Future Students
Message from the Associate Graduate Chair, Psychology
Psychological scientists use empirical methods to understand behavior, broadly defined to include not only overt behavior but the actions of the mind and brain. Graduate study in psychology at Western is designed to produce scientists who use diverse approaches to further our understanding of brain function, cognitive development, social interaction, how humans behave in the workforce, personality, psychopathology (i.e., maladaptive behavior), and many other domains. Increasingly, psychological scientists throughout the world study domains that transcend traditional scientific boundaries; hence, our faculty and graduate trainees have expertise in computer programming, molecular biology, advanced mathematics and data modeling, and other fields historically viewed as somewhat distinct from psychology.
Students in our program generally pursue an M.Sc. followed by a Ph.D. in Psychology, and are prepared for careers in academic and applied settings, including universities, governmental organizations, hospitals, businesses, and industry. Our graduate training is positioned within four clusters of research excellence, including (1) Clinical Science and Psychopathology, (2) Cognitive, Developmental, and Brain Sciences, (3) Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and (4) Social, Personality, and Developmental Psychology. Many faculty members are affiliated with more than one cluster, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of our field.
Our department and graduate training program respect and value diversity, including (but not limited to) diversity of age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, and ability status. Diversity of our departmental members, including graduate trainees, is a foundation of our strength and we see its growth as a key priority.
Dr. Ken McRae
Professor and Associate Chair - Graduate Affairs
Department of Psychology
