Further education
- Amanda Vos
- Linda Liu
- Matthew King
- Katie Rieger
What kinds of programs are there?
Professional school programs
The length of programs vary
Complete several courses: some required, some elective
Sometimes, you are asked to complete an internship, residency or practicum component (not always paid)
Complete career-specific qualifying or certification exam
College Degree
1 to 3 years in length
Complete several courses: some required, some elective
Sometimes complete an internship, residency or practicum component (not always paid)
Course-based master’s
1 to 2 years in length
Complete several courses: some required, some elective
Sometimes institutional funding is available
Research-based master’s
1 to 2 years in length
Complete several courses: some required, some elective
Supervisor required
Produce research in your discipline
Institutional funding available
Research-based PhD
4+ years in length
Complete several courses: some required, some elective
Supervisor required
Study for and pass comprehensive exams
Produce a dissertation in your discipline and defend your dissertation
Institutional funding available
- Learn more about further education programs.
How do I find programs?
To find programs, you might:
Talk with professors, departmental graduate coordinators, peers or staff in the Center for Career Development
Complete a general internet search
Search a database like EduCanada for graduate school programs or Accreditation Canada for several health education programs
Search the website of the accrediting body for the profession you want to apply to; they often list the currently accredited programs that can grant the qualifications you need
There might be more than one program that matches what you want.
To narrow down your choice(s), you might reflect on:
program’s curriculum
location
available funding
affordable student housing
departmental and university-level supports
research areas and available supervisors
Want to apply outside of Canada?
Depending on where you will be applying, the application and start timelines, document conventions and program structure may differ. It is important to research the conventions in the location you are applying to.
Will I need a visa?
If you are applying outside of Canada, and hold a Canadian passport, you will need to meet immigration requirements in the country you will be studying/living in. Immigration requirements vary widely; you will need to research them thoroughly as part of your planning. You may also need proof that you can pay tuition when you enter the country where you will study.
Will I have to pay international tuition?
Depending on your immigration status in the country where you will be studying, you may be considered an international student. International students often pay higher tuition.
Application deadlines depend on the type of program you’re applying to.
For example, applications for many master's degree programs in Canada are due between mid-December to mid-February. In comparison, the application for most Ontario medicine programs takes place in early October. It is your responsibility to investigate requirements. If you would like support, connect with the Center for Career Development.
What if my program has rolling admissions?
Some institutions have rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted at any time on or before the advertised deadline. Admissions committees will review a complete file and make offers and funding decisions based on an applicant’s file. Applying early to a program can help you secure a spot before receiving other applications.
When you have done some research on prospective programs, you might have more questions. Connect with the Centre for Career Development to help explore your options and support you in making further education decisions.
Alternatively, you could reach out to the school or program directly to speak with:
A recruitment advisor
A department-specific graduate admissions officer
A graduate coordinator
The associate chair of graduate studies
The departmental graduate student association or society
Current students
Recent alumni to gain first-hand, up-to-date insights into the program
Applying to further education can be costly. The total amount varies and depends on the program. Sometimes there are fee waiver programs available to subsidize the cost of applying. Some fees you should anticipate include:
Application fees
Supplementary application fees
Processing fees
Transcript request fees
Transcript evaluation fees
Admission test fees
Program deposit
Grades
Programs will consider your grades either in percentage value, GPA value or letter value. Admission requirements usually state the minimum grade value to be admitted to a program. If this is not clear, contact the school to find out the grade requirement and how it is calculated.
Prerequisite knowledge
Some schools require you to complete courses in certain subject areas, others will list specific required courses. Some programs require prerequisite coursework to be completed before applying. Others require prerequisite coursework to be completed before accepting an offer of admission. Prerequisites can also change. Consult program websites directly to identify what prerequisite courses you may have to take!
Experiences
Programs may evaluate how you spend your time outside of academics. Some programs may be flexible, while other programs may be more particular about the types of experiences you require to apply. If you’re unsure what you may need, connect with the Centre for Career Development to help you identify any applicable parameters.
Standardized admission tests
Programs may require you to complete a standardized admission test as part of the application. Test score(s) are used to assess your candidacy alongside other application components. Sometimes you must complete the test prior to applying, sometimes at the time of application and sometimes after you receive an offer of admission.
Application documents
There might be required documents you must include in your application. If you’re applying to multiple programs, there might be differences in what you must submit. Take some time to investigate requirements and connect with the Centre for Career Development if you’d like support. Some documents include:
A personal statement
A letter of intent
A research proposal
A résumé
An academic CV
An autobiographical sketch
A writing sample
Unofficial transcripts
References
Often programs require references as part of your application. Sometimes admissions teams might ask for academic references, professional resources, character or community references or a combination thereof. Consult the program website directly to identify the type(s) of reference you need.
In general, schools offer standard panel or multiple-mini-interview (MMI) interviews. Some use both interview styles. Your interview style, conventions and logistics are highly program-dependent and will vary depending on the school you interview with.
Some programs publish interview information on the program website, while other programs share this information with candidates they invite for an interview. You might be able to choose your preferred format, day and time or this may be automatically selected for you. If you identify a scheduling conflict, reach out to the program directly to learn more about what options you have.
If you’d like support preparing for your professional school interview, the Centre for Career Development offers mock interview appointments and facilitates the Professional School Simulation Series!