School/Applied Child Psychology

What type of program is School/Applied Child Psychology?
School/Applied Child Psychology is an integrated M.A. and Ph.D. program that combines theoretical, research, and clinical experiences. It is built on the Scientist-Practitioner (Boulder) model and prepares graduates for the practice of professional psychology and academic occupations. The program requires a minimum of five years of full-time study following the bachelor's degree, the first two of which lead to the awarding of the M.A., with thesis or research project, followed by the Ph.D. with thesis.

To view an electronic version of the School/Applied Child Psychology Brochure [.pdf] , simply click on the link.

Where can School/Applied Child Psychology Skills Be Used?
The School/Applied Child Psychology program at McGill University prepares students to work primarily in school, institutional, and university settings, and private practice. The goal is to develop competent and inquiring professionals who have the skills to improve the educational and psychological well-being of children, to use research to critically inform practice, and to be able to conceptualize and conduct applied and theoretical research arising from practice and the science of psychology, especially as it relates to issues in education. This model provides a basis for students to develop their leadership skills in School/Applied Child Psychology, and to be able to adapt effectively to future changes in the needs served by all psychologists working with preschool or school-age children and adolescents, their families, teachers, counselors, and other healthcare providers.

Our students go on to practice school psychology across a range of environments including private practice, academia, hospitals and school boards.

Click on links below for program information and application requirements and procedures:

• M.A. in Educational Psychology - School/Applied Child Psychology Stream
• Ph.D. School/Applied Child Psychology
• Post-Ph.D. Graduate Diploma in School/Applied Child Psychology

The online Graduate Calendar will also provide further information about the program, including application requirements, course work and other features of the program.

Students completing the M.A. program will graduate with a degree in Educational Psychology with a stream in School/Applied Child Psychology. M.A. graduates who wish to proceed to the Ph.D. must arrange for supervision before applying into the Ph.D. program and submit an application package as outlined in the Ph.D. School/Applied Psychology web page. There is no presumption of continuation from one degree to the next. Students successfully completing the M.A. and having arranged a commitment of doctoral advising should expect a fair review of their application.

However, students can be admitted to a combined M.A. and Ph.D. degree in the School/Applied Child Psychology. It is expected that as long as student performance is satisfactory in the M.A., the thesis (or project report) is submitted by August 31 of the second year of their program, and Ph.D. advising has been arranged, they will be admitted to the Ph.D. upon completion of the M.A. portion of the program.

To proceed from the M.A. to the Ph.D., M.A. students should be sure to:

1. Be in good academic standing.
2. Submit a McGill online application form to enter the Ph.D. by the application deadline during their second year. It is not necessary to submit reference letters, personal statements, or transcripts, apart from annual reports.
3. Identify a Ph.D. thesis advisor and have the supervisor submit a letter indicating his/her willingness for supervision. Individuals having difficulty making such an arrangement should obtain the help of the Program Director. The prospective Ph.D. advisor may be the M.A. advisor, but need not be so.
4. Complete all M.A. program requirements and submit the M.A. thesis or project report for formal examination no later than August 31 prior to formally beginning Ph.D. studies. Students who, at the beginning of their 3rd year have not met all the M.A. requirements and submitted the thesis or report by August 31st will not be permitted to register as Ph.D. students or to take the doctoral courses. Such students will have to register as Additional Session M.A. students.

The Ph.D. program in School/Applied Child Psychology is accredited by the Order of Psychologists of Quebec (OPQ) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

American Psychological Association - Commission on Accrediation
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC
USA 20002-4242

Telephone: 202-336-5979

You can also visit the APA website.

Order of Psychologists of Quebec
1100 Beaumont Avenue, Suite 510
Mont-Royal, QC
Canada, H3P 3H5

Telephone: 514-738-1881
Fax : 514-738-8838

You can also visit the OPQ website.

Doctoral Graduates: A total of 28 students have graduated from our doctoral program between the 2006-07 and 2010-2011 academic years. The mean time to completion over the span of this time is 5.72 years.

*The MIDAs program is being phased out in favour of a graduate funding mechanism that allows for the development of funding programs at the Faculty level. The MIDAs program will accept its last cohort of students in the Winter 2011 semester. International PhD students currently receiving the MIDAs will be grandfathered into the program and will continue to receive the MIDAs as long as they maintain their eligibility. MIDAs eligible students will pay $4,188.08 in tuition and fees for 2011-12. For more information, please consult the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website: www.mcgill.ca/gps/students/fellowships/.