Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
Categories of admission to Master's programs
Regular student
Applicants who have completed a program of study in a discipline appropriate to the department of their intended graduate study with at least a 75% overall standing in the last two years in a recognized four-year Honours Bachelor's degree program, in a Canadian university (or its equivalent) and have received the Bachelor's degree therefrom, or who have satisfactorily completed a qualifying program, may, upon the recommendation of the department and approval by the Faculty, be admitted to a Master's program as regular students.
The candidate's program is the responsibility of the department. The minimum requirements for a Master's degree are determined by the University, but in some cases the requirements set by a Faculty or a department exceed these minima.
Probationary student
An applicant who has completed a program of studies as outlined in the regular student description above, but who has not attained the appropriate overall standing in the last two years, may be admitted to a Master's program as a probationary student provided that at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
- The applicant has substantial relevant occupational experience (normally three years) beyond the Bachelor's degree.
- The applicant's standing in the final year is substantially above 75% (normally 78% to 83%).
The minimum overall requirements for probationary students are identical to those of regular students. However, students may be required to complete undergraduate or graduate courses additional to those required of regular Master's students. At least the first two courses in students' programs must be specified in writing at the time of departmental recommendation for admission. Upon completion of these two courses, the students' status is evaluated by the department. If they have achieved an average of at least 73% in these courses they may continue in the Master's program as regular students. If the students' average on these courses falls below 73% but not below 70%, their status must be reviewed by the Department Graduate Committee. Normally a student will not continue on probationary status for more than two terms. If a department requires a more stringent evaluation, this must be specified at the time of the student's original admission.
Transitional student
An applicant who has completed a program of studies as outlined in the regular student description above, except that the major discipline or prior study is not directly applicable to the field of intended graduate work such that the department concerned feels that this constitutes a significant deficiency in the applicant's preparation, may be admitted to a Master's program as a transitional student.
An applicant admitted to a Master's program as a transitional student is normally required to complete a program of at most five undergraduate or graduate one-term courses in addition to those required of regular students. These additional requirements must be specified in writing at the time the student is recommended for admission. Upon completion of the required additional courses with at least a 70% average the student may continue in the Master's program as a regular student. If a department requires a more stringent evaluation, this must be specified at the time of the student's original admission. The student must fulfil all the requirements of the Master's program outlined in the regular student description above.
Students who, in the opinion of the committee have insufficient background to permit them to complete the requirements for the Master's degree in three terms will be required to take a qualifying program.