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About the University of Calgary
Graduate Studies Calendar 2023-2024 Program Descriptions Psychology PSYC Psychology (PSYC) Program
Psychology (PSYC) Program
1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based

The Department accepts applicants who plan to remain full-time to the completion of their degree. The program does not offer a part-time option.

Specializations:

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

a) A four-year undergraduate degree in Psychology or related discipline. Students not having an undergraduate degree in Psychology must demonstrate adequate background in psychology. Those needing additional work may be required to take particular courses.

b) A minimum admission grade point average of 3.40 on a four-point scale over the last 60 units.

c) An undergraduate course in statistics/experimental design.

d) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 105 (Internet-based test), an IELTS score of 7.5, 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.

e) Two academic reference letters.

3. Application Deadline

Deadlines for the submission of completed applications are available on the Future Students website:

Master of Science: ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/psychology-master-science-thesis-based

Doctor of Philosophy: ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/psychology-doctor-philosophy-thesis-based

4. Advanced Credit

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. See Advanced Credit.

5. Program/Course Requirements

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Science

Students are required to complete no fewer than 12 units of coursework, which include:

Doctor of Philosophy

Students are required to complete no fewer than 12 units of coursework, which include:

The supervisor and the Graduate Program Director must approve all courses.

Industrial Organizational Specialization

I/O students in the MSc program are required to take 24 units with 6 units in research methods and statistics, 12 units in I/O Psychology (Psychology 639, 739), and 6 units outside the I/O area.

I/O students in the PhD program are required to take 12 units in I/O Psychology (Psychology 739), and 6 units outside of I/O Psychology that were not completed during the MSc program.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Psychology program in the Psychology Department will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Psychology Program.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

6. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Credit may be given for 500-level undergraduate courses up to a maximum of three courses.

7. Time Limit

Expected completion time is two years for the Master of Science program and four years for the doctoral program. See Time Limits.

8. Supervisory Assignments

An interim supervisor is assigned to each student at the time of admission. In no case will a student be admitted if an appropriate supervisor is not expected to be available. The shift from interim to permanent supervisor formally takes place at the end of the first year. The Graduate Program Director must approve the permanent supervisor.

Master’s level students must have a supervisory committee consisting of the supervisor plus two other faculty members.

9. Required Examinations

Candidacy

Doctoral students must pass oral and written Field of Study examinations and must submit a written thesis proposal, which is approved by their Supervisory Committee in a Thesis Proposal Meeting. For further information see Psychology Candidacy Requirements.

Thesis Examination

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for Thesis Examinations, the program requires the following:

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.

10. Research Proposal Requirements

Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the appropriate departmental or University Ethics Review Committee before beginning data collection.

All Master of Science students must formally present a thesis proposal not more than 14 months after admission to the program. The proposal must be typed and 10 to 30 double-spaced pages (12 pt font, reference list extra). Students must consult with their supervisors. The supervisory committee must approve the thesis proposal.

11. Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for scholarships are advised to submit their applications to the Department by January 15.