Master of Arts (M.A.)

Admission Requirements

The M.A. degree program is governed by the regulations of the College of Graduate Studies, including its standards for admission of students.

Entering students will normally have an Honours degree (or an undergraduate degree and equivalent research experience) in Psychology or a related area. This must include coursework in statistics and research methodology.

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. Applicants from a university at which English is not the primary language of instruction must meet Language Proficiency Requirement for the minimum English language proficiency test scores.

No applicant will be admitted to the program until a faculty member of the Psychology Department has agreed to supervise the thesis research; thus, applicants are strongly urged to identify and contact a potential research supervisor prior to applying.

Admission to the M.A. in Psychology program is restricted to those who intend to continue on to the Ph.D. and who have an overall average of at least 80% in their last 60 credits.

Program Requirements – Psychological Science (formerly Experimental Psychology)

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out in this section, the minimum requirements for the M.A. are 30 credits as follows:

• a 12-credit master's thesis (PSYO_O 599);
• 6 credits of graduate-level statistics and methodology, normally taken in the first year;
• 3 credits in Contemporary Theories of Psychology (PSYO_O 506); and
• 9 other credits selected by the student in consultation with and approval of his or her supervisor, of which no more than 6 credits can be at the 300/400-level, and none may be at the 100/200-level.

Program Requirements – Clinical

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out in this section, the clinical program requires coursework [minimum of 30 credits—6 credits in research methods & statistics and 24 graduate credits approved by the Director of Clinical Training] plus a research thesis. Our program is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). Students are expected to complete all program requirements within two years.

Graduate education in the Department follows a scientist-practitioner model in which students conduct research in close collaboration with a particular faculty member, and engage in supervised clinical experiences. Graduate study must be on a full-time basis.

See the Department website for complete details regarding the various psychology programs.