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1. Degrees and Specializations Offered
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based
The purpose of the graduate program in Clinical Psychology is to prepare students for careers as doctoral-level clinical psychologists in research, academic, and applied settings. In the course of doctoral training students also are required to complete the Master of Science (MSc) degree. However, consistent with its goal of doctoral training, the program only admits students who wish to pursue the doctoral degree. Students will be able to emphasize one of three areas of interest: adult clinical psychology, child clinical psychology or clinical neuropsychology.
Students registered in Master’s thesis-based and doctoral programs will be considered full-time. The program does not offer a part-time option.
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2. Admission Requirements
In addition to the Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the program requires:
a) An honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology or related discipline with a minimum grade point average of 3.60 on a four-point scale in the last 60 units to be considered for entry, although competition for the program is such that higher grade point averages are typical of students who are admitted.
b) A statement of research and professional interests, including the specification of prospective research supervisors from among current Program faculty.
c) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 105 (Internet-based test), or an IELTS score of 7.5, or a CAEL score of 70 with a minimum of 70 in each component, or a PTE score of 75. This requirement can also be met by completing the Academic Communication Certificate with a minimum grade of "A-" in each course.
d) Two academic reference letters.
Master of Science students must formally apply and be approved by the program and the Faculty of Graduate Studies for admission to the doctoral program upon completion of Master of Science requirements.
Undergraduate Breadth Courses
In preparation for graduate studies, students are strongly encouraged to take the following senior-level undergraduate courses:
- 3 units in the history and systems of psychology (e.g., Psychology 305, 405 or equivalent)
- 6 units in biological bases of behaviour (e.g., Psychology 369, 375, 469, 471, 473, 475, 478, 479 or equivalents)
- 6 units in cognitive-affective bases of behaviour (e.g., Psychology 365, 373, 455, 463 or equivalents)
- 6 units in social bases of behaviour (e.g., Psychology 345, 442, 443, 447 or equivalents)
- 6 units in individual behaviour (e.g., Psychology 383, 385, 431, 492 or equivalents).
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4. Advanced Credit
Advanced credit may be given for up to 12 units of graduate work, if this work is consistent with the program’s requirements. See Advanced Credit.
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5. Program/Course Requirements
In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:
Master of Science
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program
- Psychology 625 or 627, and Psychology 750
- 3 units in each of the four breadth areas. This requirement may be satisfied by completing Psychology 750 and other graduate Psychology courses selected with approval by the Graduate Program Director.
- Biological bases of behaviour;
- cognitive-affective bases of behaviour;
- social bases of behaviour; and
- individual behaviour.
- Advanced Practicum I, Advanced Practicum II and Advanced Practicum III (may be waived)*
- 12-month Pre-Doctoral Internship (1600 hours)*
*See Practicum and Internship Requirements for further information.
Practicum Requirements
Practicum I, Advanced Practicum I, II, and III are milestone requirements of the program. Advanced Practicum III is an optional practicum.
- Students must successfully complete these supervised practicums with a maximum of 14 hours a week for a maximum of 10 months.
- Each practicum involves a supervised training experience in an approved clinical setting.
- Practicums provide advanced in-depth exposure to specific clinical populations and to the application of various psychological assessment and intervention strategies and techniques.
- Only students who are registered in the program may undertake the Advanced Practicums.
- The specific requirements of the Advanced Practicums are established on a student-by-student basis.
- Practicums will not be included in GPA calculations.
Pre-Doctoral Internship Requirements
12-month Pre-Doctoral Internship is a milestone requirement of the program.
- Students must successfully complete a 12-month, full-time supervised training experience in an approved clinical setting.
- Only students who are registered in the program and in their final year of study may undertake the Doctoral Internship.
- The Internship includes intensive exposure to various professional issues, the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clinical populations and problems, and advanced training in the use of specific psychological assessment and intervention strategies.
- The specific requirements of the Doctoral Internship are established on a student-by-student basis.
- The internship will not be included in GPA calculations.
- Failure to exhibit appropriate clinical suitability or professional conduct may constitute grounds for failure.
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6. Credit for Undergraduate Courses
Students admitted to the program who completed undergraduate breadth courses or their equivalents (see 2. Admission Requirements) may be exempt from comparable breadth requirements in their graduate program.
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7. Time Limit
It is expected that students will complete the MSc thesis within 2 years. Students in the MSc program must complete all requirements within 4 registration years. Students who have taken three years to complete all requirements for the master’s degree will normally not be admitted into the doctoral program. It is possible for students to complete the MSc and PhD program within 5 years. Maximum time to completion for the MSc is 4 years and for the doctoral program is 6 years.
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8. Supervisory Assignments
Program students must have a research supervisor at all times. Supervisors are arranged by mutual consent of student and faculty member, and are consistent with the focus of the student’s research work. Master’s level students must have a supervisory committee consisting of at least three members, with at least one who is a member of the core clinical faculty. Doctoral candidates must have a supervisory committee of at least three members.
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9. Required Examinations
In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the program requires:
Candidacy
Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal and pass oral and a written Field of Study examinations. For complete details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements, see psyc.ucalgary.ca/graduate-program/program-clinical-psychology.
Thesis Examination
Final thesis oral examinations are open.
Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled
Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner must be external to the home program.
Core faculty members in the Psychology and Clinical Psychology programs are not eligible to serve as Internal Examiner; however, adjunct faculty members are eligible to serve in this capacity.
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10. Research Proposal Requirements
Students in the program must complete both a Master’s thesis and doctoral thesis, according to the criteria set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. These research projects typically involve the design of a research question and research project, the collection, analysis and interpretation of original data, and the preparation of a written document consistent with good scholarship. Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the appropriate departmental or University Ethics Review Committee before beginning data collection.
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11. Financial Assistance
Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. Applicants and program students are strongly encouraged to apply for internal and external awards. For information on Awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.
Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.
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12. Other Information
The program subscribes to the scientist-practitioner model of clinical training as described in the Canadian Psychological Association’s requirements for program accreditation, and emphasizes the integration of course work, research, and clinical training. The program has been fully accredited by CPA for six years (2011-2017).
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Program Descriptions