How is the program structured?
The program in Cognitive Psychology affords students the flexibility to take courses related to their interests in cognition, as well as in other areas of psychology, including cognitive neuroscience, developmental, social, and statistics/psychometrics. By participating in a lively series of weekly seminars, students learn presentation skills and acquire an ability to critique theories, methods, and research in an environment that fosters new research ideas. Research collaboration is highly encouraged and supported. In fact, many faculty and students collaborate with other students and faculty both within the Cognitive Area, and with members of the other core areas, and also in other departments.
What is the focus of the program?
The focus in our graduate program is on the completion of top-notch, publishable research and the development of independent research skills that will aid students in their subsequent careers. For this reason, there is no comprehensive examination requirement in our program. Students generally have several publications by the time they complete their degrees. As our Grads - Career paths after Waterloo website shows, they have been very successful in obtaining positions both inside and outside academia.
What resources are available for students?
Students in the program have access to a variety of resources that support and enhance their research. There is ample research laboratory space with up-to-date equipment, including eye-trackers, an Electroencephalogram (EEG)/Event Related Potential (ERP) system, and access to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Undergraduate research assistants, many of whom have extensive research experience, play an important role in supporting faculty and graduate student research. The program maintains a year-round paid research participant pool, which is available in addition to the departmental pool of participants drawn from psychology courses. Travel funds, provided through faculty member research grants as well as department and university sources, allow graduate students to attend academic conferences, present their work, and meet colleagues from other universities around the world.
How long does it take to complete a PhD?
Students are admitted to the graduate program in cognition, typically into the MA program (unless they already have an MA in psychology), on the assumption that they will go on to complete their PhD in our program. Normally, a student would take two years to complete their MA, and then formally apply to the PhD program, which would usually then take another four years to complete. Faster completion is possible, however, for example by completing the MA at the end of the first year.
What financial support is provided?
See our Funding and Awards website for details on financial support for future students.