•  
•          

Graduate Admission

With the exception of the Special Individualized Programs (SIP), all graduate programs offered by the University are attached to one of the three Faculties of the University or The John Molson School of Business, under the general supervision of the University Council of the School of Graduate Studies and its chair, the Dean of Graduate Studies. A survey table listing all current programs and fields of advanced study is provided in the next section. The programs are described in full in later chapters. Existing programs are a reflection of research interests, of the professors and researchers on staff, and of the needs of the community served by the University. Inquiries concerning these programs should therefore be sent to the relevant program.

The Dean of Graduate Studies is responsible to ensure the quality of the admission of students to the doctoral, master’s, diploma and certificate programs of the University on the recommendation of the Graduate Program Directors. The admission is based on an assessment of the student’s qualifications for the proposed program of study and entails specific credit, residence, course, thesis, and examination requirements, which vary from program to program.

Accelerated Admission to PhD Programs (Fast-Tracking)

• Accelerated admission (fast-tracking) describes a process whereby exceptional students are admitted to PhD programs without a master’s/ magisteriate degree in the same discipline.
• Students who follow this process must show high academic performance or potential evidenced by an outstanding GPA, appropriate research publications in the field of study, a research topic at the master’s/ magisteriate level which is advanced enough for a doctoral thesis proposal, or other similar demonstrations of achievement.
• Students who are accepted for accelerated admission and who are currently registered in a master’s/magisteriate degree program, or who would do so directly from a bachelor’s degree, are expected to complete the course component of the thesis option master’s/magisteriate in the same discipline in addition to the standard academic requirements for the doctoral program.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are set out in each program description.

GPA Admission Requirement

Doctoral programs require candidates for admission to have completed a master’s/magisteriate (or equivalent) with high standing (e.g., with honours, or a GPA of at least 3.00 on a scale of 4.30). Master’s programs require candidates for admission to have completed a bachelor’s/baccalaureate (or equivalent) with high standing (e.g., with honours, or a GPA of at least 3.00 on a scale of 4.30). Diploma and graduate certificate programs require candidates for admission to have completed a bachelor’s/baccalaureate (or equivalent) with high standing.

TOEFL iBT/IELTS Admission Requirements

The provisional minimum acceptance score for the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) for admission into a graduate program for international students whose first language is not English or French is 80. (Concordia will accept test results for the paper-based TOEFL iBT and for the computer-based TOEFL iBT if they are less than 2 years old). The minimum required score for the paper-based TOEFL iBT is 550 and 213 for the computer-based TOEFL iBT. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requires a minimum Band score of 6.5. Individual programs may require a higher score. Applicants should check their prospective program’s requirements.

Applicants whose prior degrees are not from an English or French speaking university may be required to submit English Language Test scores (TOEFL iBT).

CELDT Admission Requirement

Graduate Program Directors may require applicants to write the Concordia English Diagnostic Test (CELDT) as a condition of admission. Depending on the result, students may be required to complete English language courses in addition to their program requirements.

Graduate Application Fee

A $90 (Canadian) application fee is payable on-line by Visa or MasterCard. This application fee is not refundable under any circumstances, nor can it be used towards tuition. It is not transferable to a session other than that for which the student is applying.

Deferment of Admission

Applicants who request a deferral of admission should contact their program in order to request permission for a change of admission date. In cases where a program approves a deferment of admission, there is a $25 fee.

The Application Process

Applicants to graduate programs should apply online.

Application Deadlines

Application deadlines vary depending on the program. In most cases, however, international applicants must arrange for all required documentation to be in the appropriate office at least six months before the commencement of classes. As a general rule, the following application deadlines must be respected: February 15 for Fall admission, June 15 for Winter admission, and October 15 for Summer admission. (Many programs only admit new students for the Fall term). Application deadlines are set out in each program description. Admission files must be complete by the deadline indicated. The deadline for students applying for Graduate Fellowships and International Tuition Fee Remissions is December 15. (Note: The fellowship deadline for the MFA is January 20).

Internal Transfer

If a student wishes to transfer from one program to another (e.g., from a Master of Arts in Judaic Studies to a Master of Arts in Philosophy, Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering to a Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering or from a Master of Science to a Doctor of Philosophy program) an on-line application, along with the required application fee, must be submitted to the new program with new documentation not already submitted (with the exception of updated reference letters). In the case of a transfer within the same department, transcripts are not required.

Transfer Credits

Depending on the admission policy of a program, a student may be allowed transfer credit into that particular program for previously completed graduate level work. Normally, transfer credits must be requested in the student’s first term of admission. The applicant must provide official transcripts documenting the completed work and the grades obtained for this work, as well as proof of withdrawal from the program from which the credit is requested. These grades must meet the University’s admission standards. Transfer credit is permitted only for courses in which the final mark is equivalent to a “B” or better for master’s and PhD programs, and equivalent to a “B-” or better for Diploma and Certificate programs, except those Diploma and Certificate programs with a 3.00 GPA admission requirement. Transfer credits, including inter-university courses, cannot normally exceed one-third of the total credit requirements of a given program and must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Approved transfer credits from Concordia University taken under the Inter-University Agreement will be recorded on Concordia records and transcripts using a conversion table that can be accessed at the Registrar’s website. These grades will be included in the calculation of grade point averages in the same manner as any grade achieved in a course taken at Concordia and subsequently transferred into the student’s program.

Prerequisite Courses

Qualified applicants who are deficient in certain prerequisite courses may be admitted to graduate study with the requirement that they take up to 12 undergraduate credits in addition to their regular graduate program as part of the student’s degree requirements. Students register for such courses as qualifying students through their graduate program and must obtain a minimum of a B grade in each course. Applicants who are deficient in certain graduate prerequisites may be required to take these graduate courses in addition to their graduate program. Qualifying program courses, or in addition graduate courses, are charged tuition and other fees in addition to fees charged in the student’s graduate program of study.

Exemptions

According to the policy of the department, students may be granted an exemption from a required course in the program. In this case, the student will select another course in place of the one for which exemption has been granted, in order to fulfill the credit requirements for the program. If a course exemption has been granted, that course cannot be subsequently taken for credit toward the graduate certificate, diploma or degree.

Permanent Code

The Québec Ministry of Education (MEQ) requires all registered students to have a “permanent code” (a unique identifying number) which is assigned by the MEQ. Students who do not provide a valid code with their application must apply for one. Information on how to apply for a permanent code and a link to the on-line “Permanent Code Data Form” can be found at the Permanent Code website. The on-line Permanent Code Data form must be completed and submitted to the Birks Student Service Centre. All students who have attended elementary or high school, or CEGEP in Québec have already been assigned a permanent code. The permanent code appears on all Québec school transcripts. Students who do not submit or apply for a permanent code will be charged an additional tuition. Please refer to the Permanent Code Penalty listed in the Financial Regulations section.

Required Citizenship Documents

For information on required documentation for International Students, see section on International Students.

Citizenship or Permanent Residency Documents

Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents (Landed Immigrants) must present proof of their status in Canada. Students who have not provided such evidence are automatically charged international tuition fees. To prove Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status, applicants must submit a legible photocopy of one of the following documents to the Birks Student Service Centre:

• Canadian birth certificate;
• Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident card (IMM-1000/5292 papers);
• Certificate of Indian status card.

Proof of Québec Residency

If, upon acceptance to a regular University program, proof of Québec residency has not been established, students should refer to the Quebec Residency website for further information.

Exemption to non-Québec Resident Fee

Students enrolled in the Master of/Magisteriate in Business Administration privatized program (International Aviation Option or Executive Option), the Investment Management programs and all PhD programs are exempt from paying the non-Québec resident fee. However, courses completed outside these programs are subject to the non-Québec resident fee. Refer to the Financial Regulations section.

Classification of Graduate Students

Full-time

Students in a graduate certificate or diploma program are classified as full-time if they register for 8 or more credits in one term, 16 or more credits in two terms, or 24 or more credits in three terms. A student classified as full-time at the time of initial registration in a master’s or doctoral program normally retains this classification throughout the program. In determining student status, all credit-bearing components are taken into account, for example, prerequisite courses, comprehensive examinations, thesis and research courses, internships and extra courses.

Part-time

Students who are not full-time, as described above, are classified as part-time.

Note: Changes to student classification (from full-time to part-time or vice-versa) must be submitted prior to the DNE deadline of a given term. A change of student classification may have implications for students receiving loans or bursaries; students should check the regulations associated with their loans or bursaries.

Within Minimum Residence

All master’s and doctoral programs have a minimum residence requirement. The School of Graduate Studies requires this minimum to be at least three terms for master’s degrees and six terms for doctoral degrees. This is the minimum period of time which must elapse between a student’s initial registration in the program and the student’s graduation. There is no minimum residence requirement for diploma and certificate programs.

Independent Graduate Students

Independent graduate students enroll in a particular graduate course, without enrolling in the graduate program of which that course forms a part. Normally, independent graduate students take no more than the equivalent of two graduate courses per term, and no more than the equivalent of four graduate courses from the courses of any graduate program up to 12 credits. Only those who meet the prerequisite requirements for admission to the graduate course in question will be considered as independent graduate students, and in every case permission of the Graduate Program Director and/or Faculty Student Affairs Office must be obtained. Meeting the minimum requirements of an individual course does not guarantee entry to that course, as preference will be given to regular students. Credits earned by independent graduate students may be considered for transfer credit in the event that the students are subsequently admitted to a graduate program and become candidates for a certificate, diploma or degree. Normally, an independent graduate student who receives an F grade is no longer allowed to continue.

Students enrolled in a regular degree, diploma or certificate program who wish to take credits outside their normal requirements will register as independent graduate students for any such courses at the graduate level, with the permission of the Graduate Program Director and/or Faculty Student Affairs Office of the program offering the course, and as independent undergraduate students for undergraduate courses. They will be subject to the fees and regulations applicable to such categories of students. Independent students are normally classified as graduate part-time students. Graduate independent students are eligible to audit courses. See Lapsed Student Status in Graduate Registration section.

Visiting Students

Graduate visiting students are graduate students from other universities who have been authorized by their home universities to take graduate courses at Concordia University. They are subject to the regulations of Concordia University.

See Lapsed Student Status in Graduate Registration section.

Auditing Students

Auditing students are graduate students who, with the permission of the Graduate Program Director and/or Faculty Student Affairs Office of the program in which the course is offered, may attend a class that is not a requirement of the student’s program. There is no credit value assigned when courses are audited and students are not required to complete assignments or write examinations. See section on Financial Regulations for information on tuition fees.

Leaves of Absence from Programs

Graduate students who wish to temporarily discontinue their studies for a few terms may request a leave of absence from their program. Before requesting a leave, students should confirm with their Graduate Program Director and supervisor that all required components of their degree programs will be available when they return. The beginning and end of a leave should coincide with the beginning and end of an academic term.

Leaves are granted only to students in good academic standing (please refer to the relevant section in Academic Regulations).

Students cannot be on Leave in terms where a course with a DISC notation appears since a DISC’d course is still considered as a registration. Please see withdrawal from courses in the Graduate Registration section.

No changes to the student’s academic status will be made during a leave.

Time Limit & Other Deadlines

While on leave, the student’s program time limit will be extended by the period of the leave. All deadlines for work in progress will be extended by the period of the leave.

Access to University Services

During a leave of absence (of any type), students are not entitled to take courses, write exams, submit outstanding work and/or request guidance on thesis and research work. However, they may have access to some university services depending on the type of leave they request. There are three types of leaves available to students:

Types of Leaves & Fees

Leave without access: During a leave without access, a student will not have access to library, university or student services. No fees are charged.

Leave with access: During a leave with access, a student will have access to library, university and student services. Leaves with access are granted only under exceptional circumstances. A flat service fee of $150 per term will be charged.

Parental leave: All graduate students are entitled to parental leave of up to three consecutive terms during their program of study on the occasion of the birth or adoption of a child. The student will have access to library, university and student services. Students holding a Concordia Fellowship will receive a deferral of their fellowship for the period of leave. In the case of other fellowships, the regulations of the granting agencies will apply. No fees will be charged.

Except for Parental leave, students are normally permitted only a maximum of three terms of leave (with or without access) during their program of study. Leaves beyond three terms are only approved on an exceptional basis and with supporting documentation. Parental leave can be requested on the occasion of each birth or adoption of a child.

Awards, Loans, Bursaries

A leave from a program of study may have implications for students receiving awards, loans or bursaries; students should check the regulations associated with their awards, loans or bursaries.

Medical Coverage

While on an approved leave of absence:

• Canadian students do not pay fees for the Student Health and Dental Plan. Therefore, they are not covered by (insured under) this insurance plan.
• International students do not pay fees for the Concordia Health Insurance Plan. Therefore, they are not covered by (insured under) this health insurance plan. In addition, since the visa status of international students may possibly be affected by a leave of absence, it is very important that these students visit the International Students Office for additional information

Applying For a Leave

Students apply in advance through the Student Request Process, prior to the DNE deadline. Students must specify the reason for the Leave and provide supporting documentation; for example, a request for leave for medical reasons must be supported by an original medical certificate.

End of a Leave

Once a student’s leave is over, the student will be considered as continuing in their program. Master’s and PhD students will receive a Continuation in Program notation on their record and be charged accordingly. Diploma and Certificate students will only be charged once they register for courses.

Qualifying Students

Students admitted as qualifying program students take undergraduate courses as preparation for application to a graduate program.

Some students may be concurrently registered in the graduate program to which they had been admitted as well as to a qualifying program if the number of prerequisite credits is 12 or less.

• Individuals who have completed an undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree, but whose preparation is inadequate for immediate admission to a graduate program, may, upon recommendation by a department, be permitted to register for a qualifying program of advanced undergraduate studies.
• The minimum qualifications for entry into the qualifying program are defined as follows: at least 24 course credits in the proposed field of study; at least a B average in these courses (B- for Diploma and Graduate Certificate courses), with no grade lower than C; and at least a C average in their final two undergraduate years.
• Qualifying programs consist normally of four or five senior undergraduate courses. In certain exceptional cases, students may be required to take more than this number, and hence spend more than one full year as qualifying students.
• Qualifying students must have their program of study approved by the relevant Graduate Program Director prior to each registration period.
• Students in a qualifying program must pay the appropriate undergraduate fees. Refer to non-Québec resident fee at the Quebec Residency website.
• Satisfactory completion of the courses taken in a qualifying program does not guarantee automatic admission to a graduate program. Students must apply, or reapply, for admission to graduate studies during or after the qualifying program. Their applications will be considered along with all other applications received at that time, and will not take priority over those of other applicants who may be better qualified.

Student Requests

Applications from full-time or part-time students for exceptions to academic regulations or related matters should be submitted by the student’s program using the Student Request system. A statement from the student confirming support for the request submitted with relevant supporting documentation and a recommendation from the Graduate Program Director should be included with the request and sent to the School of Graduate Studies for approval. A request is not deemed to be approved until authorized by the School of Graduate Studies.

Re-Admission of Withdrawn Students

Students who have been withdrawn from a graduate program may wish to be considered for re-admission into the program. Normally, students must have been withdrawn from the program for a minimum of five terms in order to be reconsidered. If recommended by the program, these students will then be considered as a new admission, i.e., new application, transcripts etc.

Reinstatement of Withdrawn Students

Students who have been withdrawn from a graduate program may wish to submit a Student Request form requesting reinstatement to the program. This request is to be submitted for consideration during the same term in which the student was withdrawn.

Top