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School and Applied Child Psychology

 

Degrees Offered: Ph.D., M.A., M.Ed.

Members

Associate Professors Emeriti

L. Miller.

Associate Professors

L. Ford, A. Kassan, T. Schanding.

Assistant Professors

A. Cloth, Y. Jiang, M. Nelson.

Program Overview

The School and Applied Child Psychology graduate programs prepare students to become psychologists who work in a variety of settings, including: research, academic, school, community, and private settings. The primary goal of the program is to develop professional psychologists whose research, training, and practice activities increase the educational and psychological well-being of children and youth. The program follows a scientist-practitioner model, with emphasis on the integration of theory, research, and clinical skills. Training encompasses academic, social, emotional, behavioural, consultation, intervention, and prevention domains. Students receive training in the integration of assessment and intervention, and in relevant professional, legal, and ethical issues. Science and professional practice are viewed as interactive and complementary, with research integrated across core psychological and educational foundations, as well as relevant practical experiences at all levels of the program. The program places a strong emphasis on evidence-based prevention, intervention, and systems-level change. In addition school and applied child psychology training at UBC maintains a strong appreciation for diversity, in terms of the populations served; the students admitted; languages spoken; issues and elements of practice examined and trained; and the provision of skills and experiences in working with a broad range of clients, families, and settings.

Doctor of Philosophy

The doctoral program in school and applied child psychology is designed to prepare psychologists who can serve as researchers, academics, practitioners, supervisors, and leaders in school and applied child psychology.

The Ph.D. program in School and Applied Child Psychology (SACP) has been accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) since 2012. The next site visit is in 2024-2025.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the minimum admission requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, students admitted to the Ph.D. degree program normally possess an M.A. in School and Applied Child Psychology equivalent to the requirements of the UBC M.A. program and graduate or senior undergraduate preparation in human development, history and systems of psychology, biological bases of behaviour, and basic interviewing skills. Prerequisites not met prior to entry may be included in the doctoral program of study. Transfer from the M.A. to the Ph.D. program is permitted under regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

The GRE is not required. For information regarding English Language Proficiency requirements refer to English Language Proficiency Standards and GRE Requirements.

Program Requirements

The typical doctoral program is 38 credits, beyond completion of the UBC School and Applied Child Psychology M.A. or equivalent program.

An emphasis of the program is on making systems level change. All students take coursework in all of the following areas:

  • consultation (EPSE 551) community systems (EPSE 633)
  • diversity (courses to be approved by the program advisor)
  • professional practice (e.g., prevention, intervention, assessment; professional seminar, courses to be approved by the program advisor)
  • psychological foundations (courses to be approved by the program advisor)
  • research methodology (courses to be approved by the program advisor)

Students complete practicum experiences in at least two years of the program including on and off campus placements and experience doing supervision. A year-long pre-doctoral internship is also required. In addition, all doctoral students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination. The final requirement for the Ph.D. is completion of a research dissertation meeting the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requirements.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

In addition to the minimum admission requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (normally, a four-year bachelor's degree with a B+ average in third- and fourth-year level coursework) in a relevant area of study, students are required to meet the following pre-requisite requirements:

  • a minimum of 18 credits in psychology, educational psychology, or special education and related disciplines, including CNPS 362 or an equivalent undergraduate course in basic interviewing skills.
  • senior-level undergraduate coursework in measurement, statistics, and research methodology (with the permission of the faculty program advisor, a data-based undergraduate honours thesis can be used to meet the research methodology requirement).
  • research experience which may be documented in a number of ways including an undergraduate honours thesis, paid research position, volunteer in a research lab for a semester or more, etc.
  • evidence of suitability for professional work with school-aged populations, including successful work experience with school-aged populations, school-based experience, and/or teacher certification.

The GRE is not required. For information regarding English Language Proficiency requirements refer to English Language Proficiency Standards and GRE Requirements.

Program Requirements

The School and Applied Child Psychology Master of Arts (M.A.) program requires two years of full-time study, including practicum experiences throughout the program. The full program requires 54 credits. In exceptional circumstances up to 12 credits of coursework may be waived in recognition of previous coursework and/or relevant work experience.

Students are required to complete a sequence in school and applied psychology practice, including coursework in all of the following areas:

  • professional, ethical, and legal issues in school psychology (EPSE 550)
  • cognitive, academic, and social-emotional assessment and accompanying laboratories (EPSE 531, EPSE 535, EPSE 556)
  • educational and psychological prevention and intervention (courses to be approved by program advisor)
  • psychopathology (EPSE 506)
  • cognitive and affective theories (EPSE 553)
  • measurement and psychometrics (EPSE 528)
  • research methods (courses to be approved by program advisor).

Practicum is completed in both years of the program. All students must complete a data-driven thesis.

The program is designed for students who intend continue directly to doctoral study in school and applied child psychology upon M.A. program completion. Promotion to graduation or continuation in the program requires that students demonstrate interpersonal and ethical qualities commensurate with working in educational and community settings.

Master of Education

Admission Requirements

In addition to the minimum admission requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (normally, a four-year bachelor's degree with a B+ average in third and fourth year-level coursework) in a relevant area of study, students are required to meet the following pre-requisite requirements:

  • a minimum of 18 credits in psychology, educational psychology, or special education and related disciplines, including CNPS 362 or an equivalent undergraduate course in basic interviewing skills.
  • senior-level undergraduate coursework in measurement, statistics, and research methodology (with permission of the faculty program advisor, a data-based undergraduate honours thesis can be used to meet the research methodology requirement).
  • evidence of suitability for professional work with school-aged populations, including successful work experience with school-aged populations, school-based experience, and/or teacher certification

Students are required to complete the GRE with a minimum score of 153 on verbal and 144 on quantitative categories. Applicants for whom English is not their primary language should write the GRE but inform the admissions committee of this fact. Minimum TOEFL scores are 600 (paper), 250 (computer-based) or 100 (internet-based: 22 Reading, 22 Writing, 25 Listening, 25 Speaking).

Program Requirements

The School and Applied Child Psychology Master of Education (M.Ed.) program requires three years of full time study, including both on-campus courses and school-based internship experiences. The full program requires 42 credits. In exceptional circumstances up to 12 credits of coursework may be waived in recognition of previous coursework and/or relevant work experience. Students are required to complete a sequence in School and Applied Child Psychology Practice, including coursework in all of the following areas:

  • professional, ethical and legal issues in school psychology (courses to be approved by program advisor)
  • consultation (courses to be approved by program advisor)
  • cognitive, academic and social-emotional assessment (EPSE 555, EPSE 556)
  • school-based psychological intervention and prevention (EPSE 552)
  • psychopathology (EPSE 507)
  • academic and behavioural interventions (EPSE 531, EPSE 576)
  • measurement and psychometrics (EPSE 528)

An eight-month integrated field practicum is completed in year two in addition to the intensive 10-month school-based practicum/internship in year three. This internship includes the development of a professional portfolio that brings together the students’ goals and objectives as well as their accomplishments and experiences in the program.

Promotion to graduation or continuation in the School and Applied Child Psychology program requires that students demonstrate interpersonal and ethical qualities commensurate with working in educational and community settings.

For B.C. teachers: Teacher Qualification Service requires a capstone experience, met in this program with the intensive internship and development of a professional portfolio.

Contact Information

Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education
2125 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
Tel: 604.822.2867
Fax: 604.822.3302
Email: tino.chabudapasi@ubc.ca
Web: www.ecps.educ.ubc.ca
Tinotenda Chabudapasi, Graduate Programs Support

 


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