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Psychology
The Department of Psychology prepares students for research and applied careers. The PhD program provides students with the skills, expertise, and analytical and critical thinking capabilities required to conduct advanced original research. The department offers courses and specializations in cognitive and neural sciences; developmental; law and forensic; social; and history, quantitative and theoretical psychology.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Refer to the department's website for deadlines and additional requirements (https://www.sfu.ca/psychology/graduate/Admissions.html).
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The department reserves the right to admit only qualified applicants for whom departmental resources and appropriate faculty supervisors are available.
Students accepted into the SFU psychology doctoral program may be exempt from
- PSYC 600 - Biological Bases of Behaviour (3)
- PSYC 705 - Proseminar in History and Systems (3)
- PSYC 770 - Proseminar in Personality (3)
if they completed
a) the coursework in the master’s program or
b) equivalent coursework as determined and approved by the Director of Clinical Training and Graduate Program Chair.
Program Requirements
This program offers five areas of specialization and consists of graduate course work, a comprehensive examination, a thesis proposal, and a thesis.
Students must complete one of the following research seminar courses specific to specialization taken every fall and spring
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Research seminars are designed specifically to enable graduate students in Psychology to plan, execute, and analyse research including that leading to MA and PhD degrees. The seminars will provide directions for future research, critical discussion of pending designs, aid in resolving problems in ongoing studies, and alternative interpretations of results of completed projects. The research seminar courses are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
and the requirements from one specialization (see below)
and comprehensive examinations
A specific Comprehensive Examination will be designed to include tasks organized to test the student’s competence, in depth, on topics related to his or her research. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 | TBD |
and a thesis proposal
and a thesis
Specialization
Cognitive and Neural Sciences Specialization
Students must complete a minimum of two area courses determined in consultation with the student's supervisor and graduate program chair.
Developmental Psychology Specialization
Students must complete a minimum of two graduate psychology courses chosen in consultation with the supervisor or graduate program chair.
History, Quantitative and Theoretical Psychology Specialization
Students must complete a minimum of two area courses determined in consultation with the student's supervisor and graduate program chair.
Law and Forensic Psychology Specialization
Students must complete a minimum two of
Empirical and legal issues in law and psychology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 790.
Social Psychology Specialization
Students must complete a minimum two of
* This course may be repeated for credit.
Clinical Psychology Program Requirements
Students in the clinical program are all members of the clinical research area. The PhD program, accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is based on the scientist-practitioner training model. The program provides generalist training and optional tracks in clinical child psychology, clinical forensic psychology, and clinical neuropsychology. Standing in the program is contingent upon maintenance of satisfactory performance in course work, thesis work, practicum skills development, comprehensive exams, and adherence to professional ethical standards (CPA Code of Ethics, and CPBC Code of Conduct). Unsatisfactory academic progress and/or CPA ethical code of conduct violations (e.g. dishonesty, boundary violations, etc.) may lead to withdrawal from the clinical program.
This program consists of graduate course work, a comprehensive examination, and a thesis. Students must have successfully completed all master's program requirements (or the equivalent) prior to admission to the clinical PhD program.
Students must complete all of
Clinical students are required to enroll in PSYC 825 each term from the time they start the program until they go on internship, except when granted leave from the program. Students enrolled in a full-time practicum may request an exemption from PSYC 825 intake and caseload requirements by speaking to the CPC Director. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Admission to Clinical Psychology Graduate Program. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 | TBD |
Full-time clinical work for 12 months in an approved setting. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Enrolment in PSYC 886 must be continued for a total of three consecutive terms. Prerequisite: Equivalent of the MA clinical program, three PhD level courses, successful completion of the PhD comprehensive examinations, and successful defense of the PhD research proposal. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
and one of the following research seminar courses specific to specialization taken every fall and spring
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Research seminars are designed specifically to enable graduate students in Psychology to plan, execute, and analyse research including that leading to MA and PhD degrees. The seminars will provide directions for future research, critical discussion of pending designs, aid in resolving problems in ongoing studies, and alternative interpretations of results of completed projects. The research seminar courses are graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
and the requirements from one of the tracks below
and a thesis proposal
and a comprehensive examination
All students in the experimental and clinical psychology PhD programs are required to successfully complete the comprehensive exam. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Admission to Clinical Psychology Graduate Program.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 | TBD |
and a thesis
** In consultation with their supervisor, students may be allowed to replace PSYC 600 with another graduate course.
*** Students must be enrolled in PSYC 825 every term prior to PSYC 886 except when formally exempt.
Clinical Psychology Tracks
Clinical General Track
Students must complete two of the following in consultation with the student's supervisor and director of clinical training
- Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 1
- Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 2
- Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 3
- Advanced Topics in Assessment or Intervention Course 4
Clinical Child Track
Students complete all of
Prerequisite: PSYC 820, or PSYC 820A and PSYC 820B.
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: PSYC 820, or PSYC 820A and PSYC 820B. Corequisite: PSYC 830. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
and one of
Current theoretical and empirical issues in the area of child and adolescent therapy. Prerequisite: PSYC 820B, 821B, 822, 823, and 824; or permission of the instructor.
Provides an overview of the current theoretical and empirical issues in the area of family therapy. Prerequisite: All of PSYC 820B, 821B, 822, 823, and 824; or permission of the instructor.
*** Students who have previously completed these courses will not be required to repeat them and will select an additional course from the requirements under this track.
Clinical Forensic Track
Students must complete all of
Course credit requires a minimum 450 practicum hours for full credit. Students may need to enroll for up to two placements/courses at a time in each term. Repeat enrollments will be limited to a maximum of 10 concurrent/consecutive enrollments. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: PSYC 790, 835 or 836. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
and two of
Empirical and legal issues in law and psychology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 790.
Students who have previously taken these courses in their Master's are not permitted to retake the same course and will need to select the alternate courses.
Clinical Neuropsychology Track
Students must complete two of the following
Prerequisite: PSYC 820B, 821B, 822, 823, 824, or permission of the instructor.
Course credit requires a minimum 450 practicum hours for full credit. Students may need to enroll for up to two placements/courses at a time in each term. Repeat enrollments will be limited to a maximum of 10 concurrent/consecutive enrollments. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Admission to the clinical program with a specialization in neuropsychology. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
| Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| G100 | TBD |
ANAT 516 Functional Human Neuroanatomy: Central Nervous System (3) (UBC)
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in 12 terms (4 years). The track courses, comprehensive examination, and thesis proposal are to be completed within two years of admission to the doctoral program. PhD students complete their doctoral thesis by the end of their fourth year in the PhD program. Failure to meet department timelines is noted in the student's annual performance review.
Other Information
Satisfactory Performance
Each graduate student's performance in research and course work is assessed at least once a year, with a formal annual review being conducted every spring. Each student receives feedback on his/her progress following this review. It is the policy of the Department of Psychology that a grade of less than B (3.0) on any course is deemed unsatisfactory. Any graduate student who obtains a grade of less than B (3.0) in two or more courses, or who fails to maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 3.5, may be required to withdraw from the program. Additionally, students who receive unsatisfactory ratings on their annual evaluations, whether due to grades, inadequate progress through the program or unethical behavior, may be withdrawn from the program (as per Graduate General Regulation 1.8.2).
For clinical psychology program students, decisions regarding clinical suitability (defined as the demonstration of professional behaviour and judgement consistent with applicable ethical principles and standards) are determined by registered psychologists who are members of the clinical program committee. A student in the clinical psychology program whose behaviour raises the question of possible violations of the ethical codes binding the profession (Canadian Psychological Association Code of Ethics, and College of Psychologists of BC Code of Conduct) will be advised of the nature of the problem behaviour in writing, and requested to meet with the clinical committee in a confidential closed session to determine the facts. Involvement in clinical practica may be immediately suspended pending the outcome of this meeting.
Translational and Integrative Neuroscience (TRAIN) Specialization
Students interested in taking NEUR 800 and NEUR 801 to fulfill their graduate course requirements need to consult with the supervisor and graduate program chair.
For more information on TRAIN, please see Translational and Integrative Neuroscience.
Thesis
Before starting thesis research, the candidate presents a formal proposal for evaluation. The candidate must present a thesis proposal before the end of the second program year, and is expected to complete the thesis within four years of program entrance. The completed thesis will be defended in oral examination. Judgment will be made by an examining committee. For further information, see Graduates General Regulations 1.9.3.
Supervisory Committee
For the PhD thesis, students establish a supervisory committee by the end of the second term following program admission. The PhD supervisory committee will consist of a Department of Psychology tenure-track or tenured faculty member who will be the supervisor and committee chair, and two or more additional members, at least one of whom must be a tenure-track or tenured faculty member in the Department of Psychology.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.