Psychology Schools and Programs in Canada

Psychology Studies in Canada

Toronto Waterfront, CanadaCanada is a beautiful and highly sophisticated country in which to pursue psychology education as a member of a study abroad program.  Located in the northern part of the North American continent, it consists of ten provinces and three territories, and extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific from east to west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean.  To the south lies the United States of America, with whom Canada shares the world’s largest land border.  By total area, Canada is the world’s second-largest country in the world after Russia, and its estimated population of nearly 33.5 million ranks 35^th among that of world’s countries.  Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, while the sprawling city of Toronto is its largest.

A degree in Psychology can lead to a number of career possibilities, and now students can earn a portion of their degree studying for a semester or year in the beautiful country of Canada.
 
Located in the far northern portion of the North American continent, Canada is a nation consisting of 10 provinces and 3 northern territories, each of which offers something unique and exciting for visitors.  Canada stretches from the Atlantic Ocean in the east, to the Pacific Ocean in the west, to the frozen Arctic plains and Arctic Ocean in the north.  Its southern border, which it shares with its only neighbor, the United States, is the world’s largest continuous land border shared by two countries.  With nearly 10 million square kilometers of total land space, Canada is the world’s second-largest country in terms of area, after Russia, but with a population of only about 35 million it is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the world.
 
Canada’s government is organized as a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II serving as head of state.  At the federal level, Canada is a bilingual nation, with both English and French considered official languages.  The country boasts one of the world’s most ethnically diverse and multicultural populations, the product of large-scale immigration from many countries in Europe, Asia and beyond.  A wealthy country due to its abundance of natural resources, Canada’s has the worlds’ eighth-highest per capita income and ranks eleventh in the world in the Human Development Index.  One of the reasons for its economic success and high standard of living is the country’s excellent system of higher education.
 
Psychology Education in Canada
 
As a degree program, Psychology is offered by most of Canada’s major colleges and universities.  Collectively these programs aim to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a career in Psychology, either as a practitioner, educator, or in some other role in which the study of the human mind and human behavior is crucial, such as law enforcement or sports psychology.
 
Undergraduate students studying Psychology in Canada have two different options in terms of the type of degree they can pursue:  a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology or a, Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.  Below we will take a brief look at each type of program
 
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology
 
The Bachelor of Arts degree program in Psychology is focused predominantly on the study of liberal arts.  What this means, essentially, is that the curriculum includes a broad cross-section of subjects, investigating issues such as the cultural influence on psychology, communication aspects, mental and behavioral programs, and more.  Students who opt to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology are first required to take a number of lead-in core and elective subjects, which collectively give them some basic knowledge and background information in the discipline prior to entering the program. Some other classes leading to the BA in psychology are focused on the social, developmental, and cognitive aspects of psychology.
 
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology
 
The Bachelor of Science Degree program in psychology is different from the Bachelor of Arts program, as it initially focuses on mathematics and scientific principles.  Most students pursuing this type of degree do so with the ultimate goal of practicing Psychology following their schooling.  The various undergraduate programs in Psychology that lead to the Bachelor of Science Degree include lab and statistic courses, aimed at helping students build a strong foundation in terms of the various research methodologies involved in the discipline.  Students are required to take and pass a number of applied courses in Psychology, as well as though that deal with human development, elementary and comparative psychology, environmental stress, loss and trauma, social cognition, and psychopharmacology.
 
Why Study Abroad in Canada
 
Students who choose Canada as their study abroad destination not only get the benefit of a world-class education, they are treated to the cultural experience of a lifetime.  Canada is one of the world’s most multicultural nations, with friendly people from around the world now calling this majestic and proud nation home.  From the big cities of Toronto and Montreal to the vast expanse of pristine landscapes in the Northern Territories, Canada truly has something for everyone tastes.

Psychology education in Canada is very similar to that of the United States.  The minimum educational requirement to become a psychologist in Canada is a master's degree in psychology or educational psychology; although certain specialty professions within the field may call for a PhD degree as the minimum requirement.  Once concluded with their education, all psychologists must become registered and licensed with the Canadian provincial regulatory body in the region in which they live and plan to conduct business.
 
In Canada, the undergraduate degree program in Psychology, known as the Bachelor of Science in Psychology, typically spans four years in duration, while the Master’s Degree in Psychology lasts an additional 1-3 years depending on the specialty.  If a PhD degree is required, the program can span anywhere from 3-5 additional years, following the successful completion of the Master’s degree.  In most provinces and territories you must pass the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology, and in some instances, you may be required to successfully complete oral examinations and/or board interviews.  All students must also complete a period of supervised practical experience, ideally in the same specialty they intend to pursue professionally.
 
The most common graduate-level psychology programs in Canada are in the following disciplines:  Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Neuropsychology, Forensic or Correctional Psychology, Developmental or Child Psychology.

Canada is like no other country in the world, a place where picturesque landscapes and cosmopolitan cities combine to provide the perfect way of life for the country’s residents.  Canada is home to a number of major metropolises, each with its own distinctive style and flair.  These include Toronto, the economic center of the country; Vancouver, located on the shores of the Pacific coast and home to some of the country’s finest outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking and fishing; and Montreal, the largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris.  Collectively these cities, with their own characteristic styles, represent the diverse culture of Canada and serve as models of cultural and ethnic acceptance and harmony.

When taking a break from your studies in Canada you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore some of the natural wonders the country has to offer, including, but certainly not limited to, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Nahanni National Park Reserve, Cabot Trail and, of course, the raging waters of Niagara Falls.  The natural geography of Canada is vast and varied, made up of mountains, trails, lakes and miles of coastline.  Thus, there are an immeasurable number of places in which to pursue a full range of outdoor activities, including camping, fishing and boating, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and even snow-shoeing (which, incidentally, is not quite as easy as it may look).
 
Canada certainly has no shortage of wonderful things to do and see, and when not busy studying in the classroom, students will have plenty of time to explore some of these fun and interesting destinations—destinations that include:
 
Banff National Park
 
A prized national treasure located in the beautiful province of Alberta, Banff National Park is just one of five national parks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains that consistently attract millions of visitors each year.  The perfect location for camping, hiking, biking, skiing, fishing or just simply relaxing and recharging your batteries, guests will simply be amazed by the park’s natural beauty. The awesome resort towns of Banff and Lake Louise are both located within Banff National Park, offering a full range of accommodations, restaurants and trendy shops.  In addition, two of Canada’s most famous and historic Canadian Hotels can be found here, the Fairmont Banff Springs and the Chateau Lake Louise.
 
Quebec City
 
The provincial capital of Quebec, Quebec City is steeped in history and European-style flavor.  Guests will feel like they stepped out of Canada and into Paris, France; as the city boasts plenty of French architecture, art and the finest in French cuisine.  The old town section of Quebec City is the only fortified city north of Mexico in North America and is just one of the many World Heritage Sites located in the province. Quebec City offers a unique experience unlike you’ll find in any other city within North America.
 
The Bay of Fundy
 
Located in the province of Nova Scotia, the Bay of Fundy is truly an awe-inspiring site and a must-see for anyone visiting this area of Canada.  The Bay of Fundy extends from the northern coast of Maine into Canada between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Twice daily, the Bay fills and empties its 100 billion tons of water, creating the highest tides in the world—in some areas of the bay; the tides have been known to reach more than 50 feet (16 m) high.  The energy created by the force of these tides drudges up nutrients from the ocean floor that attract an interesting and vast array of animal life to the bay, and the punishing effects of the tides have carved out a dramatic surrounding landscape comprised of steep cliffs and sea stacks. Water has worn away the shore's red sandstone and volcanic rock, revealing a bevy of ancient fossils and signs of life from millions of years ago.

Finally, studying in Canada will enable you to participate fully in the country’s festivals and celebrations, including the Celebration of Light (the largest Fireworks Competition in the World), the Calgary Stampede Rodeo, the Edmonton Folk and Music Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival and the Quebec Winter Carnival.  All of these activities, shows, and celebrations (and the many more just like them) will provide you with valuable opportunities to meet new people and perhaps even forge lasting friendships with people outside of your academic circle.