Counselling Psychology Degree Programs

1. Psychology Specialist Stream

Master of Arts

This MA program is designed for applicants interested in working as researchers or practitioners in a variety of psychological and educational settings. The program leads to registration with the College of Psychologists of Ontario as a Psychological Associate. It also meets the needs of students who plan to apply to the PhD program in Counselling Psychology for Psychology Specialists.

The MA is taken on a full-time or part-time basis. However, students in the part-time program will be required to complete one year of full-time study to fulfil their degree requirements.

Minimum Admission Requirements

An appropriate bachelor’s degree in psychology or any appropriate bachelor’s degree that would contain the psychology requirement equivalent (defined as 6.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs] in psychology, including 0.5 FCE in research methods, 0.5 FCE in statistics, and at least 3.0 FCEs at the third- and fourth-year levels).
A standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better in the final year.

Program Requirements

The MA in Counselling Psychology for Psychology Specialists consists of 4.0 FCEs.
Practicum: 500 hours of practicum (see Student Practicum page)
A master’s thesis.
Every program of study includes courses in counselling theory, practice, assessment, ethics, personality and cognitive assessment skills, and research methodology, as well as a practicum placement.
Full-time option: Full-time on-campus study is required from September to April, which represents the fall and winter sessions; however, students may begin their program of study in the preceding summer session. Normally, 1.5 FCEs are taken in each of the fall and winter sessions and a maximum of 1.0 FCE in the summer session. Under this option, it is expected that all degree requirements will be completed within two years.
Part-time option: For this option, students can register as part-time students at the beginning of their program. However, they will be required to register as full-time students for one year of the program. In this option, students will normally take 1.0 FCE annually during the beginning of their program and 1.5 FCEs in each of the fall and winter sessions in their year of full-time study. Under this option, it is expected that all degree requirements will be completed within two to three years, up to a maximum of six years.

Normal Program Length: 6 sessions full-time; 9 sessions part-time

Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

The principal emphasis of this degree program is the development of research and theoretical knowledge in counselling psychology, assessment skills, and knowledge and training in professional issues. Students are expected to conduct advanced research and to develop professional knowledge and skills in counselling psychology. Graduates will be prepared to assume a variety of positions in psychological practice and research in schools and universities, in community settings, in agencies offering psychological services, and in university or college counselling centres. The Counselling Psychology program offers both a full-time and flexible-time PhD, and progress in the program will be reviewed annually. The program is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Full-time PhD

The PhD in Counselling Psychology requires the following:

An appropriate bachelor’s degree in psychology or any appropriate bachelor’s degree that would contain the psychology requirement equivalent (defined as 6.0 FCEs in psychology, including 0.5 FCE in research methods, 0.5 FCE in statistics, and at least 3.0 FCEs at the third- and fourth-year levels), with a standing equivalent to a University of Toronto A- or better in the final year.
A University of Toronto MA degree with specialization in Counselling Psychology for Psychology Specialists with a grade of A- or better, or its equivalent.

Flexible-Time PhD

Applicants to the flexible-time PhD option are accepted under the same admission requirements as applicants to the full-time PhD option. However, in addition, applicants to the flexible-time PhD should demonstrate that they are active professionals engaged in activities relevant to their proposed program of study.

Program Requirements

The PhD program requires a minimum of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), including practicum AEC 3217Y and internship AEC 3268Y. See details below.
Practicum: Complete a 600-hour practicum in conjunction with the doctoral practicum course AEC 3217Y.
Internship: 2,000 hours of internship (AEC 3268Y). All internship arrangements must be made in consultation with the Coordinator of Internship and Counselling Services.
Comprehensive examination: In addition to normal course requirements, students will be examined systematically in general psychology and in professional psychology. The examination will normally be taken at the end of the second year of full-time study.
Doctoral dissertation: All students must develop, complete, and defend in a Doctoral Final Oral Examination a doctoral dissertation supervised by a full-time member of the Counselling Psychology faculty. The content of such dissertation research may address theoretical issues applicable to counselling concerns and practice, relate to the development of programs in a variety of educational or applied settings, or in some other way contribute to the development and practice of counselling psychology.

Normal Program Length: 5 years full-time; 6 years flexible-time

Time Limit: 6 years full-time, 8 years flexible-time

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2. Community and Educational Settings

Master of Education

This degree program provides individuals with the opportunity to learn and develop counselling skills appropriate for a variety of work settings. Students are encouraged to develop their courses and practicum learning experiences to suit their own goals. Examples of the types of goals for which suitable programs of study could be developed are adult counselling, college and university counselling centres, career counselling, geriatrics counselling, multicultural counselling, and community mental health and family life centres. The program of study provides students with the basic preparation for certification as a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling Association (CCA).

Minimum Admission Requirements

An appropriate bachelor’s degree of any background or discipline, with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in the final year, from a recognized university.
At least one year of relevant experience.

Program Requirements

The MEd in Counselling Psychology for Community and Educational Settings requires 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) plus a comprehensive examination.
The 3.0 FCEs required in Counselling Psychology include courses in counselling, group theory, ethics, and a practicum.
Arrangements regarding a practicum placement must be made in consultation with the Coordinator of Internship and Counselling Services.

Normal Program Length: 5 sessions full-time; 10 sessions part-time

Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

Doctor of Education

Counsellor training in this degree program emphasizes the role of the counsellor in the educational system, the acquisition of effective supervisory and consultative skills, and the development and assessment of student counselling services in addition to the advanced study of counselling theory and practice. Graduates will be prepared to take leadership positions in the field of educational counselling; as educators in colleges and institutes of education; as directors and coordinators of school guidance programs; as specialists in the provision of counselling-related, in-service training for school personnel; and as providers of advanced levels of personal counselling to school, college, and related populations.

This option will be especially attractive to individuals who have demonstrated a career commitment to the provision of counselling services in an educational and community setting.

Minimum Admission Requirements

Students must have the following to be admitted to the EdD program:

A bachelor’s degree: an appropriate bachelor’s degree of any background or discipline from a recognized university, with high academic standing.
A master’s degree: an MA or MEd degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Toronto with a grade of B+ or better, or its equivalent from a recognized university. The applicant must have had successful professional experience as a counsellor in an educational setting or in a related position. Applicants who hold an MEd or other non-thesis master’s degree must submit evidence of their ability to identify a research or development problem, to design and conduct a study or project, and to report the findings or results, all in a rigorous manner. This constitutes a Qualifying Research Paper (QRP).

Program Requirements

All students are required to take courses related to the development of competence in counselling theory and practice and to the development of research skills.
The EdD program requires a minimum of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), including practicum and internship, and a doctoral dissertation.
3.0 of the 4.0 FCEs must be in Counselling Psychology.
Each student must complete a minimum of one year of full-time, on-campus study.
Practicum: complete a 500-hour practicum in conjunction with the doctoral practicum course AEC 3217Y.
Internship: complete 500 hours of internship (AEC 3270H). All internship arrangements must be made in consultation with the Coordinator of Internship and Counselling Services.
Thesis: all students must develop, complete, and defend in a Doctoral Final Oral Examination a doctoral dissertation. The content of such dissertation research may address theoretical issues applicable to counselling concerns and practice, relate to the development of programs in a variety of educational or applied settings, or in some other way contribute to the development and practice of counselling psychology.
The EdD may be taken on a part-time basis.

Normal Program Length: 5 years full-time

Time Limit: 6 years full-time; 6 years part-time

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3. Guidance and Counselling

Master of Education

The MEd degree program helps meet the need for well-prepared practitioners in the field of guidance and counselling in the schools. Therefore, strong preference for admission to this degree program is given to experienced teachers who are interested in specializing in guidance and counselling in the schools. The program of study provides students with the basic preparation for certification as a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling Association (CCA). Students completing this MEd program may have their degree credited toward Parts I and II of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) Specialist Certificate in Guidance. Students may pursue the MEd degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

An appropriate bachelor’s degree, with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in the final year, from a recognized university.
Teacher certification.

Program Requirements

5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) plus a comprehensive examination.
The program of study, planned by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor, cannot be reduced because of guidance certificates held. Within the 3.0 FCEs required in Counselling Psychology, every program of study must include counselling and group theory and a practicum experience.

Normal Program Length: 5 sessions full-time; 10 sessions part-time

Time Limit: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

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