Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
The Counselling and Clinical Psychology program offers studies leading to the MA and PhD degrees. It is offered by the graduate Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), St. George campus, and the Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).
This graduate program is intended for students seeking to pursue careers in research, teaching, and clinical practice. At the time of application, students will be required to identify a preference for a specific field as well as for a potential supervisor with whom they would work if admitted to the program.
The program has two fields:
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Clinical and Counselling Psychology, offered by OISE;
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Clinical Psychology, offered by UTSC.
The field in Clinical and Counselling Psychology is offered by the OISE Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development. This field is based on a bio-psycho-social model with an emphasis on diversity. It shares an emphasis with the Clinical Psychology field on the assessment and treatment of psychopathology in adults.
The principal aim of this PhD program is the development of research and theoretical knowledge in counselling and clinical psychology, assessment skills, and knowledge and training in professional issues. Students are expected to conduct advanced research and to develop professional knowledge and skills. Graduates will be prepared to assume a variety of positions in psychological teaching, research, and practice in universities, community settings and agencies offering psychological services, and in university or college counselling centres.
The Clinical and Counselling Psychology field offers both a full-time and flexible-time PhD, and progress in the program will be reviewed annually. This field was accredited in both the areas of counselling and clinical psychology by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) for a six-year term in 2022. It is currently the only program in Canada to hold such a dual accreditation status.
For 2023-24 and further extension to the 2024-25 academic year, admissions to the flexible-time PhD option have been administratively suspended.
PhD Program
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development's additional admission requirements stated below.
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An appropriate bachelor's degree in psychology or any appropriate bachelor's degree that would contain the psychology requirement equivalent (defined as 6.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs] in psychology, including 0.5 FCE in research methods and 0.5 FCE in statistics, with a standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A– or better in the final year. It is expected that students will have completed 1.0 FCE at the third- or fourth-year level in each of three core areas of general psychology:
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biological bases of behaviour (for example, physiological psychology; comparative psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology);
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cognitive/affective bases of behaviour (for example, learning, sensation, perception, cognition, thinking, motivation, emotion); and
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social bases of behaviour (for example, social psychology; cultural, ethnic, and group processes; sex roles; organizational and systems theory).
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Students who are missing courses in these areas may be required to complete additional courses during the degree.
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A University of Toronto MA degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology with a grade of A– or better, or its equivalent. However, if the master's program was not equivalent to the U of T MA in Counselling and Clinical Psychology, the student will be required to take additional courses to receive equivalent training.
Program Requirements
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Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 5.5 FCEs as follows:
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2.5 FCEs in Counselling and Psychotherapy:
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APD3215H Advanced Psychotherapy Seminar;
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APD3217Y+Advanced Practicum in Clinical and Counselling Psychology (Credit/No Credit; 600-hour practicum); and APD3268Y Internship in Clinical and Counselling Psychology (1,600-hour internship — arrangements must be made in consultation with the Director of Clinical Training). PhD students will attend a minimum of six colloquium presentations during their program, which partially fulfills the course requirements for APD3268Y.
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1.0 FCE in Psychology Measurement/Assessment and Diagnosis:
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0.5 FCE in Supervision and Consultation:
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APD3261H+Clinical Supervision and Consultation Practicum.
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1.0 FCE in Advanced Research Methods:
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APD3202H A Foundation of Program Evaluation in Social Sciences (RM); and
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An advanced-level statistics course (in consultation with supervisors). Courses can be drawn from those offered at OISE or other Faculties with the permission of the instructor.
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0.5 FCE in History and Systems Psychology:
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APD3204H Contemporary History and Systems in Human Development and Applied Psychology.
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Comprehensive examination: In addition to normal course requirements, students will complete two comprehensive components. First, a manuscript for publication and presentation at a peer review conference, normally in Year 1 of the program. Second, students will be examined systematically in general psychology and in professional psychology. The examination will normally be taken at the end of Year 2 of full-time study.
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Doctoral dissertation: All students must develop, complete, and defend in a Doctoral Final Oral Examination a doctoral dissertation supervised by a full-time member of the Counselling and Clinical Psychology faculty. The content of such dissertation research may address theoretical issues applicable to clinical and counselling concerns and practice, relate to the development of programs in a variety of educational or applied settings, or in some other way contribute to the development and practice of clinical and counselling psychology.
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Students must register continuously and pay the full-time fee until all degree requirements have been fulfilled.
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Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.
Program Length
5 years
Time Limit
6 years
+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.
PhD Program (Flexible-Time)
For 2023-24 and further extension to the 2024-25 academic year, admissions to the flexible-time PhD option have been administratively suspended.
Minimum Admission Requirements
-
Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development's additional admission requirements stated below.
-
An appropriate bachelor's degree in psychology or any appropriate bachelor's degree that would contain the psychology requirement equivalent (defined as 6.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs] in psychology, including 0.5 FCE in research methods and 0.5 FCE in statistics, with a standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A– or better in the final year. It is expected that students will have completed 1.0 FCE at the third- or fourth-year level in each of three core areas of general psychology:
-
biological bases of behaviour (for example, physiological psychology; comparative psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology);
-
cognitive/affective bases of behaviour (for example, learning, sensation, perception, cognition, thinking, motivation, emotion); and
-
social bases of behaviour (for example, social psychology; cultural, ethnic, and group processes; sex roles; organizational and systems theory).
-
Students who are missing courses in these areas may be required to complete additional courses during the degree.
-
A University of Toronto MA degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology with a grade of A– or better, or its equivalent. However, if the master's program was not equivalent to the U of T MA in Counselling and Clinical Psychology, the student will be required to take additional courses to receive equivalent training.
-
Applicants to the flexible-time PhD option are accepted under the same admission requirements as applicants to the full-time PhD option; the exception is that applicants must demonstrate that they are currently employed, and active professionals engaged in activities relevant to their proposed program of study.
Program Requirements
-
Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 5.5 FCEs as follows:
-
2.5 FCEs in Counselling and Psychotherapy:
-
APD3215H Advanced Psychotherapy Seminar;
-
APD3217Y+Advanced Practicum in Clinical and Counselling Psychology (Credit/No Credit; 600-hour practicum); and APD3268Y Internship in Clinical and Counselling Psychology (1,600-hour internship — arrangements must be made in consultation with the Coordinator of Internship and Counselling Services). PhD students will attend a minimum of six colloquium presentations during their program, which partially fulfills the course requirements for APD3268Y.
-
-
1.0 FCE in Psychology Measurement/Assessment and Diagnosis:
-
0.5 FCE in Supervision and Consultation:
-
APD3261H+Clinical Supervision and Consultation Practicum.
-
-
1.0 FCE in Advanced Research Methods:
-
APD3202H A Foundation of Program Evaluation in Social Sciences (RM); and
-
An advanced-level statistics course (in consultation with supervisors). Courses can be drawn from those offered at OISE or other Faculties with the permission of the instructor.
-
-
0.5 FCE in History and Systems Psychology (if not already satisfied by the completion of a third- or fourth-year undergraduate psychology course in this area):
-
APD3204H Contemporary History and Systems in Human Development and Applied Psychology.
-
-
-
Comprehensive examination: In addition to normal course requirements, students will complete two comprehensive components. First, a manuscript for publication and presentation at a peer review conference, normally in Year 1 of the program. Second, students will be examined systematically in general psychology and in professional psychology. The examination will normally be taken at the end of Year 2 of full-time study.
-
Doctoral dissertation: All students must develop, complete, and defend in a Doctoral Final Oral Examination a doctoral dissertation supervised by a full-time member of the Counselling and Clinical Psychology faculty. The content of such dissertation research may address theoretical issues applicable to clinical and counselling concerns and practice, relate to the development of programs in a variety of educational or applied settings, or in some other way contribute to the development and practice of clinical and counselling psychology.
-
Students must register continuously until all degree requirements have been fulfilled. They must register full-time during the first four years and may continue as part-time thereafter, with their department's approval.
-
Students cannot transfer between the full-time and flexible-time PhD options.
Program Length
6 years
Time Limit
8 years
+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.
