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Admission Requirements

Preparing your application to graduate studies at York University and/or other interested universities requires research and planning. Some students start preparing their plan for graduate studies as early as two years before they submit their application. Consider the following information below to help guide you through a successful application process.

Both subject and general GRE scores will be waived for the 2025 admissions cycle.

MA

PhD

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The minimum requirement for admission to the MA Program in Psychology is an honours degree in Psychology with a grade point average of B+ or higher in the last two years of full-time study.  If the applicant does not have an honours degree in Psychology then, the requirement of an honours degree with at least eight full courses [i.e. 16 half courses] in Psychology with a grade point average of B+ or higher in the last two years of full-time study must be met.  

Please Note:

  1. A full course means a 6-credit course; a half course means a 3-credit course. 
  2. Grade Point Averages are calculated based on a 100% course load (i.e. 30 credits per year).  If the applicant is doing less than a 100% course load or part-time study, the minimum grade point average of B+ will be based on the last 60 credits of study.  

Course Requirements of Admission for Different Areas

Non-Clinical AreasClinical (C) Area*Clinical-Developmental (CD) Area*
1. One full course in Introductory Psychology1. One full course in Introductory Psychology1. One full course in Introductory Psychology
2. One full or two half-courses from the following: Child Psychology, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Personality Theory and Behaviour Disorders, Theories of Personality2. One full course in Research Design and Statistical Analysis2. One full course in Research Design and Statistical Analysis
3. One full course in Research Design and Statistical Analysis3. The equivalent of six other full courses in psychology.

Applicants to the Clinical Area* are expected to have a breadth of knowledge in core content areas of psychology. Thus, it is recommended that (as part of the 6 other full courses in psychology required above) applicants complete one full course or two half courses at the senior undergraduate level, prior to applying, in each of the following content areas:

(1) Biological Basis of Behaviour (e.g. physiological psychology, comparative psychology, neuropsychology, sensation, psychopharmacology, health psychology)

(2) Cognitive-affective Basis of Behaviour (e.g. learning, memory, perception,
cognition, thinking, motivation, emotion)

(3) Social Basis of Behaviour (e.g. social psychology, cultural, ethnic, and group processes, sex roles, organizational and systems theory)

However, students may apply and be accepted into the program without satisfying the above breadth expectation of the clinical area. Students admitted to the program without sufficient breadth will be required to complete relevant coursework during graduate training to fulfill breadth requirements. Please Note: All applicants must fulfill the requirement of eight full courses (i.e. 16 half courses) in psychology prior to application.

*Students who plan to limit their studies solely to the Masters of Arts (MA) degree, in the Clinical or Clinical-Developmental Area, are discouraged from applying to the program if they do not intend to continue on to complete a PhD in either Area.
3. The equivalent of six other full courses in psychology that cover the following core areas:

(1) Biological Basis of Behaviour (e.g. physiological psychology, neuropsychology, sensation, psychopharmacology, health psychology)

(2) Cognitive-affective Basis of Behaviour (e.g. learning, memory, perception, cognition, emotion)

(3) Social Basis of Behaviour (e.g. social psychology, cultural, ethnic, and group processes, sex roles, organizational and systems theory)

(4) Individual Behaviour (e.g. personality theory, human development, individual differences, abnormal psychology)

Applicants with insufficient breadth from their undergraduate training may be asked to demonstrate competence in these major areas of psychology by enrolling in undergraduate courses before beginning the graduate program.

*Students who plan to limit their studies solely to the Masters of Arts (MA) degree, in the Clinical or Clinical-Developmental Area, are discouraged from applying to the program if they do not intend to continue on to complete a PhD in either Area.
4. One full or two half-courses in Experimental Psychology: Cognitive Processes, Learning, Motivation, Perception, Physiological Psychology
5. Four other full psychology courses or the equivalent

The usual prerequisite for admission to the PhD Program in Psychology is a Master’s degree in Psychology. Normally, students may not enter the PhD program until they have completed all the Master’s requirements—including the thesis. Students completing their MA at York University are not automatically accepted into the PhD program since they must make a formal, but internal, application for advancement into the PhD program. GRE scores are not required for those applying to the PhD program in Psychology.

We are NOT able to offer funded positions to international applicants at this time. If you are externally funded or self-funded, please visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies—International Students for more information.

Please visit How to Apply for application deadlines and frequently asked questions.

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The Graduate Program in Psychology at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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