Increasing the Diversity of Psychology Trainees: A National Review of Graduate Program Admissions Processes

Graduate admissions in Canadian psychology programs act as a significant gatekeeper to the profession, but the current makeup of professional psychologists lacks diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, immigrant background, and socioeconomic status. To address this, many programs are reviewing their admissions processes to promote equity and inclusivity, aiming to remove barriers and foster diversity in the field.

We present the outcomes of a national survey conducted with Directors of Clinical Training at CPA accredited programs, which explored their current admissions procedures and any planned changes to diversify their training cohorts. The presentation included a summary of admissions processes across the country and showcased innovative approaches taken by some programs, such as adjusting application criteria (e.g., GRE decisions), adopting equity-focused interview questions, revising interview short-list creation, and employing holistic applicant evaluations. These findings offer practical insights for other programs seeking to innovate their own admissions processes. 

Presentation slides: Subgroup 1 CPA 2023 Graduate Admissions to Increase Diversity.pdf