Psychology (PhD)
Doctorate (PhD)
Offered by:Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts & Science

Why pursue a Doctorate in Psychology?
Deepen your understanding of psychological theories and advanced methodologies in psychological research as you make meaningful contributions to scientific knowledge and refine your skills in scientific writing. Participate in various colloquium series that will connect you with leading researchers from around the world.
The PhD in Psychology offers a research-intensive learning environment where you will develop into an expert in one of our department’s four broad areas of research, including behavioural neuroscience, clinical and health research, cognitive science, and human development and developmental processes. Work alongside research-active faculty members who have published in a multitude of prestigious journals, such as Psychological Review, Journal of Abnormal Psychology and American Psychologist, Science, and Nature.
Choose from one of two program options based on your own professional and academic objectives. Students in the Research Option receive advanced training in independent research, and are expected to publish articles on their research in scientific journals, and to present their findings at national and international scientific conferences. This option is well-suited for students who wish to pursue careers in research and academia.
The Clinical Training Option involves the same requirements as the Research Option, and also provides professional training in the delivery of psychological services. Students enrolled in this option take part in the Concordia University Psychology Internship Programme, a year-long paid internship where students employ a range of techniques and theoretical orientations in a professional placement site. The option is also fully accredited by the Ordre des Psychologues du Quebec, as well as the Canadian Psychological Association.
Program details
Admission to the PhD degree requires a master's degree in psychology or its equivalent in a closely related discipline. Admission to the PhD degree (Research and Clinical Training Option) requires that applicants have completed specific Psychology undergraduate courses required by federal and provincial licensing bodies, including an empirically based undergraduate thesis or its equivalent, as well as master's-level courses in Psychology specified by the program.
Admission to the MA (Research Option) requires an undergraduate degree in psychology or a closely related discipline. Applications from students with non-psychology degrees are evaluated to assess whether they are sufficiently prepared for graduate studies in Psychology. Admission to the MA (Research and Clinical Training Option) requires an honours undergraduate degree in psychology or its equivalent. In addition, applicants must also have completed specific undergraduate courses required by federal and provincial licensing bodies, including an empirically based undergraduate thesis or its equivalent. Students who are lacking up to three of these courses may obtain the equivalency for the missing credits by taking appropriate undergraduate and/or graduate courses during their degree.
Enrolment in these programs is limited in part by the availability of research supervisors and, for the Research and Clinical Training Option, by space in that option.
Applicants are selected on the basis of past academic record, letters of recommendation, the results of the Graduate Record Examination (optional, but highly recommended), and the relevance of their proposed research to the research expertise of the faculty. Students successfully completing their master's program in psychology at Concordia University need submit only an application form and letters of recommendation when applying for the doctoral degree. Psychology graduate courses are not open to graduate-level independent students, except in specific circumstances as defined by the department.
Upon recommendation of their thesis supervisor, students enrolled in the Master of Arts (Psychology) program at Concordia University who have completed a minimum of 12 credits of graduate level course work and who have shown high academic performance and potential through performance in research may apply for accelerated admission to doctoral studies without submitting a master's thesis. Approval for accelerated admission must be obtained from the student's thesis committee and the graduate admissions subcommittee by August 15 to allow entry into the PhD program in the Fall term. Students in the Research Option who obtain accelerated admission are not required to take the elective course (chosen from PSYC 700, PSYC 716, PSYC 721, PSYC 724, PSYC 725, PSYC 726, PSYC 727or PSYC 734) as part of their MA coursework. Students in the Research and Clinical Training option may not obtain accelerated admission to the PhD program from MA Year I, but may apply for accelerated admission, upon recommendation of their thesis supervisor, from MA Year II.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
- Residence. The minimum residence requirement is two years (6 terms) of full-time study beyond the MA degree, or the equivalent in part-time study.
Credits. A fully-qualified candidate is required to complete a minimum of 90 credits, including Core courses and elective Options.
Core Courses:
- Students are required to complete PSYC 801 (3 credits), PSYC 802 (3 credits), PSYC 880 (0 credits); PSYC 890 (60 credits); and 6 credits chosen from PSYC 721, 722, 724, 725, 726 or 727 (6 credits).
- Comprehensive Examination. Students are required to write a comprehensive examination (PSYC 880) within 12 months of being admitted for the degree. The examination is in two parts, one dealing with general issues and the other with the candidate’s area of specialization.
- Thesis. The research is undertaken within one or more of the areas of research specialization of the department (Behavioural Neuroscience, Clinical and Health Research, Human Development and Developmental Processes, and Cognitive Science) under the supervision of a faculty member. The thesis is expected to make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge. The content and form of the thesis must be approved by a departmental committee prior to submission to the School of Graduate Studies. For purposes of registration, this work is designated as PSYC 890 Research and Thesis (60 credits).
Research Option (18 credits):
In addition to the core courses, students select from the following sets of courses for a maximum of 18 credits:
- PSYC 844, 845, 846 or 847 (3 to12 credits). Each 3-credit seminar may be taken up to 4 times as an elective option provided the topic differs.
PSYC 700, 701, 714, 716, 721, 722, 724, 725, 726,727, 734, 850, or 851 (6-15 credits). Special Topics seminars PSYC 721, 722, 724, 725, 726, and 727 may be taken multiple times as an elective option provided that the course content has changed.
Research and Clinical Training Option (18 credits):
In addition to the core courses, students select from the following sets of courses for a maximum of 18 credits:
- PSYC 823, 824, or 825 (3 credits); PSYC 834 (3 credits); PSYC 835, 836, or 837 (3 credits); PSYC 841, 842, or 843 (3 credits); PSYC 838, 839, or 840 (3 credits); and PSYC 885 (3 credits).
- At least one adult and one child client must be seen in the required practicum courses ((APC Practicum II or III, Extramural Practicum I). All students following the Research and Clinical Training Option are expected to attend case conferences at the Applied Psychology Centre training clinic.
- Students are required to complete PSYC 801 (3 credits), PSYC 802 (3 credits), PSYC 880 (0 credits); PSYC 890 (60 credits); and 6 credits chosen from PSYC 721, 722, 724, 725, 726 or 727 (6 credits).
Two program options exist. The Research Option emphasizes independent research and scholarship, and prepares students for research careers. Students in the Research and Clinical Training Option fulfill the same research requirements as other students, but also train to become mental health professionals.
Consult the graduate calendar for complete degree requirements.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of Purpose (1500 words) describing applicant's academic interest, primary area of concentration and research goals
- Psychology Background Summary form
- The Graduate Record Examination (GRE, aptitude and advanced) is recommended, but not required
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures, and the full instructions for completing the application.
Courses typically offered include:
- Special Topics in Clinical and Health Psychology
- Special Topics in Cognitive Science
- Special Topics in Human Development
- Special Topics in Behavioural Neuroscience
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
Students receive a minimum of $17,500 per year in guaranteed funding during two years of MA, and three years of PhD study. The level of financial support is typically higher, particularly for students who obtain scholarship support from Concordia or external funding agencies. Funding packages are composed of some combination of scholarships, teaching assistantships, and funds from the research supervisor. Students are encouraged to apply for all external scholarships (e.g., CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, FRQS, FRQSC, NT).
Conference travel funding is also available for students who present their work at academic conferences.
Other awards available through the Faculty of Arts and Science include:
- Concordia Merit Scholarship
- Concordia University Graduate Fellowship
- Concordia International Tuition Award of Excellence
Consideration for School of Graduate Studies Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students.
Please also consult the department’s graduate fellowships and Concordia’s graduate funding pages, as well as Financial Aid and Awards.
Our faculty members are well known for their strong research profiles, as well as their engagement in collaborative research projects both within the Department and University, and with other laboratories in Canada and internationally.
Faculty research interests include:
- alcohol misuse
- applied linguistics
- autonomic functioning
- circadian rhythms
- cognitive development
- decision making
- drug abuse
- eating disorders
- hypnosis
- language acquisition
- learning and memory
- lifespan development
- motor control
- multidimensional self-conceptions
- neuropsychology
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- peer relations
- scene perception
- sexual behaviour
- transition to adulthood/parenting
Review an inspiring list of thesis topics. Graduate students publish in a multitude of journals as lead author or co-author. Review the individual faculty members’ profiles.
The Association for Graduate Students in Psychology (AGSP) represents the collective interests of psychology graduate students at Concordia University. In addition to organizing orientation and end of year parties, the AGSP is responsible for placing student representatives on various departmental committees.
Graduates of our programs establish careers in the academic sector, including positions in research and teaching, as well as in research and academic support service both within college, university and government agencies. Many graduates also enter diverse careers within the private, and industrial sectors, typically related to the research focus of their graduate degree.
Our alumni work within universities, colleges, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, psychotherapy centres, contract research organizations, government agencies and police departments. Recent graduates are working as professors, research administrators, senior investigators, associate project managers and clinical co-ordinators. Graduates of the Research and Clinical Training Option are also prepared to establish practices in clinical psychology and delivery of psychological services.
Examples of companies and institutions our alumni are currently working for include:
- CLINWest Research Inc.
- NeuroRx Research
- Marianopolis College
- McGill University
- Montreal Therapy Centre
- Novotech
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- University of Ottawa
- University of Toronto