Academic Requirements

Master’s Programs

While each program has its own minimum requirements, the following will give you a guideline to determine your eligibility to submit an application.

• 4-year (honours) bachelor’s degree
• B+ or better in your major subjects
• B- or better overall

Program Requirements

Admission

Applicants must have an undergraduate or post-graduate degree (or equivalent), with an average of B+ or higher. The level of academic performance and potential demonstrated within the degree is more important than the discipline. Indeed, students enter the program from a wide variety of backgrounds in the social sciences, humanities, sciences and engineering.

The School also considers mid-career applicants who do not satisfy this grade average requirement, but who have demonstrated professional excellence over at least five years. Such applicants may use their high achievement in several designated university courses as evidence of their academic potential. These university courses are determined on an individual basis in consultation with the M.P.P.A. Supervisor. Contact the School for details.

All applicants must have completed a 0.5 credit university course covering microeconomic theory (ECON 1001 or equivalent) and a 0.5 credit university course in macroeconomic theory (ECON 1002 or equivalent) with an average grade over the two theory courses of B+ or higher. A working knowledge of algebra is also expected.

In some cases, applicants may be admitted to the program despite not having completed these prerequisites, on the condition that the course(s) be extra to the degree requirements and be completed (with the minimum required grade, as discussed above) in the first year of the program. Nevertheless it is strongly recommended that students complete the prerequisites before starting the program, to ensure that their progress through the core courses is unimpeded.

All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. (See Section 3.6 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar for details.)

Advanced Completion Option

Applicants to the Master of Public Policy and Administration may be considered for admission to an Advanced Completion Option of the Master of Public Policy and Administration based on their demonstrated academic excellence in university courses deemed equivalent to the core courses of the program. This option will be determined on an individual basis in consultation with the M.P.P.A. Supervisor and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs and pursuant to Section 6.1 of the General Regulations section of this Calendar. Admission to the Master of Public Policy and Administration Advanced Completion Option may require courses in addition to the 5.0 credit program requirements.

Master of Public Policy and Administration Accelerated Pathway

The accelerated pathway in the Master of Public Policy and Administration is a flexible and individualized plan of graduate study. Students in their final year of the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management who have demonstrated academic excellence and an aptitude for research may qualify. Students in their third year of study in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management should consult with both their undergraduate supervisor and the M.P.P.A Supervisor to determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses in their final year of undergraduate study.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

1. PADM 5000-level courses with a grade of B+ or higher;
2. Minimum overall CGPA of 10.4 in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management.

Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of credit of up to 1.0 credit which can reduce their time to completion.

Language Requirements

Program English Requirement

Language Proficiency: All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:

a) Present an official transcript to indicate that they have completed a degree within the past three years in a university in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country in which the primary language is English, and where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was exclusively English;

b) Provide official documentation of a satisfactory English proficiency test score. Minimum scores for the program are: CAEL: 70; TOEFL (paper-based test): 600; TOEFL (computer-based

test): 250; TOEFL (internet-based test): 100, with a minimum score of 25 on each component; IELTS: 7, with a minimum of 6.0 in each band score.

The language of instruction at Carleton University is English. For admission into Carleton’s graduate programs, you will need to demonstrate that your knowledge and use of English are strong enough for graduate studies at an English-language university.

If your first language is not English, you can demonstrate your language proficiency by:

• presenting one of the official Language Proficiency (ESL) test scores as defined in the table below;
• showing that you have completed ESLA 1900 or ESLA 1905 at Carleton University with a final grade of B- or higher; or
• presenting official certification (transcripts) that you have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at a university in any country in which the primary language is English, where the language of instruction in the relevant educational institution was English, and the language of instruction in their most recently completed undergraduate or graduate degree was English.

Applicants who present their most recent degree and transcripts from a Canadian institution are exempt from language proficiency requirements, unless otherwise required by an individual program.

Note: Letters from your universities stating the medium of instruction is English are not acceptable.

Minimum Language Proficiency (ESL) test score requirement:

IELTS One-Skill Retake is accepted

TOEFL MyBest Scores is accepted

Please note that some graduate programs may require a higher level of understanding of the English language and will have higher ESL requirements. It is your responsibility to review and meet the minimum requirements of the program to which you are applying. Graduate Studies reserves the right to require further documentation or additional testing if they feel it necessary to demonstrate the required level of English language proficiency.

Carleton University is committed to ensuring that all students have fair access to English Language testing, including those students who require accommodations to complete the test. All tests accepted by Graduate Studies offer accommodations to students who require it, including but not limited to students with disabilities, and nursing mothers. Please note that arranging accommodations for an ESL test may take up to six weeks.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.