ÀÖÓ¯VI

(FGSR Council, 2005/09/16)

Degree Students

Degree students are those who are registered in a GFC-approved program leading to a master's or doctoral degree granted by the ÀÖÓ¯VI.

Postgraduate Diploma or Certificate Students

The postgraduate diploma or certificate program is a specialized formal program of course work designed for persons who have had previous work experience. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).

Qualifying Graduate Students

This category is used for those students whose academic background entitles them to serious consideration for admission to graduate studies but who are considered to be inadequately prepared to enter a graduate program in the subject area they have chosen. Generally, students who hold a three-year bachelor's degree from the ÀÖÓ¯VI (or an equivalent qualification from another recognized institution) and students who have graduated from a four-year degree program, but who are entering a new field, may be admitted as qualifying graduate students.

Qualifying graduate students are registered in GPS and as such are subject to the regulations of GPS; however, they are not considered to be candidates for a degree.

Students should be advised that neither the courses taken nor the fees paid during a qualifying period will be credited toward a subsequent degree program, since the qualifying period is, by definition, a basis of admission.

Qualifying graduate students must achieve at least the GPS minimum admission requirement of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 with no grade less than C+.

A qualifying year normally will not exceed 30 course weights (5 full course equivalents). Courses taken during a qualifying year will be specified by the department.

If the applicant's admission GPA meets the GPS minimum, the department's requirements for the qualifying period will appear as a note at the bottom of the admission letter. It is up to the department to monitor the fulfillment of these requirements.

Completion of the work in a qualifying period does not automatically entitle the student to proceed toward a degree program. However, upon satisfactory completion of a qualifying period the department may recommend to GPS a change of category to a master's or doctoral degree program.

Students who are not eligible for admission to GPS as qualifying students should consult the appropriate undergraduate Faculty regarding admission to that Faculty to clear course deficiencies. They may apply for admission to GPS at a later date.

Non-Degree Graduate Students

Non-degree graduate students are those who in every respect are eligible for admission to GPS, but who wish to take graduate level courses for credit without proceeding toward a graduate degree at the ÀÖÓ¯VI.

Non-degree graduate students are not candidates for a degree at this University. Admission as a non-degree graduate student does not imply eligibility for admission to a degree program in any department.

Non-degree graduate students must complete the Non-Degree Graduate Student Registration Form found in the GPS forms cabinet and provide the form to the department which offers the course(s). No additional documentation is required other than the form. Registration is valid for a maximum of one year from your start date. Another Non-Degree Graduate Student Registration Form is required for anything beyond one year. If courses are from more than one department, all departments must sign the Non-Degree Graduate Student Registration Form. Courses for audit are not permitted.

Non-degree graduate students may take only graduate level courses. Individuals wishing to take undergraduate courses should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Non-degree graduate students are not permitted to register in thesis or departmental project courses, nor to audit courses.

(FGSR Council, 1988/02/19)

Visiting Graduate Students

This category is used for students who are registered in a graduate degree program at another university or college, who have obtained written permission in advance from their home university and the ÀÖÓ¯VI department to take one or more courses for transfer of credit toward that degree program.

This includes visiting students on formal exchanges and under the Western Deans' Agreement (see below). Visiting graduate students must apply to the department and be admitted each year in which they take courses. An admission is valid for one calendar year from the student's start date.

Applicants complete the Application for Visiting Graduate Student form and submit it to the department along with a letter of permission from the Dean of Graduate Studies of their home university. This letter should confirm that the applicant is currently registered in a graduate degree program at the home university, and should state the specific ÀÖÓ¯VI courses that will be accepted for credit toward the student's degree program.

The ÀÖÓ¯VI department must indicate on the form the specific course(s) to be taken. The Department approves the admission and submits the application to GPS.

GPS reviews the completed file to ensure that the applicable documentation is included. Once the admission has been processed, the Department registers the student in the courses. Exception: RSCH 900 must be added by GPS.

Visiting Graduate Students on Formal Exchanges

A visiting (incoming) graduate student who is on a formal student exchange must complete the Application for Visiting Graduate Student form and a Permission to Participate form. The ÀÖÓ¯VI department must indicate on the form the specific course(s) to be taken. The Department approves the admission. This form is available online in the GPS Forms Cabinet under "Admissions".

GPS reviews the completed file to ensure that the applicable documentation is included. Once the admission has been processed, the Department registers the student in the courses. Exception: RSCH 900 must be added by GPS.

For information on ÀÖÓ¯VI students participating in a formal exchange, see