205
Graduate Programs
205.64
Psychology
205.64 Psychology
Department of Psychology
P217 Biological Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E9
Attn.: Graduate Program Assistant
E-mail: psygrad@ualberta.ca
205.64.1 General Information
The Department of Psychology offers graduate work leading to the degrees of MA, MSc, and PhD in a variety of areas of psychology, including: behaviour, systems, and cognitive neuroscience; cognition; comparative cognition and behaviour; developmental science; and social and cultural psychology.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements are a four-year undergraduate degree with a 3.0 or better grade point average in the last two years of study at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution (see §203.2.1) If the undergraduate degree was not granted by a recognized English-language institution, English-language proficiency must be demonstrated by a total score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each individual skill area on the internet-based TOEFL. An acceptable score on another approved English language proficiency exam will suffice where the internet-based TOEFL is not available (see §203.2.4).
The Department requires that applicants submit a statement of their research interests, three letters of recommendation, and scores on the Graduate Record Exam General Test.
Financial Assistance
Graduate assistantships for research and teaching are normally available for students who maintain satisfactory performance in their assistantship duties and make satisfactory progress toward a degree. In addition, a certain number of assistantships are available during the summer. Supplementary funding for students holding external awards is available.
205.64.2 The Degrees of MA and MSc
Program Requirements
Normally, students are admitted into the master's program with a bachelor's degree. It is expected that students will generally continue in the PhD program after completing their master's. The requirements for the master's degree include:
a first-year research project, | |
the successful defense of a master's thesis, and | |
the completion of a minimum of |
The required courses normally include: PSYCO 502 (
2); PSYCO 531 (3); PSYCO 532 (3); one 500- or 600-level course (3) in the student’s research focus; and two 500- or 600-level courses (3 each) in related areas of psychology. Focal and related courses are determined by the student’s supervisory committee.
No language other than English is required for the master's degree.
The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
Students are normally expected to complete the program in two years. However, the time required to complete the program will vary with the individual candidate. Students are evaluated annually with respect to progress in the program.
205.64.3 The Degree of PhD
Normally, students are admitted into the PhD program after completing either a bachelor's or a master's degree program.
Program Requirements for Students with a Bachelor's Degree
Requirements for the PhD for students entering with a bachelor's degree include:
a first-year research project, | |
a second-year research project, | |
a written qualifying exam as determined by their supervisory committee, | |
an oral candidacy exam, | |
a written dissertation proposal, | |
the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation, and | |
the completion of a minimum of |
The required courses normally include: PSYCO 502 (2); PSYCO 531 (3); PSYCO 532 (3); one 500- or 600-level course (3) in the student’s research focus; and two 500- or 600-level courses (3 each) in related areas of psychology. Focal and related courses are determined by the student’s supervisory committee.
Additional course work may be required by the supervisory committee, in consultation with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, to ensure that a student is adequately prepared for research in his or her areas of concentration.
No language other than English is required for the degree.
The minimum period of residence is three academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Program Requirements for Students with a Master's Degree
Requirements for the PhD for students entering with a master's degree include:
a written qualifying exam as determined by their supervisory committee, | |
an oral candidacy exam, | |
a written dissertation proposal, and | |
the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation. |
Students entering the PhD program with a master's degree from another university are required to take PSYCO 502 (2).
Additional course work may be required by the supervisory committee, in consultation with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, to ensure that a student is adequately prepared for research in his or her areas of concentration. Students normally are expected to take their candidacy exam and to submit their dissertation proposal no later than the end of their first year in the PhD program.
No language other than English is required for the degree.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
Students are normally expected to complete the program in four years when entering with a bachelor's, three years when entering with a master's from another institution, and two years when entering with a master's from the University of Alberta. However, the time required to complete the program will vary with the individual candidate. Students are evaluated annually with respect to progress in the program.
205.64.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Psychology (PSYCO).
