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• Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
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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.

Information on research areas offered in the department, as well as admissions-related information, can be found on the department website . Read the department program website carefully before contacting the department with specific questions that are not addressed on the website.

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

What makes the program unique?

UBC’s Department of Psychology is a top ranked research department in Canada and in the world. Our 58 faculty members and 130 full-time graduate students and postdoctoral fellows conduct research across the spectrum of psychology, representing seven sub-disciplinary specializations: Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive Science, Developmental, Health, Quantitative Methods, and Social/Personality.

The strength of our graduate programs lies in the highly productive research faculty, well-organized programs of study, extensive opportunities for student-faculty interaction, and rich offering of research specializations. Our faculty are well known for their research expertise in health, happiness, language acquisition, gambling, child development, gender roles, environmental behaviour, neuroscience, and many other areas of psychology. Our research programs are well funded by major national granting agencies, and our faculty are committed to research excellence and interdisciplinary collaborations within UBC’s Faculties of Medicine, Science and Arts, the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability and many other institutions around the world.

I decided to study at UBC for its emphasis on research and its rigorous approach to conducting research studies. I really enjoy the breadth of opportunities available for students regarding professional development.

Ashley Battaglini

Quick Facts

Program Enquiries

Admission information & requirements, program instructions.

Please refer to the department website for all admissions-related information.

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 some applicants. Please check the program website.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior degree requirements.

A thesis-based MA or MSc in Psychology is required for applicants applying for the PhD program.  Applicants with only a BA/BSc degree must aply for the MA program as they are ineligible for the PhD program.

Other Requirements

GRE requirements vary depending on the area of research and/or intended research supervisor. Please visit the respective Research Stream page on the department website for area-specific GRE requirements.

2) Meet Deadlines

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 Psychology (PhD)

Applicants will not be admitted without identifying a faculty member as their intended supervisor.  Admissions decisions are made by prospective research supervisors; applicants are encouraged to reach out to them directly for further inquiries after reviewing the information on the department's website.

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.

Research Information

Research focus.

We offer research-intensive graduate studies in seven sub-disciplinary specializations: Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive Science, Developmental, Health, Quantitative Methods, and Social/Personality.  Please refer to the department's Research Streams page for more information.

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 refer to the department's Funding page  for additional information on funding opportunities.

Average Funding

• 32 students received Teaching Assistantships. Average TA funding based on 32 students was $10,912.
• 37 students received Research Assistantships. Average RA funding based on 37 students was $7,725.
• 18 students received Academic Assistantships. Average AA funding based on 18 students was $2,366.
• 51 students received internal awards. Average internal award funding based on 51 students was $16,504.
• 22 students received external awards. Average external award funding based on 22 students was $32,136.

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

112 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 5 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 106 graduates:

Sample Employers in Higher Education

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

The PhD in Psychology is designed to prepare students for employment in academic or private sector settings. Recent graduates have taken positions as tenure track faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, practicing clinical psychologists, biostatisticians, and public policy quantitative analysts.

Alumni on Success

Zak Witkower

Job Title Postdoctoral Researcher

Employer University of Toronto

Kristina Uban

Job Title Post Doctoral Researcher

Employer Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Julie Belanger

Job Title Director, Research and Evaluation

Employer Education Partnerships Group

Kirsten Dalrymple

Job Title Research Associate

Employer University of Minnesota

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Doctor of Philosophy in 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, tuesday, 23 july 2024 - 9:00am, wednesday, 24 july 2024 - 12:30pm - room 200, wednesday, 31 july 2024 - 12:30pm - room 200, wednesday, 31 july 2024 - 1:00pm, thursday, 1 august 2024 - 12:00pm - 4001, douglas t. kenny building, 2136 west mall.

• 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.

• Alden, Lynn (Cognitive processes in the anxiety disorders, Social Anxiety Disorder, adult-onset Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, cognitive-behavior therapy)
• Baron, Andrew (cognitive development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, racism, race, stereotypes, cooperation, bias, innateness, science education, multiculturalism, gender, ethnicity, neuromarketing, attitudes, preferences, psychology )
• Biesanz, Jeremy (personality, Personality, interpersonal perception, accuracy, personality coherence, quantitative methods)
• Birch, Susan (Social perspective taking, social learning, social cognition, imitation, nonverbal behavior, confidence, communication, decision-making, impression formation, child development My primary area of expertise is the study of children and adults’ social perspective taking abilities (i.e., their abilities to reason about other peoples’ mental states–their intentions, knowledge, and beliefs) and how their abilities to take another person’s perspective impacts how they form impressions of others, learn from others, communicate with others, and informs a range of socials. Of particular interest is a) how children make inferences about what is credible information to learn (e.g., how they decide whether someone is a credible source of information based on how confident that person seems) and b) how a widespread bias in perspective taking referred to as ‘the curse of knowledge bias’ (a difficulty reasoning about a more naive perspective as the result of being biased by one’s current knowledge) can impair communication (both written and in person) and decision-making across a range of fields (politics, law, education, economics, medicine, etc.)., Development of language, learning, and social understanding in infants and children)
• Chen, Frances (Health psychology; social connection; social support; stress; coping; conflict and negotiation; hormones; Neuroendocrinology)
• Christoff, Kalina (brain, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, prefronal cortex, fMRI, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, executive functions, problem solving, reasoning, thinking, mind-wandering, attention, consciousness, real-time fMRI, trauma and PTSD, Cognitive and neural basis of human thought, reasoning and problem solving)
• Clark, Luke (Gambling, Problem Gambling, Addiction, Decision-Making, Reward, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms involved in gambling behaviour and disordered gambling)
• Dawson, Samantha (Psychology and cognitive sciences; Interventions for sexual dysfunction; Sexual function and dysfunction in individuals and couples)
• DeLongis, Anita (Psychology and cognitive sciences; social determinants of health; chronic illness; coping; couples; families; health; Health Psychology; marriage; social support; stress)
• Dunn, Elizabeth (Happiness, money and spending decisions, self-knowledge)
• Emberson, Lauren (Learning, Perception (audition, vision, crossmodal or multisensory), Language development, Face/object perception, Impacts of premature birth, Neural connecitivty, fNIRS, Neonatal and Infant development , Early adversity / Risk and resilience , Increasing diversity and representation in the neurosciences , Naturalistic neuroimaging recordings)
• Enns, James (Behavioural neuroscience of reward and motivation; attention; action kinematics; social perception; perceptual development)
• Floresco, Stanley Bogdan (Neural circuits subserving learning and executive functions, behavioural and electrophysiological analyses of limbic-cortical-striatal interactions involved in decision making and behavioural flexibility, animal models of schizophrenia and drug addiction)
• Goetz, Friedrich (Psychology, social and behavorial aspects; Geographical psychology; Causes and consequences of regional personality differences; Mobility and migration; Wanderlust; Courage; Entrepreneurship; Personality development; open science)
• Hall, David Geoffrey (Lexical and conceptual development, semantic development, language acquisition)
• Hamlin, Kiley (Psychology and cognitive sciences; Cognitive development; Moral Judgement and Duty or Obligation Morals; Infant / Child Development; Foundations of Religious, Mystical, Mythical and Moral Thoughts; Infant moral cognition; infant social cognition)
• Handy, Todd (aging and cognition, aging and exercise, cognitive neuroscience, attention, migraine, fMRI, Cognitive neuroscience, neuroimaging, attention and its impairment in clinical populations, mind wandering, and real-world human behaviour)
• Heine, Steven (Culture and human nature in psychology, culture, how people strive to maintain a sense of meaning in their lives when they encounter anomalies which they are unable to make any sense of, how people understand essences and genetic foundations for human behavior )
• Hewitt, Paul (perfectionism, Therapy Perfectionism, personality vulnerability, depression, suicide in adults and children)
• Hoppmann, Christiane (Psychology and cognitive sciences; Aging Process; Social Aspects of Aging; stress; Health Promotion; social determinants of health; Health and well-being across the adult lifespan and into old age; individual differences in goals)
• Kerns, Connor (assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD); childhood anxiety and stress-related disorders; trauma-related disorders; Autism; Anxiety; Comorbidity)
• Kim, Eric (Health psychology; Psychosocial, sociocultural and behavioral determinants of health; Epidemiology (except nutritional and veterinary epidemiology); psychological well-being; Purpose in life / Meaning in life; resilience; Optimism / Hope; Health Psychology; Social Epidemiology; Aging)
• Kingstone, Alan (Cognitive sciences; Brain mechanisms of human perception, attention, and behaviour in experimental & everyday situations)
• Klonsky, Elisha (Clinical psychology; Suicide (theory, motivations, transition from suicidal thoughts to attempts); emotion; personality.)
• Laurin, Kristin (Social psychology; Psychology of social class; Political psychology; Rationalization and system justification; Morality)

Doctoral Citations

Sample Thesis Submissions

• Examining the relationship between children's theory of mind and social-emotional functioning
• When people do allyship : a typology of allyship action
• Understanding hoarding clean-outs : a public scholar approach
• Sociocontextual factors impacting the biological embedding of major transitions during adolescence
• Social values and social motivations as vulnerability factors for excessive acquisition
• Cognitive and affective dimensions of inattention
• Actual and anticipated reactions to engaging with and dismissing political opponents : who and where they come from, and why they matter
• Mechanisms underlying the interface between number words and perceptual magnitudes
• Trust and social class : the complex relationship between explicit stereotypes (about dispositions and situations), implicit stereotypes, and trust
• Memory network of social anxiety
• A cognitive framework of nudge and sludge
• Reward sensitivity and emotionally biased cognition in depression
• Seeing mind in all : subjective panpsychism and moral psychology
• Prosocial behaviour as an antidote to social disconnection : exploring the links between prosocial behaviour, loneliness, and social contact in daily life
• Bidirectional associations between social media use and psychopathology

Related Programs

Same specialization.

• Master of Arts in Psychology (MA)

At the UBC Okanagan Campus

Further information, specialization.

Psychology covers most major areas of the discipline, including: behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognitive science, developmental psychology, health psychology, personality and social psychology, and quantitative methods.

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

UBC offers a lot of opportunity for interdisciplinary research at least in the context of my work. The Department of Psychology has ties with, for example, the Centre for Brain Health and Sauder School of Business. I really look forward to collaborating with folks outside of the department so that...

Talia Morstead

My decision to study at UBC was driven in large part by my desire to work with Dr. Anita DeLongis, a foremost expert in the field of stress and coping. After coming across Dr. DeLongis’ work during my undergraduate studies and having the opportunity to volunteer in her lab, I saw that our research...

Bronwen Grocott

I applied to UBC because I wanted to work with my present supervisor, Dr. Joelle LeMoult. I was especially interested in researching social stress and depression using a mixed-methods, experimental approach and working with Joelle has made this possible.

Leilani Forby

Before I decided to pursue a graduate degree, I worked in the film industry and was required to do a lot of international travel. The business trips to Canada were always my favorite --- I fell in love with the cities and the people. When I decided that I would study how to support autistic...

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Great academic programs, great location: the distinct seasons and mild climate are among the reasons why graduate students choose to study here -- from the autumn leaves to cherry blossoms, witness the many colours Vancouver has to offer.

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The Doctoral program prepares candidates for a career in teaching, research or as an anthropologist employed in the public or private sector.

Graduates are expected to have acquired autonomy in conducting in-depth, full-scale field research projects. They are expected to be able to analyse data, write, revise and publish scholarly manuscripts. These objectives are achieved beginning with a first year of formal course work that includes the possibility of internships as well as directed reading courses. The second year of the program is geared towards developing intellectual independence and a comprehensive understanding of theory, method and area, in preparation for the degree requirements of two comprehensive examinations and a research proposal. In year 3 students conduct independent field research in diverse social and cultural settings and locales. Field sites range widely both spatially and temporally and in terms of conceptual approach, including archival and digital sites. The final phase of the program involves writing the dissertation culminating in an oral defense.

All doctoral students are encouraged to gain experience as teaching and/or research assistants and to take advantage of the teaching practicum offered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, as well as workshops offered at the Centre for the Support of Teaching.

The program is designed to be completed in 4 years but often takes longer. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies Registration Policies, including the requirement of continuous registration. Terms that students register as Leave of Absence, Maternal Leave, Parental Leave, or No Course Available are not included in these time limits.

In the first year of the doctoral program, students take 2.5 graduate courses, including two required half year Theory courses and the required half-year Methods course. Two additional half-courses are selected from the theme courses in Social Anthropology, or one from a cognate discipline, with the permission of the Graduate Director. A Reading Course and/or an Internship are also options. All first-year students must also enroll in the required Graduate Seminar, which is held on a weekly basis in both the Fall and Winter terms. Students are expected to have all course work done in the first year.

The two comprehensive exams and the research proposal are designed to help students achieve expertise in specific areas of literature, prepare for fieldwork, and to move towards the conceptual work of the dissertation. During this phase students read broadly and deeply within selected areas of socio-cultural anthropology and related disciplines in preparation for fieldwork; they develop skills in compiling reading lists, framing questions, and demonstrating sustained engagement with questions posed in relation to bodies of literature; they develop analytic and synthetic skills in the writing of the exams; and finally, in the proposal, they conceptualize a research project and detail how it will be carried out.

Candidates write a dissertation under the supervision of three members from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, at least two of whom must be members of the graduate program in Social Anthropology. The final version of the dissertation is submitted to the supervisory committee for approval and then proceeds to a dissertation defence. The oral examination centres on the dissertation and is a public academic event involving an external examiner in addition to the supervisory committee.

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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Not everyone wants to become a psychologist or go to graduate school. What career options are there for someone with an undergraduate degree in psychology, or a degree related to psychology? Check out the ideas and links below, helpful both to those entering the workforce right after graduation, or for those who plan to further their education to obtain a job-specific certificate or diploma. 

The University of Toronto  Career Centre  offers a wealth of resources, workshops, events, and job listings to assist students and recent graduates with their career search. Check out upcoming events on the  Career Event  page of this website.

Information about Careers in Psychology

• Canadian Psychological Association information on  careers in psychology
• Canadian Psychological Association information on  becoming a psychologist
• For career descriptions, profiles and job outlooks visit the Government of Canada  Working in Canada  website

Job Posting Links

• University of Toronto Career Centre provides  a list of job postings  for students and recent graduates
• U of T Careers  posts jobs for research assistants, academic advisors and more
• Charity Village  is an excellent site to search for non-profit jobs
• Career Jet  for students with a bachelor's degree in psychology
• Indeed  for psychology-related jobs in Canada

Government Job Sites

• Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities  for jobs in Ontario Ontario Public Service Careers
• Ontario Internship Program  for recent graduates
• Jobs with the Government of Canada

Additional Education and Practical Training

Consider working toward a diploma or certificate from a community college or university, taking advantage of the career training they offer. This additional qualification may meet the needs of future employers who are looking for applicants with applied training and experience. The combination of the critical thinking skills and theory training you receive at university, coupled with applied, practical training received through a community college or certificate program, are very attractive to prospective employers and may well increase your employability. Such courses are often designed specifically for those who hold an undergraduate degree, making many of the programs one year or less in length. Courses are also sometimes offered part-time, in the evenings, or via distance education, allowing you to combine them with paid employment. Plus, having this extra certificate may make promotion at your workplace more likely. And colleges also offer more direct assistance with job placements after completion. 

Universities Canada  maintains a database of all university and college programs in Canada, at all levels. Check out the program or programs that fits your area of interest. You can also browse through the ‘fields of study’ for program ideas that you may never been aware of, or considered. Another source of related information is the  Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) .

Volunteer Work

Graduates unanimously agree that working in your field as a volunteer, with a not-for-profit organization, with campus organizations, or elsewhere is invaluable. It is the best way to gain the relevant job experience that will catch the attention of future employers. And you can make a contribution at the same time. Below are some volunteering websites for you to check out, both on and off campus.

• The  Centre for Community Partnerships  helps students find opportunities with community agencies, organizations and municipal governments
• The  Career Centre  has volunteer postings to can browse
• Ulife  offers involvement opportunities at U of T
• Research and Lab Positions with the Psychology Department
• Volunteer Canada  provides information on volunteering and links to volunteer centres across Canada
• Charity Village  is another source to search for volunteer opportunities
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On average, it takes four to five years to complete the PhD program (after the MA) and requires full-time academic year residency until the attainment of candidacy.

At least 12 credits of coursework are required, and the details of required courses vary by research area. In addition to courses, doctoral students are required to complete a comprehensive examination and a dissertation. Students in the Clinical Program are, in addition, required to complete a year-long accredited clinical internship.

Interested in why we behave, think and feel the way we do?

Study the rich and complex nature of human behaviour, thoughts and emotions and explore how you can help improve the lives of people in your community..

Sample employment after a Masters or PhD in Psychology

Career options and job settings following graduate training in psychology.

The range of specializations for graduate level training in psychology is diverse. Thus, career options and job settings for those who pursue graduate level training in psychology are diverse and include:

• faculty members at universities are involved in research and teaching activities.
• research scientists in government or industrial research and development labs e.g., aerospace industry, information technology.
• clinical psychologists provide assessment and treatment services for individuals or groups who have emotional and behavioural problems. They work in all applied settings, for example, mental health facilities, hospitals, clinics, the penal system, or in private practice. They also conduct research on psychological disorders and treatment effectiveness.
• counselling psychologists do similar work to clinical psychologists but tend to provide services to less severely disordered clientele.
• psychometrists are skilled in the design and administration of psychological tests. They work in all applied settings including education, mental health, business, and government.
• health psychologists conduct research and are involved in health promotion and illness prevention programs.
• clinical neuropsychologists conduct research as well as do assessment and treatment for disorders of the central nervous system e.g., brain damage due to a head injury or stroke)
• educational psychologists are interested in basic research on effective learning strategies and the assessment of learning difficulties. They work at all levels of the education system, for government or business training programs, or as consultants.
• industrial/organizational psychologists are employed as researchers, consultants, and/or human resource managers. They are interested in such issues as job satisfaction, perceptions of fairness, decision making, productivity, training, leadership, and biases in the interview process.
• product/market researchers in the private sector.
• senior administrators in numerous settings including universities.
• directors in mental health facilities and hospitals.

Profiles and achievements of those with graduate level degrees from the University of Waterloo.

How do clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and social workers differ in their approaches to helping people with their problems?

Several helping professions work closely together to administer assessment and treatment services to clients.

Common to the work of clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers are applications of various interviewing and assessment skills along with 'talk therapy' interventions. No particular one of these disciplines seems to own any specific treatment philosophy or therapeutic technique, but there are certain distinct features which separate their job functions.

Clinical Psychologist

Many clinical psychologists have a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Psychology. Although in some jurisdictions individuals with a Master's degree and extensive supervised practice may be registered as a clinical psychologist. Graduate training in clinical psychology differs somewhat from one institution to another in its emphasis and focus. However, common to all accredited clinical psychology programs is an extended period of involvement in a hospital or other service agency where student interns receive continuous supervision of their work with patients. In addition to this internship experience, students in PhD programs are generally well trained in research technologies (e.g., experimental psychopathology, evaluation research, and other areas important to advancing our understanding of services and patients) and are expected to complete a dissertation on a research topic that is relevant to clinical psychology.

A few programs offering a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) instead of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Psychology emphasize professional training (i.e., supervised patient contact) and require an experimentally less rigorous research project than that expected in a PhD dissertation.

Although the specific curriculum in clinical psychology differs from university to university, usually some attempt is made to train students in intellectual assessment (I.Q. tests), personality and/or behavioural assessment, and psychotherapy. In addition to these practical courses, the student is exposed to the scholarly literature in personality and psychopathology, as well as statistics and research design. Generally, clinical students are also expected to have a subsidiary interest area, such as cognitive neuroscience, developmental, or social psychology.

Clinical psychologists are not sanctioned to prescribe medications as part of their treatment interventions (see psychiatry).

The diverse possibilities for employment include academic jobs in universities and medical schools where there is an expectation for research productivity. In addition, there are many opportunities for employment in hospitals, reform institutions, and other centres, in which the primary duties typically are service delivery (i.e., patient contact), but that occasionally permit and sometimes encourage research with clinical populations.

The Canadian Psychological Association provides advice regarding the training and licensing requirements to practice Psychology in Canada.

Counselling Psychologist

Many counselling psychologists have a PhD in Psychology. Similar to clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists are also trained for research roles. Counselling psychologists differ from clinical psychologists in that counselling psychologists typically provide services to a less severely disordered clientele. They may, for example, be employed in counselling services departments at universities, colleges, and secondary schools, as well as other agencies that assist with vocational guidance and life adjustment issues. Other specialists give focus to child development issues, school problems, occupational therapy, clinical neuropsychology (e.g., offering assessment or rehabilitation for brain injuries) , chronic physical disabilities, etc.

When searching for graduate programs, check counselling psychology and school psychology within psychology departments, as well as counselling psychology programs within education departments.

Psychotherapist

See the Therapy Toronto (Ontario) for a description of the field of Psychotherapy and the licensing requirements for the profession of psychotherapy.

Psychiatrist

Several years of training beyond a medical degree will be required to become a psychiatrist.

After receiving a medical degree, physicians interested in specializing in the treatment of people ( e.g., children, adolescents, adults, geriatric) who suffer from biologically-based mental disorders will pursue psychiatric training.

Psychiatrists are sanctioned to prescribe medications and other physical treatments as part of their therapeutic intervention with patients. Psychiatrists typically do not have specific training in research.

For further details:

Canadian Psychiatric Association

Ontario Psychiatric Association

Social Worker

Social workers and social services workers are the professionals most heavily identified with Family and Children's Services. However, they are also employed in numerous other settings such as hospitals, community and mental health facilities, correctional facilities, the military, etc.

Those in a Master's of Social Work program are trained to provide individuals (children, adolescents, adults, the elderly), families, and groups who are experiencing difficulties (e.g., economic, emotional, physical, social, safety, etc.) with counselling, therapy and/or mediation as well as to connect with appropriate resources and support services. They are involved in community development services and programs, and advocate for community and government policy changes to improve the well-being and quality of life for their client base. Although some Master's programs do not emphasis research training, students will develop a critical and thoughtful approach to claims made about people and about psychological research. Those with a Social Services Worker diploma from a community college are trained for front-line roles. They interview clients, assist with identifying the sources of difficulty, and prepare in-take reports. They provide practical assistant for their clients such as connecting them with necessary resources and support services, providing life skills workshops, making referrals for crisis intervention, etc.

To call or represent oneself as a social worker or a social services worker in Ontario, you must be in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers .

For further details regarding the field of social work, please refer to the following programs at Renison University College:

Bachelor of Social Work

Master’s of Social Work

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Home » Careers in Psychology

Careers in Psychology

Average psychologist salaries.

When thinking careers in psychology you may be curious about the potential earnings of a Psychologist in Canada. This can hold quite a wide range of statistics and can vary depending on your location within Canada.

• According to  PayScale Canada  the average National Psychologist Salary in Canada is in the range of  $44 510 to $148 188  as of March 25, 2011.
• According to the  Alberta Occupational Profiles  OCCinfo: A Psychologist in Alberta earned from  $14.08 to $53.28 an hour with an average of $39.19 an hour in the 2009 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey.
• Here is a chart from the Living in Canada Website  that divides the different Psychologist Salaries based on your location in Canada.These are based on the Psychologist Career Classification code – The National Occupational Classification (NOC) for a Psychologist is 4151 which can be found at the Canadian NOC website

Table: Average Psychologist Salaries Throughout Canada

Careers in Psychology Options

There are many options available when in comes to choosing a career as a Psychologist, as well as careers related to Psychology. If you are interested in a neat little quiz to get a general sense on what Psychologist you may be a best fit for you may find Which Psychology Career Is Right for You to be entertaining. It all depends on what education you have (Undergraduate, Masters, PhD) and what areas of Psychology you choose to specialize in. Remember to research your interests as well as the options available to you at the University you choose to attend. If you are interested in practicing as a Psychologist there are many sub fields including but not limited to these options:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Counselling Psychologist
• Developmental Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Health Psychologist
• Industrial  / Organizational Psychologist
• Neuropsychologist
• School Psychologist
• Social Psychologist
• Sports Psychologist

When deciding what career as a Psychologist you may want to pursue it may be a good idea to do allot of research into the specifics of each subfield as there are many. Different Universities provide graduate work that usually focussing more in one of these categories than others.

For example: The University of Alberta offers MA, MSc and PhD programs in all five of these research areas:

• Behaviour, Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Comparative Cognition and Behaviour
• Developmental Science
• Social and Cultural Psychology

As well provides options for a MEd and PhD programs in these subject areas:

• Psychological Studies in Education
• Counselling Psychology
• Measurement, Evaluation and Cognition
• Special Education
• School Counselling
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Technology in Education Specialization
• Health Sciences Education

As you can see even under a singular University you have many choices of what to study after undergraduate studies in Psychology. If you are currently in an Undergraduate program and are still wondering what type of psychologist career you would like to pursue, then I would recommend asking yourself what courses you have enjoyed the most so far. Cognitive Psychology? Abnormal Psychology? Social Psychology? etc. Then from there research what related careers may be available in that subject matter. Determine how competitive that field is, and then research alternatives as a back up.

But what if you only have an Undergraduate in Psychology?

There are still many careers available depending on your interests and other skill sets. Always think about what you could supplement with your degree, and what other interests you may have. Some career could be in:

• Social Services
• Technical Writing
• Corrections Officer: Parole, Probation
• Labout Releations
• Gerontology
• Health Services
• Marketing and Public Relations
• Fundraising
• Mental Health

When planning your career or education as a Psychologist or in a Psychology related role, always plan, plan and plan! Psychology is a very diverse and open stream of study and work and the more you know on how to achieve your goals of interest and work the more success you will have!

If you are interested in finding Psychologist / and or Psychology related jobs in Canada please visit the Psychology Jobs page here at Psychology Canada. This could also provide a valuable resource when planning a career in Psychology to get a ‘real-world’ perspective on what’s out there currently in the job market.

Have any input on other career opportunities that are available for Psychology majors? Post them below!

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23 responses to “careers in psychology”.

HI very interesting information! I think healthcare careers and also mental health careers are always going to be in great demand. I assume psychologist must be a regulated profession in canada, right?

You are correct. Psychology is a regulated profession in all of Canada, and each province has a governing body responsible for registering an individual as a Psychologist; each with their own specific guidelines and requirements. Thank you for your comment, and I also believe that healthcare careers and mental health careers will always be in a great demand.

I am a psychology major in Zimbabwe, looking for employment and continue with a Masters course obtaining a degree in psychology and a diploma in counselking how can you help me?

Hi! I am from South Africa. I am a qualified clinical psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). I am currently employed at a hospital where I work with all sorts of patients from neuro to spinal and renal.

After being attacked outside my home, my house broken into twice and my car broken into six times..I just cant handle the crime anymore..and feel very unhappy living here. So, my question I pose to you is.. Am I allowed to apply for Psychology posts in Canada? If so, does anyone know of someone I can contact to get information wrt this?

You could get answers from the Canadian Psychological Association: http://www.cpa.ca/ I believe you would need job offer before you can apply for a work VISA here. Check out Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work.asp

hi, I am currently pursuing my m.phil in neuropsychology from India and i would like to know if there are possibilities of starting my career in Canada. Do I have to do another course in Canada or is it possible to get a job right away. thank you

I am currently an undergrad at the University of Victoria, starting my first year September, 2013. I am interested in working with children, and working in an office. I am curious to know what me career options in psychology would be?

Thank you, Karen

Hello Karen! Have you considered an advanced diploma in Child and Youth Work?? Very much needed in today’s society and is an excellent program. I am currently in my second of 3 years of the CYW program at George Brown College in Toronto, ON and have my sights set on a Forensic Psychology Specialist degree from the University of Toronto. Best of luck with your endeavours! 🙂

I come from China and I want to apply for the Master Degree in Sport Psychology.I want to know what is the salary in the sport psychology? Does it is easy to find a sport psychology job in Canada.

Hi, I am planning to apply in yorkville for masters in counselling psychology. Can someone give me a feedback on how the university is? Also, please help me as to what career options a couselling psychologist has in Canada along with average pay? Please

Hi, did you get into Yorkville? Im applying right now and have same questions. Was your experience good?

Hi, I want to apply for an undergraduate course in psychology in Canada, i don’t know if there is a lot of scope for psychology in Canada though

Hi, I have completed my BA in Psychology(Major) from St,Xaviers College, Bombay. I am also currently studying Msc. in Psychology, in India. I intend to apply to the child and youth care course in GBC. I want to know the job scope in Canada after doing that course, or any other related courses to special children etc.

hi i am currently in my last year of high school and want to work with youth that have anxiety and/or trauma. i am also interested in working in Neuropsychology. do you have any tips for me for when i am in university and after.

My daughter is finishing up her first yr in BSc. Major in psychology and chemistry with law courses. Her goal is to become a forensic science psychologist. She is attending our local university CBU. She would like to apply to all three in Canada….2 located in BC, one in Ottawa. She wants to get her masters and Ph.D. There are courses not available at our university. She intends to pursue a career in working with serial killers and how the mind works with regards to how and why they participated in such deviant behaviours. Would it be advisable to check with a larger university in Halifax NS for some psychology and forensic courses? Also will she need more than first yr statistics and does she also need to concentrate on Biology as well?

Are there any diploma courses(2 year courses) in Canada ,if so how can we pursue further studies in psychology after diploma courses?

Hie ..i just want to know that which degree will be perfect to have in psychology…Bsc psychology or BA psychology .

Hii I pursued bsc psychology from Union Christian College, Aluva. Tragically I had lost a paper in 4 th semester. Can I apply to masters degree of Psychology at year of 2018-2019

Hi there, I’m currently applying for a Master’s program in Clinical Psych in both Canada and the UK (Scotland and Ireland). I’m wondering if there is a website or someone I can contact to make sure that I apply to programs that will allow me to eventually get my licensing in Alberta and or continue on to a Canadian phD program if I so choose.

Hai, I have done my Masters in General Microbiology from India, could you just tell me if I am eligible for applying for another Masters in Psycology at any university in Canada??

Hi, i have completed a 3 year Bachelor degree in Psychology from India. I want to pursue the master degree in Industrial / Organisation Psychology in Canada. What are the top Colleges or Universites available in Canada for MSc in Industrial / Organization Psychology and what are the job scopes in Canada after completing the Master degree in I/O Psychology.

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Careers in and Related to Psychology

Following a BA or BSc degree in psychology, some students opt not to pursue a career in psychology while others do. For the former, many of the abilities and skills that one obtained as a psychology student can be used in careers that are not directly related to psychology. For the latter, there are three general paths a student can pursue.

1.  Psychology as a career: A bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc.) is the first step on the road to graduate-level training to become a psychologist. To call yourself a psychologist, you must complete at least a Master’s degree and normally a PhD in psychology. This applies both to research careers (e.g., university professor) and becoming a practising psychologist. There are several areas of specialization for those who wish to pursue post-graduate training at the master’s or doctoral level; within each area, one may choose sub-specialties in which to teach, conduct research, be a practitioner, or some combination of these three activities.

2.  Careers open to Graduates with a B.A. or a B.Sc. and in which psychology is relevant: Both the skills and knowledge acquired through the baccalaureate programs provide preparation for a variety of career fields, including but not limited to personnel, labour relations, social services, technical writing, corrections, probation, parole, marketing and public relations, gerontology, health services, fundraising and mental health. A bachelor’s degree in psychology often serves as a valuable preliminary step to other professional careers such as medicine, law, management, social work, and education.

3.  Careers built on psychology skills and knowledge: Psychology graduates also sometimes pursue careers in, for example, law, journalism and business. This often requires further study.

Possible Employment and Careers

Presented below are many of the careers upon which psychology majors can embark. At first glance, some of these careers may appear unrelated to the discipline of psychology; however, a closer look highlights the importance of the "core competencies" and skills that psychology majors acquire during their studies.

Employment Prospects for Individuals with a B.A. or B.Sc. in Psychology

Jobs for psychology bachelor’s graduates depend on the overall state of the economy and job opportunities within it.

You will not be hired as a psychologist with only a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc.). To be hired and practice as a psychologist you need at least a master’s degree (M.A. or M.Sc.) and in many jurisdictions a Ph.D. (a doctoral degree). If you wish to work as a psychologist you should plan on going to graduate school.

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is relevant to many different careers. Psychology students, through their diverse training, acquire a number of valuable skills, such as: the ability to analyze problems and to think critically; the ability to interpret and evaluate research, including statistics; an understanding of the genetic, biological, and social influences on behavior; and a sensitivity and awareness of interpersonal, developmental, and cultural differences.

Many undergraduates study psychology as a first step toward a professional career. A degree in psychology is excellent preparation for a variety of professional programs including law, medicine, management, social work, speech pathology, audiology, counselling and education.

A Career in Psychology

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