Ava Bouwman is in their fourth year of the Honours Social Psychology program. Here’s what Ava had to say about choosing a degree in Social Psychology.
What led you to choose the Honours Social Psychology program at McMaster? What is your ideal future path with this degree?
I chose the social psychology program because it uniquely examines both society and the individual. Understanding society at large and the individual up close is an invaluable focus of study, and the combination of both of them is both enlightening and exciting. I hope to become a psychotherapist and plan to pursue a master’s degree after graduating from my bachelor’s degree. This program has well prepared me for a job in the field of mental health, as I now understand more clearly how complexly intertwined mental health, society, and the individual are.
What is one aspect about the Honours Social Psychology program that you love?
I love the community! The honours social psychology program is smaller, which allows for a tight-knit learning environment. The professors are absolutely lovely and they are all so kind and passionate about sharing their knowledge with students. The program deeply commits to both theoretical knowledge and to the practice of applying that knowledge.
As part of the Honours Social Psychology program, students complete a capstone group research project. Can you give a brief description of what students can expect in capstone?
The capstone research project is the cumulative of all your education in the social psychology program. It’s an opportunity to work with your peers to apply both research and theory skills by conducting a research project on something you find intriguing, with a tangible outcome! The professors are incredibly knowledgable and support you through the whole process with guidance and confidence.
What would you like to say to prospective students thinking of an Honours BA in Social Psychology?
If you are interested in studying the day-to-day behaviors of people, the fabric of society, and how these fascinating subjects interact, this program is for you! I am so grateful that I was able to study such a niche field of psychology in an undergraduate program because it allowed me to explore the field itself and others more deeply. I would encourage anyone interesting in studying people to seriously consider this program!
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