MA Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Applicants are expected to:

• Hold a B.A. or B.Sc. Honours (or the equivalent) in Psychology with at least high honours standing (A- or 80%)
• Have completed an Honours’ research thesis in psychology
• Have passed advanced statistics with an A- or 80%
• Possess credit in a breadth of courses in line with the psychology major.

Please note that meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance into the program.

Faculty Supervisor

To be admitted, a professor must agree to supervise you. Because Faculty members don’t provide us with their availability, it is best that you contact them directly.

Our researchers are exploring psychology’s major areas including:

• cognitive
• developmental
• forensic
• health
• personality and social

You can find information about the professors in the area that interests you by visiting our Research Areas page.

Required Documents

 Applicants must provide the following documents:

• 1-page Statement of Intent – should be a clear description of your research interests including the research question you wish to pursue. There is no required format, but do not exceed one page
• CV
• Two academic references
• Academic transcript(s) and degree certificate(s) from each post-secondary institution attended (past and/or current)
• If applicable: Language Proficiency scores – see below
• For more information on required documents, please visit the Graduate student website.

Language Proficiency

Proficiency in English is necessary to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University. All applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy this requirement in one of the following ways:

1. To present an official overall score of 80 on the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment; or
2. To present an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 97 on the internet-based test (IBT) with a minimum score of 24 in writing and speaking and a minimum score of 22 in reading and listening; or
3. To present an official overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5, with a minimum of 7.0 in each band score; or
4. To present an official overall score of 73 on the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with a minimum score of 73 in each Communicative Skill; or
5. To have completed ESLA 1900 or ESLA 1905 at Carleton University with a final grade of B+ or higher; or
6. To present official certification (transcripts) to indicate that you have studied for the last three years (full-time, non-ESL) in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English. Note: Letters from your universities stating the medium of instruction is English are not acceptable.

TOEFL codes are as follows:

• 0854 – Institution
• 58 – Psychology: Experimental / Developmental
• 79 – Psychology: Social
• 08 – Psychology: Other

Additional information on required documents is available on the Graduate Admissions page.

Application Deadlines

Winter Admission

Domestic Students

Apply no later than November 1 to be considered for funding and admission for the Winter term.

• Applications are considered on a rolling basis for as long as space remains.
• Only completed applications will be considered.

International Students

Apply no later than August 1 to be considered for funding and admission for the Winter term.

• Applications are considered on a rolling basis for as long as space remains.
• Only completed applications will be considered.
• International candidates are encouraged to submit their applications early enough to allow sufficient time to secure Student Visas if offered admission.

Fall Admission

All Students

Apply no later than January 15 to be considered for funding and admission for the Fall term.

• Applications are considered on a rolling basis for as long as space remains.
• Only completed applications will be considered.

Late Applications

Apply no later than August 31 to be considered for funding and admission for the Fall term if funds and space remain.

• Applications are considered on a rolling basis for as long as space remains.
• Only completed applications will be considered.

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