Apply to the Graduate (Master) Program

Acadia University appreciates your interest in our graduate programs. As a potential student in a graduate program at Acadia, you co-ordinate your application and send it as a single package to the Graduate Studies Office. Everything you need is available to be downloaded or is enclosed in a package sent to you.

If you choose to download the application form, please ask your references to return their reference to you in a sealed envelope. If you received a package by mail, send the enclosed envelopes to your references and ask them to return the reference to you, sealed. Have the Registrar's Office from each post-secondary institution you attended send TWO copies of your official transcripts to you in a sealed envelope. Forward your application including all sealed references and transcripts. Do not send us an incomplete package. Your application will be considered when all of the supporting documents have been received. You are reminded that it is your responsibility to collect and submit all required documentation to the Graduate Studies Office.

The application for admission is provided below to download as well as other forms applicable to your program of interest, if provided. Please note, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download these forms.

Graduate Application for Admission

Additional forms are available for the following specified programs:

Use this list to check off each part of the application that is relevant to your program and include it in your package:

• Application for Admission form
• Processing fee $50 Canadian
• Transcripts
  TWO official copies from every post-secondary institution attended. (Not required for Acadia University transcripts.)
• Letter of Intent (required for all MEd applicants)
• Departmental Information form (Computer Science applicants only)
• Statement of Research Interests (required for all except MEd applicants)
• Resume (A chronology of relevant work experience should be included.)
• Two reference letters (envelopes provided). M.Ed. applicants must provide one professional and one academic reference; OR
• Three reference letters required for, MSc Psychology and MA Political Science programs (envelopes provided) as well as all divinity programs at the Master’s level.
• Graduate Teaching Assistantship form (MEd fulltime applicants are eligible to apply)
• GRE results (required for all Psychology and international Chemistry applicants only). If you do not yet have the GREs at the time of application, please give the date of writing.
• Writing sample (minimum of 10 pages) required for all MA English and Sociology applicants.
• Official TOEFL score if English has not been the language of instruction in your previous academic program. (ETS code - 0901)

Graduate Programs Offered

FACULTY OF PURE AND APPLIED SCIENCE

Master of Science (Biology)
Master of Science (Chemistry)
Master of Science (Computer Science)
Master of Science (Geology)
Master of Science (Geomatics)
Master of Science (Mathematics & Statistics)
Master of Science (Psychology)

FACULTY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Master of Education (Counselling)
Master of Education (Inclusive Education)
Master of Education (Curriculum Studies)
Master of Education (Leadership)
Master of Education (Learning & Technology)
Master of Recreation Management

FACULTY OF ARTS

Master of Arts (English)
Master of Arts (Political Science)
Master of Arts (Sociology)

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Contact Information

If you prefer, you may contact the appropriate department by email or in writing to request that an application package be sent to you. Please be sure to include your name, complete postal mailing address as well as the graduate program you are interested in.

Email addresses for departments offering a graduate program:

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The minimum university admission requirement is an Honours degree or its equivalent in the subject to be studied (i.e. a four-year bachelors degree from an approved university). Candidates possessing a major in a field other than that of their graduate program will be required to take sufficient undergraduate courses to make up the equivalent of an Acadia undergraduate major in the field of graduate work.

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Additional Information for International Students

Applications are not normally accepted from international students to commence studies in January. It is possible, however, to start the research component of a graduate program in May. The number of students admitted to our graduate programs is limited and possession of the minimum entrance requirements does not ensure admission.

Transcripts

All university transcripts should be original official documents and should be provided to you in sealed envelopes or sent directly to us from the issuing institutions.

If it is not possible for the institution to produce another official transcript, you can make a copy of the original transcript and have your institution certify that the document is an accurate copy. The certified copy should then be provided to you in a sealed envelope or sent directly to us from the issuing institution.

If your transcript must be translated into English and your institution does not provide translated documents, your transcript can be translated elsewhere and then brought back to your institution to be certified as an accurate copy. The certified translated copy should then be provided to you in a sealed envelope or sent directly to us from the issuing institution.

English Proficiency Requirement

Since English is the primary language of instruction at Acadia University, all applicants must possess adequate knowledge of written and spoken English as a prerequisite to admission. Regardless of country of origin or citizenship status, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This demonstration may take one of the following forms:

1. Successful completion of the equivalent of three years of full-time instruction in an English language secondary institution as recognized by Acadia University including successful completion of at least two courses in English language and/or literature at the grade 12 (or equivalent) level. These courses must not be ESL (English as Second Language) courses.
   
2. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or postgraduate degree from a recognized university where English is the language of instruction and from which transfer of credit may be allowed by Acadia University.
   
3. If a student's first language is not English, he or she must supply results of an English language proficiency test to be considered for admission to a degree program. The minimum scores required are:
   
   • IELTS - 6.5
   • MELAB - 80
   • Cambridge First certificate in English - aggregate grade of C or better
   • TOEFL* - 580 in paper-based testing or 237 in computer-based testing or 93 in Internet-based testing. Only TOEFL scores sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to Acadia will be accepted. Acadia's number for submission is 0901. Information about TOEFL may be obtained by contacting:

   Test of English as a Foreign Language
   PO Box 6154, Princeton, New Jersey  USA  08541-6154
   http://www.toefl.org
   

4. Submission of the official results of the Michigan Test of English Proficiency with a score of 85% or higher.

Only in exceptional circumstances and only upon the recommendation of the department concerned will the Manager of Admissions consider applicants who do not meet one of the requirements listed in 1 through 4 above.

Accommodations

Prospective international students should note that Wolfville is a small town and that off-campus accommodation is difficult to find in September when the university session commences. You are advised to arrive early on campus to find accommodation in our residences. For more information, see the Residence Life web site at  http://www.acadiau.ca/studentaffairs/residencelife or contact our Residence Life Office via email at residence.life@acadiau.ca.

How to Apply

If you are a highly qualified student whose academic record exceeds the minimum requirements, if you can provide test results and letters of reference, as indicated above, and if you can provide adequate financial support, you are invited to download our graduate application form or write to the appropriate office and request an application packet.

Please note:

1. As an international student contemplating graduate studies at Acadia University, you are advised that you should be able to guarantee annual funding of $18,000 before you proceed with student visa application.
2. An application fee of $50 must accompany every application.
3. Acadia University requires all students to have adequate hospital and medical coverage. All international students, if unable to provide documented evidence acceptable to the university of coverage by a Canadian provincial government plan, will be required to purchase hospital and medical coverage at the time of registration at Acadia. The cost is approximately $675.56 per year for a single student and $1293.61 for a family.
4. The Halifax International Airport is 100 kilometres from the Acadia campus. This should be the final destination to which overseas flights are booked. Contact the International Student Advisor to arrange for transportation from the airport.
5. An orientation program for new international students is held in late August. Check the pre-departure bulletin for the date and registration form.

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Application Deadlines

If you wish to be considered for an Acadia graduate award, your application must be complete by February 1. Applications received up to March 15 can be considered for admission, unless the program has identified a different deadline (see below). You should presume that by May 31 all admission offers have been made for the following September.

Teaching Assistantships

A limited number of Acadia graduate awards are available each year, the current value being $9000 for the period September through April. Research assistantships from individual professors are available during the period May through August on a limited basis.

Tuition and Fees

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Require More Information

Not sure if our graduate program is for you but would like to know more? Click on the link below to have the appropriate school/department contact you by email.

Inquiry Form

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