Forensic Psychology (Doctoral program)

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Faculty of Social Science and Humanities

Forensic Psychology (Doctoral program)

Program details

Faculty
Social Science and Humanities

Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Delivery method
In-class

Location
�鶹��ý University, Downtown Oshawa

Start dates
September

Length
Approximately 48 months, based on full-time study, for post-master's students. Approximately 60 months, based on full-time study, for direct-entry students.

Program load
Full-time

Program format
Courses with a PhD research dissertation

Overview

An instructor points something out on a laptop to a group of students

The PhD in Forensic Psychology combines disciplinary and specialized study in Forensic Psychology, study in research methods and statistics, and applied learning experiences to prepare students to work in a variety of settings.

Administration in provincial and federal programs.
Advertising and marketing.
Behavioural science and statistical research in government organizations.
Design and evaluation of community programs.
Research and/or teaching in college and university settings.
Research and practice in behavioural science crime units within law enforcement.
Research in mental health institutions, hospital settings, justice-related institutes, correctional facilities, the pharmaceutical industry and educational entertainment industry.
Trial consulting.

The program will also allow professionals (e.g., law enforcement officials) to advance in their current fields.

Each year, a small number of undergraduate students may be admitted directly into the PhD program without a master’s degree. This direct-entry option is for undergraduate students with exceptional academic performance throughout their bachelor’s degree.

Please note that we are an experimental psychology program, training the next generation of psycho-legal and forensic psychology researchers. We do not offer doctoral programs in clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, counselling psychology or school psychology. As a result, accreditation by the Canadian Psychological Association does not apply.

PhD in Forensic Psychology

Hold the university's Master of Science (MSc) degree in Forensic Psychology or an equivalent research project or thesis-based Master of Arts/MSc degree (e.g., Experimental Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Biology, Criminology) at a recognized institution.
Minimum academic standing of A-minus (GPA: 3.7 on a 4.3 scale or 80 to 84 per cent) during graduate study.

PhD in Forensic Psychology – direct entry

Hold a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent in Psychology or a related field (e.g., Neuroscience, Computer Science, Biology, Criminology) at a recognized institution. Students with both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are encouraged to apply.
Minimum overall academic standing of at least an A-minus (GPA: 3.7 on a 4.3 scale or 80 to 84 per cent), with a minimum academic standing of A-minus in the final two full-time years (four terms) of undergraduate study, including elective courses.
Applicants who are not accepted into the PhD direct entry program will automatically be considered for the MASc program.

Note:

Completion of an honours thesis or comparable research experience is highly preferred but not required.
Applicants with unrelated backgrounds may be admitted as special cases. However, applicants without sufficient psychology background or those who do not meet the admission requirements of the program may not be prepared to perform successfully in the program courses. In this case, they may be required to take additional courses or admitted as qualifying students. Please see the Graduate Academic Calendar and Course Catalogue for additional details.

Required supporting documents:

A curriculum vitae (CV) including education, employment, teaching and research experience, and publications (if any).
A third letter of reference. Academic referees are preferred; however, non-academic references will be considered.
A two- to three-page statement of academic intent (note that this is longer than the general requirements). The statement may describe previous research experience (e.g., thesis work, other research projects), industry or community experiences, general career aspirations, specific research interests and any experience relevant to these interests. If an applicant has already contacted a potential thesis supervisor (which is highly advised), that should be made known within the statement.
A substantive writing sample. A sample of the applicant's thesis is preferred; an assignment or published work (with the applicant as first author) will suffice if a thesis has not been completed.

Applicants must also submit the required documents outlined in the .

Additional supporting documents:

General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are encouraged but not required. There is no specified minimum score; however, scores will be factored into admission decisions.
Psychology GRE scores for those applicants who have not completed a Psychology (undergraduate or graduate) degree within the last five years are encouraged but not required. There is no specified minimum score. All other applicants may still choose to have their Psychology GRE scores forwarded to the university, and the graduate committee will factor the scores into admissions decisions.

The GRE® Subject Test date . Applicants should submit General GRE test scores prior to the deadline. Applicants should register early for the Psychology Subject Test. For an updated list of test centers, please see the . Institution code: 7178.

Required test scores for English language proficiency:

See for the minimum required test scores for this program.

Please see for specific dates. Note that the application deadlines listed are for both the online application and all supporting documentation.

Applications for admission to all graduate studies programs are submitted online. There are five steps you must go through to complete the application process. See for step-by-step instructions.

Many of our graduate programs are extremely competitive; the number of qualified applicants normally exceeds the number of seats available for each intake. Satisfaction of minimum entry requirements does not ensure admission.

Program details

Faculty
Social Science and Humanities

Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Delivery method
In-class

Location
�鶹��ý University, Downtown Oshawa

Start dates
September

Length
Approximately 48 months, based on full-time study, for post-master's students. Approximately 60 months, based on full-time study, for direct-entry students.

Program load
Full-time

Program format
Courses with a PhD research dissertation

Learn more

Research areas

Children and the law
Detection of deception
Evidence-based policing
Eyewitness memory
Forensic neuroscience
Geographic profiling
Interrogations and confessions
Investigative interviewing
Psychopathy
Sexual Violence
Wrongful conviction

Learn more about the research areas within this program and find research experts by visiting the and the university's Expert Centre .

Additional information

Sample courses
Funding
Fees
Contact

For program requirements, including required number of credits for completion, program maps and course descriptions, please see the .

Forensic Psychology, PhD

For program requirements, including required number of credits for completion, program maps and course descriptions, please see the academic calendar and course catalogue of Loading.... Courses are subject to change without notice.

Forensic Psychology, PhD - Direct entry

Internal awards and funding

Applicants to research-based graduate programs who are studying full-time are automatically considered for some types of funding at the time of admission.

Types of funding that do not require an application:

Entrance scholarships
Minimum funding packages
Teaching assistantships, research assistantships and graduate research assistantships

For more details on the above funding opportunities, see .

Please note: Part-time students are not eligible for the above funding opportunities.

External awards and funding

Graduate program applicants are encouraged to apply for to help finance their education. The application process differs for each competition, so review the information carefully to determine where and when you must apply. Please note: The majority of these awards are for domestic or permanent residents only.

Tuition fees for graduate programs are charged on a flat-fee or fee-per-credit basis and vary by program and student status.

For current, specific fees and details on flat-fee versus fee-per-credit programs, please see .

For more information:

Contact the program:

Faculty of Social Science and Humanities
905.721.3234
SSHgrad@ontariotechu.ca

Contact the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies:

905.721.8668 ext. 6209
gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca