MA Project Concentration overview & admissions

Admission Requirements

We will be accepting applications for our Graduate Programs starting on September 15th for the following Fall Admission term. Applications are submitted using Slate, McGill's online application system.

The deadline for applications is December 1 (annually) for Fall admission.

Please read the program’s admission requirements fully.

The Department no longer accepts deferrals except under extraordinary circumstances.

Academic background & CGPA

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure they satisfy the admission requirements of this program, including the completion of the required prerequisite undergraduate coursework prior to admission.  To be eligible applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree consisting of 42 credits of core courses in specific Psychology domains. Consult the Pre-Admission Academic Checklist - Project [.doc] for a detailed overview of academic requirements. Prospective applicants should ensure they have taken the appropriate courses before beginning their application. Consult the Counselling Psychology Pre-Admission Academic Domains Guide [.pdf] to determine how to categorize courses when completing the Pre-Admission Academic Checklist.

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

• Due to our high volume of applicants, Departmental Faculty and Staff do not review an applicant's academic history in order to help the applicant complete the Pre-Admission Academic Checklist. Applicants are asked to thoroughly consult the Pre-Admission Academic Domain Guide (link above) and use course descriptions and other course materials from completed courses, to complete the checklist to the best of their abilities. Successful applicants who are offered admission will be advised of any conditions of acceptance on their letter of admission (which may include fulfilling any pre-requisite course requirements). 
• At the time of application, applicants can be missing up to 6-credits of courses from their Pre-Admission Academic Checklist. However, admitted students are required to have all Pre-Admission course requirements completed by the beginning of their degree (i.e. their first term, Fall year 1, of study).
• The Department no longer grants deferrals, except under extraordinary circumstances.

CGPA Requirements

All candidates must have a minimum CGPA of 3.2 out of 4.0 over the final two years of full-time study. This CGPA requirement, along with the successful completion of a Bachelor's degree, is a minimum requirement only and does not guarantee acceptance. The average CGPA of all students admitted into the MA in Counselling Psychology in past years has averaged 3.65-3.70 out of 4.0.

International students

CGPA Equivalency

If you are an international applicant and wish to find out whether you qualify under McGill University's CGPA Guidelines for Graduate Admissions, visit International CGPA Equivalency.

Proficiency in English
Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not obtained (or are about to obtain) an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign institution where English is the language of instruction or from a recognized institution in Canada or the US (anglophone or francophone), must submit documented proof of proficiency in oral and written English.

Appropriate exam results must be submitted prior to the application deadline and submitted directly from the language testing proficiency office to McGill. For more information on test requirements, submission of scores, and possible exemptions, visit the McGill Future Graduate Students English Language Proficiency page.

In each case, you must ensure that the official test results are sent directly to McGill (McGill Institution Code: 0935) by the testing service. Applications will not be considered if test results are not available.
Please note that TOEFL results are only valid for two years from the date the test was written.

Applicants whose mother tongue is not English may be asked to demonstrate an English-language proficiency beyond the submission of the language proficiency test scores.

Applying

Prior to starting an online application:

- Familiarize yourself with McGill's admission requirements, program requirements, and required supporting documentation.
- Review McGill's Graduate Admissions and Application Procedures
- Review the step-by-step Applying and Admissions Help Site
- Submit your application before the deadline

*In order to finalize and submit your online application, a non-refundable application fee is required.

Online Application

1. Complete the Graduate Studies Slate online application form.
   Built into the online application are numerous questions requiring personal information specific to every applicant. Program specific requirements within the application are as follows:

   Concentration Choice Within the online application, applicants must specify their choice of concentration: Professional/Internship or Project. Letters of Reference Within the online application, applicants must provide valid institutional e-mail addresses for three (3) references. McGill University will send an email to each referee applicants identify on the application form, asking for a reference in support of their application to be admitted. Referees will be invited to login to a secure portion of the McGill website where they will be required to answer questions about the applicant and will be given the ability to 1) input (via text box) a reference letter either by typing it in directly or by cut-and-paste from an existing document or 2) to upload a letter of reference in PDF format. PROJECT CONCENTRATION ONLY: Statement of Research Interest and Preferred Supervisor(s): Within the online application, applicants to the Project Concentration are required to concisely outline their proposed area(s) of research interest should they be admitted to this program  (1100 character or approximately 250 word maximum). Applicants will also be required to list the name(s) of one (1) or more ECP Counselling program faculty member(s), in order of preference, who they would like to supervise their area of research interest(s). Applicants should ensure their preferred supervisor has listed expertise in their chosen area of research interest. Consult the Counselling Psychology faculty members website to review the list of Faculty members and their areas of research interests and expertise. For more info on selecting preferred supervisors, see our Admission FAQs.

2. Submit your application
   Once you have submitted your application an acknowledgement will be sent to the email address you have included in your application. You will be able to track your application online via Slate and start uploading documents.
    
3. Upload supporting documents
   Upload (in PDF format) the following supporting documents by the December 1 application deadline:

   Transcripts An unofficial copy of your complete university-level academic record to date must be uploaded through Slate - including any McGill transcripts. (Quebec residents: CEGEP transcripts are not required). All transcripts received via the upload process are considered unofficial. If you are offered admission, you will also need to provide official transcripts (sent to us by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution). Offers of admission are contingent upon the receipt and verification of these official documents. Please do not send these official records until we request them from you. Curriculum Vitae (CV) A completed curriculum vitae using the ECP Counselling Psychology Curriculum Vitae Form [.doc] must be uploaded through the online application. . Please be sure to convert to PDF prior to uploading to Slate. IMPORTANT: Personal CVs will be rejected. Personal Statement Please provide a 2 to 3-page (maximum) application statement in APA style and format (i.e., double-spaced) that includes the following information: Past and current research experience: Describe your past and current research experience. List the research projects you have been involved with. Include the title and supervisor, a description of participants, and provide specific details about research skills that you acquired through these experiences. For at least one of these studies, provide a summary of the theory, methodology, and your interpretations of the findings. (1 page). Expected gains and career objectives: Why are you applying to this program? How do program training standards match your general career objectives? Which skills would you like to gain? (1/2 page). Research supervision: Concisely outline your proposed area(s) of research interest(s) should you admitted to this program. List the name(s) of up to three (3) Counselling Psychology program faculty member(s) - in order of preference - who you would like to supervise your area of research interest(s). Please provide a brief rationale for selecting each faculty member as a potential research supervisor. Ensure your preferred supervisor has listed expertise in your chosen area of research interest. Consult the Counselling Psychology faculty members website to review the list of Faculty members and their areas of research interests and expertise. (approx. 1/2 page). For more info on selecting preferred supervisors, see our Admission FAQs.  Your personal trajectory (optional): If any, please describe personal and/or professional challenges encountered during course of your studies. Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) (optional): McGill would like to give you this opportunity to disclose any information about your identities and/or experiences. This information will facilitate access to any available financial aid and/or awards available to you during the application process. Rest assured that all personal data submitted will be kept confidential and used only for operational decision-making; your personal information will never be shared with any internal or external bodies, nor with any instructors, supervisors, or fellow students. For more information regarding EDI at McGill University, pls visit this Equity at McGill website. Pre-Admission Academic Checklist Complete and upload through the online application, the following checklist form specific to the concentration for which you are applying Pre-Admission Academic Checklist - Project [.doc]. Consult the Counselling Psychology Pre-Admission Academic Domains Guide [.pdf] to determine how to categorize courses when completing the checklist.

4. Submit your English Language Proficiency Test Scores
   Where applicable, arrange for test scores (TOEFL, IELTS) to be sent to McGill directly from the testing agency. You must indicate the McGill University institution code: 0935

Review process, notification and confirmation of acceptance

1. By April 1st of each year, candidates offered potential positions in the program will receive by email a "Recommendation of Acceptance" sent to the email address they provided in Slate. This letter serves to inform the candidate that the Admissions Review Committee has agreed to recommend them into the program and that their application is being transmitted to McGill's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) for final review and acceptance. In most cases, this review takes approximately 7-10 days.
2. After review by GPS, successful candidates will be contacted by GPS with an official "Offer of Admission".
3. Candidates are then required to respond to their offer of admission on-line using your Slate account.

Tuition and fees

For information on tuition and fees please visit McGill Student Accounts' Fee Calculator for Graduate Tuition & Fees.

Information about application fees can be found on the Students Accounts website.

Additional fees apply to certain cohorts of Counselling Psychology students due the use of the Assessment Materials Resource Centre (AMRC). User fees for particular courses may be viewed on the AMRC page.