Admission
requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, applicants must have the following:

1. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with a B+ or higher average in the last two years of the degree.
2. Two satisfactory assessment reports (references).
3. A brief resume.
4. A statement orintent/interest in pursuing a Leadership Studies degree.
5. Three years field experience or leadership role in education, community or public service.

Application
information

Students can enter the MEd and MA programs in January, May, or September. There are no firm application deadlines.

Applications will be accepted until the program is full, so apply early. Please allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks to process your application. This can take longer and is dependent upon the amount of time it takes transcripts, assessment reports, and documents to arrive in the Graduate Admissions and Records Office for initial assessment. If you meet Graduate Admissions and Records' entrance requirements, your application is then sent to the Graduate Advisor in Leadership Studies for review and admission into the program.

The admissions process is a competitive one. Each year, the EPLS department receives a considerable number of applications for entry into our graduate programs. Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee entry to the program. Only a limited number of places are available.

Forms

• Assessment Report (Graduate Admissions and Records)
• Special Arrangement worksheet (Graduate Admissions and Records)
• Special Arrangement form (Graduate Admissions and Records)

Mature
students

If a person has less than a 5.0 grade point average in the undergraduate degree, they are not able to apply to a graduate program for four years and they must have four years of relevant professional experience in the area of application since completion of their degree. Then they can apply as a mature student.

Students must submit a complete resume. Such recommendations must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Students admitted in this category cannot receive transfer credit for any courses completed prior to enrolling in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

For more information, download a complete list of Criteria for Mature Students.

When you apply to the program, the Faculty of Graduate Studies will first calculate your average based on your most recent basis for admission, which is normally degree work. If upgrading has occurred, Graduate Studies will take that into consideration, in relation to the degree average. Normally, Graduate Studies is looking at the last 30 units (or equivalent) of your degree. Then, Leadership Studies will look at the overall picture with an emphasis on the most recent work.

PhD
program

We are in the process of developing a PhD program. PhD is currently offered by special arrangement only, with a limited program quota.

Application deadlines are April 30 for September entry, September 30 for January entry, and January 31 for May entry.

Applicants must follow the admission procedures and meet the entrance criteria set out in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations in the UVic Calendar. This includes completion of a recognized Master's degree, with a minimum grade point average of 7.00 (A-).

Before an offer of admission can be made, applicants must have a proposal rationale and program approved by the Special Arrangement/Interdisciplinary Committee. This proposal is jointly developed by the applicant and the projected supervisor and requires submission of a completed Special Arrangement Program for Approval (Proposal) Form (including signatures of the proposed Supervisory Committee) and a proposed rationale for the program.

The application and approval process typically takes 4-6 months. For a quick list of steps in arranging an individual graduate program by special arrangement, visit Graduate Admissions and Records.