Masters in Psychology in Canada

We offer two streams of training resulting in an MA in School Psychology: a two year non-thesis comprehensive exam stream and a three year thesis stream. In both streams our objective is to provide excellent training in the principles and practices of school psychology preparing students to deliver psychological services within the school community context. This includes intensive training in various theoretical perspectives (e.g., biological, cognitive, social, etc.) regarding the development of positive mental well-being and the aetiology and treatment of psychological disorders; significant expert training in assessment and measurement and the implementation and evaluation of prevention; and treatment programs and course content focused on instructional processes and school systems.
A particular strength of our program is the collaboration in training with Clinicians working in schools. The curriculum includes two supervised practica for the development of skills in assessment and intervention. By providing early and continuing placements in real-world, applied settings students very early on are able to apply their skills in practical and meaningful activities. Feedback from employers indicates that our students are well equipped to begin their careers with confidence and capacity, and to grow with the benefit of continuing education. Our focus is on helping students become familiar with the best practices of data-based decision making and evidence-based interventions. We pay special attention to the diversity that characterizes the student population in Manitoba. For example, courses contain components that address issues such as the unique aspects of living and learning in rural and urban environments, ethnic and cultural diversity (especially the needs of Indigenous students), and the special needs of students who have physical, cognitive, or emotional/behavioural disorders.

Psychology is a diverse discipline that attempts to understand the basis of behaviour, thoughts and emotions. Psychology at UBC was introduced as a single course in 1915 and was initially offered by the Department of Philosophy. Over the years, the number of courses and instructors grew until we officially became the Department of Psychology in 1958.

The Department of Psychology is now home to the Masters in Counselling Program.
The Counselling Program is designed to prepare counsellors to provide professional services in counselling offered in social service agencies, community health organizations, non-profit societies’ supporting vulnerable populations, schools, and post-secondary institutions.  Students pursuing this degree focus on understanding and addressing the contemporary challenges and complexities of human behavior across the lifespan with special attention to the diverse nature of the clientele.  The program provides students with comprehensive, theoretical and experiential curricular and supervised clinical experiences to potentially meet the requirements of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the Canadian Counsellors and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). 

The MA in Psychology is a research-intensive program, and students are normally expected to advance to the PhD program after one or two years of study. Most students pursue training in one of our department's four main areas of research: behavioral neuroscience, clinical and health research, cognitive science and human development and developmental processes. Students choose from one of two program options. The Research Option is suitable for those who wish to pursue careers in research, industry, or academia. The Research and Clinical Training Option also provides professional training in the provision of psychological services, and can lead to careers in research, industry, academia, hospital and health care domains, as well as positions involved in public policy. The Research and Clinical Training Option is fully accredited by the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec, as well as the Canadian Psychological Association. Our department trains the next generation of researchers in world-class laboratories.

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.

Both the M.Sc. and M.A. in Psychology are research-based programs that train students in research methods and data analysis in the Psychological Sciences. The goal of both programs is to train high-quality researchers and prepare students for Ph.D. programs in Psychology and related disciplines. The main difference between the programs is the area of focus.