The Department of Psychology offers programs in four fields of psychology:

1. applied social psychology,
2. clinical child and adolescent psychology,
3. industrial/organizational psychology and
4. neuroscience and applied cognitive science.

• Applied Social Psychology (MA, PhD)
  Applied Social Psychology is based on the investigation of social processes and problems of significance to the general community and to specific groups. Areas of investigation may include, but are not limited to, aging, ethics, health, policy, equity, community services, the environment, ethnicity, and gender. Diverse research strategies, including qualitative and quantitative methods, are used to answer questions related to social issues. Graduate study in Applied Social Psychology is designed to prepare students for academic and applied research careers in a wide range of settings. The graduate program has two emphases:
  1. the pursuit of advanced research, and
  2. the design and evaluation of programs that aim to reduce social problems and promote human welfare.
• Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (MA, PhD)
  The area of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology concentrates on understanding the development and treatment of psychological disorders experienced by children, youth and families. This includes a focus on the social, emotional, cognitive, and neurobiological features of normal and atypical development; risk and protective factors that influence the nature and progression of atypical development and response to treatment; and approaches to assessment, psychodiagnosis, and intervention. Also considered is the developmental impact of stressful life events such as divorce, illness, poverty, adoption, and death. Training in this field follows an integrated series of courses and practica which contributes to and mutually supports the students' acquisition of competence as both practitioners and researchers. Students participate in our on-campus clinic, the Centre for Psychological Services, and complete off campus practica in hospitals, schools and mental health settings under the supervision of registered psychologists. This training allows students to enter careers involving clinical and/or research positions in mental health centres, hospitals, schools, and the private sector, as well as careers involving teaching and research in university settings. It also prepares students for registration as psychologists with provincial licensing boards.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MA, PhD)
  The objective of study in the area of Industrial/Organizational Psychology is to train future professionals in the area of Industrial/Organizational Psychology following the guidelines established by the Canadian Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Graduate students are expected to obtain a high level of proficiency in both research skills and practice in the core areas of Industrial/Organizational Psychology including personnel selection, organizational behaviour, work attitudes, performance appraisal, and measurement of individual differences. Graduates from this field of study will be in a position to enter careers in a wide range of private and public sector organizations, including universities, consulting firms, industries, and government agencies.
• Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science (MSc, PhD)
  This program encompasses: basic cognitive processes, behavioural neuroscience, cognitive ergonomics, cognitive neuroscience, developmental and life-span cognition, and foundations of cognitive science. Students in these disciplines have the opportunity to learn about the interdisciplinary work of other students, faculty and outside researchers in the weekly research seminar in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science. Additionally, students take courses specific to their research. A unique feature of this area of study is the practicum that provides students with additional specific training in a research laboratory, hospital, government agency, or non-government agency.

Note that the Masters programs are an integral part of the doctoral studies and students are admitted with the expectation of completing the doctoral degree. These areas of study, which are described below, provide training in both research and professional skills, as well as a firm grounding in theory and research in relevant content areas. See the department website at https://www.uoguelph.ca/psychology/ for additional information.

Administrative Staff

Chair
Kaitlyn McLachlan (4013 MCKNEXT, Ext. 56447)
kmclac02@uoguelph.ca
Associate Chair
Naseem Al-Aidroos (4018 MCKNEXT Ext. 56377)
naseem@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Ben Giguère (4007 MCKNEXT, Ext. 56862)
bgiguere@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant 
Marita Liebregt (149 MINS, Ext. 53519)
psycgpa@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MA Program

The MA program is offered in:

1. Applied Social Psychology;
2. Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and
3. Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

Admission Requirements

Consideration for admission to the MA program in the areas of Applied Social Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, or Industrial/Organizational Psychology will be given to students with an Honours BA or BSc (or its equivalent) in Psychology and a minimum of a 'B+' standing. Students are normally expected to have taken courses across the breadth of psychology with some courses in the area to which they are applying. A strong background in methodology and statistics is expected. As well, applicants must have undertaken an Honours thesis research project or senior research project equivalent. Students are admitted to the MA program with the understanding that they intend to proceed to the PhD program. To apply for admission, applicants must view "How to Apply" in the section Prospective Students... Graduate, in the Psychology Department website https://www.uoguelph.ca/psychology/. This is a self administered application.

Program Requirements

Applied Social Psychology

¹

Upon consultation with Advisor as to which is most appropriate.

Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology

²

Upon consultation with Advisor as to which is most appropriate.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

MSc Program

The MSc program is offered in the field of:

1. Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science.

Admission Requirements

Consideration for admission to the MSc program will be given to students with an honours BA or BSc (or its equivalent) in Psychology or a related field of study (e.g. neuroscience) and a minimum of a 'B+' standing. Students are normally expected to have taken courses across the breadth of psychology with some courses in the area to which they are applying. A strong background in methodology and statistics is expected. As well, applicants must have undertaken an Honours thesis research project or senior research project equivalent. Students are admitted to the MSc program with the understanding that they intend to proceed to the PhD program.

Program Requirements

The program involves three components:

1. Preparatory Course Work Students will acquire knowledge and skills necessary to carry our Neuroscience and Cognitive Science research in academic and/or applied settings. This will involve a course in Research Design and Statistics, a course in Research Ethics (Animal research ethics or Human research ethics), at least one elective in their specific field of research and the Research Seminar in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science.
2. Practicum One of the unique features of University of Guelph's Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science masters program is the practicum. Students will complete a practicum in a variety of research settings, including government agencies, hospitals, businesses, and other research laboratories. The practicum may involve learning a new technique in a laboratory other than that of the advisor. Practicum experiences will be tailored to the student's interests, and will enable student to acquire and refine skills and develop professional contacts. The research practicum is a required course for Masters students.
3. Thesis research Students will carry out an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty supervisor. This will involve a thesis for the Masters program.

³

Upon consultation with Advisor as to which is most appropriate.

⁴

Upon consultation with Advisor/Practicum Coordinator as to which is most appropriate.

Students are also given the option of choosing a graduate elective from outside this list with the permission of their advisor.

If students take more than one year to complete their Masters degree, then for each Fall and Winter semester until they graduate, they must register in PSYC*6760 Research Seminar in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science B.

All students must also complete a MSc thesis.

PhD Program

Admission Requirements

Students must have completed Masters requirements in the appropriate field of study (Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science; Applied Social Psychology; Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology; Industrial/Organizational Psychology) with a minimum 'A-' standing to be eligible for admission to the PhD program. These Masters requirements are normally met within the department in a two-year course of studies comprising specified course work and a thesis. Students admitted to the PhD program who have completed MA or MSc degrees in other fields of study and/or from other universities may be required to take Masters level courses and complete clinical practica to ensure adequate background preparation for PhD work.

Program Requirements

Applied Social Psychology

⁵

To be determined in consultation with the student's PhD Advisory Committee and approved by the Graduate Area Representative.

Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology

Additional Requirements

Students who complete this accredited Doctoral program in clinical psychology are expected to have breadth of training within the larger discipline of Psychology. If a student has not completed 2 senior undergraduate half courses in the biological bases of behaviour, the following course is required:

• PSYC*6810 Neuropsychology

If a student has not completed 2 senior undergraduate half courses in social bases of behavior, the following course is required:

• PSYC*6920 Applied Social Psychology and Intervention
  or
• PSYC*6930 Community, Culture and Global Citizenship

If a student has not completed 2 senior undergraduate half courses in the cognitive-affective bases of behaviour, the following course is required:

• PSYC*6790 Memory and Cognition

The following course is required if a student has not taken a one half undergraduate course of this nature:

• PSYC*6900 Philosophy and History of Psychology as a Science

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

⁶

If not already taken during Master's Degree.

Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science

⁷

Must be taken each year of the program.

⁸

For students coming from other Master's programs

⁹

Students are also given the option of choosing a graduate elective from outside this list with the permission of their advisor.

¹⁰

The option of PSYC*6472 Practicum II is credited as 2 electives.

Collaborative Specializations

International Development Studies

MA students in Applied Social Psychology and PhD students can participate in the International Development Studies (IDS) collaborative specialization. Please consult the International Development Studies listing for a detailed description of the collaborative specialization including the special additional requirements for each of the participating departments.

Neuroscience

The Department of Psychology participates in the MSc/PhD collaborative specialization in neuroscience. Please consult the Neuroscience listing for a detailed description of the MSc/PhD collaborative specialization.

Sexualities, Genders and Bodies

The Psychology program in the Applied Social Psychology field participates in the collaborative specialization in Sexualities, Genders and Bodies. MA students wishing to undertake thesis research with an emphasis on sexualities, genders and bodies are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Psychology and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the Sexualities, Genders and Bodies listing for more information.

Toxicology

The Department of Psychology participates in the master's/doctoral collaborative specialization in toxicology. The research and teaching expertise of these faculty include aspects of toxicology; they may serve as advisors for master's and doctoral students in Toxicology. Students choosing this option must meet the requirements of the Toxicology collaborative specialization, as well as those of their home department. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the master's/doctoral collaborative specialization.

Courses

Restriction: All courses are restricted to Psychology graduate students; all others are by permission only. Students from all areas of Psychology may choose from the Department Core courses. Students from any area may take courses from outside their specific area with the permission of their thesis advisor and with instructor consent. In fact, in some cases, students are encouraged to take courses out of area as these courses are specified in their list of electives or required courses.