The therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine is being actively renewed in clinical settings across Canada and around the world. Substances that have for millennia formed part of humanity’s healing traditions are now being scientifically studied and utilized for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating a wide variety of illnesses. The graduate microprogram in Psychedelic Science will focus on the scientific foundations and therapeutic uses of psychedelic medicine. It will complement the graduate microprogram in Psychedelics & Spirituality Studies, established in the Faculty of Arts in 2020. It can be taken independently, as a stand-alone microprogram or as an option for graduate students in Psychology or related programs. It is anticipated that it be stackable within the in development interdisciplinary MA in Psychedelics & Consciousness Studies.
The objective of the Microprogram in Psychedelic Science is to provide students with specific knowledge and skills in the disciplinary areas of mental health care, neuroscience, and consciousness studies, without requiring them to complete a full set of degree requirements. The program requires students to complete 9 units of coursework, in the areas of: psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (3 units), drugs/pharmaceuticals (3 units), and (3 units) in neuroscience or the mind.
Students already admitted into the Master or Ph.D. programs in Psychology can complete the microprogram on an optional basis and have these credits count towards the program requirements. The completion of the microprogram will be mentioned in their transcript.
Professional students who want to register in the anticipated M.A. program in Psychedelic and Consciousness Studies after the completion of the microprogram can have these credits count towards the program requirements in view of obtaining their degree. The M.A. admission requirements do apply.
The enrollment process for a Microprogram depends on your student status.
Students already admitted and enrolled in a graduate program
Students already admitted and enrolled in a Psychology graduate program can take the microprogram upon request.
Students who would like to enroll into the Microprogram in Psychedelic Science must contact the graduate studies office at scsgrad@uottawa.ca.
Non-degree students
Students pursuing a Graduate Microprogram, without being admitted to or intending to complete a graduate program, must obtain the prior approval of the academic unit offering the Graduate Microprogram.
Candidates required to have one of the following:
- A four-year Bachelor degree in psychology or a related discipline or an equivalent degree or diploma;
- Students with over 60 undergraduate credits are eligible to apply, with permission of director;
- Minimum average of 75% (B+).
Students who would like to enroll in the Psychedelic Science microprogram must send an email to the graduate studies office (scsgrad@uottawa.ca) of the faculty and include the following documents:
- Resume;
- Copies of all transcripts from universities have attended. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a special student or visiting students, etc. If transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, a certified translation must be submitted (signed and stamped and sealed);
- Letter of intent describing motivations and objectives in enrolling in the microprogram;
- Evidence of proficiency in the program's language of instruction (e.g., prior completed coursework in English or French).
The Microprogram in Psychedelic Science will include compulsory and elective courses, for a total of 9 course credits.
Students must meet the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Course: | ||
| PSY 6137 | Psychedelic Psychotherapies Mental Health | 3 Units |
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology | ||
| Comprehensive Pharmacology I | ||
| Drugs and Behaviour | ||
| Seminar in Neuropharmacology and Behavior | ||
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Consciousness: An Interdisciplinary Perspective from Neuroscience, Philosophy and Psychology | ||
| Seminars in Psychology | ||
| Psychedelics: Interdisciplinary Survey of Psychedelic Studies | ||
Courses may be substituted for other comparable courses with permission from the program director.