Psychology - Master of Arts (MA)

PAS Building

Psychology, Anthropology and Sociology (PAS) Building on Waterloo's South Campus, across from Laurel Creek.

Conduct high-impact research in one of the top psychology departments in Canada with the Master of Arts in Psychology program.

This program is best suited to you if your goal is to continue your studies in psychology at the PhD level, which is expected of those who are accepted to the MA program.  

Choose between five research fields in which to specialize including clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, or social psychology, and complete either a thesis or a master’s research paper.  

The department is known for producing award-winning scholars and being at the forefront of psychological research, and you’ll gain access to advanced research groups and labs. Pursue your studies in an intellectually stimulating, flexible, and friendly environment.  

Research areas and degree options

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Program overview

Department/School: Psychology
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s): Fall (September - December)
Delivery mode: On-campus
Program type: Master's, Research
Length of program: 24 months
Registration option(s): Full-time
Study option(s): Thesis, Master's Research Paper

Application deadlines

  •  December 1 (for admission in September of the following year)*

*NOTE: all relevant documents pertaining to your application must be uploaded by December 1. See the Department of Psychology - Application procedures page for detailed information.

Key contacts

Emily O'Connor
emily.oconnor@uwaterloo.ca

Admission limitations

Due to funding restrictions, the Faculty of Arts is currently limiting the number of international students we can admit. Please contact the department's Associate Chair, Graduate Studies prior to applying to discuss your interest in this program.

Aliya

Shame is closely related to attachment insecurity and to fears of receiving compassion. My PhD research will extend this work by examining the role of shame in the development and maintenance of obsessions and compulsions.

Aliya McNeil, Clinical Psychology - MA

Supervisors

Admission requirements

  • Normally an Honours Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Psychology with at least a 80% overall standing, in the last two years, or equivalent.
  • Completion of the Department of Psychology Application.
  • Candidates applying to the Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology graduate research fields within the program may submit results from the Graduate Record Examination (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic scores), though this is not a requirement.
  • Candidates with an Honours Bachelor's degree or equivalent preparation may be admitted to a Master's program or directly to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program.
  • Qualified candidates are admitted to either a MA or a PhD program (in which a Master's degree may be obtained along the way). The program to which candidates are admitted to varies by program Area (e.g., Clinical and Social applicants are typically accepted into an MA program, while Cognition, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental, and Industrial Organizational students are typically accepted to a PhD program). Candidates accepted to the MA program are expected to continue to a PhD program.

Degree requirements

  • Review the degree requirements on the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar, including the courses that you can anticipate taking as part of completing the degree

Application materials

  • Personal statement (Letter)
  • Supplementary information form (SIF)
    The SIF contains questions specific to your program, typically about why you want to enrol and your experience in that field. Review the application documents web page for more information about this requirement

    If a statement or letter is required by your program, review the writing your personal statement resources for helpful tips and tricks on completion
  • Transcript(s)
  • References
    Three academic references are required
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5)

Tuition and fees