Admissions Criteria

Students applying with a Bachelor's degree in psychology:

  • Honour's degree or equivalent in psychology
  • Honour's thesis
  • Coursework in:
    • history and systems
    • biological bases of behaviour
    • cognitive-affective bases of behaviour
    • developmental bases of behaviour
    • social bases of behaviour
  • Minimum CGPA 3.7 / 4.3
  • GRE scores (General) for Clinical applicants (Subject GRE scores are not required but strongly recommended)
  • GRE scores (General) for Experimental applicants
  • 3 reference letters
  • A statement of research experience, research interests and career goals (500 words)
  • Faculty available for supervision

Students applying with a Master's degree in psychology:

  • May be given advanced standing
    Courses will be judged for equivalency by the relevant program committee

International Students

  • Minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL for applicants whose first language is not English

The Department of Psychology is committed to pluralism and diversity in its programs. We encourage applications from qualified applicants within cultural, visible minority, and disability communities. Our policies and procedures concerning graduate admissions are non-discriminatory with regards to gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disabilities.

Clinical Program: Final decisions about admission into the clinical program are made by the Clinical Program Committee. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 (based on a 4.3 grade point system) or equivalent is normally required. In addition, the Clinical Program Committee will consider the applicant’s GRE scores, letters of reference regarding academic and clinical potential, and statement of research interests and career goals. Admission to the clinical program involves a three-step process. First, all applicants are screened based on information provided in the application packet. A list of applicants who meet the admissions criteria is circulated to faculty who then indicate which of the listed applicants they are interested in interviewing. These students constitute a short list of possible candidates. Second, all short-listed candidates are interviewed by telephone, typically by the potential thesis supervisor and one other faculty member from the Clinical Program Committee. The interview focuses on assessing the match between the applicant’s career objectives and the resources available in the clinical program as well as the interests of the thesis supervisor. Finally, based on all of the information gathered during the admissions process, final decisions are made by the Clinical Program Committee to recommend an offer of acceptance to an initial group of candidates, with the remaining individuals assigned to a waiting list.