Graduate application requirements

 

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission the minimum requirements are:

• a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent from another country) from an accredited and recognized institution in a relevant field of study
• a grade point average of 5.0 (B) in the work of the last two years (30 units) leading to this baccalaureate degree
• demonstrated committments and experiences, paid or volunteer, in the community development sector.
• admission as a mature student - four years after completion of a baccalaureate degree, applicants whose grade point average is below 5.0 (B) may be admitted as mature students, provided they have four years relevant professional experience since completion of their degree. Submission of a résumé is required to determine eligibility as a mature student. Such recommendations must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Application Deadlines

The next entry point for this program will be May 2025.  Application deadline has been extended to October 31, 2024.

Applicants to the MACD program must submit application documents electronically. Instructions for submitting documents are provided via the Graduate Admissions and Records page.

To submit an application:

• Complete the online application form.
• Assessment reports are required from a minimum of two academic referees. If you have graduated within the last five years two academic references are required. If it has been more than five years since you last attended a post-secondary institution, we recommend that you include the email addresses from three current or former employers or professional references who are familiar with your work in place of academic referees. The names and email addresses of your chosen assessors are required when you submit your application. Please note that assessment reports are an academic evaluation and are to be submitted by academic references only and to strengthen your application they can also submit a letter along with the assessment. Professional references only submit a letter of reference.
• Submit official academic transcripts from all post secondary institutions attended. Official transcripts are those which are received directly from the post secondary institution OR are received in the institution's sealed, stamped envelope.
• Submit a detailed résumé/CV of background information, professional or other relevant experience.
• Submit a 750-1000 word statement of intent outlining why you are seeking an MA in Community Development and how the degree relates to your career plans, personal values and goals.
• Submit other evidence of suitability for admission that you feel is relevant (e.g., academic records from non-degree courses).

International Applicants Application Deadline is October 31, 2024.

The office of Graduate Admissions and Records provides an application guide for International Students.

Applicants for admission whose first language is not English and who have not resided in Canada or any country where English is an official language of the country (as determined by the Graduate Admissions and Records Office) for at least three consecutive years immediately prior to the beginning of the session applied for must demonstrate competency in English. Most applicants qualify by providing results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum score for the TOEFL is 610 on the paper-based test and 102 on the Internet-based test. Applicants who do not possess a Canadian undergraduate degree will be required to write and submit official results of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). No minimum GMAT score is set, but a score of over 550 is preferred. Selection of students to the graduate programs is competitive based upon overall undergraduate performance, statement of intent, reference letters, cumulative GPA and GMAT results. 

Accepting an Offer of Admission

Upon receiving a written offer of admission from the School of Public Administration, applicants accepted to the MACD program are required to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit of CAD $400, which is applied to your tuition. Instructions for submitting this deposit, including timelines, are contained in the offer letter.

For further information or questions please contact the Programs Assistant paservice1@uvic.ca or 250-721-8074.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, you must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum B+ average (77-79%) in the last two years (30 units) leading to the undergraduate degree.

Admission to the MPA program is very competitive. Please note that because of the number of applications received, possession of minimum admission requirements does not guarantee your admission to the program.

Application portal will open Sept 1, 2024 for September 2025 entry.

Application Deadlines (September entry)

• December 15 for International Applicants
• January 31 for Domestic Applicants

Submitting an Application

Applicants to the MPA program must submit application documents electronically. Instructions for submitting documents are provided via the Graduate Admissions and Records page.

For the MPA program, applicants must:

• Complete the online application.
• Assessment reports are required from a minimum of two academic referees. If you have graduated within the last five years two academic references are required. If it has been more than five years since you last attended a post-secondary institution, we recommend that you include the email addresses from three current or former employers or professional references who are familiar with your work in place of academic referees. The names and email addresses of your chosen assessors are required when you submit your application. Please note that assessment reports are an academic evaluation and are to be submitted by academic references only and to strengthen your application they can also submit a letter along with the assessment. Professional references only submit a letter of reference.
• Submit a professional résumé.
• Submit a 750-1000 word statement of intent outlining why you are seeking an MPA and how the degree relates to your career plans, personal values, and goals. Be sure to clearly indicate that you are applying for admission to the MPA On Campus program. Statement of Intent guidance.
  • If you feel your research interests align with the opportunities provided through the BIG Lab, please indicate so in your Statement of Intent.
• Submit other evidence of suitability for admission that you feel is relevant (e.g., academic records from non-degree courses).

If you do not have a Canadian undergraduate degree, you are required to write and submit official results for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or GRE. No minimum GMAT score is set, but a score of over 550 is preferred. Selection of students to the graduate programs is competitive based upon overall undergraduate performance, statement of intent, reference letters, cumulative GPA and GMAT/GRE results. 

International Applicants

The office of Graduate Admissions and Records provides an application guide for International Students.

Applicants who do not possess a Canadian undergraduate degree will be required to write and submit official results for the GMAT/GRE. International students whose first language is not English are required to provide valid test results for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOEFL score for the MPA programs is 610 for the paper-based test or 102 for the internet-based test; the minimum overall score is Band 7.0, with no score of less than 6.5 on each academic component.

Accepting an Offer of Admission

Upon receiving a written offer of admission from the School of Public Administration, applicants accepted to the MPA On Campus program are required to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit of CAD $400; instructions for submitting this deposit, including timelines, are contained in the offer letter.

For further information or questions please contact the Graduate Administrative Assistant at paservice@uvic.ca or 250-721-6448.

All students initially apply to the Graduate Certificate in Evaluation. Upon successful completion of the four courses required for the Certificate, students can opt to apply for and receive their Graduate Certificate, or they may apply to transfer into the Graduate Diploma in Evaluation to complete the Evaluation Project.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must have:

• a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent from another country) from an accredited and recognized institution.
• a grade point average of 5.0 (B) in the last two years (30 units) leading to the baccalaureate degree.
• a course in research design or research methods.

Application deadlines

• March 31 for Domestic and International Applicants

(If you are applying to complete the certificate concurrently, please contact paservice1@uvic.ca BEFORE applying.)

Submitting an application

Applicants to the Evaluation program must submit application documents electronically. Instructions for submitting documents are provided via the Graduate Admissions and Records page.

To submit an application:

• Complete the online application form. For the Evaluation program, In the Program of Study screen of your application, choose "Public Administration" as your department and then select "Evaluation Prof Spec Certificate".
• Assessment reports are required from a minimum of two academic referees. If you have graduated within the last five years two academic references are required. If it has been more than five years since you last attended a post-secondary institution, we recommend that you include the email addresses from three current or former employers or professional references who are familiar with your work in place of academic referees. The names and email addresses of your chosen assessors are required when you submit your application. Please note that assessment reports are an academic evaluation and are to be submitted by academic references only and to strengthen your application they can also submit a letter along with the assessment. Professional references only submit a letter of reference.
• Submit official academic transcripts from all post secondary institutions attended. Official transcripts are those which are received directly from the post secondary institution OR are received in the institution's sealed, stamped envelope.
• Submit a professional résumé.
• Submit a Letter of Intent describing why you are seeking a graduate certificate and how the credential relates to your career plans, personal values and goals.
• Submit other evidence of suitability for admission that you feel is relevant (e.g., academic records from non-degree courses).

International Applicants

The office of Graduate Admissions and Records provides an application guide for International Students.

Applicants who do not possess a Canadian undergraduate degree will be required to write and submit official results for the GMAT. No minimum GMAT score is set, but a score of over 550 is preferred. Selection of students to the graduate programs is competitive based upon overall undergraduate performance, statement of intent, reference letters, cumulative GPA and GMAT results. International students whose first language is not English are required to provide valid test results for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOEFL score is 610 for the paper-based test or 102 for the internet-based test; the minimum overall score is Band 7.0, with no score of less than 6.5 on each academic component.

Accepting an Offer of Admission

Upon receiving a written offer of admission from the School of Public Administration, applicants accepted to the GCert Eval program are required to pay a non-refundable confirmation deposit of CAD $200, which is applied to your tuition. Instructions for submitting this deposit, including timelines, are contained in the offer letter.

For further information or questions please contact the Programs Assistant paservice1@uvic.ca or 250-721-8074.

The next entry for our PhD program is September 2026

 Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission, you must have:

• a grade point average of 7.0 on the UVic 9.0 scale or equivalent in a Master's degree from a discipline or professional school either in or related to the field of Public Administration; and
• the proposed topic of their dissertation research;
• a commitment to study full-time: normally, at least 75% of regular work time dedicated to studies;
• demonstrated research potential
• Identified supervisor

Candidates are also strongly encouraged to apply for external funding and should indicate on their application where they have applied for such funding.

Application Deadlines

• December 15, 2025 for International Applicants
• March 15, 2026 for Domestic Applicants

Submitting an Application

To apply for the program, applicants must:

• follow the instructions provided through the page <www.uvic.ca/grad/apply>.
• provide two Assessment Reports from academic referees. If it has been more than five years since you last attended a post-secondary institution, we recommend that you include three Assessment Reports from current or former employers in place of academic referees. To strengthen your application, we recommend that your referees attach a Letter of Reference in addition to the Assessment Report.
• submit official copies of transcripts.

Applicants must assemble all of the required application elements, as well as other relevant evidence of suitability for admission (e.g., academic records from non-degree courses), and submit them to the Graduate Admissions Office as a complete package.

In addition to the documentation required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the School of Public Administration requires that applicants submit a professional resumé, as well as a letter of intent which provides an overview (up to a total of five single-spaced pages) of:

• a proposed area for dissertation research illustrating the problem to be studied, possible literature and the general approach;
• the name of faculty identified as research supervisor; and
• a list of applications submitted for external funding.
• If you feel your research interests align with the opportunities provided through the BIG Lab, please indicate so in your Statement of Intent.

The Admissions Committee assesses an applicant's ability to successfully complete the PhD program. Admission decisions are based on an evaluation of the applicant's academic record, the Academic Assessment forms (included within the application package), applicable test scores, the overview, and the availability of appropriate faculty expertise to match the applicant's chosen research area.

All short-listed candidates will be interviewed (by teleconference or in person) by a faculty admissions committee.

International Applicants

The office of Graduate Admissions and Records provides a step-by-step application guide including application forms for International Studentshttps://www.uvic.ca/graduate/info-for/international-students/index.php.

Submit official results for the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

International students whose first language is not English are required to provide test results for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum TOEFL score for is 610 for the paper-based test or 102 for the internet-based test; the minimum overall score is Band 7.0, with no score of less than 6.5 on each academic component.

 

 

Please contact (spaadvisor@uvic.ca) for more information on the program and identification of potential supervisors.