Master of Clinical and Counselling Psychology

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Intake

Summer

Program components

Coursework

Practicum

Culminating Activity (Capstone, Project or Thesis) 

Scholarships

Application deadlines

Description

Mode of Delivery: In person

Campus: Lethbridge

Length of Program: 24 months (may require extension for Project or Thesis)

Notes: 

  • The Master of Clinical and Counselling Psychology program is currently under review with the College of Alberta Psychologists to have it designated as an approved program pathway meeting the graduate requirements leading to Registration as a Psychologist.
  • This program replaces the MEd Counselling Psychology previously offered.

The Master of Clinical and Counselling Psychology program is offered by the Faculty of Education. The program is intended to achieve the following student outcomes:

 

Theoretical Foundations and Application: Students will be able to understand and apply theoretical frameworks for clinical practice, assessment and diagnostic frameworks, or research methods.  

 

Self-Reflection and Professional Development: Students will be able to engage in reflective practice, self-exploration, and the development of clinical skills, fostering personal and professional growth.  

 

Cultural Competence and Diversity: Students will be able to develop the following capabilities: understanding cultural contexts and their impact on mental health, recognize biases, and apply multicultural counseling competencies along with cultural humility, particularly in working with diverse populations.  

 

Ethics and Professional Standards: Students will demonstrate ethical decision-making, professional boundaries, and adherence to codes of conduct recognizing the importance of ethical practice in clinical and counselling psychology.  

 

Collaboration and Communication Skills: Students will be able to build collaborative relationships and demonstrate effective communication skills, vital for successful professional interactions.  

 

Assessment and Diagnosis: Students will demonstrate an applied understanding of psychological assessment and psychodiagnostics, their importance in guiding treatment decisions, recognizing the need for competence in evaluation and the integration of diverse contextual factors.  

 

Evidence-Based Interventions: Students will demonstrate an applied understanding in selecting, developing and implementing evidence-based interventions for treatment, with a focus on evaluating their effectiveness and appropriateness for different client needs, in line with effective assessment and diagnostic practices.  

 

Research Methodology: Students will develop research skills to inform clinical practice and enhance understanding of psychological phenomena.  

 

Year One: attend full-time, on campus 

Year Two: complete practicum placements (may involve on campus components) and culminating activity.  

 

Program Schedule will be provided shortly 

 

In case of discrepancies between this page and the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue, the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue shall prevail. 

 

Related Program: The Faculty of Education also offers the Master of Counselling program. The Master of Counselling does not lead to Registered Psychologist status with the College of Alberta Psychologists but is designed to meet the graduate requirements for the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Admission information

Applicants will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission: 

 

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree (i.e. undergraduate degree) from a recognized degree-granting institution, in the discipline of interest or in a closely cognate discipline.
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in the terms containing the last 20 graded university courses (60.0 credit hours).
  • 36 credits of undergraduate coursework in psychology (or educational psychology), including at least one course (3.0 credit hours) in each of the following areas:
  • Approximately two years of work experience in a counselling or related setting. Volunteer experience in counselling settings is also desirable.
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency (ELP) for graduate students.

See here for information regarding international graduate-level admission requirements. 

Step 1: Prepare Supporting Documents 

Before you begin an application, review the requirements for your supporting documents below. If additional documentation is required, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research in Education will contact you.​ 

Step 2: Submit Online Application by Deadline 

Submit your complete application by midnight (MST/MDT) on the deadline date. 

Step 3: Arrange for Official Documents 

Official documents (e.g., transcripts, English language proficiency test scores) are required prior to course registration. 

Note: Applicants who have attended or are currently attending an institution participating in ApplyAlberta do not need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to ULethbridge from the issuing institution. A list of participating institutions is available at www.applyalberta.ca. 
 

Step 4: Admission Interview 

The selection committee reviews applications. Applicants selected for consideration may be invited to an admission interview. To accommodate applicants from a greater distance these interviews will be conducted virtually. 
 

Step 5: Admission Decision 

The selection committee makes a recommendation on admission to the program committee. You will be notified of your official admission status by the Registrar's Office no later than April 1. 

 

For more details please see the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue. 

The following criteria are used in the selection process:

 

  • Grade point average
  • Relevancy of undergraduate degree
  • Breadth of undergraduate courses
  • References
  • Relevant work and/or volunteer experience
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of intent
  • Results of interview 

Supporting documents

You will need to upload and submit the completed Psychology Coursework form via the online application system.

Unofficial Transcripts 
You will need to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts, including proof of graduation for your completed degree(s) and transcripts of all post-baccalaureate work, if any, via the online application system. 

 

Official Transcripts 
You will also need to arrange for your official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Your official transcripts are required to be received prior to course registration. 

 

Applicants who have attended or are currently attending institutions NOT participating in ApplyAlberta must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office. A list of participating institutions is available at applyalberta.ca. 

 

Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to: 
Registrar’s Office 
University of Lethbridge 
4401 University Drive West 
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4 
Canada

 

Your transcripts are required to display your up-to-date coursework, including grades/marks received for completed coursework. 

Applicants to the Master of Clinical and Counselling Psychology program are required to submit three (3) academic or professional references. A minimum of two references must be professional (someone with whom you have worked professionally, preferably who have served in a supervisory capacity).

 

Please see the Application FAQ for detailed information regarding submitting Letters of Reference. 

Your CV is a comprehensive document with a formal structure and academic focus. It should include: 

 

  • your background
  • relevant work and/or volunteer experience. Be sure to note experience that includes the following and include an estimate of total hours in each role:
    • Preference is given for working or intervening with people in crisis, or for work in the human services field that is either focused on helping people change or more broadly oriented around a helping capacity.
    • Experience with public facing work/volunteerism can also be helpful for demonstrating your capacity to work productively with diverse populations. Most often this category is insufficient in and of itself to support a successful application to the program.
  • awards and scholarships
  • publications, and other achievements 

If you are a current or former University of Lethbridge student, contact Career and Employment Services for additional information on the content and structure of a CV. 

Your Letter of Intent for the Master of Clinical and Counselling Psychology program must contain: 

 

  •     Nature of interest in the program and the intended career outcome upon completion.  
  •    If applicable, briefly note any relevant factors that may have distorted your GPA as an accurate indicator of your academic ability.  
  •    You should address your letter to the Graduate Programs in Education Committee. 

Things to Note: 

 

Be concise and include only important information – reviewers have many graduate applications to review; your Letter of Intent should be no more than two pages in length. 

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to registration, all applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, research, and participation in tutorials and discussions, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin. Please see the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for graduate students for detailed information. 

The new MCCP synergistically brings the fields of Clinical and Counselling Psychology together with a strong emphasis on bridging the gap between evidence-based clinical assessment and evidence-based treatment to enhance the well-being and mental health of people.

Dr. Kerry Bernes 
B.Ed., M.Sc., Ph.D., R.Psych. (AB, NS), C.Psych. (ON, PEI), ABPP  
Board Certified in Clinical Psychology (American Board of Professional Psychology)