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Master of Education in Counselling Psychology; (Global Mental Health & Counselling Psychology Field) Dual Degree Programs

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Global Mental Health and Counselling Psychology Field
Master of Education in Counselling Psychology; Dual Degree Programs

Master of Education in Counselling Psychology; Dual Degree Programs Overview

Mental health and counselling psychology in a global context

Three dual degree programs offer pathways between U of T's Master of Education (MEd) in Counselling Psychology, Global Mental Health and Counselling Psychology (GMHCP) field, and the following international programs:

  1. Master of Medicine in Psychiatry and Mental Health (MMed); China Medical University (CMU)
  2. Master of Science in Applied Psychology (MSc); China Medical University (CMU)
  3. Master of Applied Psychology (MAP); Zhejiang University (ZJU)

Students will gain both degrees in three years rather than the four years it would take to acquire the degrees independently.

Applicants must apply directly to both the Department of Applied Psychology & Human Development at U of T  and to the academic department at CMU or ZJU. Applicants must apply through U of T’s School of Graduate Studies .

For detailed information about the dual degree programs, please consult the .

At a Glance

Study Options
Full-time (9 sessions, 3 years)
Coursework & Masters Thesis
Practicum

Funding and Tuition
For current information about tuition fees, funding, and financial support, visit Tuition & Financial Support.  

Deadlines
Applications for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle are set to open early October 2022.

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Why I Chose Applied Psychology & Human Development

Nivatha Moothathamby
Nivatha Moothathamby (Master of Arts 2021)

PhD student in Developmental Psychology and Education

"My journey at 91±¬ÁÏ has been filled with establishing positive and supportive relationships, learning the nuances of psychology and education, and understanding my role as a scholar and an activist. As a Tamil-Canadian, I come from a community that has faced racial injustices and intergenerational trauma. The Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development has provided me with academic resources and a community to explore and expand on these parts of my identity. Overall, 91±¬ÁÏ’s deep commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity is what drew me to apply. I found my place here."

Master of Education in Counselling Psychology; Dual Degree Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements

Please visit the 91±¬ÁÏ Admissions website for detailed information about the application process, including general minimum admission requirements and supporting documents.

Program-Specific Information (Minimum Admission Requirements)

  • Applicants must meet the admission requirements of both programs.
  • Applicants are admitted under the  at U of T, as well as the specific requirements of the MMEd, MSc, or MAP program.
  • An appropriate bachelor’s degree of any background or discipline, with a grade equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in the final year or over senior courses, from a recognized university.
  • At least one year of relevant counselling experience, which could be paid or volunteer.
  • Normally, an interview is required prior to admission to the MEd program.
  • Students applying to the Global Mental Health field must arrange a suitable international practicum prior to being admitted to this program.​ The practicum is intended to link the theory, concepts, assessment, intervention strategies and research methods taught in the program to real life-practice.

Required Supporting Documents

All applicants must submit:

  • Transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended
  • Two letters of reference (One academic and one professional)
  • A resume/curriculum vitae
  • GMH Counselling Experience Table (Blank table can be downloaded from the Faculty Questions page via the online application portal)
  • Applicants are asked to respond to the following questions:
    • Briefly describe your relevant counseling or clinical experience, either volunteer or professional, that will contribute to your success in the program. (200 words max)
    • Please describe your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. How have your personal, academic and/or professional experiences prepared you to work effectively with diverse peoples in your future practice? (150 words max)
    • What counselling or clinical psychology/psychiatric agencies or services in your home country (or other international settings) have you investigated or planned to approach to fulfill the practicum placement required for this program? Who have you have identified as a possible supervisor in that setting? What types of counselling experiences or training does this setting offer to their practicum students? (200 words max)
       

Additional Program Information

For the curriculum and program requirements see the information on the School of Graduate Studies Calendar.

According to the application requirements for the Master of Education in Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy program, an academic reference is preferred, along with a professional reference, however, will two professional references be accepted instead of one academic and one professional reference?
Yes. For applicants several years from their undergraduate programs, a strong academic reference may be difficult to obtain.  The want is to have one of the practical referees speak to your scholarship too – perhaps critical thinking/writing, report writing, literature reviews, presentation skills, and all-around collegiality – in addition to what she/he can offer toward your practical skills.

Can you please confirm that this program does not have a research component?
The MEd degree programs do not have a research component.  Applicants do not need to identify professors of research interest, but can list courses of interest which they teach.

Does what programs we do for our undergraduate influence our chances of getting into the program?
The MEd Counselling and Psychotherapy program does not require a specific undergraduate major.  Any 4 year BA with a B+ or better in the last year is fitted.  Applicants will want to demonstrate their academic scholarship with their faculty questions and via their reference letters, such as critical thinking and writing.

Is a successful work experience not related to counselling field not recommended to apply?
Applicants are encouraged to elaborate only on  practical exposures relevant to mental health skills building and preparedness for a successful practicum placement.

For students who are in the process of completing their undergraduate degree, does the admissions committee look at just the 3rd year courses since the 4th year grades aren't released? Are there a certain number of courses they take to calculate an admissions average? 
For applicants applying during their final year of the undergraduate program, an application GPA is not calculated.   If an admissions offer is received in late March/early April, it will be conditional upon submitting proof of graduation and receiving a B+ or better GPA in the last 5 full-year equivalent degree course credits.

For the MEd in CP - Counselling and Psychotherapy what is the minimum numbers of courses you can take as full time student. Are courses offered over the spring and summer months? 
Full-time registration in the MEd program is typically 3 courses per semester. This is 6 in the first year, and the remaining 4 in the 2nd year, including the practicum placement. Summer courses are available. These are electives and are optional.

Would it be possible to apply as international student and change the status afterwards if permanent residency is granted after been accepted by the university? 
An applicant’s residency status would not affect the review of their application. When an offer of admission is received, in late March or early April, the applicant may update our 91±¬ÁÏ registrars’ office with their residency status at that time.

If I have just begun a volunteer position with a crisis line that I am committed to for one year, (meaning at the time of the application I will only have been in the position for a month), will this still be considered for relevant experience for September program start date.
Yes, the one year practical experience requirement is counted back from when an applicant would begin the program the following September.  We encourage applicants to consider when is the best year to apply, when familiar and glowing letters of reference can be secured.

Experiences beginning at the time of application will often not have substantial relationship-building for the referee to elaborate upon.

I am trying to get an idea of what the program looks like and I’m not having a lot of luck online. Do you happen to have an example schedule of what courses are offered and what your week would look like ? Also, does the program help to find you a placement and is the 250 hours direct or does that include all direct and indirect hours at placement? 
A representative course schedule is not available, but full-time registration is typically 3 courses per semester, which can be scheduled in 2 or 3 days - 9 hours of in-class time per week.   The 2nd year includes 4 more courses plus a two day a week practicum placement.   The minimum 250 hours is inclusive of indirect and direct client hours - the latter being a minimum of 25%.

Ready to join one of the world’s top universities?

Take the next step in your academic journey and start your application to graduate studies at 91±¬ÁÏ.