Bachelor of Behavioural Science - Postsecondary Education Quality ...

Students participate in one mandatory work term of 14 weeks of professional experience,
where they apply knowledge and skills to real life applications. Students research and
develop a plan for their internship placement selecting from a wide variety of opportunities
in community organizations, government organizations, not-for-profit organizations.
Communication Skills
The ability to communicate effectively with the level of sophistication required for
sustained employment and life-long learning is a core outcome for all undergraduate
programs. In this program, the focus is additionally on effectively communicating with a
variety of professionals and specialists within the field of behavioural science to enable
the best outcomes for clients and the professional development of the graduate. The
advisory committee for this program and employer survey results overwhelmingly
emphasized the core skills of precise writing and oral communication as highest priorities
for new graduates as professionals often write assessment and intervention plans in
addition to counseling, facilitating and consulting. The program has been designed to
support the development of these skills through direct and indirect means in every course
in each year of the program. Students are expected to prepare for classes by reading and
responding to textbooks, journal articles and websites and to write daily in journals,
papers, critiques and annotations. In research courses, counseling and consultation
courses, students are expected to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
A core competency to be demonstrated by graduates is to present ideas and information
accurately and creatively using written, oral, audio-visual and web-based formats. The
program is designed with recognition of the developmental nature of communication
abilities. Courses are sequenced to support students‘ learning and to gradually raise
expectations for higher levels of sophistication and creativity over the four years of the
program.
Awareness of the Limits of Knowledge
As students gain proficiency and become more fully immersed in theoretical language and
practical skills, they become increasingly aware of the limits to their knowledge. This
awareness is fostered intentionally through an emphasis on reflective practice, critique,
analysis of new and emerging trends and practices and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
In theoretical courses, students approach questions of behavioural science from
psychological, sociological, historical, and cultural viewpoints. The courses Issues in
Behavioural Psychology and Senior Level Thesis Project 1 & 2 are designed to challenge
students‘ perceptions and assumptions in terms of their own practical work.
Throughout the program, current standards of practice as well as legal, ethical and
regulatory issues will be emphasized. Students are made aware as new issues arise,
beyond current knowledge. For example, students are kept current in their understanding
of the impacts of continued globalization, advances in technology, developing standards,
and legislation. Throughout the program, students are encouraged to visit key
organizations, associations and government websites and to review periodicals and
academic journals from the field in order to recognize new developments that require
study.
Throughout the program, students study various schools of thought about behavioural
science and its related disciplines, their foundations, explanatory power, limitations,
Bachelor of Behavioural Science Section D, Page 13