The program is designed to train professional psychologists at the doctoral level within a scientist-practitioner orientation. The curriculum was developed to meet all the requirements for registration with the College of Psychologists of Ontario. The program was first accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association in 2012, and it was re-accredited in 2022 for a 5-year term (until 2026-2027) (Accreditation Office, CPA, 141 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 712, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5J3; accreditationoffice@cpa.ca).
The curriculum includes courses covering core clinical topics (e.g., psychopathology, psychological assessment, psychological treatment, culturally-informed clinical practice, supervision, consultation, professional issues and ethics), research methods and statistics, and other topics related to both clinical psychology and other core areas of psychology.
The program also includes clinical practicum placements, providing an opportunity to put new skills into practice. Clinical practica can take place in our own Psychology Training Clinic, as well as a wide range of local hospitals, mental health agencies and clinics, university counselling centres, schools, and private clinical practices.
A minimum of 11 courses (including one clinical practicum) are required at the MA level. These courses, along with an MA thesis, are completed in 2 years.
For the PhD, eight courses are required (including two clinical practica). All PhD students in the clinical area also complete a doctoral dissertation, as well as a comprehensive breadth requirement, and a full-time clinical internship in the final year of the PhD. Including the internship, the PhD is expected to be finished in 4 years, after the MA is completed.