Psychology Ph.D.
Trent's Psychology Ph.D. program prepares students with the core knowledge, skills, and methodological expertise to conduct advanced research in psychology and become producers of original scholarly research. Candidates engage in research directed towards understanding how cognitive, neurobiological, developmental and social processes drive and shape human behaviour, personality, health, and well-being.
With this degree, graduates have the knowledge, skills, and training to prepare them for traditional positions within academia (university) or to pursue non-academic career paths in industry, government or community-related fields.
Experiential Learning
In the Psychology Graduate Program, there are numerous opportunities to engage in experiential learning. Primarily, experiential learning takes place through your own thesis research which entails advanced, one-on-one ‘learning through doing’ with your faculty advisor. Additional opportunities could include laboratory research training, broader academic training, community-based research projects, and travel to conferences/workshops to present research and engage with professional academic communities in your field of study. The networking opportunities and skill development you will receive in the Psychology Graduate Program has helped our students go on to careers in academia, government, non-profit, and industry.
Meaningful questions lead to meaningful answers and opportunities. Build on gained knowledge, writing and research skills to conduct advanced research in one of several core research streams.
Trent has been home to 2 Nobel Prize winners
10 Canada Research Chairs conduct innovative research at Trent
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Eligibility Requirements
- M.Sc., M.A. or equivalent degree in Psychology or a related field. Applicants with a course-based M.A./M.Sc. degree will not typically be considered
- Minimum A- (80%) or equivalent overall in the Master's degree
- Must have completed at least 1 credit in Statistics or Experimental Design at the graduate level
- Aptitude for research inquiry as determined by the completion of an original graduate (dissertation) project and demonstrated excellence in scholarly written as determined from the submission of a written sample from the applicants MSc/ MA studies. Submission of a first-author manuscript/ publication is permissible with an accompanying letter from the corresponding author confirming the primacy of the applicant’s contribution to the paper
Eligibility Requirements
- M.Sc., M.A. or equivalent degree in Psychology or a related field. Applicants with a course-based M.A./M.Sc. degree will not typically be considered
- Minimum A- (80%) or equivalent overall in the Master's degree
- Must have completed at least 1 credit in Statistics or Experimental Design at the graduate level
- Aptitude for research inquiry as determined by the completion of an original graduate (dissertation) project and demonstrated excellence in scholarly written as determined from the submission of a written sample from the applicants MSc/ MA studies. Submission of a first-author manuscript/ publication is permissible with an accompanying letter from the corresponding author confirming the primacy of the applicant’s contribution to the paper
- Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of an adequate level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Please visit our How to Apply: International page for details on English Language Proficiency requirements
- A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program
All applicants, domestic and international, must submit the following documents to complete their application:
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- 2 letters of reference: Academic references are required. Reference forms will be emailed to the referees that you have appointed on OUAC
- Plan of Study/Personal Statement: A clear and detailed statement of interest that aligns with one or more of the following research streams: (a) Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience, (b) Development Psychology, and (c) Social, Health, and Personality Psychology. Potential supervisors must be named in the application and in the Statement of Interest. Typically 1-2 pages. Any specific research interests, relevant experiences, and/or career aspirations can be included.
- Writing Sample: A sample of your writing of about 20 pages or less. The preferred submission format is PDF. Good choices for writing samples include: an undergraduate essay, lab report, research report, journal article, a chapter from a masters thesis, or a published article.
- Detailed Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Proof of Citizenship (ie. copy of passport or birth certificate)
- Supervisor: A potential supervisor must be chosen as an admission requirement for this program. Please list your supervisor on your OUAC application and discuss this in your plan of study. Please visit the program's Faculty and Research page for a listing of faculty and areas of research. Applicants are responsible for reaching out to a faculty member
For more information on submitting transcripts, re-sending reference links and other application questions, please visit our How to Apply: Domestic or International pages and review Step 4, as well as review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Learn more about tuition & fees
Eligible full-time students are offered minimum funding packages during their funded period of $23,000 annually. This includes a Graduate Teaching Assistantship employment offer valued at approximately $13,000 annually. Specific funding details are included in individual admission letters.
As of May 1, 2026, full-time international PhD students pay domestic tuition fees at the out-of-province rate.
Students are supported in competing for external awards during their studies, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. A full list of external awards is available on our Scholarships and Awards page.
Trent has clear pathways for graduate students to apply and be admitted to study for their master's or doctorate at either of our campuses. Please review admission requirements for your program before applying.
I've learned and grown a lot as a person and researcher so far in the Psychology PhD program at Trent. I've gotten to be a part of some really exciting research projects on personality, post-secondary education, and mental health while working and interacting with amazing professors and researchers in the department. I really appreciate the one-on-one time faculty and staff give you in the Psychology department at Trent and the research, statistical analysis, and communication skills that they've helped me to develop.
Dr. Humphreys' academic/research interests focus on the negotiation of sexual consent in multiple contexts; sexting behaviour in young adults; and first sexual experiences. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, a Consulting Editor for the Journal of Sex Research and a Vice-Chair of the Scientific Committee for the World Association of Sexual Health (WAS) He has also been the past president of both the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (SSSS) in the United States, and the Canadian Sex Research Forum (CSRF) in Canada.
In the ACT Lab, we do research at the intersection of psychology, kinesiology, and neuroscience to answer fundamental questions about how people learn and perform skilled movements. I have a long-standing interest in how senses like vision and proprioception contribute to movement performance and in how perception, action, and cognition are affected by brain injuries and neurological disorders. You can learn more about our current research projects here: actlab.squarespace.com/research.
*Application deadline extended to March 1