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Psychology
The Department of Psychology prepares students for research and applied careers. 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. Applicants to this program are required to submit official Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) results as part of their application. Applicants will submit official transcripts of all post-secondary course work and Graduate Record Examinations (GREs) to the department. Refer to the department’s website for deadlines and additional requirements (https://www.sfu.ca/psychology/graduate-studies.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.
Program Requirements
This program offers five areas of specialization and consists of graduate course work and a thesis for a minimum of 30 units.
Students must complete
Reviews the basic logic of controlled experimentation, and focuses on analysis of variance designs commonly used in psychological research. Particular emphasis is given to the relative merits of the several designs when there are multiple research questions to be answered.
Focuses on multivariate regression and correlation models. Deals with ways of answering questions when direct experimental manipulation is not feasible, and emphasizes new applications.
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.
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 five areas of specialization below
and two graduate courses outside of student's specialization area
and a thesis proposal
and a thesis
Accelerated Master's
SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the Department of Psychology may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
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
Prerequisite: Admission to the Masters or Doctoral program.
and 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
Prerequisite: Admission to the Masters or Doctoral program.
and a minimum two of
Empirical and legal issues in law and psychology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 790.
Social Psychology Specialization
Students must complete
Prerequisite: Admission to the Masters or Doctoral program.
and 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.
The clinical MA program consists of graduate course work and thesis for a minimum of 30 units.
Students must complete all of
Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Graduate program standing.
History, theory, and clinical issues in the psychological assessment of mental abilities. Prerequisite: Admission to the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program.
History, theory, and clinical issues in the psychological assessment of personality and psychopathology. Prerequisite: Admission to the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program. Corequisite: PSYC 821B.
Administration and interpretation of tests that assess mental abilities. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: Admission to the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program. Corequisite: Enrollment in PSYC 820A. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
Administration and interpretation of tests that assess personality and psychopathology. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: PSYC 821A. Corequisite: PSYC 820B. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.
Introduction to theoretical concepts and practical applications of therapy. Prerequisite: Admission to the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program.
Science, theory, and practice of evidence-based psychological interventions with an emphasis on cognitive-behaviourally (CBT) oriented approaches. Prerequisite: Admission to the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Masters or Doctoral program.
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 |
Reviews the basic logic of controlled experimentation, and focuses on analysis of variance designs commonly used in psychological research. Particular emphasis is given to the relative merits of the several designs when there are multiple research questions to be answered.
Focuses on multivariate regression and correlation models. Deals with ways of answering questions when direct experimental manipulation is not feasible, and emphasizes new applications.
and one of the following every fall and spring term
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 thesis
** Students are expected to complete PSYC 819 in their second year of the MA program (typically in the spring term).
*** Students must be enrolled in PSYC 825 every term.
Accelerated Master's
SFU students accepted in the accelerated master’s within the Department of Psychology may apply a maximum of 10 graduate course units, taken while completing the bachelor’s degree, towards the upper division electives of the bachelor’s program and the requirements of the master’s degree. For more information go to: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/programs/accelerated-masters.html.
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 must complete two of the following
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.
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.
Students who take PSYC 830 and 831 must take an additional course, however those intending to advance to the PhD are strongly encouraged to select PSYC 830 and PSYC 831.
Clinical Forensic Track
Students must complete two of the following
Empirical and legal issues in law and psychology.
Prerequisite: PSYC 790.
Clinical Neuropsychology Track
Students must complete two of the following
Prerequisite: PSYC 820B, 821B, 822, 823, 824, or permission of the instructor.
ANAT 516 - Functional Human Neuroanatomy: Central Nervous System (3) (UBC)
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in six terms.
Other Information
Entrance to the PhD Program
Students can complete their master’s and then apply to the PhD program or in certain circumstances they may transfer to the PhD program prior to completion. Students with a previous master's degree can apply mid-program to transfer into the PhD program (https://www.sfu.ca/psychology/graduate-studies.html); students whose transfer is approved are not required to complete an MA thesis. Course work taken in the MA program will not need to be repeated in the PhD program. A student’s supervisor, area coordinator and graduate program chair may recommend alternative course work.
Satisfactory Performance
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
Students are required to present a written thesis proposal to their supervisory committee before the end of their fourth term in the program. After the thesis has been submitted an oral defence will be scheduled. Students are expected to have completed their thesis by the end of their second year in the program. For further information and regulations, see Graduate General Regulations 1.9.2.
Supervisory Committees
For the thesis, students establish a supervisory committee before the end of their first term. The supervisory committee will normally consist of at least two Department of Psychology tenure-track or tenured faculty members, one of whom will be the supervisor and committee chair. Other individuals who are considered necessary by the student and supervisor may serve on the committee.
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.