Counselling Psychology MA, MEd
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Experience Prerequisite:
Applicants require a minimum of approximately two years (or 400 hours) of volunteer or paid experience working in a helping related position. Any human service work would be acceptable. Typically it is crisis line work or applied behavioural education support, as those are the most accessible opportunities for our applicants.
Academic Prerequisites:
A Bachelor degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0/4.33 (B), or a grade point average of at least 3.33/4.33 (B+) based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses will normally be required for admissions. Applicants must also have completed EDUC 323-3 (Introduction to Counselling Theories) and EDUC 423-4 (Helping Relationships) or equivalent courses as well as additional prerequisite courses in specified areas of study. Please see the prerequisite category (below) that applies to you.
Completion of the undergraduate Minor in Counselling and Human Development (or equivalent coursework) is recommended.
Frequently Asked Admission Questions on the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to applying to the program. Applications must include transcripts that show grades in all prerequisite courses.
Additional Information about Prerequisites:
All prospective applicants should be aware that courses listed as prerequisites for entry to the Counselling Psychology Master's program may have undergraduate prerequisites.
Applicants are responsible for determining and completing any undergraduate prerequisite courses that may be required by their home institution before completing the courses required to apply to the Counselling Psychology program.
What prerequisite courses do you need if you:
Have a psychology major?
As a psychology major, you will only need to complete a course in counselling skills (EDUC 423 or equivalent) provided that the completion of coursework in developmental, cognitive and educational psychology and research methodology was required for your degree. An undergraduate course in counselling theories (EDUC 323 or equivalent) is strongly recommended but not required for applicants with majors in psychology. Please note that at some institutions, including Simon Fraser University, the Counselling Theories course (EDUC 323) is a prerequisite for the Counselling Skills course (EDUC 423). Applicants are responsible for completing all undergraduate prerequisites required by their home institution.
Are a certified teacher?
Have completed the SFU minor in Counselling and Human Development?
As part of the SFU minor in Counselling and Human Development, you will need to have completed the required course EDUC 323 and the elective EDUC 423 or equivalents.
Have completed the SFU PBD in Counselling and Human Development?
If you have completed the SFU PBD in Counselling and Human Development, you will have to make sure that you have also completed a course in research methods (e.g., EDUC 222 or another course in research design or methods in the social sciences).
Have completed the UBC Diploma in Guidance Studies?
If you have completed the UBC Diploma in Guidance Studies, you will also need to make sure that you have completed a course in research methods.
Don’t fit into any of the above categories?
What if you’re not sure if you have courses in the prerequisite areas?
What are some of the course equivalents at other institutions?
Admissions Contacts:
For admissions/administrative enquires, contact Trina Zindler (counsadm@sfu.ca; 778-782-8120). If Trina is unavailable, contact other staff in the Graduate Programs office.
Learn more about the Faculty of Education Graduate Student Funding Policy.
Information about financial support is available from the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Office.
Additional information can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page as well as in the Student Calendar.
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