Application for Admission and Financial Assistance

Application for Admission to Graduate Studies

Applicants are admitted on a competitive basis. The minimum requirements for admission to the graduate program are:

1. a four-year bachelor's degree from a recognized university
2. at least an A- (or first class standing) in the final two years of undergraduate study
3. competitive scores on each subtest of the general section of the Graduate Record Examination
4. the equivalent of at least 6 full courses (12 semester courses) in Psychology, including statistics and some laboratory experience
5. applicants not fluent in English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language and attain a score of not less than 580 on the paper based test (with a score of 5 on the Test of Written English component) or a score of not less than 237 on the computer based test (with a score of 5 on the essay rating component).

Note: Students may be admissible with fewer than 12 semester courses in Psychology. Students with a strong background in mathematics, physical science, biological science or computer science are especially encouraged to apply even if they have fewer than the suggested number of psychology courses.

Because the number of applicants always exceeds the number of available places, meeting these requirements does not guarantee admission.

Applicants interested only in a Masters degree should not apply; all programs of study are intended to lead to the doctoral degree in psychology. Successful applicants are admitted to a one-year M.A. program; assuming satisfactory performance, students then continue on to the Ph.D. program. Applicants with an M.A. in Psychology from another university may be admitted directly to the Ph.D. program. The departmental admissions committee makes recommendations to the School of Graduate Studies based on the documentation specified below. An application will not be considered without ALL of the necessary documentation and the application fee, which must be received by January 15. Please send the required materials as follows:
 

To the School of Graduate Studies:

1. completed application for admission forms
2. application fee
    

To the Department of Psychology:

1. completed application forms
2. a copy of the applicant's academic transcript(s) in sealed envelopes
3. at least two letters of recommendation (in sealed envelopes) from professors familiar with the applicant and his/her academic work
4. one completed copy of the Academic Interest Form
5. Graduate Record Examination scores - general (information can be obtained directly from the Educational Testing Service, CN 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541- 6000)

Applicants will receive official notification of the outcome of their application from the School of Graduate Studies, usually about 1 April. However, successful applicants will receive a letter from the department confirming financial arrangements and will usually also receive a telephone call some time in March.

Successful applicants must inform the department in writing by April 15 whether they wish to accept or reject the offer of admission and financial support. Those accepting are expected to arrive on campus no later than the first week in September.

THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS IS JANUARY 15.

To Request an Application

Application for Financial Assistance

The department strives to maintain financial support to all graduate students for the M.A. year and for each of the first three years of the Ph.D. program. This support is in the form of scholarships, fellowships, research assistantships and teaching assistantships. At present, the minimum level of support is $16,400 per year. This amount, however, is conditional on continuing availability of funds, as well as satisfactory academic and research performance.

To qualify for funding students must apply to all of the sources listed below for which they are eligible. Current fee schedules and information about the cost of living in Toronto are supplied in the booklet, "Graduate Studies", published by the School of Graduate Studies. Note that only the Connaught Scholarships include payment of tuition fees.

Connaught Scholarships. These are awarded by the University to outstanding applicants and are renewable for up to three years, contingent on continued strong academic performance. All applicants are automatically considered for these awards, which currently have a value of $11,100 plus fees.

University of Toronto Fellowships These are awarded to outstanding applicants and to graduate students already in the program. All students are automatically considered for these awards, which have a value of up to a maximum of $12,000. Students are eligible for these awards during their MA year and for their first five Ph.D. years.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships These are awarded by the Ontario government to outstanding applicants. Forms are available from the School of Graduate Studies, with the deadline normally in late October. All Canadian citizens, permanent residents and visitors already holding student authorization are eligible for these awards, which have a value of $11,859.

Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Scholarships These are awarded by NSERC to students on the basis of high scholastic achievement and evidence of capacity to do research. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible. The deadline is in early November, and forms can be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies at the student's university. The value of these awards is $17,300.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Fellowships These are awarded by SSHRC to students in social or developmental psychology who already have the M.A. degree or have completed at least one year of a doctoral program. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible. The deadline is in early November, and forms are available from SSHRC at 255 Albert Street, Box 1610, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6G4. The value of these awards is $16,620.