Program information

Department/School Psychology
Faculty Faculty of Arts
Admit term(s) Fall (September - December)
Application and document submission deadline(s)

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.

Delivery mode On-campus
Program type Doctoral, Research
Length of program 48 months (full-time)
Registration option(s) Full-time
Study option(s) Thesis
Research field(s) - Graduate research fields are used to better define a student’s research concentration

Clinical Psychology

Cognitive Neuroscience

Cognitive Psychology

Developmental Psychology

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Social Psychology

Watch the How to apply to Waterloo graduate studies video

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.

What does it take to get in?

Minimum admission requirements

  • A 80% overall standing, or equivalent, in the last two years of study in the previous degree is the minimum requirement for admission.
  • Candidates applying to the Industrial/Organizational Psychology graduate research field within the program must submit results from the Graduate Record Examination (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic scores). These scores are optional for students applying to the Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, and Developmental Psychology graduate research fields.
  • Please note that in most areas a Master's degree is not required for admission into the PhD program (the exception is Social Psychology and Clinical Psychology).

Supervisors

Application material

  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
    • Required for candidates applying to the Industrial/Organizational Psychology graduate research field within the program and optional for candidates applying to the Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Psychology, and Developmental Psychology graduate research fields.
  • 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
  • Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
    • TOEFL 90 (writing 25, speaking 25), IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5, speaking 6.5).

How much will it cost?

What can you expect at Waterloo?


This program page is effective September 2023; it will be updated annually. Any changes to the program page following this date will be indicated with a notation. 

We strive to provide you with the necessary information on each of our program pages.  Was there something you found helpful?  Was there anything missing?  Share your thoughts.

Program Contact

Emily O'Connor at emily.oconnor@uwaterloo.ca
519-888-4567, ext. 41272