Counselling Psychology Programs in Canada
What Is Counselling Psychology?
Counselling psychology is a branch of professional psychology that focuses on improving mental health, well-being, and personal development. It emphasizes understanding and addressing emotional, social, and behavioral challenges that people face throughout their lives. Counselling psychologists use evidence-based practices to help individuals manage issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, career transitions, and trauma. Rooted in a holistic and client-centered approach, counselling psychology considers the unique cultural, social, and personal contexts that shape a person’s experiences. By creating a supportive and collaborative environment, counselling psychologists empower individuals to build resilience, develop effective coping strategies, and lead more fulfilling lives.
Related: Is Social Work or Counselling Psychology a better fit for you?
Practicing Counselling Psychology in Canada
A Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology is one of the pathways to becoming a practicing therapist in Canada. This graduate-level program provides the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and research training needed to support individuals dealing with emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. Programs in counselling psychology prepare students to work in diverse settings, such as private practice, schools, healthcare, and community organizations, equipping them to make a meaningful impact on clients' mental health and overall well-being.
It is important to note that a master’s degree alone does not qualify you to practice therapy; however, it is the first step toward becoming licensed or registered with the appropriate national or provincial regulatory body. For instance, graduates planning to practice in Ontario must register with either the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
At the national level, the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) promotes the counselling and psychotherapy profession across Canada. The CCPA works to raise awareness about the field and supports its members through various professional development opportunities.
To become certified or registered with your province’s regulatory body, applicants must hold a relevant degree in counselling psychology. In this article, we will explore counselling psychology programs available in Canada.
How Competitive is Counselling Psychology in Canada?
Counselling psychology programs in Canada are very competitive, with acceptance rates ranging from 5-10%. This article includes a breakdown of acceptance rates at various counselling psychology programs across Canada.
MSW Helper provides personal statement editing and application reviews to help counselling psychology applicants create an application that stands out. In 2023, 89% of applicants who used MSW Helper got accepted to graduate school programs.
What Schools Offer Masters Degrees in Counselling Psychology in Canada?
There are seven Canadian schools that offer Master’s degrees in Counselling Psychology, including:
Check out this resource on programs that are certified with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Yorkville University
Location: Online
Degree type: Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Program Length: 27 months
About the program: Yorkville offers an online Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program that takes 27 months to complete. This program was specifically designed for working professionals, and is structured in a way that is flexible to meet the needs of working students. However, a reduction in working hours may be required during the practicum portion of the program, which is not online. Unlike many other counselling psychology programs, Yorkville university invites applications from those who are making a career change and who may not have a relevant educational background. More information about this can be found on their website.
Related reading: How to make your grad school application stand out even if you have no experience.
Acceptance rate: There is no publicly available information about Yorkville University’s acceptance rates. However, as a private, for profit university their acceptance rate is likely higher than public universities in Canada.
Licensing: The Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology program is recognized by provincial and national associations, and enable graduates from the program to apply for registration with provincial bodies such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario, The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors.
Who is this program best for? This program is best for busy, working professionals or those who are making a career change.
University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Degree type: Master of Arts in Counselling & Clinical Psychology | Master of Education in Counselling Psychology
About the program: The University of Toronto offers two counselling psychology pathways through the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.
The Master of Arts in Counselling & Clinical Psychology program focuses on the development of research and applied skills relevant to clinical and counselling psychology to develop an understanding of the relationship between the two. Its training model emphasizes the development of a critical perspective and reflexive practitioners. The MA CCP Program is primarily for students who are interested in working as researchers or practitioners in a variety of clinical and counselling settings.
Students in the program can specialize in fields such as addiction studies, aging across the life course, community development, sexual diversity studies, and women and gender studies.
Licensing: This program enables students to apply for registration with the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario (CPBAO) as a Psychological Associate.
The Master of Education in Counselling Psychology program is a course-based program providing the skillsets for licensing as a registered psychotherapist in a variety of settings. Examples of the types of goals for which suitable programs of study could be developed include counselling and psychotherapy with adults, college and university students, or older adults; career counselling; counselling with diverse clients; and counselling and psychotherapy in community mental health and family service settings.
Students in the program can specialize in areas such as aging across the lifespan, community development, sexual diversity studies, and women and gender studies.
Licensing: this program provides you with the basic preparation for certification as a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC) with the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) as well as a Registered Psychotherapist with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
Acceptance rate: The University of Toronto has no publicly available data on acceptance rates. However, according to this post on Reddit, a user who attended an open house was informed that the program typically receives 750+ applications and they accept 35-40 students. If these numbers are correct, this would mean that the University of Toronto’s counselling psychology program has an acceptance rate of 5%.
Who is this program best for? The Master of Education in Counselling Psychology program is best for applicants who wish to become psychotherapists or counsellors, and the Master of Arts in Counselling and Clinical Psychology program is best for applicants who have interests in research.
University of Western Ontario
Location: London, Ontario
Degree type: Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MA Counselling Psychology)
Program Length: Five continuous semesters
About the program: The University of Western Ontario offers a MA Counselling Psychology program in London Ontario. This program prepares graduates to work as professional counsellors in community agencies and public institutions serving a diverse range of clientele. Counselling faculty draw from different theoretical orientations to expose students to current thinking in social justice and feminist-informed, cognitive-behavioral, existential and anti-oppressive practices with individuals, families and communities. Decisions for the Counselling Psychology program are based on application materials and a personal interview. Approximately 24 candidates are selected for personal interviews based on their application, which are held in March each year.
Acceptance rate: There is no publicly available information on the acceptance rate for UWO’s counselling psychology program. However, Over the past 5 years, the Clinical Psychology Program at UWO receives about 110 applications per year; and admits approximately 10 students per year, giving that program an acceptance rate of 9%.
Licensing: This program will allow you to register with the College of Psychotherapists in Ontario and/or the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy association.
University of Victoria
Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Degree type: Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Program Length: Two years (course based), or three years (thesis-based)
Acceptance rate: 3-6%
About the program: The University of Victoria offers both a course-based and thesis-based master of counselling psychology program, which take two or three years to complete respectively. The course-based program is considered a terminal degree, as the program prepares students to become working professionals in the field post-graduation. The thesis based MSW program is meant for individuals who wish to continue their studies at the doctorate level post-graduation.
Acceptance rate: According to their website, the University of Victoria receives 200 to 400 applications each year, and 10 to 12 get accepted. Therefore the University of Victoria’s Graduate Psychology programs have an acceptance rate of 3-6%.
Licensing: The Master of Arts in Counselling program at the University of Victoria is accredited by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association’s Council on Accreditation of Counsellor Education Programs.
Adler University
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Degree type: Master of Counselling Psychology (MCP) or Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology
Program Length: two years
About the program: Adler university offers both a thesis and non-thesis Master of Counselling Psychology Program. The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counselling Psychology program includes a thesis, and the Master of Counselling Psychology program is a non-thesis option. Their program is designed to prepare counselling professionals to work with individuals, families, and groups to address specific mental and emotional health issues across a range of settings.
Acceptance rates: There is no publicly available information about Adler University’s acceptance rates. However, as a private university their acceptance rate is likely higher than public universities in Canada.
Licensing: Both Counselling Psychology programs at the University of British Columbia will enable graduates to register for the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
University of British Columbia
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Degree type: Master of Arts CNPS, Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (MEd)
Acceptance rate: 10%
About the program: The Counselling Psychology Program creates, advances and critically examines knowledge in counselling psychology, especially with respect to its validity, applicability, limits, and interface with other disciplines. In developing and applying pertinent and innovative research methodologies, the Counselling Psychology Program relies upon and builds qualitative and quantitative evidence to determine effective counselling interventions in educational, community, health, and occupational settings.
Acceptance rate: According to their website, UBC received 180 applications and accepted 18 students into the program in 2023, therefore the acceptance rate for UBC’s counselling psychology program is about 10%.
Licensing: UBC’s Counselling Psychology program is accredited by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
University of Calgary
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Degree type: Master of Science (MSc) in Counselling Psychology
Program Length: Minimum of two years
Acceptance rate: 5%
About the program: The Master of Science (MSc) in Counselling Psychology is a full-time, on-campus program that focuses heavily on research and thesis work through the Werklund School of Education. It aims to develop students' understanding of the key concepts, theories, and practical skills needed to provide effective counselling and educational psychology services. The program covers a variety of topics, such as psychological assessments and interventions, ethics and cultural considerations in practice, group and relationship dynamics, career development, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods. With a broad, generalist approach, the program prepares graduates for diverse career opportunities, including roles in schools, colleges, government agencies, healthcare settings, community organizations, private practice, and the business sector.
Acceptance rate: The Master of Science in Counselling Psychology is a highly competitive program. They get up to 250 applications for 12 spots, meaning this program has an acceptance rate of 5%.
Licensing: A majority of graduates from the MSc program register with the College of Alberta Psychologists and are employed in schools, post-secondary institutions, community agencies, hospitals, private practice settings, or pursue doctoral studies.
Conclusion
Choosing the right counselling psychology program is an important step toward a rewarding career in mental health and personal development. With options across Canada, from flexible online programs to research-intensive on-campus degrees, there’s a pathway to suit a variety of goals and life circumstances. Whether you aspire to work in private practice, healthcare, education, or community settings, these programs will provide the foundational skills, knowledge, and training needed to support individuals through life’s challenges.
