long term planning and care.
- Analyze social structures and processes to support socially significant behaviour change.
- Apply legislation, policy and procedures in the local, provincial and national context to inform practice.
- Utilize evidence-based practice to inform decision making.
- Critique roles, approaches and diverse perspectives required to participate on a multidisciplinary team.
- Interpret information to communicate to a variety of audiences for collaborative intervention, promotional and educational purposes.
- Adhere to relevant code of conduct and professional standards in the practice of Behavioural Psychology.
- Utilize a variety of objective observation techniques, assessment tools and research strategies for the purpose of intervention, evaluation and research.
- Apply principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis in context of the Biopsychosocial model to support optimal outcomes.
- Conduct applied research to deliver services to a variety of clients.
Admission Requirements
Learn about Seneca’s free English upgrading course and math upgrading course for applicants who don’t meet the high school requirements, as well as recommended upgrading for applicants who don’t meet their academic subject requirements.
Additional Information
After admission but prior to field placement, you must obtain a Police Vulnerable Sector Check.
International Student Information
International admissions requirements vary by program and in addition to English requirements, programs may require credits in mathematics, biology, and chemistry at a level equivalent to Ontario’s curriculum, or a postsecondary degree or diploma, equivalent to an Ontario university or college. Program-specific pre-requisite courses and credentials are listed with the admission requirements on each program page. To review the academic requirements please visit: Academic Requirements - Seneca, Toronto, Canada (senecapolytechnic.ca).
Advanced Entry
Admission Requirements
Advanced entry offers a pathway for graduates from the following Ontario diploma/advanced diploma programs with a GPA of 70% or higher:
- Behavioural Sciences
- Behavioural Sciences Technician
- Behavioural Sciences Technology
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.