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Masters in Psychology in Canada – MA, MS, MSc in Psychology

Updated on 29 March, 2024

Neha Uppal

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

If you plan to do your masters in psychology in Canada, you should consider applying for the full-time one to two-year program. The scope of psychology in Canada is vast, especially if you consider the varied study and research areas such as clinical psychology, child psychology, cognitive science, and psychoanalysis. The costs of studying the course are roughly around INR 24-25 lakh per year for Indian students, although there are scholarships available to reduce the load.

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Why Study Masters in Psychology in Canada? 

Studying a masters in psychology in Canada will be immensely beneficial for the following reasons: 

  • A master’s degree in psychology in Canada will open up doors for exciting career prospects in the educational, healthcare and wellness sectors. 
  • Average salaries for graduates are lucrative in Canada and ensure a high life quality. 
  • Canada is home to the world’s leading universities for studying psychology. 
  • The country also offers an excellent scope of future research and learning alike.

Best Universities in Canada for Masters in Psychology

Here are the leading institutions for studying psychology in Canada: 

University NameQ.S. Ranking
University of British Columbia16
University of Toronto15
McGill University31
University of Waterloo101-150
Universite de Montreal101-150
Western University101-150
York University101-150
McMaster University151-200
Queen’s University at Kingston151-200

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Course Description for Masters in Psychology in Canada

Here is  the average scope of psychology in Canada from a course-content perspective: 

ParametersCourse- M.S. in PsychologyCourse- M. Sc in PsychologyCourse- Master of Applied Psychology or MAP
Main Type of CourseBroader knowledge acquisition for students, and they learn to offer services in the domain while also diagnosing and assessing issues for therapy. More research-driven curriculum, including courses and thesis submission after the course duration. Foundational skills in scientific methods, statistics and other fields. Psychology is majorly taught for evaluation and research purposes. 
Research AreaClinical and counselling psychologyHealth, Cognitive, Developmental, Neuroscience and Perceptual Psychology.  Social, Applied, and Child Psychology. 
TenureTwo years Two years One-year 
Scope Clinical Psychologists and Counsellors or PsychotherapistsClinical Therapists or Clinical Research CoordinatorsEducational Psychologists or Psychometrists. Other roles include behaviour consultants. 

Cost of Studying MS in Psychology in Canada

The annual costs are roughly around INR 24-25 lakh per year for studying a master’s course in psychology in Canada. Budget approximately INR 29,000-45,000 for your health insurance costs, INR 4.5-5 lakh per year for accommodation, and roughly INR 75,000 for transportation costs. You should also budget INR 3.5-4 lakh annually for food and groceries. 

Masters in Psychology in Canada: Courses

There are more than 100 courses in Psychology for master’s that are offered by the canadian universities for international students.

Some of the popular masters in psychology courses along with best univesristies in Canada are listed below:

ProgrammeUniversityTHE World Rank
Special master of science in PsychologyUniversity of Victoria351
MSc in Experimental PsychologyMemorial University of Newfoundland501
Master of Arts in Cognitive PsychologyUniversity of Waterloo201
Master of Arts in Psychology-Social PersonalityBrock University
Master of Education in Human development, learning and culture- Social and Emotional LearningBritish Columbia37
Master of Arts in  Clinical PsychologyWindsor University601
Master of Arts Counselling PsychologyTrinity Western University
Master of Arts in Psychology- Culture, Health and Health developmentUniversity of Saskatchewan401
MSc in Kinesiology and Health Studies -Sports PsychologyQueens university251

MSc in Psychology-

 

Comparative Cognition and behaviour

University of Alberta131

Source: IDP

Requirements for Admission 

The application deadlines are usually between December and February every year. Apply well in advance since universities do not check late applications. In most cases, the admission decisions are usually confirmed by the first week of April. Keep checking the official websites of Canadian universities for more information on the updated and specific application deadlines. 

Masters in Psychology in Canada Application Deadlines 2022

Application window for Masters in Psychology in Canada opens in the month of January. There area a lot of Universities which release applications in the month of  November – December. The admission cycle commences from September 2022 – September 2023.

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Eligibility Criteria for a Master’s in Psychology in Canada

  • 16 years of education in the 10+2+4 format and an undergraduate degree in either psychology or any related field. 
  • Minimum 75-80% of marks in the U.G. course. 
  • Completing a research thesis with an advanced major in statistics in psychology or related fields is ideal. 
  • A or B+ grades in the primary subject are compulsory in most cases. 
  • GRE scores have to be submitted along with IELTS or TOEFL scores. 

Documents Required for a Master’s in Psychology in Canada

  • Letter of Intent or SOP. 
  • Resume/CV. 
  • Official academic transcripts. 
  • Scores in TOEFL/IELTS and GRE. 
  • Criminal background documents. 
  • Psychology background proof. 
  • Option preference form. 

Visa Procedure

You can always apply for your visa online or offline. In the latter method, you will have to submit all your documents to the visa application centre nearest to you. In the former method, you can submit all documents online while applying and visit the centre to submit your biometric details. You will be called for a personal interview once your application is processed. The important things that you should not neglect are your proof of funds and your English language proficiency scores. Medical tests are also needed before landing in Canada. 

Masters in Psychology in Canada Without GRE

Masters in Psychology programs exist which do not require GRE and they come as a relief to students who wish to further their educational goals but without spending money on an expensive and difficult test.

Given below is a table which lists the top universities in Canada for masters in psychology without GRE:

University Programme
Sacred Heart University
  • Master of Science in Applied Psychology – Industrial-Organizational Psychology
  • Master of Science in Applied Psychology
North central University
  • Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Developmental Psychology and 
  • Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology 
Vanguard University
  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
  • Master of Science in Organizational Psychology
Grand Canyon University
  • M.S. in Psychology: General Psychology
California Southern University
  • Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)
Walden University 
  • Master of Science (MS) in Psychology: Social Psychology
  •   Master of Science (MS) in   Forensic Psychology: Family Violence
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago
  • M.A. International Psychology
  • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Available Scholarships

There are several scholarships available for students in Canada in this field. Some of them include the following: 

  • The University of Northern British Columbia Arts Faculty Graduate Assistantship annual grant. 
  • Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research Terms of Reference Jillings Award.
  • University of Alberta Scholarships- Dr Brendan Gail Rule Graduate Scholarship, ISSBD Graduate Scholarship, and Dr Jane Silvius Graduate Scholarship. 
  • Queens’ University Psychology Department Scholarship. 
  • Concordia University Scholarship for master’s students. 
  • McMaster University’s Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour Scholarship. 

Job Prospects after Master’s Course in Psychology in Canada

After doing an M.S. in psychology, almost 1/3rd of students apply for further research and studies along with PhD programs. The rest usually find employment in Government agencies, wellness centres and healthcare centres, private organisations, educational institutions, and the like. Some of the top recruiters include Novotech, CLINWest Research Inc, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, NeuroRx Research, Montreal Therapy Centre, the University of Toronto, McGill University, the University of Ottawa and more. 

Salaries for Graduates

Average salaries usually hover around INR 39-65 lakh (roughly USD$52,000-87,000) for skilled graduates in job roles like occupational psychologists, psychotherapists, educational psychologists, clinical psychologists, clinical child psychologists, and more. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a masters in psychology in Canada?

You can always venture into further studies and research through a PhD program or any other higher-study course. You can also take up attractive employment prospects at Government and private healthcare and wellness centres along with educational institutions. You can work in several business sectors, mental health and research fields, and schools.

 

 


 

 

 

Is Canada good for psychology?

Canada is one of the foremost destinations to study psychology worldwide. It is home to some of the best global universities for the subject and offers a conducive environment for research and further study. The country also provides plentiful employment prospects for skilled graduates in the public and private sectors. Several studies have ranked psychology as one of the top-100 professions in the country too.

 

 


 

 

 

Is GRE required for masters in psychology in Canada?

GRE is mostly required for admission into master’s courses in Canada, and psychology courses are no exception. Most universities will need your GRE scores for admissions into masters in psychology programs. However, there may be exceptions, but they are rare. It is advisable to prepare well beforehand and obtain a high score in GRE for applying.

 

 


 

 

 

What is the salary of a psychologist in Canada?

Psychologists can earn handsome salaries up to USD $93,240 per year or INR 69.93 lakh in Canada. Entry-level positions may pay slightly less, although it can go up to this threshold with some knowledge and experience. Senior psychologists can earn handsome amounts going upwards of USD $120,000 annually or roughly INR 90 lakh.

 

 


 

 

 

What is the scope of psychology in Canada?

Psychology has vast scope in Canada, especially with its future prospects for aspirants. They can obtain admission into reputed PhD programs after their master’s courses or venture into professional employment with leading organisations in both public and private sectors. They can also work at schools and other business organisations in various capacities. Psychologists also earn handsome salaries in Canada.

 

 


 

 

 

Can I work as a psychologist in Canada?

Yes, you can work as a psychologist in Canada although you must abide by some requirements. Psychologists have a vast scope of work in Canada, earning handsome salaries and generous benefits like retirement plans, health insurance, and paid holidays, among others. You will have to complete your doctoral degree or PhD for becoming a professional psychologist in Canada. The CPA will be endorsing the same for helping you prepare for professional work and employment. Like other healthcare professions, psychologists also require suitable licensing. Various regulatory bodies (depending on the province) provide these licenses.

 

 


 

 

 

Is psychology a good career in Canada?

Psychology is an excellent career choice in Canada, offering attractive starting salaries. Aspiring psychologists can study in the best institutions in the world for the subject while embarking on advanced research and study programs after completing their master’s courses. They can also expect handsome remuneration for their work in various sectors, including government agencies, private healthcare centres, schools, etc.

 

 


 

 

 

What can I do with a masters in psychology in Canada ?

You can always apply for a PhD program in psychology and venture into research. You will also have to get licensed to practice psychology in Canada. You will require a CPA endorsement of your PhD degree while getting your license from the registered authority in your province. You can also take up employment as a clinical psychologist, child psychologist, occupational psychologist, psychotherapist, and many other job roles across the public and private sectors.

 

 


 

 

 

Can I do MSc Psychology after B.A. Psychology in Canada?

Yes, you will have eligibility for doing your M. Sc in Psychology in Canada if you have completed your B.A. degree successfully in Psychology. You will have eligibility since you have completed your Bachelor’s degree with a specialisation in Psychology. You will have to meet the other eligibility criteria through your GRE score and your score in an English language proficiency test like TOEFL/IELTS.

 

 


 

 

 

How long does a masters in psychology degree take in Canada?

Master in Psychology is a research-intensive program and it is offered as a full-time course for a maximum duration of two years in Canada.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Neha Uppal

Sr. Content editor

Neha Uppal is a passionate content creator and editor. She carries 7.5+ years of experience working with leading edutech companies where she worked as a Faculty, Community Manager, and Content Marketeer. At upGrad, she is helping out people keep informed about the scopes and opportunities of studying abroad via informational articles/blogs.

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