The Psychology PhD at McMaster University is a thesis-based doctoral program offered through the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) in the Faculty of Science. It introduces students to core issues and questions in experimental psychology and trains them in the theoretical foundations and research approaches used to study psychological questions, with a particular focus on experimental research. Students carry out original research in one of five areas: animal behaviour, cognition and perception, developmental psychology, evolution and social behaviour, and systems and behavioural neuroscience. Admission requires a Master's degree in psychology or a related discipline. The program is offered full-time and is completed over four years, with a typical intake each September. Within the wider PhD program, a Research and Clinical Training stream is also available, which trains students within a scientist-practitioner model combining research methodology with clinical training in adult psychology, including coursework, clinical practica and supervised clinical residency.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Admission requires a Master's degree in psychology or a related discipline. International applicants whose first language is not English must meet McMaster's graduate English proficiency requirement, for example IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 86 overall with a minimum of 20 per component (for tests taken before 21 January 2026).
