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PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) in Counselling Psychology

Senior man speaks to Counselling Students at the ECP Clinic

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Red Location IconProgram Location

Red Student IconStart Term
Fall Semesters

Red Book IconProgram Type
Project (Non-Thesis)

Red Calendar IconSchedule
Full-Time

Red Clipboard IconCredits
66 Credits

Red Clock IconAverage Duration
5 Years

Red Student IconAdministered by
Educational & Counselling Psychology (ECP)

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Ready to take the next step in your journey as a clinician, researcher, and leader in psychology? Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾â€™s PhD in Counselling Psychology offers you advanced training in both research and practice, within a supportive community dedicated to promoting mental health and well-being. This program prepares you to make a meaningful impact—whether in clinical settings, academia, or beyond.ÌýThe PsyD program offers students the opportunity to pursue non-thesis doctoral studies that culminate in a research project.

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Have questions?

ecpinfo.education [at] mcgill.ca (Contact a Student Affairs Coordinator)

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Full Program Details from the Course Catalogue

Counselling Psychology (Psy.D.)

Offered by: Educational & Counselling Psych (Faculty of Education)ÌýÌýÌý
Degree: Doctor of Psychology

Program Description

The Doctor of Psychology in Counselling Psychology focuses on the positive growth, well being, and mental health of individuals. The program includes clinical experiences, field and community service, and research activities.

Required Courses (60 credits)

Course Title Credits
EDPC 702Assessment and Diagnosis 2.3

Assessment and Diagnosis 2.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Advanced assessment and diagnosis for psychologists.

EDPC 714Theory / Models: Family Therapy.3

Theory / Models: Family Therapy.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

For doctoral students in Counselling and School Psychology. Theoretical and therapeutic models in family therapy, core concepts and their relevance for application, intervention strategies, the child in family context, impact on school performance.

EDPC 720Consultation and Program Evaluation.3

Consultation and Program Evaluation.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Review and critique of current theories of consultation and program development. Focus is on application and strategies in the consultation process.

EDPC 780Supervision.6

Supervision.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Instruction and practice in models and techniques of clinical supervision.

EDPC 782Doctoral Field Experience.6

Doctoral Field Experience.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

A 2-day/week, 2-term (minimum 500 hours) doctoral practicum integrating research, theory, and supervised practica to provide a perspective for clinical work within the field of counselling psychology. Skill development in counselling intervention, assessment, treatment plans, etc. Clientele will be individuals, families, and groups with a variety of concerns.

EDPE 712Neurological Bases of Behaviour Across Lifespan.3

Neurological Bases of Behaviour Across Lifespan.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Neurobiological changes specific to developmental, learning, psychiatric and neurodegenerative conditions with clinical onset across the lifespan examined within environmental and psychosocial contexts. Uses of current neuromodulatory and pharmacological remediation discussed in addition to clinical/educational intervention.

Research Project

Course Title Credits
EDPC 619Research Project 1.3

Research Project 1.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

A focused survey of the research literature on a topic chosen in consultation with the research supervisor.

EDPC 620Research Project 2.3

Research Project 2.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Development of a rationale for a research project supported by the research literature, the articulation of a specific research question(s) related to the rationale, and write up of a method to collect data that will answer the question.

EDPC 621Research Project 3.3

Research Project 3.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Data collection based on the method proposed in Research Project 2.

EDPC 628Research Project 4.3

Research Project 4.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

Data analysis based on data collected in Research Project 3.

InternshipÌý

Course Title Credits
EDPC 795Pre-doctoral Internship.24

Pre-doctoral Internship.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Supervised internship (minimum 1600 hours). Study, observation, assessment and diagnosis, and practice in counselling psychology settings.

Complementary Courses (6 credits)

6 credits from the following:Ìý

Course Title Credits
EDPE 682Univariate/Multivariate Analysis.3

Univariate/Multivariate Analysis.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

General linear model as a unified data analytic system for estimation and hypothesis testing that subsumes regression, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance for single dependent variables. Introduction to generalizations involving multiple dependent (criterion) variables. Applications oriented toward education, educational psychology and counselling psychology. Experience with data-analysis tools.

EDPE 684Applied Multivariate Statistics.3

Applied Multivariate Statistics.

Terms offered: Fall 2025

Principal methods, models, and hypothesis-testing procedures for the prediction and analysis of patterns, structure, and relationships in multivariate data (e.g., factor and path analysis, structural equation modeling, multi-level modeling). Applications oriented toward education and educational and counselling psychology. Provides experience with data analysis tools.

EDPE 687Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology.3

Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology.

Terms offered: Winter 2026

The logics of design and selection of phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, case study and mixed design methods with emphasis on data analysis in light of issues of research purpose, epistemology, reliability and validity.

Elective Courses (6 credits)

6 credits at the 500 level or higher, which are on topics related to specialized interests and must be approved by the supervisor.

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Graduate Supervision
Click the button below to reveal a list of potential supervisors.
(Note that individual supervisors may list further details, such as when they are taking new students and application instructions in the Graduate Supervision section at the bottom of their individual profile pages.)

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Eligibility (Admission Criteria)

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

  1. Possess a Bachelor's degreeÌýconsisting ofÌý42 credits of core Psychology courses in specific domains (see Pre-Admission Checklist below).
  2. ÌýPossess aÌýMaster'sÌýdegree equivalent to the Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology,Ìýor a Master's degree from a directly relevant program (e.g. Clinical Psychology, other Counselling Psychology programs).
  3. A completed Pre-Admission Checklist including 42 discipline-specific credits at the university level in specific Psychology domains. Admitted students are required to have all Undergraduate pre-admission course requirements completed by the beginning of their degree. Applicants missing courses from their Master's level education will be required to complete these courses after entering the doctoral program. Please consult the Pre-Admission Domain Guide that provides added details and instruction for the checklist.
  4. AÌýminimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher.ÌýInternational applicants can look upÌýgrade equivalencies on Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾â€™s Future Graduate Students website.
  5. Proficiency in English.ÌýApplicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction, or from a recognized institution in Canada or the US (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of proficiency in oral and written English.Ìý

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Application Process & Required Documents

All applications are done throughÌý. The application steps and instructional video are on the University'sÌýFuture Graduate Students website. The following documents must be part of your application: (Note that all uploaded documents to the portal must be in PDF format.)

  1. A completeÌýapplication formÌý(accompanied by your application fee payment).
  2. ÌýA copy of yourÌýunofficial transcriptsÌýfrom all previous university-level studies (undergraduate and graduate).Ìý Official transcripts are required to be submitted byÌýthose who gain admission to the program. (Instructions on sending official transcripts will be sent upon acceptance.)
  3. AÌýcompletedÌýPre-Admission Checklist. (Please consult the Pre-Admission Domain Guide to assist you in completing the checklist.)
  4. TheÌýÂé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ ECP Counselling Psychology Curriculum Vitae Form.Ìý(Click to download this form in Microsoft Word.)
  5. Letters of Reference:ÌýWithin the online application, applicants must provide valid institutional e-mail addresses forÌýthree (3) references. Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ will contact the referees directly to submit their letters of reference.
  6. Statement of Research Interest and Preferred Supervisor(s): Within the online application, applicants are required to concisely outline their proposed area(s) of research interest should they be admitted to this programÌý(250-word maximum). Applicants will also be required to list the namesÌýof up to three (3)ÌýCounselling PsychologyÌýsupervisors, in order of preference, who they would like to supervise their area of research interest(s). Applicants should ensure their preferred supervisor has listed expertise in their chosen area of research interest.
  7. Personal StatementÌý(3-page maximum, double-spaced) in APA style. Please include the following information:
    • Research experience: Describe your past and current research experience, outlining the research projects you have been involved with. Include the title and supervisor, a description of participants, and provide specific details about research skills that you acquired through these experiences. For at least one of these studies, provide a summary of the theory, methodology, and your interpretations of the findings. (1 page.)
    • Career objectives: Why are you applying to this program? How do program training standards match your general career objectives? Which skills would you like to gain? (1/2 page.)
    • Research supervision: Concisely outline your proposed area(s) of research interest(s), should you be admitted to this program.ÌýList the name(s) of up to three (3)ÌýCounselling Psychology supervisorsÌýin order of preference. Provide a brief rationale for selecting each supervisor and ensure your preferred supervisor has listed expertise in your chosen area. (1/2 page.)
    • Optional topics:ÌýYour personal trajectory, personal challenges along your scholastic journey, experiences or challenges you've encountered related to identity. Note that students who identify as being part of a minority group are encouraged to self-identify to facilitate access to any applicable financial aid and/or awards, as part ofÌýÂé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾'s Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) mandate. All personal data submitted will be kept confidential and used only for operational decision-making.
  8. Writing sampleÌý(e.g., paper for a course, MA thesis, publi­cation).
  9. Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) (if applicable/optional): Please arrange for test scoresÌýfor the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) - both general and the psychology subject tests, to be sent directly from the testing agency. You must indicate the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ institution code: 0935.
  10. English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable):ÌýPlease arrange for test scores (TOEFL, IELTS) to be sent to Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ directly from the testing agency. You must indicate the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾ institution code: 0935.

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Application Deadlines
Complete applications must be received by the date indicated below.
  • Fall Admission: December 1

As the deadline is firm, please make sure you start your application process early, leaving yourself with enough time to secure the essential components needed for your submission, in particular the transcripts, references, and test scores which can take several weeks to obtain.

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What to Expect After Submitting your Application

Recommended candidates will receiveÌýa "Recommendation of Acceptance" email by April, confirmingÌýthat their application has been reviewed and is being transmitted to Âé¶¹´«Ã½ÍøÕ¾'s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Successful candidates will be contacted via email with an official offer of admission.ÌýCandidates are then required to confirm their acceptance via theirÌý. Kindly note that acceptance deferrals are not typically granted except under extraordinary circumstances.

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