Researcher doing sleep study

Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

As they gain knowledge from highly accomplished faculty members, students in the Psychology (PhD Thesis) program will learn specialized training and scientific methods to collect data and perform research in three areas. Brain and Cognitive Science looks at the mental processes and brain structures involved in movement, perception, learning, memory, and understanding language. Industrial-Organizational Psychology is concerned with individual and group behaviour, as well as the relationships of organization-wide variables to individuals and groups in work settings. Social and Theoretical Psychology involves social and cultural relations, as well as foundational and philosophical questions in psychology.

Completing this program

  • Courses: Topics may include research design and methodology, brain and cognitive sciences, industrial/organizational psychology and more.

  • Medical Imaging: Students take a course sequence in medical imaging in additional to the core requirements of the psychology program.

  • Industrial Organization: Students take courses in research methods and statistics, industrial/organizational psychology and more.

  • Research Proposal: Students must formally present a thesis proposal within 20 months after admission to the program.

  • Candidacy: Students are expected to complete both oral and written candidacy exams within 24 months after admission to the program.

  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Specializations

Outcomes

Universities, research centers, the government, private businesses.

A PhD in psychology is usually considered a final degree.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Four years full-time; six years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, but is not required prior to the start of the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. David Hodgins

    David Hodgins

    Unavailable
    Addictive Behaviours
  2. Giuseppe Iaria

    Giuseppe Iaria

    Accepting Inquiries
    Spatial Cognition, Neuroimaging
  3. Placeholder Profile Image

    Julia Kam

    Accepting Inquiries
    Main Research Interests, Methodological Approaches, Current Projects
  4. Cara photo

    Cara MacInnis

    Unavailable
    Social Psychology
  5. Daniel McGrath

    Daniel McGrath

    Accepting Inquiries
  6. Melanie Noel

    Melanie Noel

    Accepting Inquiries
    Pediatric Pain
  7. Photo of Andrea Protzner

    Andrea Protzner

    Accepting Inquiries
    Neurocognitive aging and plasticity, Depression
  8. Derya Sargin

    Derya Sargin

    Seeking Students
    Behavioural Neuroscience
  9. Christopher Sears

    Christopher Sears

    Accepting Inquiries
    Cognition, Emotion, Memory, Attention, Depression, Depression Vulnerability, Body Image
  10. Andrew Szeto

    Andrew Szeto

    Unavailable
    Social Psychology, Mental Illness stigma, Mental Health

Admission Requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.4 GPA on a 4.0 point system.

Minimum education

A master’s degree in Psychology or equivalent.

Work samples

None

Documents

N/A

Reference letters

Two academic letters

Test scores

None


English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

Deadlines

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: November 15 application deadline
  • International students: November 15 application deadline

For admission on January 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: September 1 application deadline, except for the Industrial/Organizational Psychology specialization
  • International students: September 1 application deadline, except for the Industrial/Organizational Psychology specialization

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Department of Psychology

Psychology Graduate Program
Faculty of Arts
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Advisor

Visit the departmental website

 

Faculty of Arts

University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Faculty of Arts website

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