Lifespan health & development
About the program
The lifespan health and development track of our MSc and PhD programs focuses on areas like basic developmental and aging processes. We analyze factors that influence their health and development at different ages.
Our faculty conduct internationally renowned research programs in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and aging.
Our students perform interdisciplinary research across the behavioural, social, biological and health sciences. They work to prevent risks and improve development, health and well-being throughout life.
We provide graduate students with office space and shared access to laboratory facilities.
Graduates of our program have gone on to careers in academic and research settings, healthcare and program development and evaluation.
Faculty members
Core faculty
- cognitive neuroscience of aging
- dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- quantitative modeling
- longitudinal research design
- development of executive function
- development of embodied cognition
- nature-based education and self-regulation
- lifespan development
- developmental research methods
- positive youth development
- peer victimization, violence and injury prevention
- school-based social emotional learning programs
- youth activism and social responsibility
Affiliated faculty
- family psychology
- immigration and acculturation
- mental health and mental illness
- well-being in the context of structural risk and oppression
- memory and cognition
- eyewitness memory
Research themes
Current lifespan health and development research topics include:
- cognitive aging and brain health
- development and self-regulation
- research design and methods
- youth and community dynamics
- development across the lifespan
Admissions
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic grad student, from finding a supervisor to submitting your application.
Applications for a September 2025 start are due November 30, 2024 through My UVic application.
Psychology MSc admission requirements
Psychology PhD admission requirements
Meet our current grad students
Courses
Our graduate program emphasizes collaborative research activities more than coursework. We believe courses are important to help you succeed as a scholar.
We offer courses that we believe will be of direct relevance and value for our students' research. Our program is designed to give a good deal of flexibility regarding how and when requirements are met.
In our MSc and PhD programs, you’ll complete the program’s course requirements and additional courses for the lifespan health and development track.
MSc program requirements
PhD program requirements
Funding
Every year, UVic awards $12 million to help fund graduate students through a combination of:
- UVic fellowships and awards
- teaching assistantships
- research assistantships
Most of our students also receive external awards and scholarships, and financial aid and bursaries. Consideration for funding is automatic. A funding offer is normally included with an offer of admission.
Our department offers a limited number of graduate awards and fellowships each year to incoming students. These range from $1,000 to $17,500. Some funding offers may include a combination of teaching assistantships, graduate awards and/or fellowships.
Co-op
UVic is home to the largest co-op graduate program in Canada. Learn about combining co-op placements with your graduate program from UVic's co-op office.
Grad students are also eligible for the shorter work experience program.