It may be possible for academic units without established graduate programs to offer students doctoral and master’s degrees. Since these degree programs are created on an individual student basis, the Faculty of Graduate Studies requires that applicants and academic units satisfy a stringent approval process:

• In order to be considered for approval to offer a doctoral degree by special arrangement, the academic unit must have a regular master’s program and have graduated students from that program during each of the last three years.
• In order to be considered for approval to offer a master’s degree by special arrangement, the academic unit must have an active major or honours undergraduate program and have graduated students from that program in each of the last three years.

These types of programs are subject to the usual Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations. It is the agreement between the student and the faculty that guides the academic program including the coursework, candidacy regulations and timing and the research program.

Steps for arranging a graduate program by special arrangement

• Determine that you are admissible to the Faculty of Graduate Studies at UVic by reviewing the admission requirements.
• Determine that your program could not be undertaken in any established graduate program by reviewing the UVic programs as outlined in the graduate calendar.
• Write a two to three page description of the knowledge you wish to develop in your graduate program, the phenomena or area of research interest, your relevant background and future goals.
• Identify the relevant academic unit in which the program could be housed.
• Identify potential supervisors within that academic unit using the faculty lists in the graduate calendar.
• Meet with the academic unit graduate adviser to discuss the possibility of a special arrangement program with their academic unit.
• Arrange to meet with potential supervisors to discuss your proposal.

Forming your committee and program

• Once you have the support of the academic unit and an academic supervisor, work with the supervisor to choose potential committee members.
• Once your supervisor and committee members are established, the next step is to discuss and further outline your program. This will include:
  • establishing the required courses (The precise course list will vary depending on your background, including both education and experience. You may be required to complete preparatory courses in research methods, statistics, languages, etc. If any of the courses are in academic units other than those of your home unit, include written permission from those units to enrol in the courses. You may be able to select your courses from existing UVic courses, or may need to arrange directed studies courses. You may wish to consider courses at other universities, perhaps under the terms of the western deans' agreement.)
  • candidacy plan (for doctoral programs)
  • unit value of your thesis, dissertation or project
  • total number of credits for your program

Applying for admission

• Start working on the SPARR program proposal work sheet.
• Complete the general application package for UVic graduate studies.
• Prepare the SPARR program proposal form and have it signed by the approriate people.
• Submit your completed application for admission and the SPARR proposal form, along with your program detail documents to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office.
• Admission will be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies once the proposal has been reviewed and approved by the academic unit.

Your official record will indicate the program as “special arrangement.” The degree program can consist of appropriate courses from within the academic unit as well as regular courses from other academic units. Academic units with no regular graduate courses are authorized to create the following courses for special arrangement degree students only:

1. May be taken more than once for credit provided course content differs.

2. Grading is INP, COM, N, F.

What is co-op?

Co-operative education (co-op) is a learning strategy that lets you:

• alternate your academic studies with paid, relevant work experience in your field of study
• enrich your academic studies by drawing on practical, real-world experience from your work terms
• develop competencies to excel in the workplace
• potentially pursue work terms related to your graduate research or project

Can you do co-op?

Graduate co-op may be available to students who are pursuing thesis and non-thesis (or professional) degrees. Participation is optional, and admission is determined after consultation with your graduate adviser and department. Contact the co-op program in your degree area for details, or email coopinfo@uvic.ca.

Note: Co-op is not open to one-year graduate degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas, and non-degree graduate students.

What other career development support does UVic offer?

UVic Co-op and Career can support you through every stage of your career development, through:

• One-on-one career guidance
• Career development programs and workshops
• On-campus networking opportunities with employers
• Online work search resources
• Competency development and assessment

Looking for work?

Apply for all types of job opportunities at learninginmotion.uvic.ca.