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Applications to graduate programs are completed online – Apply Now

Please click here for step-by-step instructions on applying for admission to graduate programs.

Address all application materials and inquiries concerning admissions to graduate programs to:

Admissions Office
Mount Saint Vincent University
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3M 2J6

Phone: 902-457-6117
Fax: 902-457-6498
E-mail: graduate@msvu.ca

Applications are reviewed and recommendations on admissions are made by the program to which the student is applying. Applicants may be requested to attend an interview. The Admissions Office informs the student of the decision on admission.

Students must meet the specific admission requirements for the program to which they are applying. Admission is on a competitive basis. Any student may be refused admission if available spaces are filled by students more qualified. The University also reserves the right to refuse admission to any student for other than scholastic reasons. The University may also consider on an individual basis any student who does not meet the formal admission requirements.

Note: All documentation must be submitted in English. If the original document is not available in English, the document must be translated by a certified or approved translator prior to submission. The translated document and the original or certified copy of the original document must be submitted to the Admissions Office.

2.1.1 Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee for Graduate Studies must accompany the application form and only application forms accompanied by the fee will be processed.

2.1.2 Application Deadlines

Graduate Deadlines

For July 2023 Entrance

PhD in Educational Studies –  November 15, 2022

For September 2023 Entrance

Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging – June 1, 2023

Master of Applied Human Nutrition (non-thesis)– January 31, 2023

Master of Applied Human Nutrition (non-thesis) with Internship program– January 31, 2023

Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition – January 31, 2023

Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition with Internship program– January 31, 2023

Master of Arts in Child and Youth Study – February 15, 2023

Master of Arts in Education – February 15, 2023

Master of Education  – February 15, 2023

Master of Arts in School Psychology – December 15, 2022

Master of Arts in Family Studies and Gerontology – February 15, 2023

Master of Family Studies and Gerontology – February 15, 2023

Master of Arts in Communication – February 15, 2023

Master of Public Relations – February 15, 2023

Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies* – February 1, 2023

*deadline for scholarship consideration for this program

For January 2024 Entrance

Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging – November 1, 2023

Master of Arts in Education ** – November 2, 2023

Master of Education ** – November 2, 2023

For July 2024 Entrance

PhD in Educational Studies –  November 15, 2023

For September 2024 Entrance

Graduate Certificate in Health Communication and Aging – June 1, 2024

Master of Applied Human Nutrition (non-thesis)– January 31, 2024

Master of Applied Human Nutrition (non-thesis) with Internship program– January 31, 2024

Master of Science in Applied Human Nutrition – January 31, 2024

Master of Science Applied Human Nutrition with Internship program– January 31, 2024

Master of Arts in Child and Youth Study – February 15, 2024

Master of Arts in Education – February 15, 2024

Master of Education  – February 15, 2024

Master of Arts in School Psychology – December 1, 2023

Master of Arts in Family Studies and Gerontology – February 15, 2024

Master of Family Studies and Gerontology – February 15, 2024

Master of Arts in Communication – February 15, 2024

Master of Public Relations – February 15, 2024

Master of Arts in Women and Gender Studies* – February 1, 2024

*deadline for scholarship consideration for this program

**Some cohorts and programs in the Faculty of Education maintain different application deadlines, and some Education programs accept applications year-round. To find out about these deadlines, contact the Faculty of Education at education@msvu.ca or 902.457.6178 or toll-free within Canada 1.877.433.2889.

Note: All application dossiers must be complete by the dates listed above. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the dossier materials are sent in support of the application. Late applications may be considered only if there is space available.

2.1.3 Deferral of Admission

Once an offer of admission is accepted and the non-refundable confirmation deposit paid, students with bona fide reasons may apply to defer admission for up to 12 months. Applications for deferrals must be submitted in writing to the Dean of Graduate Studies, Chair of the Graduate Studies Program & Policy Committee, prior to registering in a course. The Dean will request a recommendation from the Department/Program. Students granted such deferrals must confirm their intention to register in the subsequent academic year by the closing date of application for the program.

2.1.4 Language Proficiency

If an applicant’s first language is not English, official reports with acceptable scores from the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the CanTest, the International English Language Training Systems (IELTS) or the Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL) must be submitted. Applicants who do not verify their ability to undertake studies in English by submitting such test scores will not be offered admission.

Applicants who meet our admission requirements but whose English skills do not meet language requirements are referred to one of the several language schools in Halifax for assessment.

The following table indicates the English language requirements for international student admission to Mount Saint Vincent University:

English language requirements for international student admission table (PDF)

English language requirements for international student admission table

Graduate Preparatory Program
Students conditionally admitted to a graduate program of study, who have an IELTS score between 6.5 and 6.9 or the equivalent, will be required to successfully complete the Graduate Preparatory Program (GPP). The GPP is designed to ensure that incoming graduate students have a high level of English language proficiency and a strong orientation to Canadian academic culture. The GPP consists of an intensive term-long 15 hour/week program offered by the International Education Centre (IEC) and an undergraduate academic course. The course is determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee for the student’s intended program of study and indicated on the student’s data form. This course is normally taken concurrently with the IEC program.

In order to successfully complete the GPP, students must achieve a minimum final grade of 75 percent in the IEC program and a minimum grade of B in the specified undergraduate academic course.

  • Students who successfully complete both components of the Graduate Preparatory Program may commence their graduate program in the following term.
  • Students who fail to meet both required components will not be admitted to their graduate program.
  • Students who are successful in only one component may apply to be conditionally admitted to their program of study by submitting an appeal to the Graduate Studies Program and Policy Committee.
  • Students may apply for admission to a different academic program without approval from the Graduate Studies Program and Policy Committee.

Refer to Language Requirements for more information.

2.1.5 Categories of Students

Students may enroll in graduate courses if they hold one of the following statuses:

Degree graduate students
These students are fully enrolled in a graduate program, having been admitted after following the admissions procedures detailed below.

Visiting students
These students are taking a course for transfer to another institution. They must provide written permission from the home university and must complete required forms at the Registrar’s Office.

Non-degree students
Non-degree students may register in graduate courses if they gain entry to the University by completing the required forms from the Registrar’s Office and obtaining the permission of the instructor(s). Non-degree students must apply to and be accepted by a graduate program in order to receive its credential. Non-degree student status does not guarantee admission to a graduate credential program. A maximum of 2.0 units taken as a non-degree student may be credited toward a graduate credential. Upon acceptance to a graduate credential program, courses completed as a non-degree student will be evaluated to determine if they can be applied to the credential.

2.1.6 Additional Admission Requirements

In addition to these general standards, individual programs have specific requirements outlined in the programs section of this Calendar and detailed on the application form for Graduate Admission.

2.1.7 Admission Requirements for Transfer Applicants

Mount Saint Vincent University welcomes transfer students. Inquiries regarding potential transfer credits should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Normally a maximum of 2.0 units of graduate credit may be transferred.

At the time of application, transfer applicants must submit official transcripts (sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office) from all post-secondary institutions attended regardless of whether transfer credit is expected or desired.

Transfer credits are not formally awarded to those admitted and initially registered as non-degree students. Once confirmation of admission to a credential program occurs, transfer credits are then formally awarded and recorded on the student’s Graduate Program Data Form and transcript.

Continuing your Graduate Education at the Mount
The following policies are in place to enable students to continue their graduate education at the Mount. Students will not be permitted to double-count a course towards more than one graduate credential.

Transferring Credit
Students may transfer up to 2.0 units of graduate courses into a degree program at the Mount. The following rules apply:

  • These transfer credits cannot have been used to complete the course requirements for another graduate degree.
  • These transfer credits must have appropriate content as approved by the graduate program Coordinator. Students should consult with a program advisor prior to requesting transfer credit.
  • These transfer credits must have been completed within the last five years unless approved by the graduate program Coordinator.
  • Graduate students cannot claim credit for graduate courses taken as part of a concurrent registration at another institution. Please refer to the regulations regarding Letter of Permission courses.

Completing another Graduate Degree
Students are welcome to complete more than one graduate degree. The following rules apply:

  • Students may complete more than one graduate degree provided that the courses required for a subsequent degree(s) have not be credited towards a previously completed graduate degree and the program of study will result in a distinct credential.
  • Students registering to complete a thesis-based degree after completing a non-thesis degree in the same program area must complete a Master of Arts, Master of Science or a Research Master of Arts.
  • It is possible to have a previously obtained non-thesis degree rescinded and replaced by a Master of Arts or a Master of Science. In the case of a rescinded degree, courses taken for the rescinded degree may be transferred towards the new degree. Students must fulfill the requirements and meet Mount Saint Vincent University regulations for the MA or MSc. Students interested in this option must obtain approval from a program advisor of the Registrar.

2.1.8 Recognizing Prior Learning

When making admission decisions, Graduate Admission Committees may consider an applicant’s prior learning and experience gained through employment or other non-curricular activity. Such consideration will be given only when the applicant has gained professional experience, and/or professional accreditation, and/or professional recognition in a field relevant to the intended program of study. Admission decisions will be based on an assessment of the applicant’s potential for success in graduate study. Individual graduate programs can decide whether to recognize prior learning in admission decisions. Interested applicants should consult with the relevant graduate program coordinator.

2.1.9 Students with Disabilities

Students wishing to make arrangements for accommodations should contact Accessibility Services, normally, within one month of acceptance to the University. Students registered with and who have provided to Accessibility Services (AS) the appropriate documentation will work with AS staff to identify and make arrangements for any required academic accommodations.

For more information, please visit Accessibility Services.

2.1.10 Auditing Graduate Courses

Only students admitted to graduate studies at the University may audit courses. Audited courses are not eligible for credit. Audit students may attend all class meetings. Students may not write tests, examinations or submit other forms of work for evaluation unless explicitly permitted by the instructor. Audit fees are one half of the credit fees. Formal application and registration must be completed prior to attending any course. Approval to audit a graduate course, signed by the course instructor, must be presented at the time of registration. Application and registration forms can be found online at msvu.ca/regofficeforms. Please refer to the Academic Course Add/Drop Dates for registration deadlines.

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2023-2024 academic year which runs from September 01, 2023 to August 31, 2024.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.

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