Graduate FAQ

On-campus:

• MPA on-campus (thesis-based with co-op)

Online:

• Diploma in Local Government Management, Diploma in Public Sector Management and various Professional Specialization Certificates
• MACD*
• MPA online (course-based)
• Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Evaluation

*The Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) program is an online program with residency components each summer.

The Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Evaluation can be done part time. 

The MPA online and MACD programs are designed to be done concurrently while working but are considered full-time programs.

Students in these programs are expected to be enrolled in two classes per term. UVic considers full-time studies to be 3.0 units per term and up. 

At this time only the MPA on-campus program includes co-op as a mandatory component.

While the rate of pay varies according to the position, our students generally earn an average of $3828 per month during a co-operative work term.

No, many of our students complete their work terms outside of Victoria.

The availability of placements in a given geographic region is often tied to factors such as the economy and the hiring organization's institutional policies, so it is imperative that students are willing to relocate during the co-op term. This should not be seen as a disadvantage, but rather a tremendous opportunity to live and work in a location that you may not have been able to otherwise.

Many students complete at least one work term in Ottawa. We also place students in Vancouver, Edmonton and Toronto. We have also had placements in other locales, such as Ireland, New York City and South Africa.

For graduate programs, an admissions committee assesses your ability to successfully complete the program.

Admission decisions are based on your academic record, an evaluation of your letter of intent, the academic assessment forms or non-academic letters of reference, applicable test scores and relevant work experience (paid or voluntary).

You should plan to spend 10 to 15 hours per week on each course you take. This is a sizeable time commitment and you'll need good time management skills to assure success.

A number of awards, scholarships, and bursaries are available to full-time students. Learn about funding through the financial aid section of the graduate admissions site.

Applicants to the MPA on-campus program with a first class (A minus) average over the last two years of their undergraduate and graduate coursework (as applicable) are automatically considered for Graduate Studies fellowships.

Master of Arts in Community Development (MACD) students are evaluated after the first two terms and the four students with the highest GPAs are considered for graduate awards each January.

There are occasional teaching and research positions open to graduate students. Generally, they are offered after the first term of core courses has been completed.

Information on positions is distributed to students via the school's listserv.

The initial supervisor for graduate students will be the school's graduate advisor. As you work through your courses, you will consult with them or the graduate program assistant around program requirements or proposed changes to your program.

As you near the end of your coursework, you will seek out a supervisor to guide you in the completion of your master's project or thesis, as applicable.

Co-operative education is a mandatory component of the MPA on-campus program. Securing co-op placements may be more challenging for international students due to several factors, including the fact that some public sector employers require Canadian citizenship.

Please contact icsinfo@uvic.ca for all inquiries.

Please contact the Graduate Admissions and Records Office at garo@uvic.ca

To be considered for graduate funding your average GPA must be between 6.5 and 7 (B+ to A-) on a 9-point scale based on the last two years or 30 units of your undergraduate degree.

Graduate funding cannot be guaranteed since the application eligibility pool changes from year to year.

You can complete the program within two and one quarter years. All students must complete the program within five years.

We ask that applicants have a minimum of four years of professional experience, paid or volunteer, within the larger community development sectors.

For the MACD program, the three on-campus sessions held in the summer terms are referred to as residencies. In other words, during a residency you will be on the UVic campus. At every other point throughout the program you will be completing online course work from any location.

The residencies are the only in-class components of the MACD program. Students are expected to cover the cost of food, accommodation and travel for each residency. Although you are not required to stay at UVic during your residencies, acommodation may be available on campus.

From time to time we may have the capacity to offer a field study course at an international location such as Delhi, India. Please watch the website for future offerings or contact the program manager (cdadmin@uvic.ca) for details.

As this is a full-time program, most students are able to complete it in six terms (two years). During this period, you must complete two co-operative work terms and may choose to complete an optional third term. Typically, students require two-three semesters to complete their master's thesis.

Students must complete the MPA on-campus program within five years.

See the calendar for an explanation of fees for graduate students and how fees relate to the length of program

The MPA online program takes 20 months (under two years) to complete. You will take two courses per term for five terms.

The MPA online program is designed precisely for people like you. The program is accessible, reasonably priced and flexible for students who are working and/or have a family.

We have students in BC, Newfoundland and Nunavut, as well as those who travel locally or internationally and have internet access.

Please consult the program page to ensure that you are eligible to apply to this program. The admission criteria are different from the MPA on-campus program, which serves a different group of students and has different program requirements.

While we can't answer this question for you, we encourage you to visit the City of Victoria or Padmapper websites for additional information.

Get information on graduate housing and dining at UVic.

Housing costs in Victoria are comparable to many areas across the country. The biggest considerations are taste, expectations and location. All of these factors will determine the price. An additional consideration is willingness to share accommodations, which will reduce costs.

It is can be difficult to negotiate a new rental on the phone or via internet, but not impossible. Among students that we consulted, the UVic Housing website was the most useful resource in searching for and finding a living space (and also a useful place to compare prices).

Each student attending UVic is provided with a very reasonably priced bus pass included in tuition.

Victoria’s bus system is very accessible and almost always on time. It is also very easy to get to and from the University from virtually anywhere in Victoria. For more information on transportation options at UVic see Parking and Transportation Services.