The School of Psychology offers an interdisciplinary graduate program leading to the degrees of Master of Arts in Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies (PCS).
Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies focuses on developing advanced knowledge surrounding the therapeutic, spiritual, and ritual uses of psychedelics cross-culturally and throughout human history. Its goal is the advancement of research and competency in the areas of human consciousness, psychology, comparative mysticism, and formal training in psychedelic-assisted therapies for clinicians and spiritual care providers.
For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.
To be eligible, candidates must:
- Have an honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent), or higher degree in any related discipline, with an admission minimum average of 70% (B);
- Demonstrate a high academic achievement as shown by official academic transcript, academic reference forms, and other supporting documentation;
- Possess two strong academic or professional letters of reference.
Additional admission requirements:
- Have a previous graduate-level course in cultural diversity or multicultural counseling, and coursework in research/professional ethics.
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2025-2026 calendars for the previous requirements.
Master’s with Research Paper
Student must complete the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses | ||
| PSY 6137 | Psychedelic Psychotherapies Mental Health | 3 Units |
| SRS 5108 | Foundations of Psychedelic Studies | 3 Units |
| SRS 5109 | Psychedelic Experience: Contemplation, Preparation, and Integration | 3 Units |
| SRS 5110 | Sacred Plant Medicines and Shamanic Practices | 3 Units |
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Practicum in Applied Research | ||
| Practicum in Clinical Uses of Psychedelics | ||
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Fieldwork in Indigenous and Cultural Healing Practices | ||
| Directed Studies I | ||
| Optional Courses | ||
| 6 optional course units from: 1 | 6 Units | |
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology | ||
| Comprehensive Pharmacology I | ||
| Comprehensive Pharmacology II | ||
| Consciousness: An Interdisciplinary Perspective from Neuroscience, Philosophy and Psychology | ||
| Mental Health Interview and Psychometrics | ||
| Neuroscience of Psychedelics | ||
| Ethics in Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness | ||
| Seminars in Psychology 2 | ||
| Seminar in Neuropharmacology and Behavior 2 | ||
| Shamanic Traditions | ||
| Religion and Psychology | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Psychology | ||
| Research Paper | ||
| MRP 6999 | Major Research Paper | |
Note(s)
- 1
Three optional course units may be replaced from a secondary discipline approved by the School of Psychology.
- 2
As the topic for these courses vary, they must be relevant to the degree and validated by Graduate committee.
Master's with Coursework
Student must complete the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Courses | ||
| PSY 6137 | Psychedelic Psychotherapies Mental Health | 3 Units |
| SRS 5108 | Foundations of Psychedelic Studies | 3 Units |
| SRS 5109 | Psychedelic Experience: Contemplation, Preparation, and Integration | 3 Units |
| SRS 5110 | Sacred Plant Medicines and Shamanic Practices | 3 Units |
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Practicum in Applied Research | ||
| Practicum in Clinical Uses of Psychedelics | ||
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Fieldwork in Indigenous and Cultural Healing Practices | ||
| Directed Studies I | ||
| Optional Courses | ||
| 9 optional course units: 1 | 9 Units | |
| Medical Anthropology | ||
| Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology | ||
| Comprehensive Pharmacology I | ||
| Comprehensive Pharmacology II | ||
| Consciousness: An Interdisciplinary Perspective from Neuroscience, Philosophy and Psychology | ||
| Mental Health Interview and Psychometrics | ||
| Seminars in Psychology 2 | ||
| Seminar in Neuropharmacology and Behavior 2 | ||
| Shamanic Traditions | ||
| Religion and Psychology | ||
| Qualitative Methods in Psychology | ||
Note(s)
- 1
Three optional course units may be replaced from a secondary discipline approved by the School of Psychology.
- 2
As the topic for these courses vary, they must be relevant to the degree and validated by Graduate committee.
Minimum Requirements
Students must maintain a minimum average of B during their master’s program. Those who receive a grade lower than B in two courses or more will be required to withdraw.
Research at the University of Ottawa
Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:
- Creating a sustainable environment
- Advancing just societies
- Shaping the digital world
- Enabling lifelong health and wellness
From advancing healthcare solutions to tackling global challenges like climate change, the University of Ottawa’s researchers are at the forefront of innovation, making significant contributions to society and beyond.
Research at the Faculty of Social Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences represents a place of excellence in knowledge creation, research and training. Driven by both disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives, research at the Faculty is rich, innovative and varied, contributing to the depth of understanding and breadth of discussions on a variety of issues nationally and internationally. This research, whether it be fundamental, theoretical, applied or action-oriented, is generated by our renowned expertise, ultimately culminating in applications designed to influence individual communities and the betterment of society.
We have identified five research themes which collectively represent a large proportion of the research undertaken at the Faculty of Social Sciences:
- International Studies
- Francophonie
- Public Policy
- Health, Well-Being
- Justice, Society
Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Social Sciences
Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Citizenship and Minorities (CIRCEM), Centre for International Policy Studies (CIPS), Centre for Public Management and Policy, Centre for Research on Educational and Community Service (CRECS), Centre on Governance (COG), Human Rights Research and Education Centre (affiliation), Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies and Institute for Science, Society and Policy.
For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb.
IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.