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Psychology

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Program Requirements

This program offers five areas of specialization and consists of graduate course work, a comprehensive examination, a thesis proposal, and a thesis.

Students must complete one of the following research seminar courses specific to specialization taken every fall and spring

and the requirements from one specialization (see below)

and comprehensive examinations

and a thesis proposal

and a thesis

Specialization

Cognitive and Neural Sciences Specialization

Students must complete a minimum of two area courses determined in consultation with the student's supervisor and graduate program chair.

Developmental Psychology Specialization

Students must complete a minimum of two graduate psychology courses chosen in consultation with the supervisor or graduate program chair.

History, Quantitative and Theoretical Psychology Specialization

Students must complete a minimum of two area courses determined in consultation with the student's supervisor and graduate program chair.

Law and Forensic Psychology Specialization

Students must complete a minimum two of

Social Psychology Specialization

Students must complete a minimum two of

* This course may be repeated for credit.

Clinical Psychology Program Requirements

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.

This program consists of graduate course work, a comprehensive examination, and a thesis. Students must have successfully completed all master's program requirements (or the equivalent) prior to admission to the clinical PhD program.

Students must complete all of

and one of the following research seminar courses specific to specialization taken every fall and spring

and the requirements from one of the tracks below

and a thesis proposal

and a comprehensive examination

and a thesis

** In consultation with their supervisor, students may be allowed to replace PSYC 600 with another graduate course.

*** Students must be enrolled in PSYC 825 every term prior to PSYC 886 except when formally exempt.

Clinical Psychology Tracks

Clinical General Track

Students must complete two of the following in consultation with the student's supervisor and director of clinical training

• 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

Clinical Child Track

Students complete all of

and one of

*** Students who have previously completed these courses will not be required to repeat them and will select an additional course from the requirements under this track.

Clinical Forensic Track

Students must complete all of

and two of

Students who have previously taken these courses in their Master's are not permitted to retake the same course and will need to select the alternate courses.

Clinical Neuropsychology Track

Students must complete two of the following

ANAT 516 Functional Human Neuroanatomy: Central Nervous System (3) (UBC)

* when topic is offered as pediatric neuropsychology

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program requirements in 12 terms (4 years). The track courses, comprehensive examination, and thesis proposal are to be completed within two years of admission to the doctoral program. PhD students complete their doctoral thesis by the end of their fourth year in the PhD program. Failure to meet department timelines is noted in the student's annual performance review.

Other Information

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, 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).

For clinical psychology program students, decisions regarding clinical suitability (defined as the demonstration of professional behaviour and judgement consistent with applicable ethical principles and standards) are determined by registered psychologists who are members of the clinical program committee. A student in the clinical psychology program whose behaviour raises the question of possible violations of the ethical codes binding the profession (Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics, and College of Psychologists of BC Code of Conduct) will be advised of the nature of the problem behaviour in writing, and requested to meet with the clinical committee in a confidential closed session to determine the facts. Involvement in clinical practica may be immediately suspended pending the outcome of this meeting.

Translational and Integrative Neuroscience (TRAIN) Specialization

Students interested in taking NEUR 800 and NEUR 801 to fulfill their graduate course requirements need to consult with the supervisor and graduate program chair.

For more information on TRAIN, please see Translational and Integrative Neuroscience.

Thesis

Before starting thesis research, the candidate presents a formal proposal for evaluation. The candidate must present a thesis proposal before the end of the second program year, and is expected to complete the thesis within four years of program entrance. The completed thesis will be defended in oral examination. Judgment will be made by an examining committee. For further information, see Graduates General Regulations 1.9.3.

Supervisory Committee

For the PhD thesis, 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 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.

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.