Other programs of interest to future Psychology alumni

College programs

Graduate studies in Psychology  

This page contains information about programs of interest to Psychology alumni. Please use your search engine to visit the websites of organizations and programs mentioned here.

Communication Sciences and Disorders (also called 'Speech Language Pathology and Audiology' or 'Speech and Hearing Science)

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC): audiologists and speech-language pathologists, speech therapy assistants, speech language assistants, speech therapist aides, etc.

Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA): what do speech-language pathologists do, what do audiologists do, what do communication health assistants do.

Training

Unlikely that you will be able to satisfy the prerequisites for admission to all schools in this category. Recommend that you research schools and admission requirement carefully and try to satisfy prerequisites for at least 2 or 3 schools because of the competition for admission.

Ontario University Application Centre: Ontario Rehabilitation Services Programs (ORPAS) including applications for Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy. Search their website for application information/instructions, admission requirements, answers to FAQ, essential skills and attributes required. See pages 11 and 12 of ORPAS 2013 Instruction Booklet for a summary of the prerequisites for admission.

Search Canadian Universities for programs.

Watch for certificate programs at the university level, particularly those advertising that they provide prerequisites (e.g., if the prerequisites are not offered at uWaterloo or you weren't able to take them before graduating) for applying to graduate school in speech-language pathology, communication disorders, hearing science, etc.

Examples of Certificate and Diploma programs at Universities: Certificate for Communication Disorders Assistant (e.g., Brock University) and Speech Language Assistant Diploma (e.g., University College of the Fraser Valley).

Miscellaneous

Clinical certification by CASLPAA.

College level programs e.g., see Communicative Disorders Assistant.

The one year Master of Applied Science (MASc) program in Developmental Communication Science at the University of Waterloo aims to augment a student's preparation for admission into graduate programs such as developmental psychology, speech-language pathology, or education.

Conflict Management

For those interested in mediation, conflict resolution etc, see the Conflict Management Certificate Program at Conrad Grebel College (University of Waterloo).

Education

College level programs; Bachelor of Education; Masters and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) programs in Education.

Education requirements and job duties of teachers

National Occupation Classification (NOC) e.g.,

  • Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
  • Elementary School and Secondary School Teachers and Assistants
  • Instructors for Persons with Learning Disabilities
  • College and Other Vocational Instructors
  • University Professors
  • Educational Counsellors
  • Employment Counsellors

College level programs

College level programs such as Behavioural Science Technology, Early Childhood Education, Communication Disorders Assistant, Educational Assistant, etc. may be of interest to you. Some of these types of programs give significant advanced standing to those holding a bachelor's level degree.

Bachelor of Education

Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC): Ontario Faculties of Education

  • see the TEAS Instruction Booklet for prerequisites for admission by school

Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE)

canadian-universities.net (Canada's Higher Education and Career Guide) - you can search for undergraduate programs in Education by province (e.g,. Bachelor of Education)

Masters or PhD in Education

(Note that some Master of Education Programs offer a Counselling Psychology stream)

Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE) - you can search Faculties of Education in Canada

canadian-universities.net (Canada's Higher Education and Career Guide) - search for graduate programs (e.g., Master's and PhD) in Education

Miscellaneous

Volunteer and/or paid work experience in a helping/mentoring/coaching role(s) over an extended period of time (not just a few months!) is typically a prerequisite for admission to Faculties of Education.

For those interested in learning second or foreign languages, applying for admission to Faculties of Education, or teaching abroad, check out the Applied Language Studies Minor offered by Renison University College.

Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE):

  • Thinking about education? Resource from CEE
  • attend the information sessions for Faculties of Education programs. See the schedule of workshops and events on the Centre for Career Development website for the dates and times.
  • Tips regarding applying to Bachelor's and Master's programs in Education provided on the CareerHub Website e.g., general information, self assessment (is this the best career for you?), the 'experience' profile needed for applying, the application process, reference letters, etc.

If interested in Counselling Psychology programs offered by graduate programs in Faculties of Education, refer to the graduate studies in Psychology.

Check how to become a member of the College of Early Education: Who is required to join, recognized programs for membership, etc.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists will often study and analyze research from other professionals, as well as conduct their own research. They might study criminals and their crimes, for instance, to determine what traits certain types of criminals have. - Careers in Psychology

Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology- Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Illinois

Human Factors and Ergonomics

According to the National Occupation Definition (NOC), "ergonomists or human factors specialists conduct research and advise on, and intervene in the physical, social and psychological interrelationships between persons, their equipment and working or living environments to ensure that the design, configuration and use of equipment, procedures and environmental conditions maximize safety, productivity and comfort."

Begin your search for graduate programs with departments of Psychology (e.g., Cognitive Psychology), Engineering (e.g., System Design or Management Science), and Kinesiology.

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Human Factors and Ergonomic Society (HFES): University of Waterloo Student Chapter

Human Resources Management programs

Education requirements and job duties in the human resources field

National Occupation Classification (NOC) e.g.,

  • Specialists in Human Resources
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Personnel and Recruitment Officers
  • Personnel Clerks

Training

Those interested in a career in human resources will seek employment following graduation with the Bachelor's degree and/or pursue further academic studies, for example:

  • Human Resource Professionals Association (HRPA)
    • Certified Human Resources Professional designation

      Compare the course requirements for the HRM academic plans at uWaterloo with those required for the CHRP Designation.
  • There are numerous graduate programs for those interested in HRM, for example:
    • Business Administration (e.g., with a concentration in HRM)
    • Industrial/Organizational Psychology (offered at UW),
    • Industrial Relations
    • Management
    • Organizational Behaviour and HRM (e.g,. offered by the school of Business at Laurier University)

College programs

Law School

Training

Search Ontario Universities for Law Schools - That site includes application information/instructions, admission requirements, details about the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), answers to FAQ, etc.

Centre for Career Development:

Management

The Telfer School of Management offers a PhD program in Management.

Their faculty are accomplished researches in the fields of accounting and control; entrepreneurship; finance; health systems; and organizational behaviour human resources. This unique program will provide students with opportunities to undertake basic, applied and policy research in management and to acquire the knowledge and professional skills associated with leadership in research.

Marriage and Family Therapy

You will find more of these programs in the United States rather than Canada.

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC): family, marriage and other related counsellors

Graduate Programs

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

University of Guelph - see graduate studies in Family Relations and Human Development as well as Couple and Family Therapy

University of Winnipeg - Master of Marriage and Family Therapy in the Faculty of Theology

Graduate professional skills - information provided by the Career Action Centre

You might find a few faculty members in Psychology Departments across Canada who are interested in the study of sexuality

Consult with the academic advisor of the SMF program (Sexuality, Marriage, and Family) at St. Jeromes for leads regarding relevant graduate programs:

Academic plans in SMF (e.g., General and Honours Major, Minor, Diploma) available at the undergraduate level at St. Jeromes.

Descriptions of various programs and careers e.g,. psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, etc. (American websites)

  • AllPsychologyCareers
  • AllPsychologySchools
  • CareersinPsychology

Check out Masters and PhD programs in Social Work that focus on family mediation, conflict resolution in the family, child abuse and family violence etc.

Medical School

Training

The Ontario Universities website for Medical Schools includes:

  • application information/instructions,
  • admission requirements (see the right sidebar called 'Program Requirements Chart')
  • details about the Medical College Application Test (MCAT),
  • answers to FAQ,
  • etc.

The Association of Faculty of Medicine in Canada provides the admission requirements for Canadian Faculties of Medicine

Miscellaneous

uWaterloo Pre-Med Club

Centre for Career Development

Community experience

Research experience

The Princeton Review provides:

  • MCAT test preparation
  • Medical School Advice

Music Therapy/Art Therapy/Drama Therapy

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC): Art therapist or music therapist

What do art and music therapists do, where do they work, etc? (American websites)

  • AllPsychologyCareers
  • CareersinPsychology
  • PsychologyCareerCenter

Training

canadian-universities.net (Canada's Higher Education and Career Guide) - you can search for Music Therapy and Art Therapy programs in Canada (e.g., in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec)

Examples of Programs:

British Columbia School of Art Therapy - Post Bachelor's Diploma or Post-Master's Certificate

Master of Arts with a specialization in Art Therapy, Drama Therapy, or Music Therapy – Concordia University

Master of Music Therapy - Laurier University

Master in Counselling Psych: Art Therapy - Adler School of Professional Psychology (Chicago Illinois Campus)

Miscellaneous

The American Art Therapy Association

The Canadian Art Therapy Association

The American Music Therapy Association

The Canadian Music Therapy Association

Nursing

Education requirements and job duties in the field of nursing

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) website provides descriptions of the duties of nurses, the educational/employment requirements for the field of nursing, etc. Some examples are:

  • community (or public) health nurse
  • gerontology nurse
  • licensed nursing assistant
  • mental health nurse
  • neuroscience nurse
  • nursing counsellor
  • nurse practitioners
  • nursing researcher
  • occupational health nurse
  • palative care nurse
  • personal support workers
  • psychiatric and mental health nurse
  • registered nurse
  • registered psychiatric nurse
  • telehealth nurse
  • etc.

Note that some nurses practice nursing while others are managers (e.g., director for home care services, patient care coordinator) and/or educators within the health field.

Find a nursing program

ontariocolleges.ca - you can refine your search e.g,. by the length of the program etc.

Miscellaneous

nursingdegreeguide - Why Psychology Majors should consider nursing as a profession

To be a registered nurse or a registered practice nurse in Ontario you must be registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Related career paths:

Public Health programs

Refer to the National Occupation Classification (NOC) regarding careers such as:

  • dieticians and nutritionists
  • health policy researchers, consultants and program officers

Occupational Therapy

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC): occupational therapists

See 'Occupational Therapy - Community Mental Health Careers' (Province of Ontario) for examples of the roles of occupational therapists.

Graduate programs

Ontario University Application Centre: Ontario Rehabilitation Services Programs (ORPAS) including applications for Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Physical Therapy. Search that site for application information/instructions, admission requirements, answers to FAQ, etc.

  • essential skills and attributes required
  • see ORPAS Application Guide for a summary of the prerequisites for admission

universitystudy.ca - you can search for Canadian Universities

Miscellaneous

Community Mental Health Careers - Careers in Occupational Therapy (Prov of Ontario) e.g,. links to the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists, Canadian Assoc. of Occupational Therapists, College of Occupational Therapists, etc.

Organizational Psychology

The Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology graduate program at the University of Waterloo is founded on the principle that effective practice depends on solid research. Our faculty and students work collaboratively to conduct cutting-edge research that contributes to the scientific literature, which in turn can serve as the basis for evidence-based application. Students also gain practical experience during their graduate training through their involvement in various applied projects. We facilitate outstanding skill development toward whichever career path a student chooses.

Police Services/Studies

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC) e.g.,

  • Commissioned Police Officers
  • Police Officers (Except Commissioned) e.g.,
    • ethnic relations officer
    • morality officer
    • RCMP officer
    • safety patrol officer
  • Managers in social, community and correctional services e.g.,
    • director, correctional treatment and training
    • prison warden

Training to become a police officer and/or advanced training for police officers

Ontario Police College

Ontario Council of Articulation and Transfer - find graduate certificate programs, accelerated diploma programs, and advanced diploma programs at Colleges for university graduates e.g.,

  • Advanced Law Enforcement and Investigations - Durham College
  • Advanced Police Studies - Mohawk College or Conestoga College
  • Advanced Security Management - Mohawk
  • Natural Resources, Law Enforcement - Fleming College
  • Police Foundations - Niagara College or St Lawrence College

Ontario Colleges.ca e.g., Police Foundations, Advanced Police Studies, Law and Security. Note:

  • many of those programs require 2 years of study.
  • watch for the 'accelerated programs' or the 'Post-Diploma/Degree' programs for university graduates.

Police Studies Programs at Universities e.g., Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Police Studies at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia

Psychiatry

Several years of training beyond a medical degree will be required to become a psychiatrist.

After receiving a medical degree, physicians interested in specializing in the treatment of people (e.g., children, adolescents, adults, geriatric) who suffer from biologically-based mental disorders will pursue psychiatric training.

Psychiatrists are sanctioned to prescribe medications and other physical treatments as part of their therapeutic intervention with patients.

For further details:

  • Canadian Psychiatric Association
  • Ontario Psychiatric Association
  • How do clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and social workers differ in their approaches to helping people with their problems?

Public Health

What is Public Health?

According to the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health, "public health protects and improves the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, locally and globally". The following is a quote from the Public Health Agency of Canada website taken from "A Dictionary of Epidemiology" by J. Last (2001):

.

Public health is defined as the organized efforts of society to keep people healthy and prevent injury, illness and premature death. It is a combination of programs, services and policies that protect and promote the health of all Canadians

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC) e.g.,

  • Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers
  • Health and Social Policy Development and Program Administration
  • Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety

Job postings in Public Health - Association of Schools of Public Health

Training

Association of Schools of Public Health - search for programs

Don't overlook programs in Health Psychology. Note the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project) lead by uWaterloo Psychology Faculty member Geoff Fong.

Examples of On-Line Programs in Public Health:

  • University of Waterloo (Masters of Public Health) – short periods of time on-campus required
  • Lakehead University (Masters in Public Health)
  • University of Victoria (Master of Public Health; Diploma in Public Health Application; Bachelor of Arts in Health and Community Service)
  • OnlineEducation - several miscellaneous universities listed (e.g,. Masters of Public Health)

Public Relations or Public Service

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC) e.g.,

  • public relations co-ordinator
  • public relations press agent
  • communications manager - public relations

Training

Master of Public Service program at the University of Waterloo - 'a professional graduate program that trains students from ANY undergraduate discipline to work in government."

Social Work

Education requirements and job duties

National Occupation Classification (NOC) : social workers as well as community and social services workers

Training

  • Masters of Social Work (MSW):

    Students whose Major for the Bachelor's level degree is Psychology will be restricted in the number of MSW programs that they can apply to because the majority of MSW programs are looking for (according to their websites) candidates who hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Suggest that Psychology Majors who are searching for information on MSW programs in Ontario begin their search with Renison University College*, Laurier University, the University of Toronto. Also, consider applying to the Honours Social Work program at Renison University College during your final year of the Psychology degree. See the next bullet for details.

    *NEW Fall 2012 - "The School of Social Work at Renison University College is pleased to offer Canada’s first health-focused online Master of Social Work program. The MSW Program is being offered in collaboration with the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. If you hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree and wish to continue working and remain in your home community while pursuing a post-graduate degree in social work, this program is for you."
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Renison University College

    Renison University College (part of the uWaterloo campus) offers an Honours Social Work program.

    Benefits of completing a BSW program at Renison as well as the application/admission information

    Note the application deadline for entry Fall 2013 is December 14, 2012. Academic Advisors at Renison can also provide you with information about advanced studies and careers in Social Work.
  • Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE)
    • Listing of programs for Social Work (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) including application information and admission requirements
  • descriptions of various programs and careers e.g., psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, etc. (American websites)
    • AllPsychologyCareers
    • AllPsychologySchools
    • CareersinPsychology
    • PsychologyCareerCentre

Miscellaneous programs

Examples of programs of interest to Psychology Majors at the University level for which details are not yet provided on this website:

  • Business
  • Child Studies
  • Criminology
  • Family Relations
  • Gerontology
  • Industrial Relations (also refer to Human Resources Management)
  • Library Sciences
  • Management Sciences
  • Pastoral Counselling, Theology
  • Science (e.g., a few Honours BSc Psychology students pursued graduate studies in physiology or biology after graduation)
  • etc.

Miscellaneous sources of information

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
Define your search for programs e.g., by key word, program, degree level, school, etc.

Canadian Association of Graduate Studies (CAGS)

Centre for Career Development (Tatham Centre Room 1214)

Statistics Canada - employment trends in Federal Public Service

GradSchoolFinder

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) - job titles/descriptions, educational/employment requirements, etc. Search alphabetically by job title or by keyword.

Occupational information and labour market trends

Ontario Graduate School (OGS) Scholarship Applications - recommend using the Microsoft Word Fillable Templates

Ontario Universities including application information for undergraduate programs as well as professional programs

University of Waterloo: Graduate Program Listing

UniversitiesWorldWide

Online learning and/or distance education study opportunities

Search for online programs at the Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Certificate, and Diploma levels in various disciplines including programs offered online:

  • Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
  • Canadian Virtual University
  • GradSchoolFinder.com
  • PsychologyCareerCenter.org

Examples of online programs

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology:

  • Queen's University
  • Thompson River University

Bachelor in Health and Community Services - University of Victoria - enter this program after 2 years of post-secondary education

Master of Counselling programs:

  • Master of Counselling Psychology - University of Calgary (blended/online)
  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology - Yorkville University in Fredericton New Brunswick - on-line/blended degree
  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (Online/Hybrid program) - Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Illinois
  • Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology - Adler School of Professional Psychology, Vancouver, BC

Master of Education programs:

  • Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology (MEd) - University of Calgary
  • Master of Education - Queen's University

Other Masters programs:

  • Master (Leadership) Program - College of Management and Economics, University of Guelph
  • Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology - Adler School of Professional Psychology, Vancouver BC
  • Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology - Adler School of Professional Psychology, Chicago Illinois

If applying to professional Psychology programs, watch for 'accredited' programs:

  • Canadian Psychological Association - What is accreditation and why is it important?
  • List of programs accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association