Admission Requirements for Doctoral Programs

• Degree: A course or thesis-based Master's degree in an appropriate field. Degrees and grades from foreign institutions are evaluated for their equivalency to those of the University of Calgary.
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific Unofficial Transcript Requirements and Official Transcript Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to uploading documents to your application.
• Grade Point Average: A minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a four-point scale in a Master's degree program.
  Please Note for International Applicants: There are specific International Admission Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.
• English Language Proficiency: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Proficiency in the English language is essential for the pursuit and successful completion of graduate programs in the Werklund School of Education. Prior to admission to Graduate Programs in Education, an applicant whose primary language is not English must fulfill the English language proficiency requirement. 
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific English Language Proficiency Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.

• In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, Graduate Programs in Education requires:
  • Statement of Intent: A written statement of approximately 500 words indicating the applicant's reasons for wishing to pursue a graduate program. In this statement, briefly outline how your research interests and goals align with the specialization you have applied to; identify relevant prior research, teaching and leadership experiences, publications, awards and recognitions, that you bring to doctoral research. To help us to consider potential supervisors, please identify Werklund School of Education academic faculty members whose research expertise aligns with your own.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Current CV
  • References: Two references - References are submitted directly through the online application system.  No hard copy documents are required.

Applicants to the Doctor of Education program are strongly encouraged to submit an Admission Portfolio containing examples of their work. The purpose of the Admission Portfolio is to give applicants the opportunity to provide additional documentation that demonstrates their suitability and qualifications for doctoral studies. The Admission Portfolio is especially relevant for applicants who do not hold a thesis-based Master's degree.

The Doctoral Admission Portfolio may contain the following:

a) Thesis (if applicable).

b) Reports.

c) Research grants or scholarships.

d) Articles.

e) Curriculum documents.

f) Non-print materials, (e.g. multimedia).

g) Evidence of relevant prior learning (see below).

h) Personal statement documenting research skills and interests.

The Doctoral Admission Portfolio must include a Table of Contents and an Executive Summary that outlines the contents of the Portfolio.

In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements but who have significant life achievements may be considered for admission to the program. The candidates must provide Graduate Programs in Education with evidence demonstrating a potential to undertake successfully the proposed program of studies. Such candidates are advised to make early contact with Graduate Programs in Education, and supply additional supporting documents as part of their application package, such as:

a) Evidence of personal continuing education/training.

b) Results in these continuing education efforts.

c) Experience in a field related to the aspired degree.

d) Evidence of successful management of people, resources, finances, situations.

e) Increasing or varying responsible positions in organizations related to the aspired degree.

f) Work-related products, e.g. reports, programs of learning or training, handbooks, videos, manuals, workshops, seminars.

g) Evidence of personal growth in knowledge, understanding, management skills, and intellectual resources.

h) Evidence of innovation.

i) Evidence of leadership or co-ordination responsibilities.

In all these cases, the decision whether or not to admit the applicant rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Admission to all graduate programs is highly competitive due to limited enrollment capacities. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

All graduate programs are governed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In the case of any conflict, regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar take precedence over material on this website. Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for University of Calgary graduate admission requirements.

Please check Application Process for details.

Offers of admission are valid only for the term to which applications are made.  Graduate Programs in Education will not grant deferrals of admission.  Students unable to take up an offer will be required to submit a new application.

In all these cases, the decision whether or not to admit the applicant rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Admission to all graduate programs is highly competitive due to limited enrollment capacities. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

All graduate programs are governed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In the case of any conflict, regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar take precedence over material on this website. Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for University of Calgary graduate admission requirements.

Offers of admission are valid only for the term to which applications are made. 

Admission requirements are also outlined in the University Calendar.

• Degree: A thesis-based Master's degree in an appropriate field. Outstanding applicants holding master’s degrees without thesis may be considered.  Degrees and grades from foreign institutions are evaluated for their equivalency to those of the University of Calgary.
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific Unofficial Transcript Requirements and Official Transcript Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to uploading documents to your application.
• Grade Point Average: A minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a four-point scale in a Master's degree program.
  Please Note for International Applicants: There are specific International Admission Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.
• English Language Proficiency: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Proficiency in the English language is essential for the pursuit and successful completion of graduate programs in the Werklund School of Education. Prior to admission to Graduate Programs in Education, an applicant whose primary language is not English must fulfill the English language proficiency requirement. 
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific English Language Proficiency Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.

• In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, Graduate Programs in Education requires:
  • Statement of Intent: A written statement of approximately 500 words indicating the applicant's reasons for wishing to pursue a graduate program. In this statement, briefly outline how your research interests and goals align with the specialization you have applied to; identify relevant prior research, teaching and leadership experiences, publications, awards and recognitions, that you bring to doctoral research. To help us to consider potential supervisors, please identify Werklund School of Education academic faculty members whose research expertise aligns with your own.
  • Specialization: Where appropriate, candidates will be expected to have, or to obtain, relevant practical experience in their area of specialization.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Current CV
  • References: Two references - References are submitted directly through the online application system.  No hard copy documents are required.

Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy program are encouraged to submit an Admission Portfolio containing examples of their work. The purpose of the Admission Portfolio is to give applicants the opportunity to provide additional documentation that demonstrates their suitability and qualification for doctoral studies. The Admission Portfolio is particularly relevant for program applicants who do not hold a thesis-based master’s degree.

The Doctoral Admission Portfolio may contain the following:

a) Thesis (if applicable).

b) Reports.

c) Research grants or scholarships.

d) Articles.

e) Curriculum documents.

f) Non-print materials, (e.g. multimedia).

g) Evidence of relevant prior learning (see below).

h) Personal statement documenting research skills and interests.

The Doctoral Admission Portfolio must include a Table of Contents and an Executive Summary that outlines the contents of the Portfolio.

In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements but who have significant life achievements may be considered for admission to the program. The candidates must provide Graduate Programs in Education with evidence demonstrating a potential to undertake successfully the proposed program of studies. Such candidates are advised to make early contact with Graduate Programs in Education, and supply additional supporting documents as part of their application package, such as:

a) Evidence of personal continuing education/training.

b) Results in these continuing education efforts.

c) Experience in a field related to the aspired degree.

d) Evidence of successful management of people, resources, finances, situations.

e) Increasing or varying responsible positions in organizations related to the aspired degree.

f) Work-related products, e.g. reports, programs of learning or training, handbooks, videos, manuals, workshops, seminars.

g) Evidence of personal growth in knowledge, understanding, management skills, and intellectual resources.

h) Evidence of innovation.

i) Evidence of leadership or co-ordination responsibilities.

In all these cases, the decision whether or not to admit the applicant rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Admission to all graduate programs is highly competitive due to limited enrollment capacities. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

All graduate programs are governed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In the case of any conflict, regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar take precedence over material on this website. Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for University of Calgary graduate admission requirements.

Offers of admission are valid only for the term to which applications are made. 

Admission requirements are also outlined in the University Calendar.

• Degree: A completed thesis-based master’s degree in Counselling Psychology (or equivalent) from an approved university, with a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in the master’s program, including 500 hours of practicum, with a minimum of 400 hours (200 direct client contact hours) completed under the supervision of a registered psychologist.
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific Unofficial Transcript Requirements and Official Transcript Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to uploading documents to your application.
• Grade Point Average: A minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a four-point scale in a Master's degree program.
  Please Note for International Applicants: There are specific International Admission Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.
• English Language Proficiency: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Proficiency in the English language is essential for the pursuit and successful completion of graduate programs in the Werklund School of Education. Prior to admission to Graduate Programs in Education, an applicant whose primary language is not English must fulfill the English language proficiency requirement. 
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific English Language Proficiency Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.

• In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, Graduate Programs in Education requires:
  • Statement of Intent: A concise (500 word) rationale of why the applicant and this program would be a good fit, including a description of the applicant's research interests and potential thesis supervisors from within the counselling psychology program area, if applicable.
  • Master’s Thesis: A master's thesis (or equivalent research project). Although not a requirement, it is beneficial to also have completed an undergraduate psychology degree with an honour's thesis.
  • Pre-requisite Coursework: 
    • Applicants are required to have completed graduate coursework equivalent to the courses that comprise the University of Calgary's MSc in Counselling Psychology program. See Pre-Admission Checklist.
    • Applicants are also required to have completed two 3-unit senior undergraduate courses (or one 3-unit graduate course) in each of the following four areas:
      • Individual Behaviour (e.g., personality theory, human development, individual differences, abnormal psychology)
      • Social Bases of Behaviour (e.g., social psychology; cultural, ethnic, & group processes; sex roles; organizational & systems theory)
      • Cognitive-Affective Bases of Behaviour (e.g., learning, sensation, perception, cognition, thinking, motivation, emotion)
      • Biological Bases of Behaviour (e.g. physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology)
  • Pre-Admission Checklist: The PhD in Counselling Psychology Pre-Admission Checklist is required. 
  • Prerequisite Practicum Hours: Prerequisite practicum hours. Applicants need to have completed 500 hours of practicum during their master's degree, with a minimum of 400 hours (200 direct client contact hours) completed under the supervision of a registered psychologist.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): A curriculum vitae, including information about previous employment and volunteer experience.
  • References: Three references: two academic references and one from someone who has provided clinical supervision for the applicant (e.g., a practicum supervisor). It is recommended that one of the academic references be the applicant's master's thesis supervisor or a professor who is familiar with the applicant's thesis research. If you do not have two people who can provide an up-to-date academic reference (i.e., within the past 5 years), you can provide a reference from someone who has supervised the applicant in counselling-related employment or volunteer work. References are due on the application deadline, so you should complete the online application earlier in order to give your referees sufficient time to submit their reference. Referees will receive notification on how to submit their reference after you submit your application and are due on the application deadline regardless of when they receive the notification. Please ensure that your references are aware of the supporting document submission deadline. Applications without completed reference forms will be considered incomplete after the application deadline has passed.

Please note: Applicants may be interviewed prior to admission to evaluate their understanding of, and motivation for entry into the Counselling Psychology program.

Successful applicants will need to produce the results of a Criminal Record Check before they will be permitted to participate in practicum or internship experiences associated with the program.

Offers of admission are valid only for the term to which applications are made. Graduate Programs in Education will not grant deferrals of admission. Students unable to take up an offer will be required to submit a new application.

Admission requirements are also outlined in the University Calendar.

• Degree: A completed thesis-based master’s degree in School and Applied Child (or equivalent) from an approved university (must be completed by the beginning of classes).
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific Unofficial Transcript Requirements and Official Transcript Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to uploading documents to your application.
• Grade Point Average: A minimum grade point average of 3.50 on a four-point scale in a Master's degree program.
  Please Note for International Applicants: There are specific International Admission Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.
• English Language Proficiency: Meeting the English language proficiency requirement. Proficiency in the English language is essential for the pursuit and successful completion of graduate programs in the Werklund School of Education. Prior to admission to Graduate Programs in Education, an applicant whose primary language is not English must fulfill the English language proficiency requirement. 
  Please Note for All Applicants: There are specific English Language Proficiency Requirements. Please review these requirements prior to submitting documents to the University of Calgary.

• In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies admission requirements, Graduate Programs in Education requires:
  • Statement of Intent: A concise rationale (500 words or less) for the application including statements about your research and professional interests in school psychology, your previous research experience and the research you would like to pursue in this degree, and specification of a prospective research supervisor from among current faculty.
  • Master’s Thesis: A master's thesis (or equivalent research project). Although not a requirement, it is beneficial to also have completed an undergraduate psychology degree with an honour's thesis.
  • Pre-requisite Coursework: 
    • Two senior undergraduate courses or one graduate course (3 units each) in:
      • (i) biological bases of behaviour
      • (ii) cognitive-affective bases of behaviour
      • (iii) social bases of behaviour
      • (iv) individual behaviour.
    • One senior undergraduate or graduate course (3 units) in:
      •  The historical and scientific foundations of general psychology.
    • All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of “B-” or above.
    • If all of the prerequisite courses for admission have not been completed at the time of application, students who have up to 12 units (2.0 full-course equivalents) in deficiencies may still be admitted, but the prerequisite courses will need to be completed prior to the doctoral candidacy exam.
    • If coursework from an applicant’s Master’s degree is not equivalent to courses from the Master of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology at the University of Calgary, the student may be admitted as a qualifying student (see Admission Categories). A qualifying student is required to take additional courses within the doctoral program to ensure equivalent training. A qualifying student may take up to 12 units to meet equivalency requirements during the qualifying year. Qualifying status will not be granted for a period exceeding one year.
  • Pre-Admission Checklist: A completed Pre-Admission Checklist is required, including details of courses completed, practicum experiences, awards and scholarships, scholarly work, research experience, and employment and volunteering.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): Include the following items as applicable:  Educational history, awards and scholarships, presentations and publications, employment, research experience, volunteering, and professional development. Applicants are encouraged to use this template to ensure they document information.
    • References: Three references: two academic references and one from someone who has provided clinical supervision for the applicant (e.g., a practicum supervisor). It is recommended that one of the academic references be the applicant's master's thesis supervisor or a professor who is familiar with the applicant's thesis research. If you do not have two people who can provide an up-to-date academic reference (i.e., within the the past 5 years), you can provide a reference from someone who has supervised the applicant in counselling-related employment or volunteer work. References are due on the application deadline, so you should complete the online application earlier in order to give your referees sufficient time to submit their reference. Referees will receive notification on how to submit their reference after you submit your application and are due on the application deadline regardless of when they receive the notification. Please ensure that your references are aware of the supporting document submission deadline. Applications without completed reference forms will be considered incomplete after the application deadline has passed

Successful applicants will need to produce the results of a Criminal Record Check before they will be permitted to participate in practicum or internship experiences associated with the program.

Offers of admission are valid only for the term to which applications are made.  Graduate Programs in Education will not grant deferrals of admission.  Students unable to take up an offer will be required to submit a new application.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact prospective supervisors prior to applying.