What is a Psychologist?
The Canadian Psychological Association states that a psychologist studies how we think, feel, and behave from a scientific viewpoint and applies this knowledge to help people understand, explain, and change their behaviour.
How to Become a Psychologist
This section will provide a brief overview on how to become a Psychologist. To become a Registered Psychologist in Alberta, an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in psychology (or a related field) and a master’s degree is required. You may also go on to complete a doctoral degree, such as a PhD. After you complete your education, you can apply for evaluation of your credentials with the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), and apply for registration as a Registered Provisional Psychologist. As a provisional psychologist, you will complete the required hours under the supervision of a fully registered psychologist. Before you can register as a fully registered psychologist, you will need to write the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and the Law and Ethics for Alberta Psychologists (LEAP) examination. A practice permit will be issued for independent practice after the final registration review. For more information, see the links below:
- The College of Alberta Psychologists > Registration
- The College of Alberta Psychologists > Registration > Registration and Supervision
- Criteria for Evaluating Academic Credentials
Inquiries on how to become registered as a Psychologist in Alberta should be forwarded to the College of Alberta Psychologists. Information regarding the registration process can be found on the College’s website.
Academic Programs
Masters & Doctoral Degree Programs
- Athabasca University – Master of Counselling in Counselling Psychology
- University of Alberta – Master of Education in Counselling Psychology
- University of Alberta – Doctor of Philosophy in School and Clinical Child Psychology
- University of Calgary – Master of Education in School and Applied Child Psychology
- University of Calgary – Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
- University of Calgary – Master of Science in Counselling Psychology
- University of Calgary – Master of Science in School and Applied Child Psychology
- University of Lethbridge – Master of Education in Counselling Psychology
- University of Lethbridge – Master of Counselling in Applied Psychology
Bachelor Degree Programs
These programs include a major in psychology or educational psychology, either with a Bachelor's of Arts or Bachelor's of Science:
Careers in Psychology
Psychologists specialize in a host of different areas within the field and may identify themselves by many different labels, such as:
- Educational/School Psychology
- Forensic/Criminal Justice Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Sport/Exercise Psychology
- Counselling/Clinical Psychology
- Experimental Psychology
- Couple/Family Psychology
College of Alberta Psychologists and Undergraduate Requirements
The College of Alberta Psychologists has undergraduate prerequisites that an individual must take before registering as a psychologist. Each of these courses need to be worth three credits and must be at the senior undergraduate level to qualify. These undergraduate requisites are a requirement to complete as part of the substantive content areas. The substantive content areas are:
- Biological Bases of Behaviour – e.g., brain and behaviour, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology
- Cognitive/Affective Bases of Behaviour – e.g., sensation and perception, learning and motivation, cognition and emotion
- Social Bases of Behaviour – e.g., social interaction
- Psychology of the Individual – e.g., abnormal psychology, developmental psychology
College of Alberta Psychologists – Criteria for Evaluating Academic Credentials (pages 9-12)
Preparing for the LEAP and EPPP
After registering as Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, Provisional psychologists must complete the following to fully register as a psychologist in Alberta:
- 1600 hours of supervised and evaluated practice
- The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) – Part 1 Knowledge
- The jurisprudence and ethics examination (Law and Ethics for Alberta Psychologists (LEAP))
- Mandatory training on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct
- CAP’s Continuing Competence Program (after their first practice permit renewal, not when they initially register)
- Annual renewal of a practice permit
Provisional psychologists are required to attempt the jurisprudence and ethics examination (Law and Ethics for Alberta Psychologists (LEAP)) within 6 months of their provisional status being granted.
The Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) can be taken at any time after an applicant becomes a provisional psychologist. However, CAP encourages provisional psychologists to take the EPPP early in the registration process.
More information on the LEAP and EPPP can be found here: College of Alberta Psychologists > Examinations.