Admission process for Counselling Psychology

Admission to the Master of Education (MEd) and to the Master of Arts (MA) in Counselling Psychology is highly competitive and offered on a full-time basis only. 

Once your application file is complete and the pre-evaluation process is over, your file is verified by the Admission Committee that considers the criteria below when ranking your application:

• Your Grades: This is one of the most important components, counting for 50% towards admission. Your admission average is calculated using your last 20 courses (60 credits or equivalent), for which you have received a numerical or alpha grade. Courses with a Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory grade will not be counted among your last 20 courses.
• Your background in Psychology: Because the admission to this concentration is highly competitive, we invite you to consult the detailed admission requirements, before applying at the following links: for the MEd and MA programs.
• Your letter of Intent (narrative statement): This is the opportunity for you to show a clear understanding of the counselling psychology program. You must also demonstrate your research interests (for the MEd, major-research option and the MA), your professional goals and how your previous academic and work experiences have prepared you for this program. Find out what format and content is needed for the letter of intent.
• Your Curriculum Vitae (2 pages): Your CV must provide information on your working and volunteering experience related to counselling. Substantial work and volunteer experience is usually required. If you have received awards, you may indicate them.
• Your letters of reference: Make sure you provide referees who know your academic work well. Professional references are also appropriate, but they must come from a referee who works in a field related to counselling and who understands the demands of graduate school.

1. Decide on a program

Explore our programs to find the one that is right for you.

2. Confirm you meet the admission requirements

Use the program-specific requirements online tool  to review the specific requirements and prepare your application.

3. Gather the required documents

Supporting documents required can vary depending on the program. Use the program-specific requirements 

online tool to check the documents required for your program and gather them.

The submission of all official transcripts of universities attended including the grading scale is mandatory. This applies to all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (completed or not), exchange programs, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a special student or visiting student, etc. If the transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, a certified translation (signed and stamped/sealed) must be submitted.

Grades to August 31st of year of application

Please note that we are not accepting transcripts from a third-party (ex. WES - World Education Services). Also, college transcripts are not required.

4. Elaborate a Letter of Intent (narrative statement)

Your written work should state your research interests, your professional goals and how your previous academic and work experiences have prepared you for this program.

Format and content for the letter of Intent for Master programs.

5. Gather any necessary letters of recommendation

Once you have submitted your application and it has been transferred to uOttawa’s servers, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access uoZone, where you will be able to enter the name of your referees.

Your file must be complete by end of day November 1. All supporting documents including reference letters must be submitted. Note: Correspondence to your referee will state they have 10 days to submit their letter, it is important that you advise them of the deadline.

6. Find out about any language proficiency requirements

If your first language is neither English nor French, you must meet one of the following criteria. If you do not meet the criteria, we strongly recommend that you first obtain the scores requested before submitting your application.

7. Select a supervisor

If you are applying to the MEd, major-research option or the MA, it is strongly recommended that you contact potential research supervisor. We encourage you to start contacting professors right away to talk about the program and your interests.

8. Apply now

The application process is done entirely online. Create your OUAC Account/Profile and complete the online application.

You will be required to pay a non-refundable application fee ($110 for most of the programs) when submitting your application.

Once you have submitted your application, paid the application fee and it has been transferred to uOttawa’s servers, you will receive an acknowledgement email from the University with instructions on how to access uoZone, where you will be able to upload the required documents. This process can take up to 10 business days.

You do not need to submit official copies of the documents required at the time you submit your application. If you receive an offer of admission, you will need to request an official copy of all your transcripts. These transcripts will have to be sent to the Faculty directly from your previous institutions. International students may submit notarised documents, which must be received in official envelopes, sealed and endorsed by a legal counselor.

9. Upload your documents

Once you have submitted your application and it has been transferred to uOttawa’s servers, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access uoZone. Once you have logged in, you must go in the "Applications" section to have access to the uoDoc: Upload Admissions Documents application where you will be able to upload your documents.

10. Evaluation of the application

An admission officer verifies that your application is complete (all required documents are received), calculates your average using your last 20 courses (60 credits or equivalent), for which you have received a numerical or alpha grade and sends your application to the Admission Committee for final decision.

Applications are all reviewed by the Committee, which ultimately decides on your admissibility into the program.

You can consult your uoZone account at any time to see the progress of the evaluation.

11. Decisions

Final decisions are communicated via your uoZone account.

Highly qualified applicants may receive a response before this date.

Deadline: end-March (Subject to changes due to COVID-19)

12. Admission offer

If you are admitted to the program of your choice, you will receive an offer of admission via your uoZone account.

No deposit is required to confirm your decision. However, we strongly recommend that you accept your offer to reserve a place in the program by the date indicated on your offer. If no response is received by this date your offer will be revoked.

To accept your offer, you must log into your uoZone account. Any conditions of admission specified on your offer must be met before enrolment in your classes.