Graduate Programs
The Psychology and Neuroscience department has considerable strength in many research areas including:
- Animal learning and behaviour
- Clinical
- Cognitive
- Developmental
- Health psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Neuroscience
- Perception
- Physiological
Research programs are carried out within the department, local hospitals, schools, and forensic facilities in order to provide the most advanced and relevant research experience possible.
International Students please see this site for additional university requirments:
International Applicant Information
Please note: Admissions to our programs happens once per year.
Deadline for applications for Clinical Psychology is Nov. 15th for the following Fall.
Deadline for Psychology & Neuroscience Programs is Dec. 1st for the following Fall.
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is dedicated to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working and learning environment. We specifically welcome applications from Black, Indigenous, and racially visible persons, individuals living with a disability, and individuals who identify as a sexual and/or gender minority. The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience continues to make efforts to eliminate barriers for diverse applicants, as has been demonstrated by removal of the Graduate Record Exam requirement, the initiation of a unique bursary for applicants from any of the above-mentioned groups, and ongoing collaboration with administration on improving the accessibility of our departmental space.
Graduate Programs Overview
Detailed information for Applicants
Psychology and Neuroscience
Graduate programs are designed as "apprenticeship" programs in which students work closely with a faculty member who has agreed to supervise their research. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary research, scholarship and independent thinking rather than on course work.
Experimental Stream
Candidates for the Master's program in Psychology must have an honours degree or equivalent in Psychology; candidates for the PhD program must have a Master's degree in the area of graduate work. Experimental Psychology is the study of human and animal behaviour and the neural mechanisms controlling this behaviour. As a science, psychology strives to learn information about behaviour through observation and experimentation.
Neuroscience Stream
Candidates for the MSc program in Psychology/Neuroscience must have an honours degree or equivalent in the area of graduate work; candidates for the PhD program must have a Master's degree in the area of graduate work. Neuroscience integrates psychology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy and other branches of the life sciences into a single discipline concerned with the structure and function of the brain. Neuroscience is exceptionally well represented at Dal; faculty members study the nervous system at molecular, cellular, and behavioural levels.
Clinical Psychology
Candidates for the PhD program in Clinical Psychology must have an honours degree or equivalent in Psychology. Students who have completed additional degrees or work at the graduate level may be eligible for advanced standing within the program. Please refer to our Guidelines for Exemptions for more information. The Clinical Program is founded on a scientist-practitioner training model and is committed to prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion in all components of training. Students are also provided with the opportunity to expand their learning into areas of interest (e.g., child psychology, adult psychology, neuropsychology, addictions, health psychology).