Program Overview

Psychology (MA)

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: behavioural 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.

Program Overview

The MA in Psychology program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in psychology, with a focus on research and clinical training. The program is accredited by the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec, as well as the Canadian Psychological Association.

Program Structure

The program consists of 45 credits, which can be completed in two years. The program includes a thesis component, as well as coursework in research methods, statistics, and specialized topics in psychology.

• Degree requirements:
  • Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
  • Please see the Psychology Courses page for course descriptions.
• Psychology MA (45 credits)
  • 45 credits chosen from: Psychology MA Research Option, Psychology MA Research and Clinical Training Option
• Psychology MA Research Option
  • 3 credits: PSYC 601 Statistical Analysis and Experimental Design (3.00)
  • 3 credits chosen from one of the following courses:
    • PSYC 644 Clinical and Health Research Area Seminar I (3.00)
    • PSYC 645 Cognitive Science Area Seminar I (3.00)
    • PSYC 646 Human Development Area Seminar I (3.00)
    • PSYC 647 Behavioural Neuroscience Area Seminar I (3.00)
  • 6 credits: PSYC 714 Central Topics in Psychology (6.00)
  • 3 credits selected from the following courses in consultation with the thesis supervisor:
    • PSYC 716 Advanced Human Development (3.00)
    • PSYC 721 Special Topics Seminar (3.00)
    • PSYC 722 Focused Topic Seminar (1.50)
    • PSYC 724 Special Topics in Clinical and Health Psychology (3.00)
    • PSYC 725 Special Topics in Cognitive Science (3.00)
    • PSYC 726 Special Topics in Human Development (3.00)
    • PSYC 727 Special Topics in Behavioural Neuroscience (3.00)
    • PSYC 734 Multivariate Statistics (3.00)
  • 30 credits: PSYC 690 Research and Thesis (30.00)
• Psychology MA Research and Clinical Training Option (45 credits)
  • Students in this option concurrently complete the courses indicated under Clinical Psychology Graduate Diploma.
  • 3 credits: PSYC 601 Statistical Analysis and Experimental Design (3.00)
  • 0 credits chosen from one of the following courses:
    • PSYC 6440 Clinical and Health Research Area Seminar I (0.00)
    • PSYC 6450 Cognitive Science Area Seminar I (0.00)
    • PSYC 6460 Human Development Area Seminar I (0.00)
    • PSYC 6470 Behavioural Neuroscience Area Seminar I (0.00)
  • 3 credits from one of the following courses:
    • PSYC 721 Special Topics Seminar (3.00)
    • PSYC 722 Focused Topic Seminar (1.50)
    • PSYC 724 Special Topics in Clinical and Health Psychology (3.00)
    • PSYC 725 Special Topics in Cognitive Science (3.00)
    • PSYC 726 Special Topics in Human Development (3.00)
    • PSYC 727 Special Topics in Behavioural Neuroscience (3.00)
  • 6 credits: PSYC 714 Central Topics in Psychology (6.00)
  • 3 credits: PSYC 734 Multivariate Statistics (3.00)
  • 30 credits: PSYC 690 Research and Thesis (30.00)

Admission Requirements

• Research Option: undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related discipline.
• Research and Clinical Training Option: honours undergraduate degree in psychology or its equivalent.
• Completion of specific undergraduate courses required by federal and provincial licensing bodies, including an empirically based undergraduate thesis or its equivalent.
• Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field.

Application Process

Review the four steps before applying. Make sure to check for program-specific requirements.

Application Deadlines

• FALL: December 1 (all applicants)
• WINTER: n/a
• SUMMER: n/a

Priority will be given to complete applications submitted by the deadline. In some cases, programs may continue to accept applications as long as there is space available.

Tuition and Funding

• Tuition and fees of the program may depend on your student status, among other key factors. Estimate these costs based on the most common situations.
• Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships, which are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies.
• Research and thesis-based students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.
• The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a number of competitive graduate scholarships. We encourage you to apply for these awards at the same time you are preparing your application.