The mission of the School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) program is to provide students with theoretical, research, and professional training in preparation for leadership in psychological practice with children, adolescents, and families in school, mental health, private practice, and research settings. The program follows a scientist-practitioner model and is designed to train students to conduct basic and applied research and provide professional training in psychological assessment, therapy, and other psychosocial and instructional interventions, professional consultation, and prevention.
Opportunities are available for research and professional work with infants, young children, adolescents, adults, and families. The degrees are intended to meet the academic requirements of the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) for registration as a Psychological Associate (MA) or Psychologist (PhD).
The curriculum of the SCCP program is designed to establish a strong foundation of core knowledge and skills early in the program, with students free to specialize later on. The program reflects a mix of courses and training opportunities.
A systemic approach is the basis for the training that is provided in assessment and intervention. The knowledge and skills necessary for the practice of school psychology and clinical child psychology overlap considerably, and experience in school and clinical settings complement and enhance each other. Therefore, over the course of the program of study, students are required to undertake practica in both school and clinical child settings.
This program is delivered in person, which means that while the program may offer some courses online, a student will take less than one-third of their courses online.
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, defined as 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in psychology, including 0.5 FCE in child development and 1.0 FCE in research methods/statistics (of which at least 0.5 FCE must be at the third or fourth-year levels) and at least 3.0 FCEs at the second, third-, or fourth-year levels. The usual admission standard is equivalency to a University of Toronto A– or better.
Most applicants will have evidence of relevant professional experience and research experience.
Applicants are requested to submit, in addition to two academic references, a letter of recommendation from an applied setting.
Completion Requirements
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Coursework. Students must complete 5.0 FCEs (including a practicum course) and a thesis.
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APD1205H Ethical Issues in Applied Psychology.
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APD1215H Psychological Assessment of School-Aged Children.
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APD1216H Psychoeducational Assessment.
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APD1218H Seminar and Practicum in School-Based Assessment, Consultation, and Intervention. The practicum portion consists of 250 hours (one day a week from September to June) and is normally taken in a school setting.
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APD1222H Approaches to Psychotherapy-Lifespan.
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APD1236H Developmental Psychopathology.
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APD1285H Psychology and Education of Children and Adolescents with Learning Disabilities.
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JOI1288H Intermediate Statistics and Research Design (RM).
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0.5 elective FCE.
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0.5 FCE in Cognitive/Affective bases of behaviour from an approved course listing. Note: Students who have a 1.0 FCE in Cognitive/Affective bases of behaviour at the senior undergraduate level approved by the program may substitute an elective course for this requirement or a course in the Biological Bases of Behaviour or Social Bases of Behaviour menus, or APD3204H, Contemporary History and Systems in Human Development and Applied Psychology.
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Thesis.
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A listing of approved Cognitive/Affective, Social, and Biological bases of behaviour courses is available from the department and in the Applied Psychology and Human Development program guidelines.
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In addition to the above course requirements, students who have not taken a previous child development course in their undergraduate degree program will be required to take APD1201H Childhood and Adolescent Development.
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Students who have not taken a previous statistics course or its equivalent must take JOI1287H Introduction to Applied Statistics (RM).
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Students must achieve a minimum of A– in at least one of APD1215H Psychological Assessment of School-Aged Children and APD1216H Psychoeducational Assessment, and must complete APD1218H Seminar and Practicum in School-Based Assessment, Consultation, and Intervention in order to remain in good standing and be permitted to continue in the program.
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Failure to meet these criteria will normally result in a recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies to terminate the student's registration in the program.
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time
