Frequently Asked Questions
Graduates of Clinical Psychology work with individuals (adults and children), families, and groups who have cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and mental health problems; they conduct assessments, provide therapy, consult with other professionals (e.g., psychiatry), and design interventions based on research findings. Virtually all of our Clinical Psychology graduates become registered or licensed for professional practice, and more than 90% obtain positions in clinical practice settings.
Graduates of Applied Social Psychology work in a variety of community and organizational settings to improve satisfaction, productivity, and/or services provided to the community; they conduct research and apply the findings in these community settings. Applied Social Psychology graduates have obtained positions in human resources groups, social service and government agencies, health care organizations, industry.
Graduates of both Clinical Psychology and Applied Social Psychology also work in academic settings, teaching and conducting research.
- Make sure you have a strong GPA
- Gain experience relevant to psychology. For example, you could volunteer at a crisis hotline or to work with children. This serves two purposes -- first it makes your application stronger and, second, it helps you decide if psychology is the right path for you.
- Prepare well for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) You must take and do well on the GRE General test.
- Write a carefully prepared application essay where you show your passion for psychology, skill in research, and knowledge about areas of study in the particular department and program to which you are applying.
See Admission Criteria and Application Procedures web page.
We recommend that students complete their requirements for the PhD in 6 years. This time frame includes practicum and internship experiences in applied settings that are relevant to students’ programs of study.
Having a research advisor agree to work with you in advance is not necessary for acceptance. However, one criterion for selection is that your research interests match the interests of one or more faculty members. Once admitted, you will have time during your first year to meet the faculty and arrange for an advisor. However, many students contact prospective advisors when considering a particular program in order to determine whether there is a good match in research interests and work style.
No, you can only enter the program in September.
No. You have to submit the General GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical).
The University of Windsor’s institution code for the GRE scores is: 0904. You can also find this code at the start up page when you are actually completing your GRE computer-based test.
University of Windsor
Office of the Registrar – Graduate Studies Division
Windsor, On N9B 3P4
You need three reference letters.
Do the references have to be from academic sources, such as my professors, or can I submit a professional reference from my employment or volunteer positions?
It is preferable for all of your references to be from academic sources such as your professors. Nevertheless, you can submit two academic references and one professional reference if the employment or volunteer position is relevant to your chosen field of study in psychology.
You can submit your official sealed transcripts and sealed reference letters with your package. Make sure your sealed transcripts and reference letters have a signature across the seal.
Because selection of students is highly competitive, the minimum major and cumulative grade point average of “B” in undergraduate coursework does not guarantee admission.
Yes, your old materials will still be on file. However, you must still complete a new application form and submit new transcripts and GRE scores if you wish the updated materials to be considered.
Yes, as long as they have not changed.
No. Although we offer a Master’s degree, this is a combined Master’s – PhD program and you are expected to complete both.
Yes. Applicants with a Masters in Psychology can apply for entry. If you are applying to the Applied Social Psychology Program, you may apply for entry at the Ph.D. level. You will be given credit for courses and thesis work that are evaluated as equivalent to those required by the Applied Social Psychology Program. If your credits are not considered equivalent, you may be required to take additional required masters level courses and/or conduct additional research. If you are applying to the Clinical Psychology Program, you may apply for entry only at the M.A. level. You will be given credit for up to six courses that are evaluated as equivalent to those required by the Clinical Psychology Program but you will be required to do a second M.A. thesis.
Admission decisions are made by the end of February and you will be notified by email.
First there is an initial review of the application by the faculty in the program and track to which you have applied (Applied Social, Adult-Clinical, Child-Clinical, Clinical Neuropsychology. A short-list of the most suitable applicants is compiled. If you make the short-list, you will be contacted for a telephone interview.
The purpose of the interviews is to determine the extent to which applicants' goals and aspirations are a good fit with the kind of training we can offer. Graduate school in Psychology demands a six year commitment. That is a very significant investment on your part, and on our part as well, so it is in everyone's best interests to ensure that the applicant-program match is a good one.
Following the telephone interviews, faculty members in each program and track meet again and decisions are made about which applicants will be recommended for admission. These recommendations are forwarded to the Graduate Studies Committee and then the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for approval. Offers of admission are made through the office of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Applicants who are offered admission then are invited to an OPEN HOUSE that usually takes place in March. Although attending the Open House is not a requirement, this is an opportunity for you to meet current students and faculty members and for you to assess whether you and the program are a good match. Applicants who have received offers of admission have until April 15 to accept or decline the offer.
You can find information on tuition costs by visiting the Cashier’s office web page.
All graduate students may apply for financial support.
Graduate assistantships (which are basically the same as Teaching Assistantships at the Graduate level) are available for a maximum of ten hours a week. For further information, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
Incoming students and students already enrolled in the Masters and Doctoral programs may be eligible for the University of Windsor Entrance scholarship if they have an average of “A-“. For further information, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
One of the external scholarships that students are required to apply for is the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS). If eligible, students also are strongly encouraged to apply to government agencies for financial support (e.g., Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes for Health Research). For more information on external scholarships, visit the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
Additionally, there are some paid practicum/internship opportunities in the community, and research assistant positions paid from faculty grants. However, the number of hours that students are eligible to work while enrolled full time is limited to 10 hours per week.
Department of Psychology
University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
173-2 Chrysler Hall South
Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4
(519) 253-3000 ext. 2217
Fax: (519) 973-7021
© 2013 University of Windsor