Research Programs

The first step in applying to graduate programs is conducting thorough research to identify which programs and universities best align with your interests and career goals. This may include researching the differences and similarities between clinical or counselling psychology, or deciding whether you wish to pursue a course-based or thesis-based program (a distinction relevant only to counselling psychology programs).

Both course-based and thesis-based counselling programs are highly competitive and include core courses in counselling theories, counselling skills, ethical and professional standards, research, and assessment. However, there are key differences in the structure and focus of each program.

In thesis-based programs, students conduct a supervised research study during their second year. This research is a key component of the program and is intended to prepare students for advanced research work, particularly for those considering future doctoral studies. In contrast, the course-based program may include a “capstone project” in the second year, which is a practical, professional project. For instance, a capstone project may include creating a best practice guideline or protocol for working with specific client populations. These projects are developed within a scheduled course and do not involve original data collection or analysis and may not require approval from a research ethics board.

Applicants who are specifically interested in pursuing doctoral studies should apply to thesis-based programs, as it provides the necessary research experience to transition into a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. However, students from a course-based program with relevant research experience – gained through volunteer work or other roles outside of the program – may still be considered for doctoral programs.

Another key consideration when exploring programs in clinical and/or counselling psychology is the program’s accreditation status. In Canada, the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) is the primary body responsible for evaluating and accrediting doctoral-level psychology programs. However, CPA does not require accreditation for master’s level programs. Instead, CPA assesses master’s level courses to ensure they provide adequate preparation for students pursuing doctoral training, which is necessary for obtaining full accreditation at the doctoral level.

When researching Master’s-level psychology programs in Alberta, it is important to consider whether the program’s curriculum is approved by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP). CAP plays a critical role in evaluating and approving educational pathways for psychology professionals in Alberta. For students seeking licensure in the province, it is important to note that CAP recognizes certain programs through its Pathway 4. This pathway allows students who have completed a CAP-approved master’s program to apply for licensure as a psychologist upon completion of additional training and supervision.

If the program you are considering is not accredited by CAP as meeting the requirements for training professional psychologists, you will be required to undergo a course-by-course evaluation upon program completion. This may result in the need to upgrade certain courses. For further details, please refer to CAP’s Criteria for Evaluating Academic Credentials.

Please see the below list of psychology graduate programs at each of the Alberta Institutions that are approved by CAP: