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SCPS Pre-requisites, Admission Requirements, and Application Process

For the MA and MEd Programs:

In addition to the minimum admission requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (normally, a four-year bachelor's degree with a B+ average in third and fourth year-level course work) 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. Other than the courses in statistics, research methods any courses in these areas will meet the requirement. However, students are encouraged to have background or coursework in areas most relevant to school psychology practice (child development, learning, exceptional students, classroom management, behaviour disorders, abnormal psychology, etc.). It is not necessary to have a degree in psychology or education to apply.
• Upper division course work in both statistics and research methodology. Examples of courses at UBC meeting the statistics pre-requisite include: EPSE 482, PSYC 359, PSYC 366, STAT 300, SOCI 328. Examples of courses at UBC meeting the research methods pre-requisite include: EPSE 481, PSYC 366, PSYC 408, PSYC 414, PSYC 502, SOCI 383. Note: Completing a data-based honours thesis meets the research methods prerequisite.
• 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. Note that teaching certification is not required.
• In addition to required prerequisites listed above, applicants are also strongly encouraged to have prior coursework in measurement. Examples of such courses at UBC include: EPSE 421, 423, PSYC 303, PSYC 323

For the Ph.D. Program:

In addition to the minimum admission requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, students admitted to the Ph.D. degree program normally possess a MA in School Psychology equivalent to the requirements of the UBC MA program (see coursework prerequisites listed under SCPS PhD program). Students admitted to the Ph.D. program should meet with their academic advisor upon admissions to the program (and no later than the first semester of their doctoral study) to identify if prerequisites have been met. Students may be asked to meet with instructors for the courses and/or provide documentation such as course syllabi, work samples, etc. to demonstrate that they have met the prerequisites. Prerequisites not met prior to entry may be included in the doctoral program of study. Transfer from the MA to the Ph.D. program is permitted under regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

For All Programs - MA, MEd and Ph.D.:

Graduate Record Examination (GRE):

Applicants for all SCPS programs (MEd, MA, and Ph.D.) are required to complete the GRE with a minimum score of 500 in both verbal and quantitative categories. The psychology subject exam is optional and not required. Applicants for whom English is not their primary language should write the GRE but inform the admissions committee of this fact.

English Language Proficiency:

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission. If you have previously written the GCE-A Level English Examination with a standing of at least "B", you don't have to take an English language proficiency test. Test scores must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

• use the University of British Columbia's institution code 0965
• give the reason for taking TOEFL "to enter a college or university as a graduate student"

Other tests:

If you take another English language proficiency test (e.g. International English Language Testing Service, Michigan English Language Testing Battery) please contact the SCPS graduate secretary for additional information.

Supporting Documents

• Completed online application
• Two (2) official sets of transcripts/degree certificates from all colleges and universities attended except UBC.
• 3 original letters of reference
• Letters should address both academic preparation and suitability for advanced study in professional school psychology including work with children and youth. At least two references should be familiar with the student's recent academic preparation. At least one reference must be able to address background and suitability for professional practice with children and youth
• Evidence of English Proficiency (Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction)
• A sample of relevant professional writing (e.g. thesis, publications, conference papers, course papers).

International Applicants

Applicants from outside Canada should be aware of additional requirements that may apply. Please read the following to determine which of these requirements may apply to you. TOEFL Test Scores -- Applicants whose degrees are from a country other than Canada, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and English-speaking countries of the West Indies are required to submit an official report of their score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This report is to be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to the Graduate Program Assistant, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education at the address below. Score reports more than two years old will not be accepted. Applicants who have received a university degree from institutions in any of the countries listed above are exempted from this requirement as are applicants who have passed the GCE A-level English examination with a standing of at least a "B."

Normally, students are only admitted to the EPSE graduate program if they receive a score of at least 600 on the TOEFL. Note that test scores are usually received by the University about eight weeks after the test date. For information on the TOEFL, write to: TOEFL/TSE Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 USA, or call (609) 771-7760. Documents not in English. If any transcripts or diplomas/certificates submitted with an application are not in English, then official documents (not photocopies) must be submitted along with certified translations in English. If your transcripts are from a university in the Peoples Republic of China, as per UBC regulations, you must include an official degree certificate in both Chinese and English.

Entering Canada -- To enter Canada, a "Student Authorization" (Student Visa) is required. Apply to the nearest Canadian Consular or Immigration Office as soon as you receive the official letter of acceptance from the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies as it may take eight to ten weeks for processing; for students from the People's Republic of China it may take three to six months. To apply for your Student Authorization, you will require: UBC letter of acceptance, a valid passport, evidence of adequate funds for your tuition, maintenance for yourself and if married, your spouse and children, plus travel funds to and from Canada. If your application for a Student Authorization is approved, your UBC letter of admission/acceptance will be returned to you. You should retain it for presentation to the Immigration Officer at the Canadian point of entry.

• UBC's international student website?
• Office of Graduate Programs and Research?
• Faculty of Graduate Studies?
• Canadian Immigration

Application and Deadlines

Applications are completed online at: http://www.grad.ubc.ca/apply/online

Application deadline is Tuesday, December 1, 2009

• Your application must be submitted by December 1, 2009 to be considered for admission for September 2010.
• Supporting documentation must be received by December 15, 2009.

For additional information to to: http://ecps.educ.ubc.ca/admission/apply.html

Contact Information for SCPS program: