Program overview
Program Requirements
Acquired skills
University education stimulates the development of many valuable skills transferable to the workplace. Employers increasingly demand a set of skills from their employees; communication, research, data use, analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, planning and organizational, responsibility, adaptability and autonomy, and teamwork skills are sought after. While they can seem limited to each program of study, skills are adaptable and extendable to a variety of situations and they can also be used to acquire other aptitudes and abilities hence ensuring the development and advancement of ones career (to further develop your skill set, see Experience section). The list of skills below can then help in the process of choosing occupations that best fit your education and aptitudes and it can also be used to communicate your employability.
Skills [Coming soon]
Further studies
Many graduate programs are available for people with an undergraduate degree interested in expanding their knowledge, specializing or conducting research. The graduate programs below are examples selected from the list of graduate programs offered by the University of Ottawa. While they are related to this program of study, it is important to consult the admission requirements of the programs as not all types of degrees qualify one for admission. Moreover, additional programs and other universities could be considered depending on your career plan.
Graduate programs
- Psychology (PhD)
- Counselling and Spirituality (MA, PhD, Graduate Certificate)
- Education (MA, MEd, PhD)
- Conflict Studies (MA)
- Criminology (MCA, MA, PhD)
- Health Administration (MHA)
- Business Administration (MBA)
- Program Evaluation (Graduate Certificate)
Potential occupations
Universities studies lead to multiple occupations. Furthermore, certain professions require talent, special aptitudes, additional skills and experience beyond degrees themselves. By targeting a profession, it can make decisions easier during your schooling, throughout your job search and, finally, when choosing among job offers. The choices can change over time based on academic, personal, and professional paths and on the knowledge of occupations and of the labour market.
In order to list your choices, visit the Job Bank Canada website and, using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, view job postings, wages, employment prospects and other important information that can help you make a decision. If need be, additional and complementary information can be found via two online career exploration tools (Careercruising and Choices Planner)* also designed to facilitate your career advancement. The occupations found below are examples derived from the National Occupational Classification. They are presented by their occupational group title, in bold, followed by bulleted occupational titles specific to the program of study. Immediately after the occupational titles, the hyperlinked NOC code for the occupational group is provided. Overall, the occupations are presented side by side with their employment requirements and the establishments where to find a job.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada providing a standard taxonomy and framework for dialogue on Labour Market Information. It gathers more than 30,000 occupational titles into 500 Unit Groups, organized according to skill levels and skill types.
Occupations related to this program
Social and community service workers
- Child and youth worker
- Crisis intervention worker
- Residential counsellor
- Social rehabilitation officer
- Social services officer
- Women's centre coordinator
- Women's shelter supervisor
Completion of a college or university program in social work, child and youth care, psychology or other social science or health-related discipline is usually required; previous work experience in a social service environment as a volunteer or in a support capacity may replace formal education requirements for some occupations in this unit group; social service workers may be required to be a member of a provincial regulatory body in some provinces
Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
- Child-care programs planning officer
- Family violence prevention program adviser
- Settlement counsellor
- Social policy analysis
- Social researcher
A bachelor's degree or college diploma in a social science or related discipline or in business administration is usually required; a master's degree in a social science or related discipline or in business administration may be required
Probation and parole officers and related occupations
- Correctional classification officer
- Parole officer
- Probation officer
A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related discipline; a master's degree in social work, criminology, psychology or other related social science discipline may be required; preference is given to applicants with prior experience in the social services; additional requirements will vary by province
Statistical officers and related research support occupations
- Psychology research assistant (except university)
- Research assistant (except post-secodnary)
- Social science research assistant (except university)
- Statistical officer
- Technical research assistant (except post-secondary)
Completion of secondary school is required. A college diploma or undergraduate degree is a social science, commerce, statistics or related field is usually required.
Human resources and recruitment officers
- Human resources officer
- Personnel officer
- Recruitment specialist
A bachelor’s degree in a field related to personnel management such as psychology; certification as a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP); some experience in a clerical or administrative position related to personnel administration may be required
Human resources professionals
- Human resource specialist
- Mediator
A bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related discipline; training in mediation is highly recommended for mediators; some employers may require human resources professionals to hold a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation
Senior government managers and officials
- Human resources manager
- Industrial relations manager
- Staff relations manager
- Training and development manager
A bachelor's degree in a field related to personnel management, such as psychology; several years of experience as a personnel officer or human resource specialist are required
Instructors of persons with disabilities
- Rehabilitation instructor
- Teacher of persons with an developmental disability
A bachelor's degree in psychology or social work; completion of an appropriate training program in rehabilitation or special education; a provincial teaching certificate is required for public school teachers
Family, marriage and other related counsellors
- Addiction counsellor
- Behavioural counsellor
- Child and family counsellor
- Grief counsellor
- Marital counsellor
- Registered clinical counsellor
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- Sex therapist
An undergraduate degree or college diploma in a social science is required for certain areas of counselling; a master's degree in the field of counselling, mental health or a related social service discipline is usually required; membership with a provincial association for marriage and family therapists or clinical counsellors is required to use the title "Registered Marriage and Family Therapist" or "Registered Clinical Counsellor", and in Quebec, to use the title "marriage and family therapist (MFT)", "family therapist (FT)" or "marriage therapist (MT)". Membership with a provincial association may be required by some employers; in Quebec, membership in the professional association is mandatory for counsellors and psychoeducators; registered marriage and family therapists and registered clinical counsellors must meet strict criteria involving post-graduate education and a period of supervised clinical work with clients
Psychologists
- Psychological associate
A doctoral degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation "Psychologist" in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia; a master's degree in psychology is required for the designation "Psychologist" in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories; a master's degree in psychology is required in order to use the designation "Psychological Associate" in Ontario and Manitoba; in Prince Edward Island, a doctoral degree is required to work in private practice, or a master's degree with practice limited to institutions and agencies; a period of supervised practical experience is required in most jurisdictions; successful completion of the written Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) is required in most provinces; oral examinations and board interviews are required in some provinces; registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories; membership in the provincial professional association for psychologists is mandatory in all provinces, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories; psychologists can become specialized in a particular area through training and experience
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
- Art therapist
- Dance therapist
- Music therapist
Art therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in art therapy; music therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in music therapy; dance therapists require a bachelor's degree in psychology, and usually require a master's degree in art, drama or movement therapy; supervised practical training is usually required for occupations in this unit group; creative or technical ability in the field of specialization is usually required; certification or membership with the appropriate national professional association or provincial counterpart may be required
College and other vocational instructors
- College lecturer
- Early childhood education instructor – college level
A bachelor's degree, a college diploma or demonstrated expertise in the field of instruction is required; a master's degree in the field of instruction may be required; a certificate, diploma or degree in adult education may be required
Employment counsellors
- Career development counsellor
- Employment counsellor
- Workforce development officer
A bachelor’s degree in employment counselling or a related discipline such as psychology; a master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work may be required; to use the title ''counsellor'' in Quebec, membership in a professional association is required
Educational counsellors
- Academic counsellor
- Career counsellor – education
- Student services counsellor
A bachelor’s degree in a related social science discipline; a master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required; educational counsellors in colleges and universities may require licensing from a provincial regulatory body governing psychologists, educational counsellors or social workers
Post-secondary teaching and research assistants
- Discussion group leader post-secondary teaching assistance
- Laboratory assistant, university
- Laboratory supervisor post-secondary teaching assistant
- Post-secondary research assistant
- Post-secondary teaching assistant
- Tutor post-secondary teaching assistant
Enrolment in a university program is required
Administrators post-secondary education and vocational training
- Assistant dean
- Dean
- Faculty administrator
Faculty administrators require a graduate degree in a field related to the academic faculty and several years of experience as a university professor or college teacher
Related field
Although many students believe that they will pursue a career path directly connected to their university studies, quite often, graduates tend to work in related fields. Below is a list of possible related fields of work based on a given program of study. These fields present opportunities that are not typically considered as first choices when choosing a career path based on a program of study. Hopefully, this list will allow students to further consider the various fields that are loosely connected to their program of study. These results were compiled through a research of the University of Ottawa's alumni profiles which were found on the business-oriented social networking service, LinkedIn.
Related Fields
- Education
- Healthcare Services
- Research
- Human Resources
- Media and Communication
Acquiring experience
Experience is acquired by participating and trying new personal, educational and professional activities, where it is possible to discover preferences, increase confidence and improve skills. As for professional experience, it is acquired through volunteering, internships, self-employment and full-time or part-time jobs. And certainly, experience working on campus or in other settings adds to the set of skills acquired in your degree (see Acquired Skills section). The Employability Skills 2000+ presenting the skills employers look for in their employees as well as its complementary checklist can help target experience opportunities that will improve your skill set necessary for employment. In addition to developing these skills, performing work related to your program of study can strengthen your expertise and increase your employability.
All examples of volunteer experience and potential employers were selected specifically for this area of study and according to occupational groups in which it is possible to acquire experience. Examples of volunteer organizations in Canada and abroad are preceded by a list of directories that can help to find more volunteer opportunities. Examples of potential employers in Canada and abroad have been compiled in light of events held in partnership with employers, searches in company directories and well-established rankings.
Volunteer opportunities
In addition to providing an opportunity to apply theories and knowledge learned during your university studies outside the classroom, in real world situations, volunteering is a way to help the community and its many organizations. The Community Service Learning also allows students to contribute to their community by participating in projects that are related to their program of study.
Directories
- Centraide Outaouais
- Center for Global Community Engagement - University of Ottawa
- E-Blue Book Community Information Centre of Ottawa
- GoAbroad.com
- I-Volunteer.ca
- United Way Ottawa
- Volunteer Ottawa
Canada Abroad
- Eastern Ontario Youth Justice Agency
- Montfort Hospital
- Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women - OCTEVAW
- Ottawa Hospital
- St. Joes Womens Centre
- Unicef Canada
- British Universities North America Club - BUNAC
- Camp Counselors USA - CCUSA
- Time Bank
- Vitalise
Potential employers
The following examples of employers can offer internships or employment opportunities related to students program of studies. The examples are presented according to geographic location: Ottawa and Gatineau, Ontario, Quebec and other provinces.
In Canada
Ottawa/Gatineau Region Ontario
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service - CSIS
- Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Gatineau - CSSS
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health - CAMH
- Health Canada
- The Royal - Mental Health Care & Research
- March of Dimes Canada
- Belmont House
- Brant Community Healthcare System - BCHS
- Calian
- Centric Health
- Children's Aid Society - CAS
- Community Care Access Centre - CCAC
- Community Head Injury Resource Services - CHIRS
- Lutherwood Community
Quebec Other provinces and territories
- Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de Montréal
- Centre de santé et de services sociaux Cavendish
- Centre de santé et de services sociaux de la Minganie - CSSS
- Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Saint-Léonard et Saint-Michel - CSSS
- Commissaire à la santé et au bien-être
- Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux - MSSS
- Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
- Closer to Home Community Services - CTH
- Fraser Health Authority
- Klinic Community Health Centre
- Vancouver Island Health Authority - VIHA
Abroad
The requirements for working abroad consider factors like administrative laws, professional standards and work permits in some countries. To learn about requirements in various countries, visit Skill Clear or MyWorldAbroad (registration with a @uOttawa.ca email is required to use MyWorldAbroad).
Established globally
North America (excluding Canada)
- Center for Victims of Torture - CVT
- Concern Worldwide
- International Planned Parenthood Federation - IPPF
- Survivors of Incest Anonymous - SIA
- Adelaide Psychological Services
- Assistance in Recovery - AIR
- Cornerstone Psychological Services
- Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous - FA
- Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
- Levermore Psychological Services
South America
Europe
- Caritas International
- Chinese Mental Health Association - CMHA
- European Institute
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction - EMCDDA
- European Society of Criminology - ESC
- Northern Ireland Social Care Council - NISCC
- Scottish Social Services Council - SSSC
Asia
Africa
- China Youth Development Foundation - CYDF
- Cindy Chan Psychological Services
- Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace - WISCOMP
Job search resources
The job search resources are designed to stimulate networking activities, develop marketing strategies and facilitate access to job postings. Networking events offer employers the opportunity to learn about the available workforce, and they give students a chance to be considered in the recruitment process. Career Development Centre offers helpful tips on networking, interview preparation techniques and different tools that can also be used to help with the preparation of resumés and cover letters.
Professional organizations
Examples of professional organizations, presented by location, provide essential information on professional development opportunities and networking activities, the examples can also provide access to publications and job opportunities.
Canadian Provincial and territorial
- Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia - APNS
- Association of Psychology in Newfoundland Labrador - APN
- Association québécoise des psychologues scolaires - AQPS
- British Columbia Psychological Association - BCPA
- Canadian Mental Health Association Manitoba
- Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs - CCPPP
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association - CCPA
- Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences - CFHSS
- Canadian Mental Health Association - CMHA
- Canadian Psychiatric Association - CPA
- Canadian Psychological Association - CPA
- Child Welfare League of Canada
- College of Psychologists of Ontario
- Manitoba Psychological Society - MPS
- Ordre des psychologues du Québec
American International
- American Psychological Association - APA
- Association for Psychological Science - APS
- International Association for Social Science Information Service and Technology -IASSIST
- International Honor Society in Psychology
- International Social Science Council - ISSC
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology - SPSP
Job search sites
Here are a few websites posting jobs available in Canada and abroad related to this field of study.
Canadian International