phd programs in canada psychology

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Clinical Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

Helping students become expert psychologists and competent clinicians is the purpose of the Clinical Psychology (PhD Thesis) program. It aims to prepare students for research, academic and clinical careers in psychology and health care. As practitioners of an evidence-based science, faculty members guiding the program emphasize training in clinical science. The program, which highlights their commitment to empirical approaches to advancing knowledge, is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association.

Completing this program

• Courses:  Students will take advanced topics in the practice of clinical psychology such as psychopharmacology, diversity issues in clinical psychology, clinical geropsychology, addictions, health psychology, eating disorders, consultation/supervision, program evaluation, and neuropsychology.
• Candidacy: Students must sit a written and oral doctoral candidacy examination in the third year of their program.
• Research Proposal: Students in the program must complete a doctoral thesis proposal for thesis research.
• Thesis : Students will complete a thesis based on a research project/question during their time in the program.

Research, academic, or clinical career in university, health, and mental health settings.

A PhD in clinical psychology is usually considered a final degree.

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

9 courses, practica, and a full-time, competitive, paid internship. Internships may take place in settings across Canada.

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Four to five years; six years maximum

A supervisor is required prior to the start of the program

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.

A full list of supervisors accepting new students is posted on the Department of Psychology website in early Fall. Contact the program for more information.

Brandy Callahan

Tavis Campbell

Linda Carlson

Keith Dobson

Deinera Exner-Cortens

Susan Graham

David Hodgins

Sheri Madigan

Brae Anne McArthur

Admission requirements

A minimum of 3.6 GPA on a 4.0 point system.

Please note that the PhD program is highly competitive. Successful applicants will typically have a GPA higher than this stated minimum.

Minimum education

A master's degree in Psychology or equivalent.

Work samples

A statement of research and professional interests (max. 500 words), including the specification of prospective research supervisors from among current program faculty.

A research proposal.

Reference letters

Two academic letters

Test scores

English language proficiency.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt)  score of 105.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 7.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 75, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  score of 70 (minimum 70 in each section)  
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  score of A- in each course.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 200.

For admission on September 1:

• Canadians and permanent residents: Nov. 15 application deadline
• International students: Nov. 15 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, department of psychology.

Psychology Graduate Program Faculty of Arts University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Advisor

Visit the departmental website

University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Arts website

Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Thesis-based MSc

Community Health Sciences

Thesis-based MSc

Thesis-based PhD

Counselling Psychology

Course-based MC

Social Work

Course-based Cert

Thesis-based MSW

Course-based MSW

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Psychology (PhD)

Program description.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology offered by the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Science is a research-intensive program that emphasizes challenging and future-oriented learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature synthesis, research design, and scientific communication to pursue professional opportunities in academia or industry.

The program may also be taken as one of the following options:

Behavioural Neuroscience option : emphasizes modern, advanced theory and methodology aimed at the neurobiological underpinnings of behaviour in human and non-human animals.

Language Acquisition option : the Ph.D. thesis must be on a topic relating to language acquisition.

Keywords: Clinical, experimental, training, internship, social, behavioral, quantitative, cognition.

Unique Program Features

• The program offers two unique program tracks: Clinical and Experimental Psychology;
• Department Faculty members conduct cutting-edge research in Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Science, Health Psychology, Quantitative Psychology & Modelling, and Social & Personality Psychology;
• The Department collaborates with the Departments of Psychology at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, the Allan Memorial Institute, the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, the Jewish General Hospital, the Montreal Children's Hospital, and the Montreal General Hospital to permit students to undertake research in a hospital setting.

University-Level Admission Requirements

• An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
• English-language proficiency

Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.

Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.

Program Website

PhD in Psychology website

Department Contact

Graduate Program psychology.grad [at] mcgill.ca (subject: PhD%20in%20Psychology) (email)

Available Intakes

Application deadlines.

Note : Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.

Application Resources

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• Graduate Funding webpage

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Consult our full list of our virtual application-focused workshops on the Events webpage.

Department and University Information

Graduate and postdoctoral studies.

• login (for Dept. Members)

Clinical Psychology Program

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The Department of Psychology offers graduate training in Clinical Psychology leading to M.A. and Ph.D. degrees and is based upon a scientist-practitioner model of clinical training. The program is designed as an integrated sequence leading to a Ph.D. degree. The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association, most recently in 2021 for five years.

Applicants may seek clinical training in one of the following tracks:

• Clinical General
• Clinical Child
• Clinical Forensic
• Clinical Neuropsychology

Program Mission and Values

Mission  - Our mission is to produce graduates who contribute to the science of psychology and to clinical psychology practice. The Clinical Program emphasizes the integration of science and practice. We are committed to training students to take a scientific approach to clinical practice and to use knowledge gained through clinical practice to inform scientific inquiry.

Values  - Our program attempts to foster the following values in our faculty and students as they perform their teaching, research, and professional activities:

• ethical behaviour
• the integration of science, scholarship, and clinical practice
• respect for and responsiveness to diversity
• engagement with and service to the community
• commitment to lifelong learning

Philosophy and Model of Training

The Clinical Program is based on a scientist-practitioner model of clinical training as established at the Boulder Conference in 1949. As such, the Program endorses the principles of scientific inquiry and emphasizes knowledge acquisition, scientific training, and structured, sequenced practical training as fundamental to the development of clinical competence. The Program recognizes the importance of breadth and diversity in training to ensure an appreciation of different theoretical and research perspectives. At the same time, we recognize the importance of depth in training within specific domains of clinical psychology. Thus, in addition to broad and general training in clinical psychology, the Program offers tracks in Clinical Forensic, Clinical Child, Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical General Psychology. Training within these tracks is achieved through focused streaming of advanced courses and practica. While the research home of all Program clinical faculty and students in each of the tracks is within the Clinical Science research area, many Program members are cross-affiliated with other research areas within the Department. As a cornerstone of training, the Program operates an outpatient mental health clinic (CPC) designed to provide psychological services to the community, training and education of graduate clinical students and a setting for psychological research.

Program Goals and Objectives

We aim to foster the development of research, scholarship, professional skills, and a commitment to ethical behaviour. Our program emphasizes three broad goals each of which is reflected in specific objectives:

1.       To provide students with training in scholarly and research skills within the field of clinical psychology

• Students will achieve foundational and applied knowledge and skills in research methodology and statistical analysis.
• Students will develop foundational knowledge of research and theory related to Clinical Psychology.
• Students will develop knowledge of research and theory related to their chosen track (Clinical Child, Clinical Forensic, Clinical General, and Clinical Neuropsychology).
• Students will develop competence in formulating and conducting independent research and communicating results (in oral and written form).

2.       To provide students with training in clinical skills

Our Program is committed to producing clinical psychologists who are fully knowledgeable and practically trained in clinical psychology with competence in the areas of assessment and intervention. To that end, the Program incorporates a number of clinical skill objectives.

• Students will develop the skills needed to conduct a range of psychological assessments.
• Students will develop skills in differential diagnosis, case formulation, treatment planning and therapeutic skills.

3.       To foster the development of ethical and professional conduct and respect for diversity

• Students will be knowledgeable about the ethical guidelines and standards related to the practice of psychology as set out by federal and provincial acts as well as international guidelines, standards and laws in relation to the Canadian context. They will also know how to apply these standards in their professional practice.
• Students will be able to analyze and critically evaluate ethical dilemmas and identify appropriate means for resolution.
• Students will be responsive to issues of diversity in their academic, research, and professional practice.

Welcome to the Graduate Program in Psychology

Diploma, master of arts (ma), doctor of philosophy (phd).

York University's Graduate Program in Psychology is the largest program in Canada. It is also one of the most diverse—with seven areas of specialization and numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary study.

Learn More About Our Program

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Psychology at a Glance

$13 million+.

Currently held in external research funding

Faculty members of the Graduate Program in Psychology

Areas of specialization

Featured Faculty

Tali Boritz

Research Interests

Psychotherapy process and outcome, with particular emphasis on the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and complex trauma.

Thanujeni (Jeni) Pathman

Cognitive development and developmental cognitive neuroscience

Joey T. Cheng

Psychological underpinnings of social hierarchy, overconfidence, and competition.

Joseph DeSouza

Eye, head and visually guided movements, multisensory processing, motion processing pathways and how these mechanisms are modulated by attentional mechanisms.

CeAnn Marks’ research primarily focuses on the sex differences in concussion recovery. The observation is to note the differences in how males and females recover in visuomotor and emotionality domains. She is also doing work regarding trauma and cognitive motor performance. This is to determine if individuals who have suffered from emotional trauma show impairments in motor performance.

The Graduate Program in Psychology at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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Psychology (PhD)

Our PhD in Psychology program is based on a mentorship model, where faculty members work closely with a small cohort of students. You can choose to specialize in one of four areas of psychology:

• cognitive and behavioural neurosciences
• community psychology
• developmental psychology
• social psychology

Close mentorship.

Community engagement.

Hands on, diverse research experiences.

Program Details

Program structure.

Our PhD in Psychology is a full-time program. The structure varies by field, but no matter which area you choose to specialize in, you must write and defend a dissertation.

Our program is designed to prepare you for careers in research and teaching, or for applied opportunities in various community and social agencies.

Doctoral students are encouraged to teach a course as part of their program experience.

Available Fields

You can choose to specialize in one of four areas of psychology:

Social Psychology

Program overview.

Our PhD in Social Psychology program helps individuals with a strong research background to fully develop into outstanding independent research investigators. An apprenticeship model provides students with an opportunity to acquire advanced academic knowledge in social psychology. Students will develop basic and/or applied research skills on attitudes, social cognition, affect and wellbeing, the self, close relationships, intergroup relations, social interactions, and personality processes.

Spanning several levels of analysis (e.g. social, cognitive, temporal), this research examines individuals, dyads and larger groups using both cutting edge and foundational methodologies (such as reaction-time measures, experience sampling and longitudinal self-reports, and moment-to-moment assessment, in addition to more standard experimental manipulations, surveys, questionnaires, and direct observation).

The PhD dissertation requires original research that contributes significant new knowledge to the field. This research has clear practical implications within personal, organizational, social, political, and therapeutic contexts.

Graduates are trained for positions in university, hospital, community, industry or government settings.

Required Courses

• PS800: Advanced Multivariate Methods or PS801: Multi-level Modeling
• PS846: Research Seminar in Social Psychology I
• PS847: Research Seminar in Social Psychology II
• PS848: Research Seminar in Social Psychology III
• PS870: Specialized Research and Methods in Social Psychology I: Attitudes and Social Cognition
• PS871: Specialized Research and Methods in Social Psychology II: Interpersonal Relationships and Group Processes
• PS891: Comprehensive Research Experience I
• PS899: Dissertation
• To provide greater breadth of perspective in students’ dissertation areas, students must complete one elective course, which can be an additional comprehensive research experience (PS892), or an elective content course from another field in the PhD program, or from other graduate course offerings at Laurier or graduate programs at other institutions.

Developmental Psychology

Students in the PhD program in Developmental Psychology at Laurier work closely with a faculty supervisor on an original program of research aimed to make a significant contribution in a specific subfield of developmental psychology.

Rather than requiring students to pass comprehensive exams as a part of their studies, the Laurier Developmental Psychology PhD program requires students to complete two comprehensive research projects each with faculty members other than their primary advisor. The purpose of these projects is for students to learn and benefit from the mentorship of other faculty, to experience new research methodologies, and to gain exposure to new research literatures in order to strengthen students' research profiles with presentations and publications in the broader field of developmental psychology.

After graduation (typically within three to four years), students will have acquired the necessary skills to apply for a teaching or research position at a college or university, as well as for positions outside the academic sector (e.g. governmental and non-governmental institutions).

You'll complete a minimum of seven half-credit courses, two comprehensive research experiences and a PhD thesis.

• PS800: Advanced Seminar in Multivariate Methods or PS801: Multi-level Modeling
• PS874: Advanced Seminar in Social Development
• PS875: Advanced Seminar in Cognitive Development
• PS876: Research Seminar in Developmental Psychology I
• PS877: Research Seminar in Developmental Psychology II
• PS878: Research Seminar in Developmental Psychology III

Community Psychology

Community psychology is a critical and applied social science that pursues action-oriented social justice research from a perspective of understanding human behaviour in its social and historical contexts. Community psychologists recognize the communities they work with as experts on their own situations and as integral partners in designing and implementing culturally appropriate interventions that foster sustainable wellbeing. Community psychologists base their interventions on theory and evidence and use action-oriented research to promote positive change.

Community psychology takes a holistic approach to promoting social justice and wellbeing by focusing on the community, environment, and larger influencing factors that affect people’s daily lives (culture, society, politics, economics, etc.). It's characterized by an ecological approach to social problems that considers the conditions which give rise to them, such as experiences of poverty, oppression, marginalization and stigma. It links research and evaluation with direct action and service, and its practitioners partner with community members and social institutions to promote change.

Having a community psychology degree demonstrates that you have a professional commitment to lasting social change, an understanding of the origins of socially constructed problems, and the training to help others face those issues completely and successfully.

The objectives of the PhD program are for doctoral students to develop:

• Critical thinking, knowledge, and ethical sensitivity in relation to social systems analysis and intervention, community research and evaluation, and human service policy, programs, and practice.
• Skills for catalyzing social action and social policy initiatives related to community psychology, for conducting community research and evaluation, and for providing education and training both in university settings and in the community.

You'll gain teaching experience either by serving as a teaching assistant or by being an instructor or co-instructor for a course. The PhD program is geared to prepare graduates as scholars in universities, as policy researchers/analysts in governmental and non-governmental settings, as community researchers and program evaluators, and as managers of human service organizations.

• PS801: Multi-level Modeling
• PS802: Program Evaluation
• PS805: Qualitative Research Methods
• PS880: Theories and Ethics of Social Analysis and Intervention
• PS887: Application of Social Science Theories to Community Issues

Cognitive and Behavioural Neurosciences

Neuroscience is one of the most exciting and rapidly advancing fields in all of the life sciences. At Laurier, we take a broadly integrative perspective, examining the interaction between behaviour, cognition and the nervous system across a diverse set of species from fish to humans, ranging in scale from populations, to individuals, to cells, on timescales ranging from milliseconds to generations.

The objective of our PhD program is to train students to become independent research investigators in the field of neuroscience. An apprenticeship model provides students with an opportunity to acquire advanced academic knowledge in the biological basis of cognition and behaviour. Human and animal psychological issues are addressed by exploring the interaction between cognition, behaviour and the nervous system. Commonalities between humans and animals relating to cognitive, learning, and motivational processes and behaviour are explored to determine the role of the inner workings of the brain.

Students will develop basic and/or applied research skills in neuroscience. The PhD dissertation requires original research that contributes significant new knowledge to the field. Graduates are trained for positions in university, hospital, community, industry or government settings.

Our facilities allow faculty members and students to employ a rich diversity of tools and techniques including:

• Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), high-density evoked potentials (EP), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
• Animal models of human medical (mental) disorders, including addiction, eating disorders, and age-related memory disorders.
• Automated tracking of collective behaviour, and operant behaviours.
• Confocal imaging, immunohistochemistry, patch clamp electrophysiology, quantitative gene expression analyses, and in situ hybridization.

In addition, a field station is equipped to study large groups of freely behaving animals to study the neural mechanisms organizing complex social behaviour.

• One of PS660: Principles of Cognition or PS663: Principles of Neuroscience . Students will take whichever course they did not take previously. Those students entering the program without a Laurier MSc degree will take the course most suited to their research interests (in consultation with the Psychology graduate coordinator).
• PS856: Research Seminar in Neuroscience . All PhD candidates are required to participate in the research seminar. The seminars will have a component devoted to training in teaching. The seminars are taken in the fall and winter terms for the duration of the student’s enrolment in the PhD program. Students are marked on a pass/fail basis in the last year in the program (receiving an incomplete until that point).
• PS891: Comprehensive Research Experience I . During the first two years of the PhD program, all students must complete a comprehensive research experience under the supervision of a faculty member other than their advisor.
• PS892: Comprehensive Research Experience II (which can take the role of a research project, including a written report, or a review paper) under the supervision of a faculty member other than their advisor;
• Elective content courses: PS860: Seminar in Cognition , PS861: Seminar in Comparative Cognition , PS862: Seminar in Perception , PS863: Seminar in Behavioural Neuroscience , PS864: Seminar in the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory , and PS865: Seminar in Cognitive Neuroscience .
• PS899: Dissertation . The university regulations regarding the requirements for submitting a doctoral dissertation and scheduling the oral examination will apply.

Our faculty members are strong researchers with external grant support and international reputations.

We give you the flexibility to explore your research interest and the ability to specialize in one of our four fields.

Faculty research a wide variety of topics, such as:

• People's thoughts about themselves through time, including their identity, memories, predictions, goals, and motivation.
• Sociocultural influences on the self.
• Implicit and explicit self-esteem.
• Narcissism.
• Experiences of awe.
• Mindfulness.
• Gender discrimination and coping.
• Risk regulation in close relationships.
• Personality and temporal processes at play during people’s social interactions.
• Social anxiety and other anxiety disorders.
• Role ambiguity.
• Acceptance in sport and exercise groups.

In the Developmental Psychology field, faculty members with supervisory status conduct experimental, observational, and applied research in:

• Cognitive development;
• Language and mathematics development;
• Reading acquisition;
• Moral and personality development; and
• Developmental issues related to educational, health and forensic psychology.

Faculty offer very diverse interests and areas of expertise, including:

• Community-based participatory research and stakeholder engagement.
• Indigenous rights and governance.
• The social exclusion of LGBT individuals and communities.
• Environmental justice and sustainability.
• Social innovation and social change.
• Youth engagement.
• Health equity and policy.
• Early childhood education and care.
• Community and education.
• Program development and evaluation.
• Social determinants of HIV/AIDS.
• Population and public health.

Our research interests are interconnected, focusing on the mechanisms underlying:

• Visual and auditory perception;
• Motor control, attention and memory;
• Medical (mental) disorders, including addiction, eating disorders, and age-related memory disorders;
• The neurobiology of learning and memory, the evolution of learning, social learning, comparative cognition, the learning-motivation interface, and neural plasticity; and
• Social organization and collective behaviour.

"Immerse yourself in all Laurier has to offer while completing your graduate education. Enjoy the journey – remember to have fun too!"

Paula C. Fletcher, associate dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.

• Start: Fall (September)
• Format: Full-time
• Application deadline: Jan. 6 (first consideration), March 30 (international applicants), Aug. 15 (domestic applicants). We evaluate late applications if space permits.

Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree in psychology or related field with a minimum A- standing
• Proficiency in English.
• Applications are reviewed by the graduate program committee, which considers all prior university grades, a statement of research interests and letters of reference.
• Contact a prospective advisor prior to submitting your application.

For the Cognitive and Behavioural Neurosciences field:

• If a student applies with a MA or MSc degree from another university, she/he may be admitted to the PhD program; some make-up course work may be required depending on the courses completed at the master’s level.

Application Checklist

Applications are due Jan. 6 for first consideration. Those fields will continue to accept applications until the program is full.

Please note, the application process and the uploading of supplemental documentation, which includes references, typically takes two weeks. To avoid disappointment, apply early.

After you have submitted your OUAC application , paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from [email protected] advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS) .

An application for admission to our PhD program in Psychology must include:

• The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. Documents must be dated within the past six months.
• A completed statement of intent.
• A resume of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
• A sample of your scholarly writing (10-20 pages in length). This may be a chapter of your master's thesis or a paper written for a graduate course.
• Completed reference forms . Two academic references are required. Applicants to the community psychology field are required to submit, in addition to two academic references, one professional reference letter. Note: Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.

Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.

English Proficiency

Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS .

Your Next Steps

Questions? Contact David White, graduate coordinator, at [email protected] or 548.889.3698. For general inquiries, contact Rita Sharkey, at  [email protected] or 548.889.38631.

Waterloo Campus

This program is available on Laurier's Waterloo campus.

Laurier's Waterloo campus is home to more than 19,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Tucked into several city blocks, this campus is walking distance to your classrooms, food, and various campus amenities.

Laurier is a leading force in research among Canadian universities, and many of our research centres and institutes are housed in Waterloo.

Learn more about Laurier's campuses .

Tuition and Funding

Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

Graduate Tuition and Funding

"With contributions from several university-based partners, ASPIRE provides graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with informative, hands-on professional skills training essential for degree and post-degree success."

Brent Wolfe , Associate Vice-President and Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Our graduates have gone on to work in academia, government agencies, non-government organizations, and medical research.

Examples of jobs held by our graduate include:

• faculty at Carleton University, Algoma University, University of Waterloo and Grant MacEwan University
• research and development at Multi-Health Systems, Toronto
• Government of Canada research

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace .

Learn about the interests and ongoing research of our faculty members. If their research interests you, email the professor directly to set up a meeting. Include information about yourself, your skills, your experience, and why you’re interested in their research.

Eight full-time faculty members supervise theses and dissertations in our Social Psychology master's and PhD programs:

• Roger Buehler
• Justin Cavallo
• Mindi Foster
• Christian Jordan
• Frank Kachanoff
• Nancy Kocovski
• Pamela Sadler
• Anne Wilson
• Meaghan Barlow
• Marc Jambon
• Alexandra Gottardo
• Tobias Krettenauer
• Danielle Law
• Kim Roberts
• John W. Schwieter
• Eileen Wood

There are currently six faculty members who are available to supervise Community Psychology graduate students:

• Ann Marie Beals
• Todd Coleman
• Livia Dittmer
• Maritt Kirst
• Natalie Kivell
• Melody Morton Ninomiya
• Manuel Riemer
• Ketan Shankardass
• Ciann Wilson
• language and cognitive processes
• neural circuits and systems
• non-human social behaviour
• machine learning tools
• Human communication through speech
• music and other acoustic signals
• neural plasticity
• collective behaviour
• comparative cognition
• visual perception and attention
• somatosensory and visual perception
• sensory processing
• motor control
• neurodevelopmental disabilities 

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• Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Canadian Immigration Updates

Applicants to Master’s and Doctoral degrees are not affected by the recently announced cap on study permits. Review more details

Go to programs search

The Counselling Psychology Program, in line with the mission of the research-intensive University of British Columbia, creates, advances and critically examines knowledge in counselling psychology, especially with respect to its validity, applicability, limits, and interface with other disciplines. In developing and applying pertinent and innovative research methodologies, the Counselling Psychology Program relies upon and builds qualitative and quantitative evidence to determine effective counselling interventions in educational, community, health, and occupational settings.

Our Doctoral Program is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association and follows the scientist-practitioner model for the education of counselling psychologists: students receive a substantial education as both researchers and professional psychologists.  Designed for those with relevant experience who want to gain doctoral level competence, this program enhances research, counselling theory, and counselling skills.

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

I decided to study at UBC because the Counselling Psychology program prepares its students to be excellent researchers as well as clinicians.

Katie McCloskey

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 90

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 6.5

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is required by all applicants.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD)

Criminal record check, citizenship verification.

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial support.

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

From September 2024 all full-time students in UBC-Vancouver PhD programs will be provided with a funding package of at least $24,000 for each of the first four years of their PhD. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching-related work, research assistantships, and graduate academic assistantships. Please note that many graduate programs provide funding packages that are substantially greater than $24,000 per year. Please check with your prospective graduate program for specific details of the funding provided to its PhD students.

Average Funding

• 2 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 2 students was $10,800.
• 8 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 8 students was $7,089.
• 1 student received Academic Assistantships valued at $2,700.
• 14 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 14 students was $12,751.
• 9 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 9 students was $25,370.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Outcomes

52 students graduated between 2005 and 2013. Of these, career information was obtained for 50 alumni (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016):

Sample Employers in Higher Education

Sample employers outside higher education, sample job titles outside higher education, phd career outcome survey, career options.

Students will be prepared for careers as researchers, practitioners, and educators in a wide variety of settings including academic, clinical, community, business, private practice, and research. Our graduates hold positions such as staff psychologist, research manager, professor, director, department head, clinical counsellor, vocational rehabilitation consultant, team leader, behavioural consultant, group facilitator, and psychoanalyst.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselling Psychology (PhD). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion rates & times, upcoming doctoral exams, wednesday, 12 june 2024 - 9:00am.

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Bedi, Robinder (Counselling psychology; Investigating counselling and psychotherapy as Western cultural healing practices; Counselling psychology disciplinary and professional issues in Canada; Heterodox issues in counselling psychology that challenge its dominant narratives and sacred ideas; Counselling/psychotherapy/mental health with Punjabi/Sikh individuals; Neglected topics in the Psychology of Men and Masculinity)
• Borgen, William (Career Counselling, Career/life transitions, Developmental approaches to counselling, Group counselling)
• Buchanan, Marla (Counsellor Stress, Narrative Inquiry, School Counselling, Traumatic Stress)
• Cox, Daniel (Counselling psychology; Motivations and Emotions; Anxiety; depression; Mental Health and Society; stress; Suicide)
• Haverkamp, Beth (Counselling Process Research, Ethics and Professional Issues, Research Design)
• Hubley, Anita (Psychological and health measurement; test development and validation; adult neuropsychological, personality, and mental health topics and assessment; research with general community and vulnerable populations (e.g. elderly, homeless, drug addicted))
• Miller, Kenneth (Mindfulness and its incorporation into mental health interventions in settings of adversity, Development of culturally grounded assessment and evaluation tools, The use of mixed-methods in intervention development and evaluation research)
• Park, CJ (Vocational psychology; Career counseling; diversity and social justice; critical consciousness; international and cross-cultural psychology; interventions)
• Tomfohr-Madsen, Lianne

Doctoral Citations

Sample thesis submissions.

• Keep your hands to yourself and use your words : a condescendingly titled exploration of what helps and hinders people with visual impairments while receiving unsolicited help from sighted people
• Coping is a collective responsibility : a narrative inquiry with women veterans on the barriers and facilitators of coping with military sexual trauma
• Health and wellness for Métis youth involved with Métis family services : exploring cultural connection through Métis beadwork using photovoice
• The process of transitioning to a mainstream high school for hard-of-hearing youth
• Positions : possibilities and pleasures in gay, bisexual, and queer men's storytelling
• Operation returning to school (Op RTS) : Canadian veterans’ experiences of transitioning to post-secondary studies
• From disenfranchisement to integration : young women's narratives of embodiment and sexual satisfaction
• The impact of traditional masculinity ideology on veteran mental health and treatment outcome
• Sexual and gender minority youth and their parents : identity-related conversations

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MA)
• Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (MEd)

Same Academic Unit

• Doctor of Philosophy in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in School and Applied Child Psychology (PhD)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education (PhD)
• Graduate Certificate in Orientation and Mobility (GCOM)
• Master of Arts in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (MA)
• Master of Arts in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (MA)
• Master of Arts in School and Applied Child Psychology (MA)
• Master of Arts in Special Education (MA)
• Master of Education in Human Development, Learning, and Culture (MEd)
• Master of Education in Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology (MEd)
• Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology (MEd)
• Master of Education in Special Education (MEd)

Further Information

Specialization.

Programs of research reflect the core values and foci of the discipline of Counselling Psychology: career development, health and wellness, indigenous healing, gender and cultural diversity, disability, and social justice issues. Faculty members are involved in a wide range of research activities including intercultural counselling, First Nations counselling, career development and counselling, stress and coping, sexuality and reproductive health, disabilities, trauma, working with families and children in school settings, prevention of anxiety disorders, and empirically supported approaches utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

UBC Calendar

Program website, faculty overview, academic unit, program identifier, classification, social media channels, supervisor search.

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form .

Alejandra Botia

Throughout my undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs, I have felt grateful to access a globally recognized university. Beyond being a stunning place, I chose to continue my graduate degree at UBC because of the invaluable friendships and professional relationships that I have built over the...

Sarah Panofsky

My PhD will be my fourth UBC degree and I am confident that the university will provide me with the comprehensiveness, relevance, and rigour that I seek in my studies. Connection to place is also important. Studying at UBC allows me to maintain relationships with the communities in Northwest BC...

Christine Yu

I had a wonderful experience during the Master’s program at UBC and felt a sense of community, with excellent support from my supervisor. Once I was ready to pursue a doctoral degree, I wanted to re-engage in that type of supportive environment while stretching the boundaries of my clinical and...

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MA/ PhD Program Overview

The Graduate Program in  Counselling and Clinical Psychology is a tri-campus  MA and PhD degree program at the University of Toronto housed across both the Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science (GD-PCS) at UTSC and the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Each Department offers one field of study; the GD-PCS at UTSC field is in  Clinical Psychology .

Our program offers a full-time, 2-year Master of Arts and 4-year Doctor of Philosophy degree program designed for applicants interested in a career as a clinical psychologist based on the Clinical Science model of training. Note that our program is  not  intended to offer a terminal Master’s degree. However, we do not guarantee that all students who enter the Master’s program will be granted admission to the PhD program; completion of all requirements in a timely and competent manner during the Master’s program is required. 

Students are required to complete a sequence of practicum placements over the course of three years focused on readying them for professional practice, as well as ensure preparation for success in the APPIC Match. The first practicum takes place internally at UTSC’s Health and Wellness Centre. This training experience is intended to provide students with requisite skills in interviewing techniques, reflective listening, rapport building, and other core clinical skills. In addition, students run multiple group therapy interventions and provide cognitive-behavioural interventions for individual clients. Subsequently, students participate in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Practicum Match with the assistance of the Program Coordinator. Through this process, students will match a one full-time summer practicum (to be completed in the Summer after the Health and Wellness practicum), and two Fall/Winter practica two be completed in PhD1 and PhD2. These practica are most often completed at hospital sites around the GTA.

For full details on the MA/ PhD requirements and program overview, please visit the  U of T School of Graduate Studies - Psychological Clinical Science  webpage. The  Courses and Timetable  webpage will also provide details on individual course descriptions and offerings. Please note that not all courses are offered every year.

MA & PhD Requirements

The full-time, two-year MA program is designed for applicants interested in working as researchers or practitioners in a variety of psychological and educational settings. This program enables students to apply for registration with the  College of Psychologists of Ontario  as a Psychological Associate. For information about the registration requirements of the College of Psychologists of Ontario, applicants are encouraged to contact the College directly.

Note: actual course schedule may differ

The full-time PhD program is designed for applicants interested in a career as a clinical psychologist based on a Clinical Science model of training. Graduate training in Clinical Psychology at UTSC prepares graduates primarily for research careers as psychological clinical scientists in university and academic medical settings. The PhD program has research strengths in  clinical neuropsychology and neurosciences, personality and psychological assessment,  and  mindfulness- and acceptance-based psychotherapies . It is distinguished by its innovative cross-disciplinary approach that emphasizes scientific innovation through novel research collaborations that push traditional boundaries in clinical psychology. Importantly, the program meets the needs of students who plan to engage in research, teaching, and/or evidence-based clinical practice. This program is intended to meet the registration requirements of the College of Psychologists of Ontario at the doctoral level.

The Counselling and Clinical Psychology program (Clinical Psychology field) is offered on a full-time basis, and progress in the program will be reviewed annually.

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Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is a doctoral program in clinical psychology which is comprised of 18 required classroom courses, 3 colloquium courses, a minimum of 750 hours of practical experience across four practicum courses, a dissertation across four courses, and a full time, 12-month predoctoral internship considered one course. The program is designed to prepare students to practice as clinical psychologists.

Infused with a critical lens, and focused throughout on integration of theory, research, and practice across individual and cultural diversities, the Doctor of Psychology Program prepares graduates to practice as clinical psychologists who will meet the needs of individuals, couples, and families, and also of broader communities and populations through the conscientious practice of the human art and science of clinical psychology.

Students will learn to develop, deliver and supervise high quality mental health services including assessment, diagnosis as appropriate, psychotherapeutic intervention and consultation, supervision, and research as well as learn to practice clinical psychology with an emphasis on responding to the broader needs for health and wellness promotion, community strengthening and prevention of psychological distress.

Of particular priority in the program is the development in students of the capacity to respectfully and effectively engage with the diversity of past and current experiences of individuals and communities, including with respect to culture, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, language, religion, sexuality, physical and psychological characteristics, and identity. Students will develop an understanding of prominent systems and learn to work within them to effectively advocate for those requiring psychological services and to inform and shape organizational and public policy. Ethical decision making will be paramount throughout the program.

Students in the program are engaged full-time with the program throughout almost the entirety of the four years of study. The first semesters include five courses per semester; the workload for five graduate-level courses in a professional training program is much greater than that for five senior undergraduate courses.  As is the case in other professional training programs such as medicine or veterinary medicine, students in the PsyD will not have time for significant employment outside the program. 

Students' initial practicum placements will take place in the UPEI Psychology Clinic. The program will place students for subsequent practica in sites across Prince Edward Island, unless students initiate an approved placement site outside of the province.  For the pre-doctoral internship, students take part with students across North America in the competitive APPIC internship matching program ( www.appic.org ). Internship placements cannot be guaranteed. A limited number of 12-month internship placements will be available in Prince Edward Island, considerably fewer than there will be students in the program.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply to internship sites outside the province.

Continuation in the program requires successful completion of, and ethical and professional conduct in, courses, practicum placements, and internship. 

The University of Prince Edward Island’s PsyD in Clinical Psychology is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). The initial accreditation is for a three-year term dating from the accreditation site visit of October 2022. A reaccreditation site visit will take place in advance of that three-year date. The CPA Accreditation Panel Office can be contacted via: Dr. Stewart Madon, Registrar, [email protected] , 613-237-2144 (ext. 333).

Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology is a subfield within psychology that applies psychological theories, research and knowledge to various aspects of human functioning. Clinical psychologists are professionals who have doctoral level training in clinical psychology. They work in a wide range of contexts, with many working as professional clinicians, academics, or both. Clinical psychologists work across the spectrum of health and mental health promotion, prevention, assessment, diagnosis as appropriate, intervention, consultation, and supportive care. They are engaged with program design, implementation, and evaluation and with policy and systems change.

Clinical psychologists are trained to address many human problems including depression, anxiety, stress, major mental disorders, learning problems, relational problems, challenges in parenting, addictions, behaviours contributing to chronic disease, developmental challenges, problems related to aging, problems which may arise from abuse or other traumatic experiences, and issues within the forensic field.

Clinical psychologists often work closely with psychiatrists, social workers and other health professionals, often within leadership roles on interdisciplinary teams. They may work with individuals, couples, or groups in public mental health clinics, in private practice, in public education systems, in other community settings, and at universities.

Program contacts

Dr. Philip Smith Director of Clinical Training, PsyD Program [email protected]

Lacey McBride and Melissa Bender  Administrative Assistants, PsyD Program [email protected]

Need more information about Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)?

The personal information requested on this form is collected under Section 31(c) of the PEI Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Read our Disclaimer .

Note: Current UPEI students should refer to Student Planning in myUPEI and the UPEI Academic Calendar governing their entry year, and speak to an academic advisor about course requirements. The course structure presented for this program is a recommended, unofficial progression for prospective students.

Students following this degree program must complete 57 semester hours of required courses, 750 hours of clinical practica (12 semester hours), a dissertation (12 semester hours), and a full-time 12-month clinical internship.

Required courses

PSY 6001 Colloquium I PSY 6201 Critical Historical Perspectives on Clinical Psychology PSY 6202 Ethics and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology PSY 6101 Foundations I: Human Development and Personality PSY 6203 Psychopathology and Diagnosis Across the Lifespan PSY 6204 Psychometrics and Assessment Practices with Adults PSY 6102 Foundations II: Social Bases of Behaviour PSY 6103 Foundations III: Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behaviour PSY 6206 Quantitative Approaches to Research in Clinical Psychology PSY 6207 Qualitative Research in Clinical Psychology PSY 6205 Psychometrics and Assessment Practices with Children and Adolescents PSY 6501 Assessment Practicum PSY 6208 Introduction to Psychotherapy PSY 7001 Colloquium II PSY 7101 Foundations IV: Biological Bases of Behaviour PSY 7202 Intervention with Children and Adolescents PSY 7801 Clinical Dissertation: Research Proposal I PSY 7203 Intervention with Adults: Cognitive, Behavioural, and Related Approaches PSY 7204 Advanced Intervention with Adults: Specific Clinical Approaches PSY 7802 Clinical Dissertation: Research Proposal II PSY 7501 Intervention Practicum PSY 8001 Colloquium III PSY 8801 Clinical Dissertation: Project I PSY 8201 Clinical Psychology in the Community PSY 8202 Clinical Psychology for Organizational and Systems Change PSY 8501 Advanced Practicum I PSY 8502 Community Intervention Practicum PSY 8802 Clinical Dissertation: Project II PSY 8203 Clinical Supervision PSY 8501 Advanced Practicum I PSY 9000 Predoctoral Internship One of PSY 7204 Advanced Intervention with Adults: Specific Clinical Approaches or PSY 7205: Advanced Intervention with Children and Adolescents

Optional course

PSY 8503 Advanced Practicum II

Suggested course sequence 

The order in which courses are offered may vary year to year.

Semester 1 (Fall) PSY 6001 Colloquium I PSY 6201 Critical Historical Perspectives on Clinical Psychology PSY 6202 Ethics and Professional Issues in Clinical Psychology PSY 6203 Psychopathology and Diagnosis Across the Lifespan PSY 6204 Psychometrics and Assessment Practices with Adults PSY 6207 Qualitative Research in Clinical Psychology

Semester 2 (Winter) PSY 6001 Colloquium I (continued) PSY 6102 Foundations II: Social Bases of Behaviour or PSY 7101 Foundations IV: Biological Bases of Behaviour (and) PSY 6205 Psychometrics and Assessment Practices with Children and Adolescents PSY 6206 Quantitative Approaches to Research in Clinical Psychology PSY 6208 Introduction to Psychotherapy  PSY 6501 Assessment Practicum

Semester 3 (Summer) PSY 6101 Foundations I: Human Development and Personality or PSY 6103 Foundations III: Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behaviour (and) PSY 6501 Assessment Practicum (continued) PSY 7801 Clinical Dissertation: Research Proposal I

Semester 1 (Fall) PSY 7001 Colloquium II PSY 7202 Intervention with Children and Adolescents PSY 7203 Intervention with Adults: Cognitive, Behavioural, and Related Approaches PSY 7501 Intervention Practicum PSY 7801 Clinical Dissertation: Research Proposal I (continued) PSY 8202 Clinical Psychology for Organizational and Systems Change

Semester 2 (Winter) PSY 7001 Colloquium II (continued) PSY 6102 Foundations II: Social Bases of Behaviour or PSY 7101 Foundations IV: Biological Bases of Behaviour (and) PSY 7205 Advanced Intervention with Children and Adolescents PSY 7501 Intervention Practicum (continued) PSY 7802 Clinical Dissertation: Research Proposal II

Semester 3 (Summer) PSY 6101 Foundations I: Human Development and Personality or PSY 6103 Foundations III: Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behaviour (and) PSY 8501 Advanced Practicum I

Semester 1 (Fall) PSY 8001 Colloquium III PSY 7204 Advanced Intervention with Adults: Specific Clinical Approaches PSY 8203 Clinical Supervision PSY 8801 Clinical Dissertation: Project I PSY 8501 Advanced Practicum I (continued)

Semester 2 (Winter) PSY 8001 Colloquium III (continued) PSY 8201 Clinical Psychology in the Community PSY 8502 Community Intervention Practicum PSY 8503 Advanced Practicum II (optional) PSY 8802 Clinical Dissertation: Project II

Semester 3 (Summer) PSY 8503 Advanced Practicum II (optional) (continued) PSY 8802 Clinical Dissertation: Project II (continued)

Applicants to the UPEI Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program are required to have an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology including an honours thesis, or an equivalent. Applicants are encouraged to present a record of undergraduate course selection reflecting breadth of study across the core areas of psychology. Given the preponderance of quantitative methods in the current clinical psychology research literature, completion of an advanced statistics course prior to admission is required. In addition, given the methodological pluralism and critical historical and social perspective adopted by the program, previous course work in qualitative research methods and situating psychology in a critical historical perspective is highly recommended. PsyD students at UPEI will be engaged in a critical and reflective dialogue about research methods and the modern positions adopted by clinical psychology.

A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale is normally required, with more recent performance given greater weight.

Applicants whose undergraduate degree is in a language other than English must complete an English proficiency test as an Additional Language assessment.

Applicants must submit the following to the University via the application portal :

• the UPEI Graduate Application Form;
• an Academic Summary Form;
• a Supplemental Application Form which includes a personal statement outlining background preparation and explaining why this particular program is a match for the applicant;
• responses to essay prompts provided within the application;
• a curriculum vitae;
• the application fee.

Please refer to the UPEI Academic Calendar for complete Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program admissions information.

Canadian Psychological Association grants UPEI PsyD program accreditation

The University of Prince Edward Island’s four-year doctor of psychology (PsyD) in clinical psychology program has been granted accreditation for a three-year term by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).

All application materials, including official transcripts from post-secondary institutions and letters of reference, must be  received by December 1 of the previous calendar year the student wishes to enter the program. (If December 1 falls on a weekend, the deadline is the following Monday.)

You do not secure a supervisor before applying to the program arrangement with dissertation supervisors are made during the first year of study.

Doctoral of Clinical Psychology - $35,844 per 4 year program

International students pay $8,010 per year in addition to full-time student tuition.

For a complete breakdown of part-time or full-time study as a student in the PsyD program, visit our Tuition and Fees page .

The PsyD program currently offers each student funding of $10,000 a year for the first three years for clinical assistantships. The clinical assistantships involve students contributing to the development and delivery of community-based interventions.

UPEI has about 250 faculty—exceptional scholars, teachers, and mentors, with more being hired each year as we open new, progressive, and unique programs. But the story isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the quality of our people. Award-winning faculty from around the globe have made UPEI home. Here, you’ll learn directly from these world-class professors and researchers in small classes where you’ll have easy access to them.

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School of Graduate Studies

Program overview.

Graduate training in psychology stresses training in general experimental psychology, leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Areas of specialization include the following:

• behavioural neuroscience;
• perception, cognition, and cognitive neuroscience;
• developmental;
• social and personality.

For 2021-2022 admission cycle students will be considered for admission to PhD and direct-entry PhD programs only. Students will not be considered for admission to the MA program. 

Students may also be interested in:

• the Counselling Psychology​  program​;
• Clinical and Counselling ​Psychology  (OISE)​​​
• Clinical Psychology (UTSC)

Quick Facts

Note: admissions to the Master of Arts program have been administratively suspended.

Master of Arts

Program description.

The MA program is designed to provide students with rigorous scientific training in experimental psychology. The program is one year in duration, during which time students obtain instruction in statistics and research design, and carry out a research project that culminates in a written thesis and oral examination. Students admitted to the MA program are expected to continue to the PhD program.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Psychology's additional admission requirements stated below.

Appropriate bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum A– average (or first-class standing) in the last two undergraduate years, and the equivalent of 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in psychology including statistics and adequate research performance.

It is assumed that all students entering the MA program intend to continue in the PhD program.

Program Requirements

Courses and individual research training leading to a thesis.

Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 FCEs as follows:

PSY1000H Directed Studies to prepare for the MA thesis research (0.5 FCE)

PSY2001H Statistics I , experimental design and statistics (0.5 FCE)

two half-course Psychology electives (1.0 FCE total).

It is expected that following the MA year, students will proceed to the PhD program. To be eligible for admission, adequate research performance and at least an A– average are required.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

3 years full-time

Doctor of Philosophy

The principal aim of the PhD program is to equip students with the skills to carry out advanced research within experimental psychology, and to become independent research scientists. Students work closely with a faculty adviser to develop and conduct a specialized (often multidisciplinary) program of research that ultimately culminates in a written dissertation and final oral examination. Through additional coursework and research opportunities, students gain breadth in their knowledge base and skill set in experimental psychology. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, or a variety of non-academic careers where rigorous and in-depth research training is required.

PhD Program

Appropriate University of Toronto master's degree, or its equivalent from a recognized university, with a minimum A– average and adequate research performance.

Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

0.5 FCE: an advanced statistics course chosen from a list provided by the department (typically PSY2002H Statistics II , taken in Year 1).

0.5 FCE: PSY3000H 0 External Research Project , a research project course supervised by a faculty member other than the student's PhD supervisor, completed during Years 1 and 2.

0.5 FCE: PSY3001H 0 Professional Psychology (Credit/No Credit), taken in two modules in Years 1 and 3.

1.0 FCE in Psychology course electives. Of this requirement, 0.5 FCE can be achieved through two 0.25 FCE Psychology module electives (PSY3100H Psychological Science Skills ).

0.5 FCE: PSY4000H 0 Doctoral Research Project , thesis proposal, and oral exam (examination in the student's area of research).

PhD thesis.

Students may take other courses, but it is expected that the requirements will be completed in the first two years of the PhD program. Students admitted with a master's degree from another university will normally be required to fulfil the PhD course requirements; however, exemptions may be granted by the Graduate Director of the Department of Psychology.

4 years full-time

6 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Appropriate University of Toronto bachelor's degree, or its equivalent from a recognized university, with a minimum A– average and adequate research performance.

Applicants with a master’s degree in Psychology or a cognate discipline will likely be admitted to the four-year PhD program, whereas students with a master’s degree in an unrelated discipline will be admitted to the direct-entry PhD option. Such admission decisions will be made by the Graduate Director.

Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

0.5 FCE: PSY1100H Foundational Research Project , a research project course supervised by the student's supervisor plus two other faculty members, completed during Years 1 and 2.

0.5 FCE: PSY2001H Statistics I , an introductory statistics course taken in Year 1.

0.5 FCE: PSY3000H 0 External Research Project , a research project course supervised by a faculty member other than the student's PhD supervisor, completed during Years 2 and 3.

2.0 FCEs in Psychology course electives. Of this requirement, 0.5 FCE can be achieved through two 0.25 FCE Psychology module electives (PSY3100H Psychological Science Skills ).

Students may take other courses, but it is expected that the requirements will be completed in the first three years of the PhD program. Students admitted with a master's degree from another university will normally be required to fulfil the PhD course requirements; however, exemptions may be granted by the Graduate Director of the Department of Psychology.

5 years full-time

7 years full-time

“A lot of women have similar stories to me where they had never really heard of engineering. Why is that? I want to support women, continue learning, and solve challenging problems”

Our psychology graduate programs have a strong research focus. You’ll become a scientist-practitioner who uses research and evidence-based evaluations and treatments. You can study one of five specialty areas:

• Cognition and Brain Sciences (including an accelerated option)
• Lifespan Health and Development
• Social Psychology
• Clinical Psychology (specializing in Lifespan Development or Neuropsychology)
• Individualized programs

In these degrees you’ll gain the skills to conduct and communicate research findings. You’ll learn practical job skills, like how to work in a cooperative research environment. You'll complete your education through practical experience in professional psychology.

Degree programs offered

• Clinical Psychology (MSc)
• Clinical Psychology (PhD)
• Psychology (MSc)
• Psychology (PhD)

Quick facts

Areas of focus.

• Clinical Psychology
• Cognition and Brain Sciences

Faculties and departments

• Faculty of Social Sciences

Contact Karen Kienapple at [email protected] or 250-721-6109 .

< Explore more programs

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Psychology (MA, PhD)

Part of the Faculty of Arts

Program Overview

Format : Full-time

Degree Earned : Master of Arts or PhD

Launched in 2007, this innovative program offers study in the fields of Psychological Science or Clinical Psychology under a core faculty trained at and recruited from top universities in Canada, the United States and around the world. In a department known for its experiential and career-focused learning, and with a curriculum anchored in real-world issues, the graduate program takes advantage of its downtown Toronto location to offer proximity to major sites for practicum training and clinical research, and world-class training opportunities. The department has more than 15,000 square feet of research and student training space designed from the ground up to meet the specialized research needs of the department.

At a Glance

Admissions information.

• Completion of a four-year undergraduate (or equivalent) degree in Psychology or related field (e.g., Applied Cognitive Science or Behaviour, Cognition and Neuroscience) from an accredited institution
• As per the Graduate School policy, a minimum GPA or equivalent of 3.00/4.33 (B) in the last two years of study is required. However, due to the competitive application process, a minimum of 3.67/4.33 GPA (A-) is strongly recommended. Check the program's web page for further details.
• Statement of interest
• Transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• English Proficiency Test
• An interview will be required for selected applicants
• Completion of a master’s degree in psychology from an accredited institution
• As per the Graduate School policy, a minimum GPA or equivalent of 3.33/4.33 (B+) in the last two years of study is required. However, due to the competitive application process, a minimum of 3.67/4.33 GPA (A-) is strongly recommended. Check the program's web page for further details.

Note:  The GRE test is no longer required as an admissions requirement effective fall 2021.

More information on  admission requirements . Please note this program is extremely competitive and spots are currently limited to qualified domestic applicants.  Potential International applicants are encouraged to contact the program before submitting an application.

Program-specific requirements

Check Application Deadline

Students are encouraged to submit applications prior to the first consideration date to increase their chances of securing financial support for their graduate studies. Applications received after the first consideration date will be accepted and reviewed based on spaces remaining in the program.

See application dates .

Financing Your Studies

For detailed graduate tuition and fees information please visit  Fees by Program .

For information on scholarships, awards and financing your graduate studies visit  Financing Your Studies.

Streams/Research Areas

• Clinical Psychology (accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association)
• Brain, Perception and Cognition
• Community and Health Psychology
• Lifespan Development
• Social Psychology

Curricular Highlights

In addition to traditional course work and thesis/ dissertation milestones, students complete practicum placements where they apply their knowledge and skills. Some recent research and clinical practicum sites include:

• Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
• Duke University Medical Centre (North Carolina)
• Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
• John Jay College of Criminal Justice (New York)
• Ontario Correctional Institute
• Pelly Crossing School (Yukon)
• Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Psychology (MA, PhD) graduate program calendar

• The PRTC and Stress Institute features 31 dedicated research laboratories and groups; shared observation rooms; flexible interview, research and group therapy rooms; seminar and conference rooms; graduate student space; and offices.
• Specialized research equipment and technology include EEG; psychophysiology, BioPac and BioLynx ambulatory systems; face/emotion capture and eye tracking; headmounted virtual reality with scenario suite; a sound attenuated chamber; and an assay laboratory.
• The Clinical Psychology Program offers a unique practicum experience through its Psychology Training Clinic located within the St. Michael’s Hospital Family Health Team Clinic at 80 Bond Street. The Clinic is outfitted with state-of-the-art video recording equipment.

Graduate Admissions

Admissions information and how to apply

Graduate Studies Admissions Office 11th Floor, 1 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON Telephone: 416-979-5150 Email:  [email protected] For information specific to programs, please see the program contact information below.

Program Contacts

Dr. Todd Girard Graduate Program Director PhD, University of Waterloo Research areas: hippocampus; schizophrenia; memory; spatial cognition; fMRI; sleep-paralysis hallucinations Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 552646 Email: [email protected]

Sarah Carmichael Graduate Program Administrator Telephone: 416-979-5000 ext. 552178 Email:  [email protected]

“[TMU]’s Psychology program has provided me with the skills and opportunities to conduct high-level research that aims to change how we view sexual violence. The knowledge that my research has the potential to translate into clinical and policy recommendations to increase the safety of Canadians is incredibly rewarding.” Andrew Brankley, PhD student and Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship recipient (2014-17)

Student profile: Singing for your brain  (external link) 

Ella Dubinsky (psychology MA alumna and PhD student, and the university's 2017 3MT® winner and Canadian 3MT® finalist) explores using music to improve hearing in aging adults.

Find curriculum, course descriptions and important dates for Psychology (MA, PhD).

Once you’ve made an informed choice about which program(s) you are going to apply to, preparing your application requires careful research and planning.

At Toronto Metropolitan University, we understand that pursuing graduate studies is a significant financial investment. Funding comes from a combination of employment contracts (as a teaching assistant), scholarships, awards and stipends. There are a number of additional funding sources – internal and external – available to graduate students that can increase these funding levels.

As an urban innovation university, Toronto Metropolitan University offers 60+ cutting-edge, career-oriented graduate programs, as well as 125+ research centres, institutes and labs, in a wide range of disciplines. Our close connections with industry, government and community partners provide opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-world challenges and make a difference.

Study and Work in Psychology in Canada

Graduate Psychology Admission Requirements The prequisites required to become accepted in an graduate and/or post-graduate PhD program in Psychology.

What Psychology Students Learn Topics and concepts that are covered and the overall approach or focus taken in studying Psychology.

Research in Psychology Research areas, topics, interests projects in Psychology.

Career and Employment Opportunities in Psychology Professions or occupations available to graduates in Psychology and links to employment resources.

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Welcome to the department of psychology.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour. Measured by major global university rankings, research productivity and impact, the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto is one of the world’s best. Importantly, we combine excellence with accessibility more successfully than virtually any other university in the world. Collectively, we take pride in training the next generation of psychologists to equip them with the skills and knowledge to graduate with pride, healthy habits of mind, and meaningful ways of knowing. Let the Department of Psychology help you realize your potential.

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Best universities for psychology degrees in Canada 2024

Explore the top universities in canada for psychology degrees using data from the times higher education world university rankings.

Top 6 universities in Canada for psychology

Scroll down for the full list of best universities for psychology in Canada

Canada is a popular study destination for international students because of the number of high-quality universities and lower tuition fees compared with other anglophone countries.

Step into your future: attend our events

The benefits of studying psychology in Canada include access to some of the world’s best research institutions, reasonable living costs and the opportunity to experience life in a multicultural society.

As for post-degree prospects, psychologists are in high demand in Canada, and are also among the highest paid workers in the country in 2020. For international students, there are also multiple options for staying and working in the country after graduating.

Below are the best universities in Canada for psychology degrees.

Best universities in the world for psychology degrees Best universities for psychology degrees in the US Best universities for psychology degrees in Australia Best universities for psychology degrees in the UK

3. McGill University

McGill University is the oldest university in Montreal and one of just three English-language universities in Quebec.

The first psychology course was taught at McGill in 1850 by W. T. Leach, and the first psychological laboratory was established in 1910 by William Dunlop Tait.

Psychology at McGill is offered as either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science programme and as a joint programme across both. Students within each of these courses have the opportunity to study across a range of courses including the psychology of bilingualism, health psychology and hormones and behaviour. Students are also given the opportunity to conduct their own research projects.

The graduate programme admits about 100 students and offers tracks in both clinical and experimental psychology.

The McGill Psychology Students’ Association organises a range of academic events, lecture series and social events throughout the year for psychology students. The group even publishes a journal of undergraduate research.

What can you do with a psychology degree?

2. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university which was established in 1908.

Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate majors at UBC, with students choosing either the bachelor of arts or the behavioural neuroscience programme.

Students will begin their course by studying an introduction to the discipline. From the second and third years, students will be able to specialise in courses such as psychology of sport and cultural psychology.

The master's in psychology is a 24-month programme that requires all students to complete a thesis and present it at the university’s annual Psychfest.

Research is focused around several major areas in the field: behavioural neuroscience, clinical, cognitive science, quantitative methods, developmental, health, and social psychology.

Each year, UBC’s psychology department partners with the Psychology Students’ Association to host events ranging from faculty-student socials, workshops on CV writing and career building, to panels on pursuing graduate studies.

1. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto ’s department of psychology offers a broad bachelor of science degree designed to give students a foundation across the entire discipline.

Alongside this general grounding, the University of Toronto continuously updates the psychology curriculum to incorporate new research and address new challenges in the field, including neuro-ethics and intergroup relations.

The undergraduate Psychology Students’ Association is made up of a group of elected students with many roles, including serving as a liaison between staff and students and providing a social network.

The unified graduate programme in psychology at the University of Toronto is conducted across all three of its campuses: Mississauga, Scarborough and St George. Adjunct faculty from associated hospitals and institutions participate in the programme and supervise graduate students.

Top universities in Canada for psychology degrees 2024

Click each institution to view its full  World University Rankings 2024  results. 

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Best universities in canada 2024.

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Tabitha Fleming, PhD

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2009 - 2013 Oklahoma State University - Stillwater - BS Psychology

2015 - 2017 Texas Tech University MA Clinical Psychology

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College of Education

• Graduate Program

Educational Psychology - M.Ed.

Program overview.

Educational Psychology is an academic program in the Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, & Counseling. The program equips students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development, and educational foundations. Additionally, students learn to apply quantitative and qualitative research skills in a manner that promotes educational improvement while valuing individual differences. Thus, educational psychology attracts students from various educational and professional backgrounds including education, psychology, human sciences, business, sports sciences, and health sciences.

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Program work within Educational Psychology is developed and guided by a strong conceptual framework, the standards from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA), American Educational Research Association (AERA), and National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the sound professional judgment of an experienced and caring faculty.

The master's program is designed to provide students with content knowledge that facilitates the application of research in educational psychology to educational settings. Teachers are especially encouraged to select the applied master's degree plan that is designed to prepare highly effective, culturally sensitive educators.

Degrees Offered

M.Ed., offered as a face-to-face or hybrid program.

Career Opportunities With This Degree

Most graduates teach in colleges or universities or are in positions conducting research.

Application Materials

College Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the Graduate School application . Information on submitting official transcripts will be provided to you by the Graduate School. Grade reports or unofficial transcripts from university web portals will not be accepted. Please redact the Social Security Number anywhere it appears on your transcript. If documents are written in a language other than English, a copy of a complete and official English translation must be provided with the original language records.

Required Supplemental Application Materials

GRE Scores, Resume, Three Professional Recommendations, Academic Writing Sample, Response to Applicant Statement Prompt. Download a comprehensive list of requirements.

Application Process

Please visit the Graduate Application Process for more information on how to apply.

This program requires official GRE scores. Scores must no more than 5 years old at the time of application. Official GRE scores must be sent from Educational Testing Services (ETS) to the Texas Tech Graduate School. To register for the examination please visit the GRE Testing website . Texas Tech University's code is 6827.

• Due to ongoing accessibility concerns, the Graduate School has suspended GRE test score requirements for applications through at least Summer 2025. For more information, please contact the Graduate School .

Semester in which the program can be started

It is recommended that students start in the fall but applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Estimated Hours to Completion

45 credit hours

Allowable Transfer Hours

6 credit hours if completed in the last 7 years with a grade of B or better.

Financial Aid

TTU Graduate School and COE scholarships, research assistantships, student loans

To be competitive for funding support, the recommended deadline for Fall is December 1 st . However, applications received at other times will be reviewed.

Tuition & Fees

Use the Student Business Services Tuition Estimator to estimate your costs.

Chance Webb Academic Advisor/Admissions Office of Graduate Admissions & Enrollment [email protected] 806-834-6768

Research, Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics

Educational psychology and foundations, school psychology.

• Delivery : Face-to-Face or Hybrid
• Hours to Completion: 45
• Now accepting applications for: All Semesters
• Maximum Transfer Hours: 6

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Special Education Area Policy and Procedure for Completing Program of Graduate Studies (PGS) and M.Ed. Professional Goals

Description and Rationale

The Program of Graduate Studies (PGS) defines the courses and hours that an M.Ed. student in Special Education will enrol in and complete to meet the program requirements for graduation for each of the concentrations in the Special Education (SPED) Area of the Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education (ECPS) Department in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia. The courses include those required by the concentration, as well as elective courses that are determined in consultation with the graduate student’s Program Advisor.

A completed PGS serves several purposes. The PGS: (a) provides guidance and predictability to students in regard to the courses they will enrol in each term during their graduate study; (b) helps to ensure that students enrol in and complete all of the courses required within their disciplinary concentration; (c) allows for customization of the student’s program of studies based on their professional interests and the elective hours that are available within their concentration area; (d) allows for adjustment to elective courses based on the student’s changing interests during their graduate studies or new course opportunities during their graduate studies; and (e) provides a formal document delivered by the ECPS Department to the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Graduate Studies (G+PS) that provides evidence necessary for G+PS to approve the student for graduation with an Masters of Education Degree in Special Education. Importantly, the process of completing one’s PGS and making changes in one’s PGS in consultation with one’s Program Advisor also provides a formal context for establishing an ongoing, supportive relationship between the graduate student and their Program Advisor. For all of these reasons, the establishment of a set of policies and procedures for the completion and ongoing maintenance of students’ PGS has institutional value.

Policies and Procedures

Any policy and procedure document necessarily will benefit from flexibility in regard to adherence to any established policies and procedures, based on the professional judgement of a student’s Program Advisor and each graduate student’s individual circumstances. For this reason, it is understood that the policies and procedures described below allow for adjustment and customization to both the Program Advisor and graduate student.

1. Within each SPED area concentration, prior or early in the student’s first term, their Program Advisor will schedule an advisement meeting. For SPED concentrations in which students begin their program of study in September (Winter 1 term), the advisement meeting will occur in the late spring or early summer before the Winter 1 term begins in September. For SPED concentrations in which students begin their program of study in July (Summer 2 Term,) the advisement meeting will occur during the first week or two of the Summer 2 term. The first advisement meeting with newly admitted students may be conducted with a group of students or individually with students. During this meeting, students will receive an orientation to the concentration that includes a review of course requirements, course electives, the completion of the PGS, the generation of M.Ed. goals, and the relationship between coursework and M.Ed. goals. For students whose concentration includes the EPSE 590 Graduating Seminar, the Program Advisor also will inform students of the relationship between their M.Ed. goals and EPSE 590 (i.e., creating an e-portfolio and conducting a public presentation on a topic related to their M.Ed. goals). Lastly, students will be advised as to what courses to enroll in for Winter 1 term and Winter 2 term during their first year of graduate study.

2. In consultation with their Program Advisor, students’ will complete their PGS and generate 2-3 professional goals that they aim to work on during their graduate studies. They will be informed that they can work on these goals through course work and through opportunities that their paraprofessional or professional employment may provide. The PGS and students’ professional goal statements will be completed by the end of their first term at UBC. To facilitate this timeline, foster community among students and faculty, and clarify procedures, the SPED Area Coordinator will organize and host an initial meeting in September of each year that SPED faculty and students are required to attend. The Coordinator of EPSE 590, SPED Area Coordinator, and Faculty who instruct EPSE 590 will collaborate to provide a brief overview of the SPED graduate concentrations and the development of professional goals for their program in consultation with their Program Advisor. Once completed, their Program Advisor will submit students’ PGS and professional goals to the Graduate Program Assistant. The Graduate Program Assistant then will submit the document to the ECPS Graduate Advisor for their signed approval. Exceptions to this standard of practice include: (a) students who take a deferral of the start of their program of studies due to personal reasons; and (b) students who need more time to understand the elective course offerings available, and to determine their professional interests and goals in relation to elective course offerings.

3. Graduate students who have completed their PGS and M.Ed. goals, and who may wish to make changes in either, will inform their Program Advisor and seek their advisement and assent prior to making these changes; that is, they will not make changes to their PGS on their own but do so after consulting with and gaining the assent of their Program Advisor. The Program Advisor will then make the changes to the student’s PGS, written in the course add/drop section at the bottom of the form, and submit the updated PGS to the Graduate Program Assistant for final approval by the ECPS Graduate Advisor.

4. When students complete their Annual Progress Report (APR), and submit it to their Program Advisor, the Program Advisor will: (a) evaluate the extent to which students are on-track for completing their program of graduate studies; (b) discuss with students their progress on M.Ed. program goals; and (c) advise, as may be helpful, to ensure that students are actively seeking opportunities to work on their program goals within their coursework and relevant employment. For students who will enroll in EPSE 590, the Program Advisor will remind students of the relationship between their M.Ed. goals and the assignments within the EPSE 590 graduating seminar.

5. When a SPED faculty member goes on sabbatical leave or partial or full medical or personal leave, the following steps will be taken to ensure that the students for whom the faculty member serves as Program Advisor will receive timely and ongoing advisement and support. Depending on the circumstances of the leave, this will be done in the following ways:

a. Prior to a SPED faculty member going on a planned leave of absence (e.g., sabbatical leave; maternity leave), the faculty member, in dialogue and coordination with other SPED faculty, will proactively identify a faculty member who agrees to serve as interim Program Advisor for the students who are the advisees of the faculty member planning to go on leave.

b. When a SPED faculty member goes on an unplanned, sudden leave of absence due to individual circumstances (e.g., medical leave, personal leave), other SPED faculty will, as soon as possible, identify a faculty member who will serve as interim Program Advisor for the students who are advisees of the faculty member who has gone on sudden leave of absence.

c. When two or more faculty members go on leave, SPED faculty will share responsibility in providing advisement to the on-leave faculty member’s students by agreeing to take on advisement of multiple students with assignment of students to interim faculty advisors that is equitable. This will be done proactively for planned leave, or as soon as possible for unplanned leaves of two or more faculty.

d. A central task for interim Program Advisors is to ensure that students’ PGS and, where relevant, M.Ed. goals, are completed and added to the students’ file, and that the students’ have been given guidance on the pursuit of their M.Ed. goals during their graduate studies.

* To download the Special Education Area Policy and Procedure for Completing Program of Graduate Studies (PGS) and M.Ed. Professional Goals document, please click here .

When the PhD path leads to career struggles

A doctoral degree is a major commitment. Think carefully.

I appreciated reading Kara Miller’s The Big Idea column “PhD: Pretty heavily disappointed” (Business, May 22), about people with doctoral degrees struggling to build careers in academia. It made me think back to a conversation I had when I was about to graduate from high school.

I happened to run into a former track coach of mine, and as we were reminiscing he asked me what I planned as a major in college. “History,” I responded. He said, “Why don’t you take some computer classes also? It never hurts to be able to do something useful.”

I did not reflect on his motivation at the time, but my track coach was a young guy, and he was probably giving me advice straight from his own life, as a parent trying to raise his own young children. I did take computer classes in college and ultimately received a PhD in chemical engineering. I always remember that conversation as being a kind of turning point.

Earning a doctoral degree is a life commitment of great proportion. It can take, as Miller notes, between four and seven years. If we think of working life as roughly between the ages of 22 and 65, then a PhD requires more than 10 percent of a person’s working life. People need to think carefully about that investment.

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Two powerful arguments in favor of the path of science, technology, engineering, and math are that there tend to be more STEM jobs for PhDs, and many universities’ STEM departments are generous in covering their PhD students’ tuition and cost of studies, including a stipend toward food, rent, and other expenses.

Stuart Gallant

Not much has changed in 30 years

As I prepared to graduate in 1995 with a doctor of education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, my mother memorably said to me, “Of my four children, you are the one with the most education and the smallest salary.” Apparently not much has changed in 30 years.

I must congratulate these students, however, on following their passion rather than following the money. I can’t help but think that their lives, though stressful, may contain greater happiness.

Peggy Clark

Lawyers & electricians & philosophers, oh my!

Kara Miller’s column on the career challenges for people with doctoral degrees generated more than 260 comments on Boston.Globe.com. The following is an edited sample of readers’ reactions:

Lots of law school grads are underemployed as well. (PL)

So true, PL. The market in Massachusetts is flooded with talented lawyers seeking work. (Roforma)

Supply and demand, the market at work. (guk)

Investing in education and research in all fields is the hallmark of a society with staying power. Disinvesting from these endeavors signals decline and decay. (Massachusetts citizen)

Electricians, plumbers, mechanics, and other skilled technical professions have no problems getting $100k jobs with great benefits. (ramsen)

Not enough turnover from tenured professors, leaving little space for new faculty. Although the tenured, well-established professors are needed, it’s the junior faculty who are hungry and with new ideas that help build new programs. The whole graduate program model is a bad model. I worked two jobs, had my tuition and some type of minimal student health insurance and could barely cover the rent with my stipend, and the second job paid for everything else. Though I was working on many faculty projects, it was the faculty who said this would be good for me. Never did they say it was also good for them. (TravelerofNJ2)

I just retired from a tenured faculty position in science. I’m in my early 70s. I have colleagues who are still doing what they do well into their 70s, a couple approaching 80. There is no active incentive from the university to move the older faculty on, to make way for a new generation. (Lola-lola)

The next step is for adjuncts to go on strike across the nation and hold colleges and universities accountable. The current system is completely absurd. (Wordsmith2358)

Universities should be required to release disclosure data about the fate of their PhD graduates. (davidman820)

I knew an attorney who managed a Cheesecake Factory. She had worked in food services through school. As an attorney, she really did not make that much money and was not doing the field of law of her choice. How many real estate closings can you do without dying of boredom? She went into management in the food industry and makes the same salary. (Antietem)

It was always a question and puzzling to me why people study philosophy. (Blazer27)

Globe Opinion

• K-State home
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• Master of Science

Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MIOP) Program

Important to know: The Summer 2024 classes will be offered in-person on the Manhattan, KS Campus.

The application deadlines for the Summer 2024 cohort is April 1, 2024 .

We review applications year round and make considerations for fall or spring start terms.

Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology ( MIOP ) Program is a 38-hour hybrid sequence of on-campus and web-based courses.

The program is directed at working human resource professionals and aims at teaching students to apply analytical behavioral science skill and course concepts to company related issues.

The program spans 2 1/2 years and consists of eight courses in such areas as performance appraisal, training and program evaluation, job analysis and selection, organizational topics, ethical and legal issues, and applied research methods. The last semester of the program consists of students conducting a research practicum in their own organization under the supervision of faculty.

Students attend campus once a year over the summer for two-week sessions. Four courses are taught as on-campus courses, and the remaining four courses and practicum are delivered via web-based instruction.

Program Details

I. summer course work (with two-week, on-campus workshops/sessions).

Students are required to bring laptop computers to the summer on-campus courses. During on-campus sessions, students learn Internet-related skills such as how to access course modules, participate in chat rooms and post messages. These sessions also provide students with the opportunity to interact with peers and faculty.

First Summer (on-campus workshops required)

PSYCH 804 - (Introductory Seminar) Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3 credits)

This is an advanced survey of theory, research and practice pertaining to human behavior in work organizations. Topics include an overview of selection, training and evaluation of employees, job analysis and evaluation, work motivation and satisfaction, organization behavior and development and working conditions.

PSYCH 808 - Applied Research Methods I (3 credits)

This laboratory-based course will teach students how to set up and analyze human resource information systems to enable them to make data-based human resource decisions. Case studies on real organizational data will be used to assess such human resource areas as discrimination, strategic planning, grievance filing, performance-based compensation systems and job evaluation.

Second Summer (on-campus workshops required)

PSYCH 968 - Ethical and Legal Issues: Seminar in Professional Problems (3 credits)

This course will look at current ethical and legal policies that affect human resource professionals. The ethical implications of consulting with and doing research in organizations will be discussed. Recent legislation and legal cases and their impact on human resource functions will also be examined.

PSYCH 809 - Applied Research Methods II (3 credits)

The second part of the research component will focus on applied research techniques in organizations and developing the skills that students will require to complete their third-year project. Students will be taught how to utilize resources to review the literature, operational research, develop a research agenda and budget, and evaluate their research.

II. Online Courses

Each spring and fall semester, one of the following four courses will be offered using distance and web-based educational resources. Also, students will be enrolled in 2 credit hours of Master's Research in Psychology each spring and fall semester. Delivery will be accomplished using the web, email and guided study. Students and faculty will communicate through message boards, email, telephone, and video conferencing. Assignments will enable students to apply the concepts and techniques learned to company-related problems.

PSYCH 878 - Personnel Selection (3 credits)

This course will focus on developing, performing and analyzing several different job procedures, which provide the basis for several human resource functions. It will also examine the theoretical and practical issues in staffing industrial organizations, including recruitment, test validation and other employment opportunity issues (test fairness, adverse impact, etc.).

PSYCH 880 - Performance Appraisal (3 credits)

The course will examine data sources, rating procedures, psychometric criteria for evaluating performance appraisal systems and models/theories of the performance evaluation process. Different compensation models and their advantages and disadvantages will also be discussed.

PSYCH 879 - Organizational Psychology (3 credits)

Examines the individual's role in organizations and the effects of organizational variables on the individual worker. Topics include organizational communication, employee socialization, cultures and psychological climates of organizations, stress in organizations, group processes and employee performance, and organizational change and development.

PSYCH 875 - Personnel Training (3 credits)

An examination of the training of personnel in an organization. Topics include: determination of an organization's training needs, selection and motivation of trainees, design and evaluation of training programs and examination of several specific strategies for accomplishing the training function.

III. Guided Study Practicum Research

Students will be enrolled each spring and fall semester in 2 credit hours of Practicum: Research in I/O Psychology.

PSYCH 860 - Practicum: Research in I/O Psychology

Fall of Year One - 2 credits

Spring of Year One - 2 credits

Fall of Year Two - 2 credits

Spring of Year Two - 2 credits

IV. Summer of Year Three

PSYCH 860 - Practicum: Final Report in I/O Psychology - 5 credits

Students do NOT come to the campus in summer three.

The third summer of the program is spent writing and finalizing a guided-study practicum based on a company-related human resource issue. Each student will work on the research and practicum with his/her major professor.

Due to the diverse backgrounds of the students entering the MIOP program, practica are expected to be as equally diverse. However, broad study areas include: development of selection instruments, job training needs assessment, development of performance evaluations and performance-based compensation models, surveys of employee attitudes and evaluation of the programs. In some cases, students will work with real world data sets and projects provided by their instructor. Each student's major professor will work with the student to determine the scope and breadth of his/her practicum.

V. Fall of Year Three

Final course is PSYCH 860 - Practicum: Final Report in I/O Psychology - 1 credit

VI. Graduation

MIOP commencement takes place in December. Final report should be completed by the end of September in order to meet the graduation deadlines. It takes time to obtain feedback and make changes to a final report.

If a student does not complete the degree by December of MIOP year three, the student will be out-of-sequence and will be required to pay an additional MIOP program per semester fee of $250, as well as the current per- credit-hour cost of the course. These will include, but will not be limited to, the cost of enrolling in an additional 1 credit hour of 860 during each semester until the student graduates.

Also, all Graduate School and departmental rules and procedures must be followed for eligibility to defer graduation, with the understanding that the student will be responsible for costs related to deferred graduation.

*Curriculum is subject to change. Please note that university tuition and fees are subject to change.

More Information

If you have any questions, please contact our MIOP Assistant via email ( [email protected] ).

You can also visit the K-State online site for more details about program costs, admission requirements, and how to apply: More information about our distance master's program .

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Instagram: ksumiop

• Updated: 5/29/24

Major, Bachelor of Science Degree

The graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings to apply psychological principles to solve problems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ethical behavior as well as interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness in various settings.
• Demonstrate effective interaction and communication skills, including the ability to analyze and explain psychological concepts and research, using appropriate technology.
• Demonstrate readiness for the workplace or graduate school (e.g. self-regulation, project management, and professional judgment) and develop a feasible plan to pursue those opportunities.

Psychology, BS (43-747) (4 Year Guide)  

Major Requirements: 46 Semester Hours

A student must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) in all work taken to satisfy major and minor requirements.

• PSY 1000 - Orientation to Psychology (1)
• PSY 1100 - General Psychology GE (3)
• PSY 2110 - Research Design and Analysis I (4: 4 lecture, 0 lab)
• PSY 2120 - Research Design and Analysis II (4: 4 lecture, 0 lab)
• PSY 2130 - Learning (3)
• PSY 3130 - Physiological Psychology (4: 4 lecture, 0 lab)
• PSY 3220 - Life-Span Development GE (3)
• PSY 3340 - Social Psychology (3)
• PSY 4110 - History of Psychology (3)
• PSY 4150 - Cognitive Psychology (3)
• PSY 4310 - Theories of Personality (3)
• PSY 4440 - Abnormal Psychology (3)

Electives from the Following: 9 Semester Hours

• PSY 4000 - Special Projects in Psychology (1-3)
• PSY 4050 - Positive Psychology (3)
• PSY 4130 - Sensation and Perception (3)
• PSY 4140 - Psychology of Human Sexuality (3)
• PSY 4180 - Seminar in Psychology (1-3)
• PSY 4230 - Psychology of Adolescence (3)
• PSY 4240 - Psychology of Aging (3)
• PSY 4320 - Psychology of Women (3)
• PSY 4330 - Multicultural Psychology (3)
• PSY 4500 - Introduction to Psychological Measurement (3)
• PSY 4540 - Introduction to Counseling Psychology (3)
• PSY 4600 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
• PSY 4730 - Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention (4)
• PSY 4740 - Forensic Psychology (3)

General Education Requirements: 36 Semester Hours

All students must complete a minimum of 42 credit hours in general education. See The General Education Program Requirements    for the full listing of requirements. The following general education courses are required by this major:

Free Electives: 38 Semester Hours

Additional upper-level (3000/4000) electives may be required depending on choices made in major electives and general education.

Minimum Total: 120 Semester Hours