Frequently Asked Questions

 

  1. What programs are offered at the Master's level?
  2. What programs are offered at the Doctoral level?
  3. What is the deadline for applying?
  4. Do you accept late applications?
  5. Are graduate fellowships available?
  6. What about other types of financial aid?
  7. Is the GRE required?
  8. Is an undergraduate Honours degree required for admission?
  9. What are the cutoffs for grades and GRE scores?
  10. How does the department make its decisions about acceptance and fellowship awards?
  11. When are admission and fellowship award decisions made?

 


 

1. What programs do you offer at the Master's level?
  • Experimental Psychology: Students can obtain a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in several areas of Experimental Psychology including Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognition, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology. The M.Sc. requires 4-6 courses and a research-based thesis.
  • Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology: The Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology (CABE) Program is an interdisciplinary program focused on animal behaviour and behavioural ecology. The M.Sc. requires 4 courses and a thesis.
  • Applied Psychology: We also offer the Master in Applied Psychological Science (M.A.P.S.) degree. This degree requires a research project, similar to a thesis, usually in an applied area.
2. What programs do you offer at the Doctoral level?
  • Experimental Psychology: Students can obtain a Ph.D. degree in several areas of Experimental Psychology including Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognition, Developmental Psychology, and Social Psychology.
  • Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology: The Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology (CABE) Program is an interdisciplinary program focused on animal behaviour and behavioural ecology. A Ph.D. can also be obtained in this area.
  • Clinical Psychology: The only graduate program we offer in Clinical Psychology leads to the Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree. This program is specifically designed to prepare students for a career as a clinical psychologist.
3. What is the deadline for applying?
  • December 1st for the Psy.D. program, and February 1st for M.Sc., MAPS, and Ph.D. programs in psychology. This is the deadline for full consideration of your application for admittance and financial support for the following fall semester.
4. Do you accept late applications?
  • Yes, but chances of obtaining fellowship and other financial support are reduced if you apply after the deadline.
5. Are graduate fellowships available?
  • Yes. Graduate fellowships are available, and they are awarded on a competitive basis.
6. What about other types of financial aid?
  • Graduate assistantships (GAs), which typically require the student to assist with teaching undergraduate courses, are offered. These provide a minimum of $1244 per 56 hour GA. There is also the possibility of additional funding provided by your faculty supervisor.
7. Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?

  • The GRE is required only if you are applying to the Masters in Applied Psychological Science (co-op) program.  Please note that this requirement has been suspended for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students applying to the MAPS program for Fall 2024 are no longer required to submit their GRE results. Although not a requirement, if students (a) wish to strengthen their application or (b) have already written the GRE exam, we encourage you to submit your GRE results as part of your application
  • The GRE is not required for students who are applying to any other graduate program offered in Experimental Psychology (M.Sc. or Ph.D.) or the Psy.D. program.
  • Information about the GRE exam (what it is, preparation materials, etc.) is available at www.ets.org.. 
  • Students should arrange to take the general GRE so that scores arrive at Memorial University before January 5 for admission to the Masters in Applied Psychological Science (co-op) program.
8. Is an undergraduate Honours degree required for admission?
  • Evidence of research experience is important for students applying to our M.Sc. program. An honours degree that includes a research-based thesis provides this evidence. If you have not completed an honours degree, the committee that evaluates your application will consider other evidence of research experience.
  • In order to be considered for admission into the PsyD program an honours degree in Psychology (including an honours thesis) OR an equivalent degree (with equivalent courses in psychology and equivalent research experience) is required.
  • An honours degree is important for students applying to our M.A.P.S. program, but in this case, employment experience will also be considered.
9. What are the "cutoffs" for grades (e.g. GPA) and GRE scores?
  • As the competition changes from year to year, there are no predetermined academic and GRE cutoff scores.
10. How does the department make its decisions about acceptance and fellowship awards?
  • Acceptance and fellowship recommendations are made on a competitive basis. The committee examines your total application, which includes the following components: applicant's statement on the application form, academic record as described by your official transcript, letters of reference, and GRE scores. Other material (e.g. abstracts of published papers or presentations at meetings, an abstract of your honours thesis, or other samples of your work) will also be examined if available. Your academic record (GPA) is the most important part of your application for fellowship award decisions.
11. When are admission and fellowship award decisions made?

  • The Psychology department will inform students about these decisions via e-mail during the first two weeks in April. An official acceptance letter will follow from the School of Graduate Studies.