Program Overview

Psychology (PhD)

The PhD in Psychology is a research-intensive program, and 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 PhD in Psychology is a research-intensive program, and most students pursue training in one of our department's four main areas of research:

• Behavioural neuroscience
• Clinical and health research
• Cognitive science
• Human development and developmental processes Students choose from one of two program options:
  • Research Option
  • Research and Clinical Training Option

Program Structure

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.

Psychology PhD (90 credits)

90 credits chosen from one of the following options:

• Psychology PhD Research Option
• Psychology PhD Research and Clinical Training Option

Psychology PhD Research Option (90 credits)

• 66 credits of Required Courses:
  • PSYC 801 Research Seminar I (3.00)
  • PSYC 802 Research Seminar II (3.00)
  • PSYC 880 PhD Comprehensive Examination (0.00)
  • PSYC 890 Research and Thesis (60.00)
• 6 credits chosen from:
  • 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)
• 18 credits completed from:
  • Set A: Psychology PhD Research Option
  • Set B: Psychology PhD Research Option

Set A: Psychology PhD Research Option

Students must complete 3 to 12 credits from the following:

• PSYC 844 Clinical and Health Research Area Seminar II (3.00)
• PSYC 845 Cognitive Science Area Seminar II (3.00)
• PSYC 846 Human Development Area Seminar II (3.00)
• PSYC 847 Behavioural Neuroscience Area Seminar II (3.00)

Set B: Psychology PhD Research Option

Students must complete 6 to 15 credits from the following:

• PSYC 714 Central Topics in Psychology (6.00)
• 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 734 Multivariate Statistics (3.00)
• PSYC 8503 Practicum in Research Techniques (3.00)
• PSYC 8506 Practicum in Research Techniques (6.00)
• PSYC 851 Teaching of Research Techniques (3.00)

Psychology PhD Research and Clinical Training Option (90 credits)

• 66 credits of Required Courses:
  • PSYC 801 Research Seminar I (3.00)
  • PSYC 802 Research Seminar II (3.00)
  • PSYC 880 PhD Comprehensive Examination (0.00)
  • PSYC 890 Research and Thesis (60.00)
• 3 credits chosen from:
  • 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)
• 21 credits chosen from the following sets:
  • 3 credits chosen from:
    • PSYC 8103 Advanced Adult Psychopathology (3.00)
    • PSYC 8104 Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (3.00)
  • 3 credits chosen from:
    • PSYC 8203 Advanced Adult Intervention (3.00)
    • PSYC 8204 Advanced Child and Adolescent Intervention (3.00)
  • 3 credits chosen from Internal Practicum III courses:
    • PSYC 823 Internal Practicum III: General (3.00)
    • PSYC 824 Internal Practicum III: Adult (3.00)
    • PSYC 825 Internal Practicum III: Child and Adolescent (3.00)
  • 3 credits:
    • PSYC 834 Science in Practice: Applied Research, Consultation, and Supervision (3.00)
  • 3 credits chosen from External Practicum II courses:
    • PSYC 838 External Practicum II: General (3.00)
    • PSYC 839 External Practicum II: Adult (3.00)
    • PSYC 840 External Practicum II: Child and Adolescent (3.00)
  • 3 credits chosen from External Practicum III courses:
    • PSYC 841 External Practicum III: General (3.00)
    • PSYC 842 External Practicum III: Adult (3.00)
    • PSYC 843 External Practicum III: Child and Adolescent (3.00)
  • 3 credits:
    • PSYC 885 Predoctoral Clinical Internship (3.00)
  • 0 credits:
    • PSYC 899 Progress in Clinical Doctorate (0.00)

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in psychology or its equivalent in a closely related discipline.
• Research and Clinical Training Option requires that applicants have completed specific Psychology undergraduate courses required by federal and provincial licensing bodies, including an empirically based undergraduate thesis or its equivalent, as well as master's-level courses in Psychology specified by the program.
• 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 application 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.

International students: Considering the waiting period involved in meeting the entry requirements to Canada and Quebec, we strongly encourage international applicants to apply early and submit supporting documents prior to the deadline.

Tuition and Funding

Tuition and Fees

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.

Awards and Funding

Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships 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.