Counselling Psychology (MA)
| Expected length | Project or thesis | Course-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 years (6-9 academic terms) | Yes | No |
Quick facts
- Program options:
- Master's
- Study options:
- Full-time study
- Program delivery:
- On-campus
- Dynamic learning:
- Other: Required practicum placement and internship
Outcomes
Students in this program will:
- Develop an enhanced understanding of human development and the processes of change. Students draw upon theories of human development and learning. They broaden their awareness of developmental issues and challenges and integrate this knowledge into the counselling psychology setting.
- Acquire and integrate knowledge of the history and philosophy of counselling psychology, expectations associated with the professional counsellor's role and the standards and certification required by professional counselling organizations.
- Develop relevant competencies consistent with CCA Standards of Practice for counsellors.
- Develop appropriate assessment strategies and intervention approaches based on specific client needs.
- Expand awareness of cultural, racial, and social diversity in professional and research contexts.
- Develop legally and ethically sound professional counselling competencies in clinical and research settings.
- Become competent in conducting ethical and relevant counselling psychology research.
- Establish community and professional connections to improve employability and build a network of professional contacts in counselling-related disciplines.
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Your program details
Application deadlines
Admission requirements
Program specific requirements
Please refer to the Counselling Psychology MA admissions guide for details and forms.
- Three units of relevant 3rd or 4th year coursework in educational psychology, psychology or a related helping discipline in the following two areas: developmental psychology (one course) and abnormal psychology/behaviour disorders (one course).
- Completion of prerequisite courses ED-D 414, 417, and 418 with at least a B+ grade. You must have completed ED-D 417 and ED-D 418 by December 31 of the year before program start. Applicants who have not completed ED-D 414 (or an equivalent course) before submitting applications may be granted admission to the program conditional on completing ED-D 414 (or equivalent) before starting the program in September.
- We require a significant number of counselling related hours. These should be documented in a complete resumé and field experience charts (see the Counselling Psychology MA admissions guide).
- Two assessment reports (references) from professors and/or supervisors.
- Two counselling skills evaluations. One must be from an instructor of ED-D 417 (or equivalent). The other may be from a supervisor of your counselling or other applied work setting.
- A personal statement (3-5 pages) detailing your career plans and motivation for graduate work in counselling. Please see the Counselling Psychology MA admissions guide for details.
If you’re reactivating your file for reconsideration you must write a letter detailing the actions you have taken to strengthen your new application over the previous one.
If you’re requesting admission consideration due to disability you must put this request in writing at the time of admission. You must explain your situation and provide appropriate medical or other documentation.
Additional requirements for thesis-based MA applicants:
- A one-page description of past research experience and present research interests.
- At least 1.5 units of undergraduate credit in statistics that covers descriptive statistics and univariate inferential statistics.
Minimum language test scores for application to this program:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- A minimum score of 95 from the internet-based TOEFL (IBT). You must also score at least 21 points each in the listening, speaking, reading and writing sections.
- A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL.
- UVic's TOEFL institution code is 0989.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Overall band score of 7.0 on the IELTS. No individual component can have a score lower than 6.5. We will only accept results from the Academic IELTS.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)
- A score of 92 on the MELABwill be accepted as proof of English proficiency.
Program specific requirements
Please refer to the Counselling Psychology MA admissions guide for details and forms.
- Three units of relevant 3rd or 4th year coursework in educational psychology, psychology or a related helping discipline in the following two areas: developmental psychology (one course) and abnormal psychology/behaviour disorders (one course).
- Completion of prerequisite courses ED-D 414, 417, and 418 with at least a B+ grade. You must have completed ED-D 417 and ED-D 418 by December 31 of the year before program start. Applicants who have not completed ED-D 414 (or an equivalent course) before submitting applications may be granted admission to the program conditional on completing ED-D 414 (or equivalent) before starting the program in September.
- We require a significant number of counselling related hours. These should be documented in a complete resumé and field experience charts (see the Counselling Psychology MA admissions guide).
- Two assessment reports (references) from professors and/or supervisors.
- Two counselling skills evaluations. One must be from an instructor of ED-D 417 (or equivalent). The other may be from a supervisor of your counselling or other applied work setting.
- A personal statement (3-5 pages) detailing your career plans and motivation for graduate work in counselling. Please see the Counselling Psychology MA admissions guide for details.
If you’re reactivating your file for reconsideration you must write a letter detailing the actions you have taken to strengthen your new application over the previous one.
If you’re requesting admission consideration due to disability you must put this request in writing at the time of admission. You must explain your situation and provide appropriate medical or other documentation.
Additional requirements for thesis-based MA applicants:
- A one-page description of past research experience and present research interests.
- At least 1.5 units of undergraduate credit in statistics that covers descriptive statistics and univariate inferential statistics.
Minimum language test scores for application to this program:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- A minimum score of 95 from the internet-based TOEFL (IBT). You must also score at least 21 points each in the listening, speaking, reading and writing sections.
- A minimum score of 575 on the paper-based TOEFL.
- UVic's TOEFL institution code is 0989.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Overall band score of 7.0 on the IELTS. No individual component can have a score lower than 6.5. We will only accept results from the Academic IELTS.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)
- A score of 92 on the MELABwill be accepted as proof of English proficiency.
Completion requirements
Funding & aid
Tuition & fees
Estimated minimum program cost*
* Based on an average program length. For a per term fee breakdown view the tuition fee estimator.
Estimated values determined by the tuition fee estimator shall not be binding to the University of Victoria.
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Faculties & departments
Need help?
Contact Xinyu Zhang and Kerstin Burnett at eplsgrad@uvic.ca or 250-472-5005.