Psychology
丁香园AV Requirements
All applicants complete an online application form that is available on the dean of graduate studies website () and upload all supporting documentation. Applicants will submit official transcripts of all postsecondary course work and Graduate Record Examinations (GRES) to the department.
Refer to the department's website for yearly deadlines and additional requirements(). Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
The department reserves the right to admit only qualified applicants for whom departmental resources and appropriate faculty supervisors are available.
Application as Special Student
丁香园AV requirements for special students are outlined in the graduate general regulations 1.3.5. Applicants apply online on the Dean of Graduate Studies website ().
Students seeking admission as a special student must also submit all post-secondary transcripts to the department no later than one month prior to the term in which they plan to undertake the proposed course of study. Applicants must obtain written permission from the instructor of each course that they wish to complete. Special students completing psychology graduate courses must obtain a grade no lower than B- (2.67) in each course to be admitted as a special student in subsequent terms.
Program Continuance
Satisfactory Performance
Each graduate student's performance in research and course work is assessed at least once a year, with a formal annual review being conducted every spring. Each student receives feedback on his/her progress following this review. It is the policy of the Department of Psychology that a grade of less than B (3.0) on any course is deemed unsatisfactory. Any graduate student who obtains a grade of less than B (3.0) in two or more courses in the preceding calendar year, or who fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.5, may be required to withdraw from the program. Additionally, students who receive unsatisfactory ratings on their annual evaluations, whether due to grades, inadequate progress through the program or unethical behavior, may be withdrawn from the program (as per graduate general regulation 1.8.2).
A student in the Clinical Psychology Program whose behavior raises the question of possible violations of the ethical codes binding the profession (CPA Code of Ethics, and CPBC Code of Conduct) will be advised of the nature of the problem behavior in writing, and requested to meet with the clinical committee in a confidential closed session to determine the facts. Access to clinical clients may be immediately suspended pending the outcome of this meeting. The student will be invited to present any information and to respond to any questions. Whether or not the student attends, the committee members subsequently will meet in camera to consider the facts, and to decide on a recommendation to make to the graduate studies committee (GSC) of the department. Possible outcomes of this process include limitation of clinical training work, restriction of contact with clinical clients or research participants, remedial work, and recommendation of termination from the program. Issues pertaining to ethical integrity of students who are not in the Clinical Program are subject to the same codes of conduct and will follow the same procedures as described above, but will be handled directly by the graduate studies committee.
A student may appeal the decision to the GSC of the department. The GSC will adjudicate the appeal using procedures outlined in graduate general regulation 1.8.2 Review of Unsatisfactory Progress. The grounds for appeal are errors or unfairness in the procedures that were followed.
Dissertation
Before starting dissertation research, the candidate presents a formal proposal for evaluation. The candidate must present a dissertation proposal before the end of the second program year, and is expected to complete the dissertation within four years of program entrance. The completed dissertation will be defended in oral examination. Judgment will be made by an examining committee. For further information, see Graduate General Regulations 1.9.4.
Supervisory Committees
For the PhD dissertation, students establish a supervisory committee by the end of the second term following program admission. The PhD supervisory committee will consist of a Department of Psychology tenure-track or tenured faculty member who will be the senior supervisor and committee chair, and two or more additional members, at least one of whom must be a tenure-track or tenured faculty member in the Department of Psychology.
Program Requirements
Graduate students must maintain continuous registration (fall, spring, summer terms) throughout their psychology graduate program.
PhD students must complete a minimum of two area courses, comprehensive examinations (PSYC 999), and a dissertation proposal within two years of doctoral program admission. PhD students complete their doctoral dissertation (PSYC 899) by the end of their fourth year in the PhD program.
All students must successfully complete the requirements of their area of specialization. Failure to meet department timelines is noted in the student’s annual performance review.
Psychology Graduate Program Specializations
Students must have successfully completed all Master's Program requirements (or the equivalent) prior to admission to the Clinical PhD program.
Cognitive and Neural Sciences+
Students must satisfactorily complete all of
In addition, students must complete a minimum of two area courses within specialization
Developmental Psychology
Students must satisfactorily complete all of
In addition, students must complete a minimum of two area courses within specialization (denoted with an asterisk (*) below)
Law and Forensic Psychology
Students must satisfactorily complete all of
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: PSYC 790. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
In addition, students must complete a minimum of two area courses within specialization (denoted with an asterisk (*) below)
Social Psychology
Students must satisfactorily complete all of
In addition, students must complete a minimum of two area courses within specialization (denoted with an asterisk(*) below)
History, Quantitative and Theoretical Psychology+
Students must satisfactorily complete all of
Research seminars are designed specifically to enable graduate students in Psychology to plan, execute, and analyse research including that leading to MA and PhD degrees. The seminars will provide directions for future research, critical discussion of pending designs, aid in resolving problems in ongoing studies, and alternative interpretations of results of completed projects. The research seminar courses are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
In addition, students must complete a minimum of two area courses within specialization
+ Area courses are determined for each student individually and may include courses both from within and outside of the department.
^ every Fall and Spring term
Clinical Psychology Graduate Program and Research Area
Students in the clinical program are all members of the clinical research area. The PhD program, accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is based on the scientist-practitioner training model. The program provides generalist training and optional tracks in clinical child psychology, clinical forensic psychology, and clinical neuropsychology. Standing in the program is contingent upon maintenance of satisfactory performance in course work, thesis work, practicum skills development, comprehensive exams, and adherence to professional ethical standards (CPA Code of Ethics, and CPBC Code of Conduct). Unsatisfactory academic progress and/or CPA ethical code of conduct violations (e.g. dishonesty, boundary violations, etc.) may lead to withdrawal from the clinical program.
Program Requirements
Students must satisfactorily complete all Clinical Program Master's Level requirements (or the equivalent) prior to admission to the Clinical PhD program.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Graduate program standing.
Full-time clinical work for 12 months in an approved setting. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Enrolment in PSYC 886 must be continued for a total of three consecutive terms. Prerequisite: Equivalent of the MA clinical program, three PhD level courses, successful completion of the PhD comprehensive examinations, and successful defense of the PhD research proposal. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD | |||
| TBD |
Required every term prior to internship except when granted 'on leave' status from PSYC 825, or when enrolled in PSYC 880 and also inactive at the Clinical Psychology Centre (CPC). Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: 丁香园AV to Clinical Psychology Graduate Program. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| TBD |
Research seminars (PSYC 912, 913, 914, 916, 917 or 918). Students must participate in a research seminar every fall and spring term.
Students will successfully defend dissertation proposals before applying for internship (by June 30th in the year of applying for internship).
In addition, students must complete a minimum of two area courses within track (denoted with an asterisk (*) below)
# including an ethics oral examination
## Students are required to enrol every term prior to internship (PSYC 886) except when formally exempt.
Clinical Track Courses
Clinical General Track
Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 1*
Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 2*
Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 3*
Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 4*
Advanced Topics courses should be selected in consultation with the student's senior supervisor and Director of Clinical Training
Clinical Child Track
Prerequisite: PSYC 820.
Clinical Forensic Track
Clinical Neuropsychology Track
ANAT 516 Functional Human Neuroanatomy: Central Nervous System (3) (UBC)
丁香园AV/UBC Law and Forensic Psychology Stream
The 丁香园AV Program in Law and Forensic Psychology, in co-operation with the University of British Columbia, offers forensic psychology students the option of completing both a PhD and an LLB degree. Students completing the co-operative PhD/LLB stream will be enrolled in either the law and forensic psychology area, or the clinical forensic stream. This program permits students to be on-leave from one university while completing requirements in the other. All 丁香园AV and department MA and PhD requirements must be met. Co-operative 丁香园AV/UBC stream students must complete the requirements for both a PhD in law and forensic psychology, and an LLB in law. For application and admission information for the 丁香园AV PhD degree, see the Department of Psychology’s Application and 丁香园AV Requirements. Applicants seeking the LLB degree must apply separately to the Faculty of Law at UBC.
The degree is awarded by 丁香园AV’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the LLB is awarded by UBC’s Faculty of Law. Students must satisfy all requirements for the PhD and LLB degrees.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.