Clinical training
Clinical training in Psychology at Concordia is based on the scientist-practitioner model. Clinical training is available only to students enrolled in the Research and Clinical Training Option. Student pursuing clinical training fulfill the same research training requirements as students in the Research Training Option, but also receive professional training in the delivery of psychological services. The program's goal is to train doctoral-level clinical psychologists who not only conduct research and contribute to the scientific base of the discipline but who are also competent mental health professionals. Because research is such an important part of our program, students seeking only professional training or who do not intend to continue to the PhD degree should apply elsewhere.
Students with BA or BSc degrees begin their studies in the first year of the research and clinical training option, which includes course work in psychological theory and research design, clinical theory and practice, and a master's thesis. Students enroll in the MA in Psychology and the Diploma in Clinical Psychology. The MA portion of the research and clinical training option requires a minimum of one year of full time study, the Diploma an additional 8 months.
Following successful completion of the master's thesis and courses, students continue doctoral studies, in which they receive advanced training in research methods, psychological theory, and clinical practice. Besides continuous involvement in research in one of the department's four areas of research specialization (Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical and Health Research, Cognitive Science, and Human Development and Developmental Processes) during their training, students also conduct a doctoral thesis, which must be a substantive piece of original research. The doctoral program requires a minimum of two years of full-time study. Following their doctoral thesis research, students complete a one-year, full-time internship in a clinic or hospital setting.
Our clinical psychology program has been accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association since 1986 and by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec since 2004.
The Canadian Psychological Association requires disclosure of information on the applicant pool, acceptance rates, diversity, graduates, and other details about our programme. This information can be found here.
For more details on the policies and procedures of the clinical program please refer to the policies and procedures manual.
| Accreditation Panel of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) 141 Laurier Ave. West, Suite 702 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5J3 |
Office of Accreditation
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Our program adheres to the Boulder scientist-practitioner model of training. This means that we strongly endorse the principle that a scientist-practitioner has a research orientation to his/her practice, and we encourage clinical relevance in research. Our model encompasses learning and career pathways individually tailored to student interest and faculty expertise. This permits a wide range of research emphases including those of basic research, while at the same time placing the highest value on the close integration of science and practice. The principal objective of our program is to produce graduates who have the necessary skills to function as researchers and as practitioners, who may function as either or both, and who meet the highest standards in the science and practice of psychology.
Our program adheres to the Accreditation Criteria and Principles of the Canadian and American Psychological Associations and the Ordre des psychologues du Québec in its specific goals for clinical training. The principal objective is that a graduate of our program be
capable of functioning as an investigator and as a practitioner, and may function as either or both, consistent with the highest standards in psychology (Belar & Perry, 1992, p. 72).
Our specific objectives include that our graduates:
- Be capable of conducting and publishing high quality psychological research in domains that have the potential to enhance the practice of psychology.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical and empirical roots in psychology of both clinical research and practice, and of current relevant developments in other areas of specialization in psychology.
- Demonstrate specialized knowledge of the major theoretical, methodological, and empirical work in clinical psychology, with both adults and children.
- Be capable of implementing theory-based, research-supported clinical practice, including assessment and treatment, with both adults and children.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional awareness and conduct in both their practice and their research.
- Be competent in dealing with individual and cultural diversity in values, beliefs and customs.
- Be capable of communicating knowledge to others.
- Be capable of consulting effectively with other professions, clients, and organizations.
- Be familiar with models of supervision, and competent in the supervision of other professionals.
Students in our program receive the necessary academic, scientific, and clinical training so that they may contribute to psychological science and clinical practice in significant ways upon graduation.
Our goal is to produce clinical psychologists who are highly trained in both the science of psychology and the methods of clinical practice, and who embody the roles of both researcher and clinical practitioner.
Graduates of our program go on to careers in clinical and/or academic psychology in settings including hospitals, universities, health care clinics, and private practice. Their activities are diverse and can include assessment, therapy, intervention, research, teaching, consultation, supervision and/or program planning in a wide variety of client populations.