Forensic Psychology (PhD program) at University of Ontario Institute of Technology

PhD in Forensic Psychology

• Hold the university's Master of Science (MSc) degree in Forensic Psychology or an equivalent research project or thesis-based Master of Arts/MSc degree (e.g., Experimental Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, Biology, Criminology) at a recognized institution.
• Minimum academic standing of A-minus (GPA: 3.7 on a 4.3 scale or 80 to 84 per cent) during graduate study.

PhD in Forensic Psychology – direct entry

• Hold a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent in Psychology or a related field (e.g., Neuroscience, Computer Science, Biology, Criminology) at a recognized institution. Students with both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are encouraged to apply.
• Minimum overall academic standing of at least an A-minus (GPA: 3.7 on a 4.3 scale or 80 to 84 per cent), with a minimum academic standing of A-minus in the final two full-time years (four terms) of undergraduate study, including elective courses.
• Applicants who are not accepted into the PhD direct entry program will automatically be considered for the MASc program.

Note:

• Completion of an honours thesis or comparable research experience is highly preferred but not required.
• Applicants with unrelated backgrounds may be admitted as special cases. However, applicants without sufficient psychology background or those who do not meet the admission requirements of the program may not be prepared to perform successfully in the program courses. In this case, they may be required to take additional courses or admitted as qualifying students. Please see the Graduate Academic Calendar and Course Catalogue for additional details.

Required supporting documents:

• A curriculum vitae (CV) including education, employment, teaching and research experience, and publications (if any).
• A two- to three-page statement of academic intent (note that this is longer than the general requirements). The statement may describe previous research experience (e.g., thesis work, other research projects), industry or community experiences, general career aspirations, specific research interests and any experience relevant to these interests. If an applicant has already contacted a potential thesis supervisor (which is highly advised), that should be made known within the statement.
• A substantive writing sample. A sample of the applicant's thesis is preferred; an assignment or published work (with the applicant as first author) will suffice if a thesis has not been completed.

Applicants must also submit the required documents outlined in the checklist of required documents.

Additional supporting documents:

• General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are encouraged but not required. There is no specified minimum score; however, scores will be factored into admission decisions.
• Psychology GRE scores for those applicants who have not completed a Psychology (undergraduate or graduate) degree within the last five years are encouraged but not required. There is no specified minimum score. All other applicants may still choose to have their Psychology GRE scores forwarded to the university, and the graduate committee will factor the scores into admissions decisions.

The GRE® Subject Test date varies by location. Applicants should submit General GRE test scores prior to the deadline. Applicants should register early for the Psychology Subject Test. For an updated list of test centers, please see the Paper-delivered Test Center List. Institution code: 7178.

Required test scores for English language proficiency

See English language proficiency for the minimum required test scores for this program.

English test

You have achieved the required proficiency on one of the tests in the English language acceptable to the university as listed below. We encourage applicants to register for an English language proficiency test prior to the application deadline. Test results dated more than 24 months prior to the date of the application for admission will not be considered.

A hard copy of the test score is not required. Applicants may upload a copy of the official test score, using the upload links we provide to you, after your application is submitted. Ontario Tech may verify the results of the English language test.

It is important to note that English language proficiency requirements may be higher for employment, including teaching assistant duties.

Please note: If you take an approved English language proficiency test, its score shall prevail as the determining evidence of your English language proficiency.