Academic Requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTERS

Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least second class standing (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent.

For applicants from countries that follow a British-patterned grading system, please note:

• Overall standings are normally reported in lieu of an average. The CGPA can be determined on the basis of annual or overall standings as reported on the transcript or degree certificate.
• A minimum grade of B, or Second Class, Upper Division, is required.
• The National Diploma and Higher National Diploma are not recognized for admission to a graduate-level program.
• Be sure to include a copy of your institution grading scale when uploading your transcripts.
• An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of courses taken and academic standing.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. No candidate will be admitted unless the academic unit recommends admission. All applicants will be advised by the Office of Graduate Studies in writing of their admission status.

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PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the general admission requirements for Master programs, the following requirements also apply:

• Applicants to the MSc and PhD Psychological Science programs with or without Collaborative Specializations should be aware that THIS IS NOT a degree that will lead to registration as a Psychologist or Psychological Associate in the Province of Ontario, or the title "Psychologist" in other provinces, and that this degree does not normally lead to direct admission to the PhD program in Clinical Psychology at Lakehead University.
• MSc applicants must hold an Honours Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an approved college or university in Psychology, or related interdisciplinary program, with at least a 70% average (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent.
• An undergraduate thesis (or equivalent research experience) is required for admission into the MSc Psychological Science program.
• Students who have not completed a degree course in advanced statistics and experimental design will be required to take Psychology 4111 (Statistics for Psychology 3) in addition to the regular requirements for the MSc Psychological Science program.
• Offers of admission may include any course prerequisites and/or co-requisites. Within the period outlined in the offer of admission, these courses must be successfully completed with a minimum grade of 70%.
• Offers for admission and support will be made up to April 1. Applicants who have applied to several university departments may accept these offers up to April 15. After this date, however, offers will be made only to those applicants who clearly state that they are not committed to any other university department.
• In addition to transcripts and letters of recommendations, applications must also include a detailed statement of research interests and objectives plus the name(s) of Psychology faculty for potential masters thesis supervision.
• Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied in an English school system for more than three years will be required to present proof of English facility by achieving an appropriate standing in one of the following tests:Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum internet-based score of 100, or a minimum computer-based score of 250, or a minimum paper-based score of 600 with a score of at least 5.0 on the Test of Written Language (TWE); Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 90; Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) with a minimum score of 80.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum internet-based score of 100, or a minimum computer-based score of 250, or a minimum paper-based score of 600 with a score of at least 5.0 on the Test of Written Language (TWE); Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 90; Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) with a minimum score of 80.
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Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Accepted tests and minimum scores:

• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) or CAEL CE (Computer Edition) or CAEL Online: 60
• Cambridge Academic English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency): 176 (no individual score less than 169)
• Duolingo English Test: 120 (no individual sub-score less than 115)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5 (no individual score less than 6.0)
• Michigan English Test (MET): 85
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 58 (no component score less than 50)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Institution Code 0888: 4.5 overall (no section below 4.0) for tests completed as of January 2026; Internet Based Test (iBT) 80 (no component score less than 19) for valid tests taken prior to January 2026

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.