Admissions Process

The Psychotherapy Program will admit a limited number of students each year. All applicants will be reviewed by the Psychotherapy Program’s Admission Committee and selection will be reserved for candidates who meet all requirements set by the program as well as the Department of Graduate Studies. Given the limited number of spots in the program, possessing the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer of admission.

• The online application for Fall 2024 will open on Friday September 1, 2023, and close at 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
• Interview offers will be sent in the middle of January and interviews will be held the beginning of February.

General Admission Requirements

Admission selections will be based on academic achievement as well as relevant volunteer and work experiences.

The admissions criteria include:

1. Honours Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Sciences or Health Sciences from a recognized university with at least a B+ average (equivalent to a McMaster 8.5 GPA out of 12) in the final year of study. This requirement is consistent with the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ admissions requirements.
2. For applicants whose first language is not English and who did not attend an English-speaking University for their undergraduate degree, a test of English language proficiency is required. Minimal scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are: written score (600) or computer (250), or internet-based test (iBT = 92; reading = 22, speaking = 24, listening = 24 and writing = 22).
3. Applicants will also be asked to submit the following documents with their application:

1. 1. Curriculum Vitae – Please include relevant education, work and volunteer experiences.
   2. Personal statement – You will be asked to respond to a series of questions directly in the application portal. Your answers to these questions will make up your personal statement. Please ensure that you answer all of the questions.
   3. Two letters of reference – At least one from academic referee (i.e., professors or research supervisors). One letter may be from a professional referee (i.e., employer who can provide a professional reference). Academic references are preferred.
   4. Transcripts from every degree-granting institution attended (please upload an unofficial copy of your transcripts with your online application).

Alternative Requirements

As stated in the School of Graduate Studies Calendar, some potential applicants may not satisfy the admission requirements for a four-year honours undergraduate degree with a B+ average in the final year. In this case, work experience and/or completed course work beyond the bachelor’s degree in psychology, social sciences or health sciences, may have some bearing on the applicant’s ability to complete a graduate program.

In addition to the standard admissions requirements (i.e., Curriculum Vitae, Personal Statement and unofficial transcripts from every degree-granting institution attended), admission to graduate studies for a student with related work experience will be based on the following criteria:

1. At least two professional references (i.e., employer who can provide a professional reference). One reference can come from an academic reference.
2. Four-year undergraduate degree in psychology, social sciences or health sciences, or equivalent, completed more than four years ago, and any other course work taken since that time.
3. A section of the personal statement that outlines how the work experience is relevant to the MSc in Psychotherapy Program.

Admissions Interview

The admissions committee will review every application to the program to ensure that prospective students have the necessary academic background, proficiency in English, and relevant volunteer and work experience to enroll in the Psychotherapy Program. Those students who are short-listed based on the review of their application will be offered an interview. Interviews may be conducted in person or via video conferencing software.

Selection Process

The admission requirements described above are minimum requirements and therefore, it is expected that many of the successful applicants will exceed the minimum requirements. All applications will be reviewed using a standard selection procedure:

1. Reviewing Academic Eligibility
   • The admissions committee will review every application to the program to ensure that prospective students have the necessary academic background, proficiency in English, and relevant experiences to be successful in the Psychotherapy Program. Those students who are short-listed based on the review of their application will be offered an interview.
2. Admission Interview
   • Interviews will be conducted in person or over video conferencing software.

Where you can find us

If you would like to meet with one of our team members to learn more about our program, we will be participating in the following events over the next couple of months and would love to see you!

Master of Psychotherapy Virtual Open House – Please click here for a recording of our Open House.

McMaster Graduate Studies Fair – Tuesday October 17th from 10:00am – 3:00pm – MUSC Marketplace

McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences Open House – Thursday October 19th from 11:00am – 2:00pm – MUSC Marketplace