MEd COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY (OISE, UofT)

[BobbiQueen]

I also want folks to know that I highly recommend the Addictions & Mental Health program at Humber. I did it back in 2019 and it honestly changed my life and I was able to land a job during the program at a youth mental health agency that I've been working at for almost 2 years. If anyone has any questions about it, feel free to ask. ?

[KimKim]

On 4/10/2021 at 8:13 PM, LiveLovePsych said:

Hi there, congrats on your acceptances thats amazing! Since McGill is in Montreal you wouldn't be registered in Ontario by graduating this program, you would have to go through the process of getting registered with the CRPO which is for Ontario. UofT will be the quicker route in this case because you would be registered with the college board in Ontario. as for the program quality of training im not sure if there is a difference. TBH they are both amazing schools and very well known so I feel for the most part how you learn and implement the knowledge you gain will play a big role in the quality of your training

Hope this helped!

Thanks a lot! I accepted U of T's offer.

[KimKim]

On 4/10/2021 at 9:23 PM, Hemingwho said:

When were you accepted, if you don't mind me asking?

 

You might want to check if there is faculty in either program specializing in your modalities of interest. Additionally, you could always look into which city seems preferable to you. 

I was accepted on March 4th.

[KimKim]

On 4/10/2021 at 9:25 PM, Toughcook1e said:

Congrats! If you only plan to be a psychotherapist and stay in Ontario, Uoft is a quicker route. I totally agree with @LiveLovePsych. 

However, it is MA vs MEd. MA definitely offers a wider range of job opportunities (both clinical and counselling) and MA also benefits further academic study (if you ever want to pursue a doctor degree in psychology). MEd does not have a research component. I think it also depends on your interests in doing research. 

I did not realize UofT is that more expensive than McGill. I personally believe McGill has a better reputation in psychology, especially in US. If you get accredited in provinces other than Ontario and want to work as a registered psychotherapist in Ontario, you just need to contact CRPO. https://www.crpo.ca/labour-mobility/ I do not know the process very well, but maybe you can check CRPO website. I am sure it won't be a problem.

Thanks a lot for the info. As I am not that into research, I prefer a professional degree. I accepted UofT's offer. I am considering continuing with the EdD Counseling program at UofT.  I am not quite sure about its job prospects though...

[KimKim]

On 4/11/2021 at 2:04 AM, Burtlam said:

Current OISE MEd student here.  Congrats on your acceptance to both programs!!!
 

You shouldn’t have any problem registering with CRPO with a Master’s from McGill. I know many therapists who were trained in Quebec (Concordia, McGill etc) working in Toronto/Ontario as RPs. 
 

In terms of training, my impression is that you will get a bit more structured training at McGill. Their curriculum looks very sequenced. OISE MEd is student-driven and allows for more flexibility around how you move through the program. That’s both good and potentially bad, meaning, unless you know what kind of a therapist you want to become, it’s easy to get lost. I personally like the freedom in terms of course selection and practicum that OISE offers. Also, some students do a collaborative degree in another UofT department (in Addiction Studies, Indigenous Health, Palliative Care, Sexuality Studies etc) so you can get two degrees in one (and pay only for one program)?.
 

Another thing I like about OISE MEd is that because it doesn’t require an undergrad psych degree for admissions, there’s a lot of diversity in experience and background among students. It’s been really eye opening for me to see different paths to therapy work and I learn a lot from my classmates. I’m sure you will have amazing colleagues at McGill though. 
 

In terms of MA vs MEd, personally I think it comes down to funding as you mentioned. MEd students interested in doing PhD/EdD/PsyD later can take research & thesis courses as part of their electives so it shouldn’t make much difference (unless you want to go straight into PhD after MA and be fully funded, then McGill might be your answer). 
 

Hope this helps. At the end of the day, you will get excellent education from either program so go with your gut feeling and career goals! 

Thanks so much for the info! It really helped. I decided to go with OISE's program and am very excited.. 

Regarding the flexibility you mentioned, can you give me some idea about which therapeutic modalities the program is mainly concentrated on? I find that the info on the website is not that thorough!

Are you planning on continuing with the EdD Counseling program at OISE? Do you know if as a counselor/psychotherapist, one's career would benefit from this degree?

[KimKim]

On 4/11/2021 at 7:01 PM, simp4gradschool said:

Hi, Congrats!! I'm so happy for you! 

I went to McGill for undergrad and if I were you I would prefer McGill MA project stream > UofT MEd > McGill MA Internship. McGill is very strong in academic research and they will overprepare you for PhD. Housing expenses and tuition fee are much lower in McGill and Montreal. The only thing I would be aware of is bilingualism. I don't speak French fluently enough to be bilingual and it was comparably hard to find non-bilingual opportunities in counselling related volunteer or jobs. As other posts mentioned, MA would leave a lot more doors open comparing to MEd. I heard some average-ish comments about McGill Internship program, I personally would prefer UT MEd over McGill Internship. 

 

Thanks a lot! I accepted UofT's program as I am not planning on doing a PhD. Also, because I don't know French and I received an exemption from the international tuition fee at UofT.?

[KimKim]

On 4/12/2021 at 1:42 AM, Regina77 said:

Hi there congrats on your acceptances. Are you currently an international student? If yes, then you might know that there are instances where you can pay domestic e.g., if you are a dependent or partner of a tax paying individual. As well the government had passed some law that international students can pay domestic at graduate level, but that might adopted by in different ways across universities so look into that and maybe ask UofT about it.  The difference in cost is huge between the 2 for sure!!!

Thanks so much. I did apply for the exemption you mentioned and was accepted as I am in the process of obtaining my permanent residency. so happy

[Toronto92]

19 hours ago, KimKim said:

Thanks so much. I did apply for the exemption you mentioned and was accepted as I am in the process of obtaining my permanent residency. so happy

Hey, congrats on your acceptance! If you feel okay to do so, do you mind sharing your gpa/ work experience. It's helpful to get examples of what they look for with acceptance

[MSW2020lm]

I have been unofficially rejected. All the best to those who are starting the program in the fall and to those on the next application cycle! 

[micher]

10 hours ago, MSW2020lm said:

I have been unofficially rejected. All the best to those who are starting the program in the fall and to those on the next application cycle! 

I'm sorry to hear that! Who did you email and what did they say?

[MSW2020lm]

8 minutes ago, micher said:

I'm sorry to hear that! Who did you email and what did they say?

I emailed Todd. He said "'Ive inquired about the status of your application and can report, unofficially, that your application to the MEd program will be recommended for refusal.    Unfortunately, with 702 applications for 35 spots this year, there is not enough spaces to accommodate all strong applicants. You should receive the official application response via email very soon."

[micher]

2 minutes ago, MSW2020lm said:

I emailed Todd. He said "'Ive inquired about the status of your application and can report, unofficially, that your application to the MEd program will be recommended for refusal.    Unfortunately, with 702 applications for 35 spots this year, there is not enough spaces to accommodate all strong applicants. You should receive the official application response via email very soon."

Thank you! I know I'm getting rejected but I just want to hear it before accepting my offer to Yorkville lol

[LiveLovePsych]

Hi All, I would really appreciate hearing from people who have applied to child psychology masters programs and other programs around Canada that aren't thesis based for psychology… there are many programs available for this and im considering applying, just want to know what you have heard about from different programs or honestly any information! 

thank you so much ❤️ 

[LiveLovePsych]

On 4/14/2021 at 8:43 AM, taco-belle said:

Yeah I think that's different, more of part-time learning certificate. The program I'm taking is 3 semesters (2 semesters of courses + 1 placement). It's still a great program and it was reccomended to me as a stepping stone to the OISE program. I know several people in course have applied for September and have been accepted

just wondering, the people who were accepted, are they currently in the program? I might reapply this fall while I go to a certificate but my concern is will the program recognize that I am in the program and that would be helpful? or would I have to graduate from the certificate first. thanks!

[taco-belle]

On 4/18/2021 at 8:50 PM, LiveLovePsych said:

just wondering, the people who were accepted, are they currently in the program? I might reapply this fall while I go to a certificate but my concern is will the program recognize that I am in the program and that would be helpful? or would I have to graduate from the certificate first. thanks!

I know at least one person was, but I'm not sure what other qualifications/experience they had. And that's pretty much the situation I was in - I took the program this year (am currently still in it), and applied for this September. I was recommened for refusal, so I think that they probably didn't recognize it in my case unfortunately. I think they may consider it if you also have substantial experience, since I know people have been accepted in the year right after they took the program. 

[BobbiQueen]

Has anyone gotten anything official yet? I don't want to email Todd to ask him and my application still says under review. ?

[lmw1496]

2 hours ago, BobbiQueen said:

Has anyone gotten anything official yet? I don't want to email Todd to ask him and my application still says under review. ?

Nothing official Also, I'm in the same boat where I don't wanna email hahaha! At this point, I'm going about my life as if I've been rejected, but it sucks cause I just want to let my references know the final outcomes and officially move on :(((

[BobbiQueen]

Just now, lmw1496 said:

Nothing official Also, I'm in the same boat where I don't wanna email hahaha! At this point, I'm going about my life as if I've been rejected, but it sucks cause I just want to let my references know the final outcomes and officially move on :(((

In the same boat, friend!!! Thanks for sharing.

[micher]

I emailed Todd and I'm unofficially rejected. Feels better to know than to hope! Only 35 spots and 702 applicants this year. 95% refusal rate is a joke lol. Best of luck everyone! <3 

[LiveLovePsych]

Anyone accepted into the MED Counselling, would you mind sharing the topics discussed in your statement of intent? Thanks 

[Toronto92]

Does anyone think responses will take longer than next week (i.e. the end of the month)? lol Something unusual is definitely going on this year - maybe they are actually giving priority to international students. It's been pretty much dead silent for the past month and I don't see that in past years. Maybe that's why we haven't seen a lot of people's responses on grad cafe? I'm assuming international students don't know about grad cafe like domestic students lol

[Burtlam]

On 4/16/2021 at 3:46 PM, KimKim said:

Thanks so much for the info! It really helped. I decided to go with OISE's program and am very excited.. 

Regarding the flexibility you mentioned, can you give me some idea about which therapeutic modalities the program is mainly concentrated on? I find that the info on the website is not that thorough!

Are you planning on continuing with the EdD Counseling program at OISE? Do you know if as a counselor/psychotherapist, one's career would benefit from this degree?

We have modality courses in CBT, EFT, Mindfulness, and Trauma-informed (there could be more). FYI you will have to wait till the second year to take some of these courses. I don’t think there’s an emphasis on any approach at OISE. Many students take a workshop or a certificate program on their own if they want additional training in specific modalities. 

I don’t plan to go onto EdD myself, but some of my classmates do. I don’t think it makes much difference in terms of what you can/cannot do as a therapist. But a doctorate may add more credentials if you want to be in a position of leadership/clinical directorship in the future.

Hope this helps. Don’t worry about these things too much though. They usually hold a few orientation events for incoming students over the summer and you can ask tons of questions there. 
 

 

[BobbiQueen]

I've been unofficially rejected as well, folks! Good luck to everyone in their future endeavours. 

[Psychlover913]

I've been staying up to date with this forum, so I finally decided to make an account. I know that some have emailed Todd and received unofficial rejections. My question is...if Todd is able to tell us what decision was made for our application, then what is the delay in the process of uploading letters to us? It makes no sense to me. This has been such a frustrating process. 

[simp4gradschool]

I literally forgot about this program and my application still says Under Review.