Program Overview

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Counselling Psychology (MA)

The Counselling Psychology (MA) program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as professional counsellors. This program is trauma-informed and offers a balance of theory, practice, and research. Students will pursue either a thesis or a non-thesis-based project.

Program Details

• Expected length: 2-3 years (6-9 academic terms)
• Program options: Master's
• Study options: Full-time study
• Program delivery: On-campus
• Dynamic learning: Required practicum placement and internship

Quick Facts

The program focuses on developing an enhanced understanding of human development and the processes of change. Students will draw upon theories of human development and learning, broaden their awareness of developmental issues and challenges, and integrate this knowledge into the counselling psychology setting.

Outcomes

Students in this program will:

• Develop an enhanced understanding of human development and the processes of change
• Acquire and integrate knowledge of the history and philosophy of counselling psychology
• Develop relevant competencies consistent with CCA Standards of Practice for counsellors
• Develop appropriate assessment strategies and intervention approaches based on specific client needs
• Expand awareness of cultural, racial, and social diversity in professional and research contexts
• Develop legally and ethically sound professional counselling competencies in clinical and research settings
• Become competent in conducting ethical and relevant counselling psychology research
• Establish community and professional connections to improve employability and build a network of professional contacts in counselling-related disciplines

Find a Supervisor

The following faculty members are accepting graduate students:

• Fred Chou: Associate Professor and Graduate Advisor, specializing in Intergenerational Trauma, Asian Mental Health, Participatory Action Research, Narrative Research, Complex Developmental Trauma, Community Psychology, Cultural Psychology, Youth Mental Health Literacy and Suicide Prevention, Collaborative Practices in Mental Health
• Jon Woodend: Assistant Professor, specializing in International career transitions, newcomer wellbeing, career development and counselling, graduate student education and training
• Julia O'Loughlin: Assistant Teaching Professor, specializing in Sexual health in a biopsychosocial context, sex therapy, intersections between sexuality, gender and trauma, traditional masculinity ideology, alexithymia, cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy approaches, feminist theory and intersectional analysis
• Sarah Nutter: Associate Professor, specializing in Weight stigma and weight-related issues, ideological influences on weight stigma, sociocultural influences on weight stigma, weight stigma as a social justice issue, weight and intersectionality, body image, eating disorders

Program Requirements

• Three units of relevant 3rd or 4th year coursework in educational psychology, psychology or a related helping discipline in the following two areas: developmental psychology (one course) and abnormal psychology/behaviour disorders (one course)
• Completion of prerequisite courses CNPY 414, 417, and 418 with at least a B+ grade
• A significant number of counselling related hours, documented in a complete resumé and field experience charts
• Two assessment reports (references) from professors and/or supervisors
• Two counselling skills evaluations, one from an instructor of CNPY 417 (or equivalent) and the other from a supervisor of your counselling or other applied work setting
• A personal statement (3-5 pages) detailing your career plans and motivation for graduate work in counselling

Additional Requirements for Thesis-Based MA Applicants

• A one-page description of past research experience and present research interests
• At least 1.5 units of undergraduate credit in statistics that covers descriptive statistics and univariate inferential statistics

Minimum Language Test Scores

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum score of 95 from the internet-based TOEFL (IBT), with at least 21 points each in the listening, speaking, reading and writing sections
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): overall band score of 7.0, with no individual component lower than 6.5
• MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): score of 92

Completion Requirements

View the minimum course requirements for this program.

Funding and Aid

Estimated minimum program cost is based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown, view the tuition fee estimator.

Faculties and Departments

• Faculty of Health
• Counselling Psychology

Related Programs

• Clinical Psychology (MSc)
• Clinical Psychology (PhD)