PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The School and Clinical Child Psychology (SCCP) professional psychological training program is based on a scientist-practitioner model. The specific mission of the SCCP program is to provide students with theoretical foundations, research, and professional training in preparation for a career involving research or professional psychological practice with children, adolescents, and families in a variety of settings. The specific contexts in which graduates of the SCCP program may find themselves include schools, private practice, mental health facilities, community organizations, and academia.
To meet the professional goals of the program, students benefit from direct training, hands-on experience, and collaborative opportunities in clinic, classroom and lab environments. Through these experiences, students receive training in assessment, interventions, professional consultation, ethical issues, and prevention. To meet the research goals of the program, required coursework includes training in statistics, research methodology, and evaluation with emphasis on opportunities for application. In addition, faculty members provide a breadth of research opportunities ranging from community-based to experimental research in collaborative environments. From this integrated program delivery model, students are equipped with the skills necessary to be contemporary scientist-practitioners.
The School and Clinical Child Psychology MEd program is designed to prepare students for doctoral studies. It is highly recommended that students who complete the MEd program go on to apply for the PhD program to benefit from the full sequence of courses and practicum experiences. Please note that this program does not accept admission deferrals. It should also be noted that only the PhD program in School and Clinical Child Psychology is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association.
- Access to world-class Clinical Services Centre
- Opportunity to work with award winning researchers, instructors and supervisors
- Excellent career opportunities
- Cohesive and supportive learning environment
Master's Program
The SCCP Masters degree is thesis-based. Normally, this program is taken over two academic years, with the maximum time allowed to complete the program being four years. Due to the intensive nature of the practicum requirements associated with the SCCP program, students may not register for two practicum courses (denoted with an *) in the same term.
Students must complete the following required courses and a thesis. Students may be required to take additional courses, as determined by their academic supervisor.
Required Courses - Year 1 (18 Credits)
Fall Term
- EDPY 523 - Practice of School & Clinical Child Psychology (*3 credits)
- EDPY 507 - Measurement Theory I (*3 credits)
- EDPY 536 - Ethical and Professional Issues in Psychological Practice (*3 credits)
Winter Term
- EDPY 501 - Introduction to Methods of Educational Research (*3 credits)
- EDPY 521 - Foundations of Psychological Assessment (*3 credits)
- EDPY 527 - School & Clinical Based Intervention (*3P credits)
Required Courses - Year 2 (18 Credits)
Fall Term
- EDPY 597 – Individual Psychological Assessment Practicum (*3P credits)
- EDPY 518 - Individual Psychological Assessment (*3P credits)
- EDPY 505 - Quantitative Methods I (*3 credits)
Winter Term
- EDPY 519 - Assessment for Effective Intervention: School and Clinical Applications (*3 credits)
- EDPY 520 - Assessment for Effective Intervention Practicum (*3P credits)
- EDPY 528 - Foundations of Child & Adolescent Intervention (*3 credits)
- Additional Course Credits (if applicable)
FGPS Ethics Requirement: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-studies/training-events/required-professional-development/ethics.html: INTD 710 is required; professional development requirement is met within the program
*Note: “P” denotes Practicum courses
Doctoral Program
The School & Clinical Child Psychology Program (SCCP) is based on a scientist-practitioner model of psychological training. The specific mission of the SCCP program is to provide students with theoretical foundations, research, and professional training preparation for psychological work with children, adolescents, and families in school, clinical & other community settings.
Please note that the Doctoral Program in SCCP is not taking any external applications during the 2025-2026 application cycle.
Students are required to be in full-time residency for 3 years and maintain full-time registration throughout their program. Due to the intensive nature of the practicum requirements associated with the SCCP program, students may not register for two SCCP practicum courses (denoted with a P) in the same term. Finally, students must also pass an oral candidacy examination, conduct dissertation research; and write and defend a dissertation.
The Doctoral Program in School & Clinical Child Psychology consists of the following courses: (P) indicates a practicum course, * indicates number of credits per course
- Year 1: EDPY 640 Developmental Psychopathology (*3 Credits)
- Year 1: EDPY 641 Child and Adolescent Advanced Assessment (*3 Credits)
- Year 1: EDPY 645 SCCP School Practicum Placement (*3P Credits)
- Year 2: EDPY 643 Child/Adolescent Therapy & Intervention (*3 Credits)
- Year 2: EDPY 647 SCCP Clinical Practicum Placement (*3P Credits)
- Year 1 or 2: Graduate-level cultural competency course (*3 Credits)
- Year 1 or 2: EDPY 644 Consultation and Supervision in School and Clinical Child Psychology (*3 Credits)
- Year 1 or 2: EDPY 615 Program Evaluation (*3 Credits)
- Year 1 or 2: EDPY 601 Advanced Doctoral Research Seminar (*3 Credits)
- Year 1 or 2: Doctoral Research Design and Test Construction Course (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, measurement or mixed methods course ) (*3 Credits)
- Year 3: OPTIONAL: EDPY 697 – Self-directed practicum (*3 Credits)
- Year 4/5: EDPY 650 School & Clinical Child Psychology Internship (by November 1st of 3rd year to apply to start APPIC internship in fourth year) (*3P Credits)
- Options (If required)
- FGPS requirements: https://www.ualberta.ca/graduate-studies/professional-development/ethics/index.html
- Individual Development Plan (within 18 months of starting the program) and the 8 hours of PD (by year 3).
- INTD 710 self-paced module on ethics academic citizenship and INTD 720 advanced ethics and academic citizenship. Should be done in the first semester.
Dissertation
- Dissertation (Variable)
Students in the doctoral SCCP program must successfully complete a CPA accredited or equivalent 1600-hour internship. Students are urged to participate in the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) matching process. Prior to applying for internship, students are encouraged to complete their doctoral candidacy exam. Prior to commencing the internship, students must complete all required coursework and their doctoral candidacy exam. Students are also encouraged to have their dissertation research proposal approved prior to commencing the internship. Students who wish to apply to a non-accredited internship outside of the APPIC matching process must submit an acceptable training plan to the Internship Training Committee that details how the proposed placement is equivalent to an accredited program.
The PhD program in School & Clinical Child Psychology is accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). The program successfully completed the accreditation process in 2024. The current accreditation term is 5 years, and the next site visit is due in 2028-2029.
Canadian Psychological Association
141 Laurier Ave. W., Suite 702
Ottawa, ON
Canada, K1P 5J3
Telephone: 1-888-472-0657
You can also visit the CPA website.
Admission Requirements
Students applying for the Master's Program must:
- have obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree in psychology or education, or its equivalent, offered by a recognized degree-granting institution of higher education in Canada, a regional accredited institution of higher education in the United States, or a University in another country acceptable to the Admissions Committee.
- have completed at least 24 credits of undergraduate coursework in psychology and/or educational psychology.
- have acquired practical experience in the application of school and/or clinical child psychology (e.g., classroom volunteer, hospital or community volunteer related to school and child psychology).
- provide three letters of reference; two of which must be from someone can comment on the applicant's scholarly skills and potential, and one of which must be from someone who can comment on the applicant's school and/or clinical child psychology skills and potential.
- provide a statement of intent answering the following three questions:
- How have your professional experiences prepared you for a program that specializes in both school and clinical child psychology
- How have your previous research experiences prepared you for a master's program focusing on a scientist-practitioner model?
- What research would you like to undertake during your master's degree and how could it be tailored to fit with at least two faculty members, at least one of whom is in the SCCP area.
- The English Language Proficiency (EPL) requirements for this program are higher than the minimum scores required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Please review the required scores in the Application Process section below.
Admission decisions are made based on a relative ranking of all applicants in the following six categories: 1) previous academic record; 2) academic background in area of interest; 3) relevant practical experience; 4) research experience; 5) match with content area; 6) letters of recommendation.
Please note categories 3-5 are extracted primarily from your statement of intent.
Students are NOT required to complete the GRE for admission purposes.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Faculty of Education will only consider applicants to the PhD program with full-time status if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Is applying as an Indigenous student (1 studentship) or a member of an equity-denied group (1 studentship).
- Is sponsored by an external agency at or above $25,000 per year or has an external scholarship at or above $25,000.
Minimum Admission Requirements
The PhD program is a full-time program designed to build upon the training received through the Master's program in SCCP at the University of Alberta. As such, applicants who are not graduates of our Master's program are expected to have an equivalent background. Therefore, students applying for the Doctoral Program in SCCP must have:
- obtained a four-year baccalaureate degree in psychology or education, or its equivalent;
- obtained a Master's degree in School and Clinical Child Psychology, or its equivalent;
- completed a half-year graduate course (or six credits of senior undergraduate coursework in each of the following:
- biological bases of behaviour (e.g., physiological, comparative, neuropsychology, sensation, psychopharmacology),
- cognitive-affective bases of behaviour (e.g. learning, sensory, perception, cognition, thinking, motivation, emotion),
- social bases of behaviour (e.g. social psychology; cultural, ethnic, and group processes; sex roles; organizational and systems theory),
- individual differences (e.g. personality theory, human development, individual differences, abnormal psychology);
- completed at least:
- two courses in psychometrics and/or psychological assessment,
- one half-year course in scientific and professional ethics,
- one half-year course in research methods,
- one half-year course in intervention or consultation;
- completed a minimum of 500 hours of supervised experience in psychological assessment, intervention and any other school and/or clinical child psychology practicum.
- provide a statement of intent answering the following three questions:
- How have your professional experiences prepared you for a doctoral program that specializes in both school and clinical child psychology
- How have your previous research experiences prepared you for advanced research (doctoral) program focusing on a scientist-practitioner model?
- What research would you like to undertake during your doctoral degree and which identified faculty member has preliminary agreed to consider taking you on for supervision should you meet all the admission requirements and get an offer of admission.
Exceptional applicants, on the basis of previous academic record, academic background in area of interest, relevant experience, letters of recommendation, and statement of intent, who do not meet all of criteria 3, 4 or 5 above may be admitted into the Program on the condition that they complete any deficiencies in addition to the required courses.
Students are NOT required to complete the GRE for admission purposes.
Application Process
Please review the admissions requirements to confirm your eligibility. An applicant's undergraduate academic performance, letters of reference, work experience, letter of intent, and areas of academic interest are all taken into account during the selection process for all graduate programs. Due to the necessity for quotas in many program routes and the limited resources of the Faculty, many highly qualified applicants cannot be admitted. While the Faculty encourages as many applicants as possible, it also recommends applicants apply to other universities in the event they cannot be admitted to the University of Alberta.
Masters Programs
All graduate students applying to the MEd Thesis program are encouraged to reach out to faculty members prior to applying in order to secure a supervisor. This is not required but strongly recommended. Course-based students do not need to reach out.
Doctoral Programs
Graduate students applying to the PhD program are strongly encouraged to reach out to a potential supervisor from our list of Faculty Staff to discuss your application in advance of applying to the Doctoral program.
Once you have verified your eligibility, please apply for admission through the Graduate Studies Management System (GSMS). The Graduate Studies Management System is managed by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) which plays a key role in providing final admissions approval for all graduate students across the University of Alberta.
All items must be received by the application deadline, including reference letters. Therefore, please ensure that your application for admission is submitted at least two weeks before the deadline.
Please note that the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies requires all transcripts and mark sheets to meet specific guidelines.
In order to successfully submit your application for admission, you will be required to upload the following supporting documents to the online application system:
Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
Current CV is required when applying for admission.
Statement of Intent
Master's Program
Provide a statement of intent answering the following three questions:
- How have your professional experiences prepared you for a program that specializes in both school and clinical child psychology
- How have your previous research experiences prepared you for a master's program focusing on a scientist-practitioner model?
- What research would you like to undertake during your master's degree, and how could it be tailored to fit with at least two faculty members, at least one of whom is in the SCCP area?
Doctoral Program
Provide a statement of intent answering the following three questions:
- How have your professional experiences prepared you for a doctoral program that specializes in both school and clinical child psychology
- How have your previous research experiences prepared you for an advanced research (doctoral) program focusing on a scientist-practitioner model?
- What research would you like to undertake during your doctoral degree? Which identified faculty member has preliminarily agreed to consider taking you on for supervision should you meet all the admission requirements and get an offer of admission?
Three letters of reference
Provide three letters of reference; two of which must be from someone can comment on the applicant's scholarly skills and potential, and one of which must be from someone who can comment on the applicant's school and/or clinical child psychology skills and potential.
Transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions attended)
You are required to scan and upload each page (front and back) of your transcript(s). Please see FGPS's requirements for academic documents. All North American transcripts must be issued within 12 months of the date of application. Preference is for official scanned copies of transcripts. If not, follow the instructions for online/web versions strictly.
Applicants from other countries must provide (scanned copies):
- Original language marksheets/transcripts, or attested true copies, directly from each institution;
- Original language final degree certificates, or attested true copies, directly from each institution;
- Original English translation of marksheets/transcripts directly from each institution or an official translator and;
- Original English translation of final degree certificates directly from each institution or an official translator.
If admitted to the program, original documentation will be required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
Supplementary Application Form
English Language Proficiency (ELP)
The Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) requires all applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. Applicants with degrees/qualifications in a language other than English need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency by completing an approved English language exam.
The following are acceptable:
- TOEFL score of 580 paper-based; OR
- TOEFL score of 237 computer-based; OR
- TOEFL score of 93 Internet-based (IBT), with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing, and 21 on reading and listening (ITP not accepted); OR
- IELTS Academic score of 7 with no band less than 6.5; OR
- Pearson Test of English score of 63
- Duolingo English test score of 120 with minimum of 100 in each band
Once we have received all of the required documents, your application is considered complete and the application will move forward to the review process. Applicants will be notified in the GSMS Application Portal once an official decision has been made.
Successful applicants will receive the official letter of acceptance issued by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) in the GSMS portal. A department letter will follow that will outline further details of the admission including potential information such as funding offers or program information. Successful international applicants will require the letter of acceptance from FGPS in order to proceed with the application for travel documents such as a study permit and VISA.
IMPORTANT: Official documents (transcripts, degree certificates, etc.) may be required upon receiving the conditional offer of admission letter. Documents must be sent directly from the post-secondary institution to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies office. Detailed instructions will be outlined in your offer letter.
What you need to know
Accepting Applications from:
Master's Program
September 15, 2024 - December 15, 2024
Doctoral Program
October 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024
Contact:
Graduate Advisor
Please direct admissions questions, program inquiries, etc., to essgrad1@ualberta.ca.
Director of Training, Program Coordinator
Dr. Jacqueline Pei
jpei@ualberta.ca
Program Faculty
Dr. Damien Cormier
Dr. Yuliya Kotelnikova
Dr. Jacqueline Pei
Dr. Christina Rinaldi
Dr. Phillip Sevigny
Dr. Melissa Tremblay