Program Requirements

A student’s area of research typically corresponds to his or her supervisor’s research area. Students complete all clinical course requirements below. Each track requires a minimum of four area courses; two completed at the MA level and two at the PhD level. Students are advised to consult with their supervisor and/or the Director of Clinical Training regarding recommended or required courses.

Students are required to participate in Clinical Area research seminars (PSYC 912; Fall and Spring terms) throughout their MA and PhD programs.

Students must complete PSYC 744, 819, 820A, 820B, 821A, 821B, 822, 823, 824, 880 (Junior Practicum), 910, 911, 895, 898, and two Area courses. In addition, clinical students are required to enroll in and achieve satisfactory performance in PSYC 825 (Clinical Practice) in each semester of the M.A. program. Students are permitted to register in PhD coursework with permission of the director of clinical training and/or the clinical program committee. We encourage students to prioritize the completion of their M.A. thesis.   

Students must complete PSYC 600, PSYC 705, a minimum of two area courses, PSYC 770, PSYC 896, PSYC 999 (comprehensive examinations), PSYC 886 (Internship), and PSYC 899 (Ph.D. Thesis).  Ph.D. students are required to enroll in PSYC 825 each semester prior to internship and, thereafter, when participating in the Clinical Psychology Centre.  Students complete the additional requirements for their chosen track.

Students may request course exemption for PSYC 600, PSYC 705, and PSYC 770. Please see below for more information. 

Course Exemption Requests for PSYC 600, PSYC 705, and PSYC 770

Students accepted into the SFU psychology doctoral program may be exempt from: 

• PSYC 600 - Biological Bases of Behaviour (3) *

• PSYC 705 - Proseminar in History and Systems (3) 

• PSYC 770 - Proseminar in Personality (3) *

if they completed 

a) the coursework in the master’s program or  

b) equivalent coursework as determined and approved by the Director of Clinical Training and Graduate Program Chair. 

* Students requesting for course exemption from PSYC 600 - Biological Bases of Behaviour (3) and PSYC 770 – Proseminar in Personality (3) must have completed at least two undergraduate courses (or a yearlong undergraduate course) to satisfy the graduate content domain and the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) guidelines.