Counselling Psychology

The Counselling Psychology program is designed to develop competent psychologists who have solid academic and research orientations, and who are able to adapt to changing and diversifying roles of psychologists. The program operates from an integrative theoretical orientation. Students are therefore exposed to a wide variety of counselling approaches. The scientist/practitioner model for counselling training provides the basis for the program. Scientist-practitioners balance and integrate research and practice and monitor their own counselling effectiveness over time.

The core courses are designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge to enable them to function as counselling psychologists or consultants, in private practice, institutional settings, and academic settings. Students will need to select specialized experience or training to prepare them to meet the needs of more specialized populations and settings. The goals of the program are to prepare students to: generate and apply psychological knowledge to both in-person and virtual professional practice, learn and apply the ethical standards and principles of the profession, and develop an understanding of and respect for human diversity. To accomplish these objectives, the plan of study includes a series of courses and practica supervised by professional psychologists in university and community agencies.

Admission Requirements

• Four-year baccalaureate degree in psychology or education, or its equivalent.
• Minimum of 36 credits of undergraduate coursework in psychology (or educational psychology).
• Practical experience in the application of psychology (e.g., crisis line volunteer, youth worker).

What You’ll Learn

• Gain a solid foundation in academic research and applied counselling practices through the scientist-practitioner model.
• Learn to integrate a variety of counselling theories and approaches for flexible, client-centered practice.
• Develop practical skills through supervised practica in university and community-based settings.
• Prepare for diverse professional roles in private practice, institutions, and academic environments.
• Acquire specialized training to effectively serve diverse populations and specialized settings.