Psychologists
Formal Description
“Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy, conduct research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of psychological, physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning. They work in private practice or in clinics, correctional facilities, hospitals, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centres, community service organizations, businesses, schools and universities, and in government and private research agencies.” (NOC 2021)
Sample Job Titles
This category includes a variety of job titles that may not necessarily be reflected by the category title. For a full index of job titles, see the category entry on the ESDC site. Example job titles include:
Child Psychologist
Psychological Associate
Psychologist
School Psychologist
Typical Employment and Education Requirements
The requirements listed for each occupational category will tend to vary across particular roles, job titles, and contexts.
The following typical requirements are listed on the ESDC’s 2021 entry for this occupational category:
- “A master’s degree in psychology is required for the designation “Psychologist” in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.”
- “A master’s degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation “Psychological Associate” in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.”
- “A period of supervised practical experience is required in most jurisdictions.”
- “Successful completion of the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is required in most provinces.”
- “Oral examinations and board interviews are required in some provinces.”
- “Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.”
- “Written ethics and jurisprudence exams may be required in some jurisdictions.”
- “Psychologists can become specialized in a particular area through training and experience.”
Success with a Social Sciences Undergraduate Degree and Beyond
When reviewing typical requirements, please remember:
- Degree and diploma listings often end with a purposefully open-ended phrase (“or a related field”, “or a similar discipline”) that acknowledges the variety and applicability of social sciences and liberal arts degrees.
- Employers often focus less on the name or title of a candidate’s degree, and more on how they articulate their transferable skills and experiences.
- Many qualifications and certifications are available as post-graduate certificates aimed at recent university graduates; these can make an excellent further education option for a social sciences or liberal arts degree.
Related Sectors
Whereas Economic and Social Development Canada’s ‘occupational’ categories tend to focus more on the duties and functions that people play in specific roles, exploring careers by ‘sectors’ helps us to sort by employer type, industry, or general field of work. Here are just a few of the sectors that may be relevant to this category:
Academic Program Connections
As you select your program of study and the courses you will take, you can chart a path towards success in this sector from any one of our social sciences departments and programs. Here are just a few examples of academic disciplines that have connections with this sector:
Health, Aging & Society Learn More
A master’s degree in Psychology requires research experience and a high academic average. In addition, for programs that say “An honours undergraduate degree in psychology or equivalent” as their admission requirement, please contact each master’s program to find out if this degree can be counted as “equivalent.”
Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour Learn More
A degree in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour is essential for a career as a psychologist because it provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for understanding human behaviour, mental processes, and the scientific methods used to study them.
Social Psychology Learn More
A master’s degree in Psychology requires research experience and a high academic average. In addition, for programs that say “An honours undergraduate degree in psychology or equivalent” as their admission requirement, please contact each master’s program to find out if this degree can be counted as “equivalent.”
Sociology Learn More
A master’s degree in Psychology requires research experience and a high academic average. In addition, for programs that say “An honours undergraduate degree in psychology or equivalent” as their admission requirement, please contact each master’s program to find out if this degree can be counted as “equivalent.”
