PNB Graduate Handbook - Recent changes [en-ca]

Financial Support

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Support, Tuition, Fees

Admission Requirements

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Graduate Application Requirements

Main Page

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Academic

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	Welcome to the PNB Graduate Handbook. Please see below for a Table of Contents.		Welcome to the PNB Graduate Handbook. Please see below for a Table of Contents.

	The [https://www.science.mcmaster.ca/pnb/ Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB)], at [http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/ McMaster University], has a strong research base in the areas of Animal Behaviour, Systems and Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognition/Perception, Developmental Psychology, and Evolution and Social Behaviour. We also have [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/rct/ Research and Clinical Training (RCT)] which is a stream within the PNB Graduate Program. ~~'''~~Please note~~'''~~: ~~Starting this year~~, we will no longer ~~be accepting~~ new students ~~into the RCT stream~~.		The [https://www.science.mcmaster.ca/pnb/ Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB)], at [http://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/ McMaster University], has a strong research base in the areas of Animal Behaviour, Systems and Behavioural Neuroscience, Cognition/Perception, Developmental Psychology, and Evolution and Social Behaviour. We also have [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/rct/ Research and Clinical Training (RCT)], which is a stream within the PNB Graduate Program. "Please note": Effective Fall 2025, the RCT Stream will no longer accept new students.

	There are 30 core [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/people/faculty/ faculty] in PNB, several associate faculty members, and approximately 120 [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/people/trainees-graduates/ graduate students]. Our graduate program is strongly research-oriented and provides flexibility to optimize the program around the interests of the student. The breadth of research areas provides a rich environment for graduate training. There is a strong collegial environment in the department that supports scientific interactions among faculty and students. As a consequence of this long-standing department culture, students often undertake research projects with more than one faculty member. Our graduate students are introduced to theory, issues, and questions in the field of Experimental Psychology and are trained in the research approaches used to study the problems.		There are 30 core [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/people/faculty/ faculty] in PNB, several associate faculty members, and approximately 120 [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/people/trainees-graduates/ graduate students]. Our graduate program is strongly research-oriented and provides flexibility to optimize the program around the interests of the student. The breadth of research areas provides a rich environment for graduate training. There is a strong collegial environment in the department that supports scientific interactions among faculty and students. As a consequence of this long-standing department culture, students often undertake research projects with more than one faculty member. Our graduate students are introduced to theory, issues, and questions in the field of Experimental Psychology and are trained in the research approaches used to study the problems.

	== General Information ==		== General Information ==
	Official sources of information about our graduate program are the McMaster [https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/index.php?catoid=55 Graduate Calendar (~~2024~~-~~2025~~)], the [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/ School of Graduate Studies], and the PNB department policies. If there is a difference between official sources of information and information presented in the PNB Graduate Handbook, the official university documents should be taken as correct. If you cannot find the information you need or if you need any clarification about any of the guidelines and procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us:		Official sources of information about our graduate program are the McMaster [https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/index.php?catoid=64 Graduate Calendar (2026-2027)], the [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/ School of Graduate Studies], and the PNB department policies. If there is a difference between official sources of information and information presented in the PNB Graduate Handbook, the official university documents should be taken as correct. If you cannot find the information you need or if you need any clarification about any of the guidelines and procedures, please do not hesitate to contact us:
	:* [mailto:pnbgrad@mcmaster.ca Anju Dalal], Graduate Administrative Assistant; Phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 23027		:* [mailto:pnbgrad@mcmaster.ca Anju Dalal], Graduate Administrative Assistant; Phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 23027
	:* [mailto:nx@mcmaster.ca Dr. ~~Gabriel(Naiqi) Xiao~~], PNB Associate Chair (Graduate), ~~aka~~ Graduate Chair		:* [mailto:millike@mcmaster.ca Dr. Robert Bruce Milliken], PNB Associate Chair (Graduate), Acting Graduate Chair


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	* [[Comprehensive Exam]]: When and How		* [[Comprehensive Exam]]: When and How
	* [[Completing your Degree]]: The defense process		* [[Completing your Degree]]: The defense process
	* [[Graduate Research Day]] - ~~2025~~ Date TBA		* [[Graduate Research Day]] - 2027 Date TBA

	=== Help, Advise, Support ===		=== Help, Advise, Support ===

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	=== Support, Tuition, Fees ===		=== Support, Tuition, Fees ===

	A separate application for financial assistance is not required when applying to the PNB Graduate Program, as all applicants are automatically considered for financial support within the Department. All graduate students are supported by stipends from a ~~combinations~~ of external scholarships, departmental scholarships, research grants, training grants, and teaching assistantships. The minimum stipend for ~~2025~~-~~2026~~ is $19,~~952~~ for MSc and $ 24,~~904~~ for PhD students(see below for breakdown).		A separate application for financial assistance is not required when applying to the PNB Graduate Program, as all applicants are automatically considered for financial support within the Department. All graduate students are supported by stipends from a combination of external scholarships, departmental scholarships, research grants, training grants, and teaching assistantships. The minimum stipend for 2026-2027 is $20,127 for MSc and $25,254 for PhD students (see below for a breakdown).

	''This [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/current-students/fees-and-payment/ fees and payment link] provides help with MacIDs, student accounts, payments, tuition, and deadlines.''		''This [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/current-students/fees-and-payment/ fees and payment link] provides help with MacIDs, student accounts, payments, tuition, and deadlines.''

	* Department scholarships (Domestic and International ~~students~~):		* Department scholarships (Domestic and International Students):
	::* PNB dept. scholarship for ~~2025~~-~~2026~~ is $15000 and is available to all in-time graduate students in our program. ~~Student~~ receiving externally granted scholarships [[External Scholarships]] will receive the value of external scholarship only and will not be eligible for the PNB dept. scholarship		::* PNB dept. scholarship for 2026-2027 is $15000 and is available to all in-time graduate students in our program. Students receiving externally granted scholarships [[External Scholarships]] will receive the value of the external scholarship only and will not be eligible for the PNB dept. scholarship.

	* Teaching Assistantships (Domestic and International ~~students~~):		* Teaching Assistantships (Domestic and International Students):
	::* [[Teaching Assistantships]] provide $4,~~952~~ to master students and $ 9,~~904~~ to PhD students to all in-time graduate students in our department.		::* [[Teaching Assistantships]] provide $5,127 to master students and $10,254 to PhD students to all in-time graduate students in our department.

	* Estimated sums:		* Estimated sums:
	::* The sum of department scholarship ($15,000) plus teaching assistantship ($4,~~952~~-$9,~~904~~) provides the ~~minimum stipend~~ $ 19,~~952~~-$24,~~904~~. Once you have paid tuition and fees (see below), the remaining amount is ~~'''~~$12,~~645~~-$~~17507~~ before taxes'''.		::* The sum of department scholarship ($15,000) plus teaching assistantship ($5,127-$10,254) provides the total funding of $20,127-$25,254. Once you have paid tuition and fees (see below), the remaining amount is "$13,695-$17,416 before taxes'''.

	* Domestic ~~students~~ Tuition and Fees:		* Domestic Students Tuition and Fees:
	::* [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/ Tuition] (2024-2025) for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents (masters and PhD) for one academic year (September to August) is $6,~~307.20~~ plus [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/#tab-10 supplemental fees] of $~~1090.66~~ (total = $~~7397.86~~ in ~~2024~~-~~2025~~).		::* [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/ Tuition] (2024-2025) for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents (masters and PhD) for one academic year (September to August) is $6,432 plus [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/#tab-10 supplemental fees] of $1,406 (total = $7,838 in 2026-2027).

	* International ~~students~~ Tuition and Fees:		* International Students Tuition and Fees:
	::* International PhD students: [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/ Tuition] for international graduate students in PhD programs at McMaster was equated to domestic tuition rates in ~~2023~~ ($6,~~307.20~~ in ~~2024~~-~~2025~~) plus [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/#tab-10 supplemental fees] of $~~1090.66~~ (total = $~~7397.86~~ in ~~2024~~-~~2025~~).		::* International PhD students: [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/ Tuition] for international graduate students in PhD programs at McMaster was equated to domestic tuition rates in 2026 ($6,432 in 2026-2027) plus [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/#tab-10 supplemental fees] of $1,406 (total = $7838 in 2026-2027).

	::* International Masters students: [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/ Tuition] for international graduate students at the ~~masters~~ level ($17,096.22 in ~~2024~~-~~2025~~) is higher than domestic tuition rates. We provide a tuition bursary ($10,789.00 in ~~2024~~-~~2025~~) to our international ~~masters~~ students to offset this difference. International ~~masters~~ students also pay [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/#tab-10 supplemental fees] of $~~1090~~.66		::* International Masters students: [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/ Tuition] for international graduate students at the master's level ($17,096.22 in 2026-2027) is higher than domestic tuition rates. We provide a tuition bursary ($10,789.00 in 2026-2027) to our international master's students to offset this difference. International master's students also pay [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/fees/graduate/#tab-10 supplemental fees] of $1,406.

	::* Health ~~Insurance~~ is mandatory for all Visa students (masters and ~~PhD~~) and is provided through the [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/uhip-international-student-health-insurance/ University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)] at a current cost of $636 for one person. Please refer to [[International Students]] for more details about tuition and fees.		::* Health insurance is mandatory for all Visa students (masters and PhDs) and is provided through the [https://registrar.mcmaster.ca/uhip-international-student-health-insurance/ University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP)] at a current cost of $636 for one person. Please refer to [[International Students]] for more details about tuition and fees.

	* Planning for payments and tuition/fees deadlines:		* Planning for payments and tuition/fees deadlines:

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	Thank you for your interest in our graduate program.		Thank you for your interest in our graduate program.

	The application portal for the ~~September 2026–2027~~ academic year is now ~~closed~~. All applicants will be notified of their application status by ~~mid-April~~.		The application portal for the 2027–2028 academic year (September Intake) is now open until December 1, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their application status by Apr 2027.

	'''Important Notice''': As of 2025, the Research and Clinical Training (RCT) stream has permanently closed and is no longer accepting applications. This change is final, and no future admissions will be offered for this stream.		'''Important Notice''': As of 2025, the Research and Clinical Training (RCT) stream has permanently closed and is no longer accepting applications. This change is final, and no future admissions will be offered for this stream.
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	The McMaster Graduate Calendar is an important source of information.		The McMaster Graduate Calendar is an important source of information.
	* ~~2025~~-~~2026~~ Graduate Calendar [https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/index.php?catoid=61]		* 2026-2027 Graduate Calendar [https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/index.php?catoid=64]

	Foreign students may enter Canada on student visas. Further information on how to obtain these visas may be requested from the nearest Canadian Consulate. We encourage foreign students to read our page for [[International Students]].		Foreign students may enter Canada on student visas. Further information on how to obtain these visas may be requested from the nearest Canadian Consulate. We encourage foreign students to read our page for [[International Students]].
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	== Graduate Application Requirements ==		== Graduate Application Requirements ==

	To help you understand the application requirements for our PNB graduate program, we advise you to first read carefully the general application requirements found on the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/future-students/how-to-apply/ How To Apply] web page, especially the “Prepare your application” and “Application Instructions” tabs. Then check the points listed here for requirements that are specific to our PNB graduate program.		To help you understand the application requirements for our PNB graduate program, we advise you to first read carefully the general application requirements found on the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/future-students/how-to-apply/ How To Apply] web page, especially the “Prepare your application” and “Application Instructions” tabs. Then check the points listed here for requirements that are specific to our PNB graduate program.

	Supervision in our graduate program is strongly apprenticeship-style supervision, and to be successful with your application we advise you to reach out to professors [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/people/faculty/ Faculty] who have a research program in your area of interest. Acceptance is dependent on whether there is a position for a student within a lab, so the application process is facilitated by students contacting a potential faculty advisor and discussing research opportunities with them prior to submitting an application.		Supervision in our graduate program is strongly apprenticeship-style supervision, and to be successful with your application we advise you to reach out to professors [https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/people/faculty/ Faculty] who have a research program in your area of interest. Acceptance is dependent on whether there is a position for a student within a lab, so the application process is facilitated by students contacting a potential faculty advisor and discussing research opportunities with them prior to submitting an application.
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	* Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; General Test). It may be worthwhile to ask the faculty member you are interested in working with whether they would like to see your GREs.		* Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE; General Test). It may be worthwhile to ask the faculty member you are interested in working with whether they would like to see your GREs.
	* If English is not your native language or if it is/was not the primary language of instruction in your previous degree program, please provide an official copy of your TOEFL score ~~(please see the School of Graduate Studies [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/future-students/how-to-apply/ How To Apply] page for minimum scores)~~. You can find detailed information about the score on SGS website [https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/content.php?catoid=55&navoid=11123#2-1-12_english_language_requirements/ English language requirements 2.1.12]		* If English is not your native language or if it is/was not the primary language of instruction in your previous degree program, please provide an official copy of your TOEFL score.You can find detailed information about the score on the SGS website [https://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/content.php?catoid=55&navoid=11123#2-1-12_english_language_requirements/English language requirements 2.1.12]

	To access the online application, visit: [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/future-students/how-to-apply/ School of Graduate Studies “How to ~~Apply”~~]		To access the online application, visit [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/future-students/how-to-apply/ School of Graduate Studies “How to Apply"].

	If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our Graduate Administrative Assistant, Anju Dalal, by email ([mailto:pnbgrad@mcmaster.ca pnbgrad@mcmaster.ca]) or phone (905-525-9140 ext. 23027).		If you have any questions about the application process, please contact our Graduate Administrative Assistant, Anju Dalal, by email ([mailto:pnbgrad@mcmaster.ca pnbgrad@mcmaster.ca]) or phone (905-525-9140 ext. 23027).

	== [[Financial Support]] ==		== [[Financial Support]] ==