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Do you admit students without an undergraduate degree?

In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications when there is significant professional experience relevant to the proposed area of scholarship.

Students must satisfy any further requirements set by the graduate program committee.

Applicants to the Counselling Psychology MA/MEd program must hold either an undergraduate or masters degree to be eligible for admission.

The early grades in my undergraduate degree were not very high. Will this affect my application?

The minimum university requirement for admission to a master’s program is a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0/4.33 (B), or a grade point average of at least 3.33/4.33 (B+) based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses. In exceptional circumstances, a student may be admitted with lower formal qualifications, but with extensive experience deemed significant to the proposed area of research. 

I have been out of university for a long time and do not have any recent academic references. Are three professional referees acceptable? 

In such circumstances we will accept a reference from anyone who can comment on your academic competence (e.g., department head, school principal, academic coordinator, manager/supervisor, etc.). What we look for from referees is confirmation that the applicant has the capacity to pursue a graduate degree – i.e., understands academic writing, reading, and has the intellect, academic preparation and skills (e.g. time management, ability to work and study etc.) to be successful. Applicants should prepare referees to speak to these qualities and capacities, and reference highlights of the applicant’s CV, describe projects, leadership, initiatives, and professional experience that reflect qualities and skills that are relevant to academic achievement.

For Counselling Psychology program applicants, please refer to the program website for more complete details about references.

If in doubt, contact the Program Assistant for confirmation.

Is there a minimum fee for the master’s program?

The minimum fee for a master’s program is six full-time research term fee units. However, under unusual circumstances, the minimum fee rule may be waived for students who complete all degree requirements in less than six terms of continuous full-time enrolment. Contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies for information.

Students who enroll on leave are not eligible for the waiver of the minimum fee requirements.

A master’s student who has completed six terms of enrolment (excluding on leave enrolment) pays a continuing fee in subsequent terms equal to one half of the regular fee.

Are there any scholarships available? What about for international applicants?

Various forms of financial assistance are available for graduate students in Education. Admission to 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Údoes not imply financial support. As a consequence of not being able to guarantee funding for all graduate students, the Faculty of Education stresses to all applicants, and particularly those from overseas, that they are responsible for supporting their graduate study at this institution for a minimum of two years and funding should be arranged before arriving in Canada.

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What is expected from the academic writing sample?

The purpose of the academic writing sample is for the admissions committee to assess a candidate’s ability to be successful in a fundamental scholarly skill: scholarly writing. Scholarly writing is evidence-based, well cited, rooted in scholarly literature, and clear, concise, and coherent in its prose. While we expect students to develop these skills once they are in the program, the academic writing sample allows us to see where the starting point for any applicant would be. Most applicants submit a recently written university level course paper (written within the past 5 years); other applicants choose an older paper but rewrite it for the purposes of the application; and others still might choose a more recent writing sample that is not necessarily academic but demonstrates these skills.

How do I submit transcripts?

You must upload an unofficial transcript (scanned, saved, etc.) for each post-secondary institution you have attended when you are uploading documents to your application. You cannot upload these documents until your application has been submitted, and your application fee has been paid and processed.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit an official transcript for each post-secondary institution. More information.

Note: Applicants who completed their former degrees at 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Úare not required to submit an official 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Útranscript, as these records can be accessed. More information on transcripts.

DO I NEED TO SUBMIT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST RESULTS?

Students whose native primary language is not English must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. Applicants applying to programs conducted entirely in French will be exempt from this requirement. English language requirements.

DOIS-JE SOUMETTRE LES RÉSULTATS D’UN EXAMEN D'ANGLAIS ?

Les étudiant·es dont la langue maternelle n'est pas l'anglais doivent en démontrer une maîtrise suffisante pour poursuivre des études supérieures dans le domaine visé. Les candidat·es qui présentent leur candidature dans des programmes entièrement dispensés en français seront exempté·es de cette exigence. Exigences linguistiques en anglais.

Can I change one of my referees?

Yes, however, you cannot update or change your referee information if the applicaiton deadline has passed. If the deadline has passed, contact the Program Assistant. If the deadline has not passed and you need to change one or more of your referees or correct the email address entered, refer to the following:

1. In your Application Portal, under Step 3, scroll to the bottom of the checklist section and click the "recommendation page" link in blue
2. Find the References heading
3. Find the referee you wish to change or update, and click the 'Edit' button on the right-hand side next to that referee
4. Update all necessary fields, and then click 'Save'

When will I know the selection committee’s decision regarding my application?

Applicants will receive notification approximately 6-8 weeks after the application deadline.

MA/MEd Counselling Psychology applicants will receive notification approximately 8-12 weeks after the application deadline.

Once decisions have been made all applicants will receive an email from the Faculty of Graduate Studies directing them to the application portal where they can access their decision letter. 

Is there a waitlist for programs that are full?

The review committee may decide to have a waitlist depending on the composition of submitted applications.

Will there be a new student orientation?

Yes. Before the start of the Fall term, SFU's Faculty of Graduate Studies schedules a general orientation for all 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Úgraduate students. The Faculty of Education also hosts a New Graduate Student Orientation that is usually scheduled during the first month of the Fall term. The Education Graduate Student Orientation Handbook will be distributed to new students. This publication outlines the administrative structure of the program and provides information on specific logistics such as parking, computer access, housing, registration, etc.