Please Help! Apply for Clinical Psychology Canada

[FallGO]

I have a master's degree in experimental psychology. I'm interested in applying for Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Canadian schools) for 2019 Fall admission. I wonder whether I have to start from an MA, instead of PhD? School websites only vaguely answered these questions. So I want to know what do you guys think!

[JoePianist]

1 hour ago, FallGO said:

I have a master's degree in experimental psychology. I'm interested in applying for Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Canadian schools) for 2019 Fall admission. I wonder whether I have to start from an MA, instead of PhD? School websites only vaguely answered these questions. So I want to know what do you guys think!

Yes – more than likely, you’ll be starting from square one upon entering a doctorate Clinical Psychology program. However, you might be able to transfer some course credits from your Master’s program.

[PsycUndergrad]

7 hours ago, FallGO said:

I have a master's degree in experimental psychology. I'm interested in applying for Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Canadian schools) for 2019 Fall admission. I wonder whether I have to start from an MA, instead of PhD? School websites only vaguely answered these questions. So I want to know what do you guys think!

You will almost definitely have to start at the MA level, unfortunately. There are a couple of schools that admit PhD students (Western, McGill, Concordia, maybe others?), but most don’t. You’ll likely get credit for some of your MA courses- I have cohort mates who were exempt from stats classes because they already had an MA. 

When you apply, read the programs sites very carefully. I’ve heard of programs accepting PhD applications, but then only ever accepting MA students. I would only apply to the PhD if the website specifically says to. 

[Jay's Brain]

Connect with the Clinical Directors or graduate department at the universities hosting the programs you are interested in applying to. As most have already stated in this thread, a lot of students with an experimental psychology background often have to redo a Masters (but can use some of their previous credits). That being said, if your current research and area of focus aligns very well to what you plan to pursue, there is a possibility that you can be directly entered into PhD and only have to do some of the Masters-level courses. I have colleagues who had this exemption despite their previous Masters and were able to enter the PhD program directly.

Best of luck!

[FacelessMage]

It may be worth it for you to apply to a combined MA/PhD clinical psych program (e.g., Saskatchewan, Dalhousie, UNB). I have an MA in experimental psych and got into one of these program. It basically allowed me to skip all courses that I had already done in my MA (namely stats and all research requirements except for my dissertation), and it's a much better option than redoing a Masters elsewhere. 

[Neurophilic]

I agree with FacelessMage.. If you're interested, McGill is direct entry PhD so a masters degree is not required and it's a four year program.