Education · 1 of 5

The path

The full route is a doctorate. A few provinces register psychologists with a master's degree, which cuts 4 years off.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   English, biology and math. Psychology is a science degree at most universities, so keep the sciences.

2. 2

   Honours psychology degree

   4 years

   Four years. Get research experience in a professor's lab by third year and keep your GPA above 3.7. Grad school admission depends on it.

3. 3

   Doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in clinical or counselling psychology

   5 to 7 years

   Typically 5 to 7 years, with a master's earned along the way. Coursework, research, a thesis and supervised practicum hours. Admission rates are often under 10%.

4. 4

   Internship

   1 year

   A full-time, paid year in a hospital or clinic, usually the final year of the doctorate, matched through a national system.

5. 5

   EPPP (the national psychology licensing exam) and registration

   1 to 2 years

   Write the EPPP, complete a period of supervised practice in most provinces, pass a provincial ethics exam, then register with your provincial college.