Graduate Admissions
Minimum Admission Requirements
Each program sets its own admission criteria however, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) has established the minimum admission requirements for all programs as follows:
- The normal minimum admission requirement is a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent as recognized by Nipissing University in an appropriate discipline, with a minimum B standing. For master’s degrees with a Thesis or Major Research Paper (MRP), where appropriate to the program for which the candidate applies, preference will be given to applicants with an honours degree with an independent research component (such as an honours Thesis or research paper).
- All applicants are required to provide at least three letters of recommendation from professors or other appropriate professionals who can speak to their level of preparation and readiness for graduate studies. At least two of the references must be from someone qualified to address the academic ability and competence of the applicant to undertake graduate studies. Reference letters cannot be completed by anyone who is personally related to the applicant.
- All applicants are required to either write a statement of approximately 500 words explaining the value of undertaking a master’s degree for their specific circumstances or a statement about their research interests.
- Applicants may also be asked to submit supplemental information, such as GMAT or English Language Proficiency scores, as appropriate.
It is understood that admission to graduate programs is limited and, therefore, applicants who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission.
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Offers of Admission
Only offers of admission from the Office of the Registrar are valid. Communication with a program representative (including the Graduate Coordinator/Graduate Chair) or a faculty member does not constitute an offer of admission. Nipissing University may revoke an offer of admission or cancel registration in the program if it finds that the applicant has provided false or incomplete information.
How to Apply
The on-line application form, supplemental forms, and deadline dates can be accessed from our website at www.nipissingu.ca/registrarforms
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Admission Process
Regular Admission
Applications for each program are reviewed by the Program Admissions Committee (PAC). The PAC forwards a recommendation for admission to the Graduate Studies Office. Approved applications for admission are forwarded by the Graduate Studies Office to the Office of the Registrar. Offers of admission may have conditions attached, which may have to be met before registration is permitted. Borderline or questionable cases for admission will be dealt with by the Graduate Coordinator/Faculty Graduate Chair in consultation with the Graduate Studies Office. The decision of the Graduate Studies Office on admissions is final and is not subject to appeal.
For programs where it is appropriate, the Graduate Studies Office will take relevant funding considerations (such as scholarships and other forms of student financial support) into account when considering a recommendation for admission. In some programs, students will not be admitted without appropriate levels of committed funding. The decision of the Graduate Studies Office is final and is not subject to appeal.
Conditional Admission
In exceptional circumstances, applicants may be accepted into a graduate program subject to the successful completion of conditions in addition to the regular admission requirements.
Special Admission
Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for exceptional or special admission at the discretion of the relevant program’s Graduate Coordinator/Chair. Further information is available on the School of Graduate Studies website.
Admission with Transfer Credit
Applicants who have completed work towards a Masters degree but have not graduated may be eligible for transfer credit. Please contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information.
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English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit the results of an acceptable English Language Proficiency test, with the minimum scores indicated below.
The following are the minimum ELP requirements for admission to the School of Graduate Studies; in addition, each program will have minimum language requirements specific to the program:
- TOEFL iBT, with a minimum overall score of 93, and a minimum score of 20 in reading and listening and a minimum score of 22 in speaking and writing, or
- IELTS, with an overall score of no less than 6.5 and a minimum of 6.5 in reading, listening and speaking and a minimum score of 6.0 in writing, or
- Pearson Test (PTE Academic), with a minimum overall score of 63 with a minimum score of 60 in each subsection
The required minimum scores must be submitted before the candidate can be considered for admission.
In some circumstances English Language Proficiency requirement may be waived. Please contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information.
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