Ph.D. Educational Psychology: Human Development

Educational Psychology (Ph.D.): Human Development

Offered by: Educational & Counselling Psych (Faculty of Education)    
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The Ph.D. Educational Psychology: Human Development focuses on core areas of human development such as cognitive, language, social, personality, and gender development among children and adolescents with diverse trajectories and from various family, educational and community contexts. The program is unique in examining developmental trajectories from a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives. The student's dissertation should focus on an issue in the field of human development related to educational psychology.

Thesis

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

Required Courses (9 credits)

A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.

 Complementary Courses (15 credits)

6 credits from the following:

9 credits from the following:

Or other 600- and 700-level courses offered by the Department, which must be approved by the Supervisor and Program Director.

(Note that individual supervisors may list further details, such as when they are taking new students and application instructions in the Graduate Supervision section at the bottom of their individual profile pages.)

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

1. Possess a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology, Human Development (or recognized equivalent). Students without a graduate studies background in Human Development or a related discipline may have additional program requirements upon admission.
2. A minimum CGPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher. International applicants can look up grade equivalencies on McGill’s Future Graduate Students website.
3. Proficiency in English. Applicants to graduate studies whose mother tongue is not English and who have not obtained 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. 

All applications are done through McGill's Graduate Applicant Portal. The application steps and instructional video are on the University's Future Graduate Students website. The following documents must be part of your application: (Note that all uploaded documents to the portal must be in PDF format.)

1. A complete application form (accompanied by your application fee payment).
2.  A copy of your unofficial transcripts from all previous university-level studies (undergraduate and graduate).  Official transcripts are required to be submitted by those who gain admission to the program. (Instructions on sending official transcripts will be sent upon acceptance.)
3. The McGill ECP Educational Psychology Curriculum Vitae Form.
4. Letters of Reference: Within the online application, applicants must provide valid institutional e-mail addresses for three (3) references. McGill University will contact the referees directly to submit their letters of reference.
5. Statement of Research Interest and Preferred Supervisor(s): Within the online application, applicants are required to concisely outline their proposed area(s) of research interest should they be admitted to this program (500-word maximum). Applicants will also be required to list the name(s) of one (1) or more Human Development supervisors, 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.
6. Personal Statement (2-page maximum, double-spaced) in APA style. Please include the following information:
   • Reasons for applying
   • Career objectives
   • Any additional relevant information about yourself that you wish to bring to the attention of the admissions committee. This may include your personal trajectory, personal challenges along your scholastic journey, experiences or challenges you've encountered related to identity. Note that students who identify as being part of a minority group are encouraged to self-identify to facilitate access to any applicable financial aid and/or awards, as part of McGill's Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) mandate.  All personal data submitted will be kept confidential and used only for operational decision-making.
7. English Language Proficiency Test Score (if applicable): Please 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.

• Fall Admission: December 1

As the deadline is firm, please make sure you start your application process early, leaving yourself with enough time to secure the essential components needed for your submission, in particular the transcripts, references, and test scores which can take several weeks to obtain.

Recommended candidates will receive a "Recommendation of Acceptance" email by April, confirming that their application has been reviewed and is being transmitted to McGill's Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS). Successful candidates will be contacted via email with an official offer of admission. Candidates are then required to confirm their acceptance via their Graduate Applicant Portal. Kindly note that acceptance deferrals are not typically granted except under extraordinary circumstances.