Graduate Programs in
Psychedelics Studies
Psychedelics Studies is concerned with the therapeutic, spiritual, and ritual uses of psychedelics cross-culturally and throughout human history. It is a broad field that draws upon research in human consciousness, psychology, comparative mysticism, medicine, and spiritual care.
The MA Degree in Psychedelics & Consciousness Studies is now open for enrolment.
Applications are now being accepted for Fall of 2025.
Bottom: Drs. Monnica Williams and Anne Vallely at the One Jamaica Retreat in Negril with retreat directors Kevin Bourke (left), Vee Cardillo (right), and Taino Chief Kasike Nibonrix Kaiman of the Jamaica Council of Indigenous Leaders (center).
Psychedelic training includes
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is a critical component of our programming. Students participate in curated fieldwork experiences overseas (e.g., Jamaica, Ecuador) and locally (Montreal), and conduct hands-on learning through practicum placements in approved locations. The most recent group of students participated during the February Winter break, and reported truly positive and enlightening journeys.
Learn more about our curated fieldwork opportunties.
Sign-up soon for
Summer Courses
PSY 6002 Applied Research Practicum and PSY 6013 Practicum in Clinical Uses of Psychedelics (Dr. Dominique Morisano) will be held Wednesdays from 10:30am-11:50am (Session A: May 5 to July 25) - online format.
PSY 6151 Drugs and Behaviour (Dr. Cary Kogan) will be held Tues/Thur 9:00am-12:00pm (Session B: May 5 to June 13) - hybrid format.
PSY 6191 Seminar: Psychedelics, Culture & Community (Dr. Rajni Sharma) will be held Wednesday 5:00pm-8:00pm & Friday 12:00pm-300pm (Session C: June 23 to August 1) - online format. Fills graduate diversity couse requirement.
Featured Guest Lecturers
In addition to our regular faculty, students learn from a diverse range of leading scholars and clinicians in the field.
Distinguished Guest Lecturers Include:
- Bia Labate, PhD
- Rick Doblin, PhD
- Jessica Rochester, DDiv
- Anthony Bossis, PhD
- Licia Sky, LMT
- Sara Reed, MA
- Jordan Sloshower, MD, MA
- Anne Wagner, PhD
- Emma Knighton, MA, LMHC
- Mailae Halstead, MS
- Sonya Faber, PhD, MBA
- Ron Shore, PhD
- Brian Pace, PhD
- Shannon Clare Carlin, LMFT
- Mark Cornfield, MD
- Susan McBride, RN, MTS, RSW
- Terence Ching, PhD
- Paul Grof, MD
- Pamela Kryskow, MD
- Dawn Davis, PhD
Accredited Graduate Programs in
Psychedelics Studies
What we offer
- Interdisciplinary training in psychedelic history, culture and healing modalities.
- Opportunities to actively engage in both the theory and the practice of psychedelic and consciousness studies
- Connections with other professionals in this field
Microprograms
- Psychedelics & Spirituality
- Psychedelic Science (for uOttawa grad students only)
First educational program of its kind
We are developing courses and programs in Psychedelic and Consciousness Studies, where graduates will learn to:
- Apply healing approaches based on non-ordinary states of consciousness using experiential knowledge and skills in traditional healing practices.
- Promote responsible, ethical, and decolonized health care.
- Contribute to the advancement of the psychedelics discipline through research based on combination of theoretical and experimental approaches.
- Provide professional guidance and support based on research and best practices in mental health and spiritual care, while respecting sociocultural diversity and ethical norms.
Students
Courses
Faculty
Collective Years Experience
Bill Richards, PhD
JHU Psychedelic Scientist
The new master's program is kind of a dream, and it's so needed!
Graduate Student
Psychedelics & Spirituality Microprogram
I really enjoyed the variety of speakers and perspectives and the great class discussions. I learned a lot and felt like I could respond as a whole individual. I obtained useful knowledge for the future.
Jena Karlis, MD
Psychiatrist
Congratulations on the ground breaking work you are doing to bring this subject matter into the realm of university studies.
Matt Brandon, PhD
Researcher
Thank you, Dr. Vallely and Dr. Williams, for offering such an interesting program. The content of the courses covered diverse aspects of psychedelics and provided a great overview of the field. This prompted some strong reflections in my mind and made me engage with the material at a deep level.
Graduate Student
uOttawa Communications Department
One of the best classes I have ever been a part of. Everyone was stimulated and the discussions left us hungry for more.
Academic Team
Core Faculty
Anne Vallely, PhD
Associate ProfessorClassics & Religious Studies
Monnica Williams, PhD ABPP
ProfessorPsychology
Cary Kogan, PhD
ProfessorPsychology
Ariel Fuenzalida, PhD
LecturerClassics & Religious Studies
Psychedelic Research
A New Paradigm in Mental Health
Psychedelic medicine is an approach to mental health care that is being reignited on the world stage. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies have been shown effective in addressing a multitude of mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, end-of-life anxiety, and other conditions. We are working to extend this work to marginalized groups and ensure access to people of color as these treatments become mainstream.
Contact
Contact Us
Our Address
University of Ottawa
Faculty of Arts, Graduate Studies
Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada
psychedelics@uottawa.ca