Psychology (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Program overview
The MA in Psychology is a research-intensive program, and students are normally expected to advance to the PhD program after one or two years of study. Most students pursue training in one of our department's four main areas of research: behavioural neuroscience, clinical and health research, cognitive science and human development and developmental processes. Students choose from one of two program options. The Research Option is suitable for those who wish to pursue careers in research, industry, or academia. The Research and Clinical Training Option also provides professional training in the provision of psychological services, and can lead to careers in research, industry, academia, hospital and health care domains, as well as positions involved in public policy. The Research and Clinical Training Option is fully accredited by the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec, as well as the Canadian Psychological Association. Our department trains the next generation of researchers in world-class laboratories.
Program details
Admission Requirements
- Research Option: undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related discipline.
- Research and Clinical Training Option: honours undergraduate degree in psychology or its equivalent.
- Completion of specific undergraduate courses required by federal and provincial licensing bodies, including an empirically based undergraduate thesis or its equivalent.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
Please see the Psychology Courses page for course descriptions.
Psychology MA (45 credits)
| 45 | credits chosen from: Psychology MA Research Option Psychology MA Research and Clinical Training Option |
Psychology MA Research Option
| 3 | credits: |
| 3 | credits chosen from one of the following courses: |
| 6 | credits: |
| 3 | credits selected from the following courses in consultation with the thesis supervisor: |
| 30 | credits: |
Psychology MA Research and Clinical Training Option (45 credits)
Students in this option concurrently complete the courses indicated under Clinical Psychology Graduate Diploma . | |
| 3 | credits: |
| 0 | credits chosen from one of the following courses: |
| 3 | credits from one of the following courses: Note: Special Topics seminars may be taken multiple times provided that the course content has changed. |
| 6 | credits: |
| 3 | credits: |
| 30 | credits: |
Two program options exist. The Research Option emphasizes independent research and scholarship, and prepares students for research careers. Students in the Clinical Training Option fulfill the same research requirements as other students, but also receive professional training in the delivery of psychological services.
Consult the graduate calendar for complete degree requirements.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of Purpose (1500 words) describing applicant's academic interest, primary area of concentration and research goals
- Psychology Background Summary form
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures, and the full instructions for completing the application.
Please note the Graduate Record Examination (GRE, aptitude and advanced) is not required.
Courses typically offered include:
- Statistical Analysis and Experimental Design
- Psychopathology
- Central Topics in Psychology
- Multivariate Statistics
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
Students receive a minimum of $21,000 per year in guaranteed funding during two years of MA, and three years of PhD study. The level of financial support is typically higher, particularly for students who obtain scholarship support from Concordia or external funding agencies. Funding packages are composed of some combination of scholarships, teaching assistantships, and funds from the research supervisor. Students are encouraged to apply for all external scholarships (e.g., CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, FRQS, FRQSC, NT).
Conference travel funding is also available for students who present their work at academic conferences.
Other awards available through the Faculty of Arts and Science include:
- Concordia Merit Scholarship
- Concordia University Graduate Fellowship
- Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards
Consideration for School of Graduate Studies Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students.
Please also consult the department’s graduate fellowships and Concordia’s graduate funding pages, as well as Financial Aid and Awards.
Our faculty members are well known for their strong research profiles, as well as their engagement in collaborative research projects both within the Department and University, and with other laboratories in Canada and internationally.
Faculty research interests include:
- alcohol misuse
- applied linguistics
- autonomic functioning
- circadian rhythms
- cognitive development
- decision making
- drug abuse
- eating disorders
- hypnosis
- language acquisition
- learning and memory
- lifespan development
- motor control
- multidimensional self-conceptions
- neuropsychology
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- peer relations
- scene perception
- sexual behaviour
- transition to adulthood/parenting
Review an inspiring list of thesis topics. Graduate students publish in a multitude of journals as lead author or co-author. Review the individual faculty members’ profiles.
The Association for Graduate Students in Psychology (AGSP) represents the collective interests of psychology graduate students at Concordia University. In addition to organizing orientation and end of year parties, the AGSP is responsible for placing student representatives on various departmental committees.
Students who enrol in the MA in Psychology are expected to continue in the program toward a PhD degree.
Graduates of our programs establish careers in the academic sector, including positions in research and teaching, as well as in research and academic support service both within college, university and government agencies. Many graduates also enter diverse careers within the private, and industrial sectors, typically related to the research focus of their graduate degree.
Our alumni work within universities, colleges, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, psychotherapy centres, contract research organizations, government agencies and police departments. Recent graduates are working as professors, research administrators, senior investigators, associate project managers and clinical co-ordinators. Graduates of the Research and Clinical Training Option are also prepared to establish practices in clinical psychology and delivery of psychological services.
Examples of companies and institutions our alumni are currently working for include:
- CLINWest Research Inc.
- NeuroRx Research
- Marianopolis College
- McGill University
- Montreal Therapy Centre
- Novotech
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto