Counselling Psychology (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Educational & Counselling Psych (Faculty of Education)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology take a combination of theoretical, practical, and research-based courses throughout the duration of their degree. The program draws upon a number of different sciences (including developmental, social, career and neuropsychology and personality theory) to develop critically astute researchers and exceptionally skilled clinicians. Building on the M.A. in Counselling Psychology (Project concentration), or equivalent, the program offers opportunities in Practicum, Supervision, and full-year Internships to develop clinical skills while also working toward the completion of a doctoral dissertation (thesis). The Ph.D. program, aims to:
- Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of counselling psychology
- Practice from strong evidence base
- Take a leadership role in community, professional, and university organizations in counselling psychology
Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume careers in education and community settings, including faculty positions, counselling and psychological positions on the staff of university and college mental health centres, and professional positions in psychological agencies offering preventative mental health services. The program is currently accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ) (Please note that the APA no longer accredits programs outside of the United States of America). Graduates are eligible for licensure in Quebec.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (30 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPC 701 | Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. | ||
| EDPC 702 | Assessment and Diagnosis 2. | 3 |
Assessment and Diagnosis 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Advanced assessment and diagnosis for psychologists. | ||
| EDPC 714 | Theory / Models: Family Therapy. | 3 |
Theory / Models: Family Therapy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 720 | Consultation and Program Evaluation. | 3 |
Consultation and Program Evaluation. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Review and critique of current theories of consultation and program development. Focus is on application and strategies in the consultation process. | ||
| EDPC 780 | Supervision. | 6 |
Supervision. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Instruction and practice in models and techniques of clinical supervision. | ||
| EDPC 782 | Doctoral 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. | ||
| EDPC 786 | Proposal Preparation and Defense. | 6 |
Proposal Preparation and Defense. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparation and defense of a dissertation proposal that surveys relevant literature, develops a research question(s), identifies a methodology to test the question, and outlines the limitations and implications of the proposed work. | ||
| EDPE 712 | Neurological Bases of Behaviour Across Lifespan. | 3 |
Neurological Bases of Behaviour Across Lifespan. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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. | ||
Required Internship (24 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPC 795 | Pre-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:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDPE 682 | Univariate/Multivariate Analysis. | 3 |
Univariate/Multivariate Analysis. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 684 | Applied Multivariate Statistics. | 3 |
Applied Multivariate Statistics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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 687 | Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology. | 3 |
Qualitative Methods in Educational Psychology. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. 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)
Two courses that must be at the 500, 600, or 700 level. Electives are on topics related to specialized interests and must be approved by the supervisor.