2004-2005 Graduate Calendar-Admissions

Last updated: July 18, 2005 @ 09:31AM

Admissions

For inquiries:
Telephone: 905-688-5550, extension 4830
E-mail: gradadmissions@brocku.ca
http://www.brocku.ca/gradstudies

All prospective students are encouraged to apply and will be considered on the basis of evidence of probable success in their chosen program. Enrolment has been limited in order that our students may continue to benefit from the University's traditions of personal contact and individual attention. Applicants must be formally admitted to the University before they can register in degree credit courses.

The regulations for admission specify minimum requirements only. Possession of the minimum entrance requirement is not a guarantee of admission. The University reserves the right to refuse admission to any candidate.

Assessment of academic background and eligibility for admission to graduate programs is the responsibility of the specific department/program which will make recommendations for acceptance of applicants to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Policy Statement
Brock has had and will continue to have, a racially non-discriminatory policy and therefore does not discriminate against applicants and students on the basis of race, colour or national or ethnic origin. Such a non-discriminatory policy applies to staff and extends to non-discrimination on grounds of creed or sex.

It is the policy of Brock University that all students must therefore sign a declaration on their application for admission and on their confirmation of registration attesting to their citizenship. Each student should be aware that documentation of citizenship may be required and that a penalty for a false statement is deregistration. In addition, any changes in status, e.g., from visa student to permanent resident or Canadian citizen, requires proof of the new status with appropriate document(s).

Application Procedures
The Office of Graduate Studies recommends that all applicants review the program literature of the graduate program they are interested in through the program calendar entry, the program website, and by contacting the Graduate Officer, faculty members or Office of Graduate Studies for additional information.

It is particularly important for those students applying to research graduate programs that they familiarize themselves with the research profiles/interests of the program faculty members and that they make initial contact with a potential graduate supervisor.

Domestic Applicants
The Application for Admission to Graduate Studies is available on-line for downloading at http://www.brocku.ca/gradstudies/applicationor from the Office of Graduate Studies and graduate programs. Students must complete the Application for Admission to Graduate Studies and any graduate program supplemental application material. (see http://www.brocku.ca/gradstudies) The completed application form and supplemental materials are to be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies, Brock University with the non-refundable application fee of $75.00 ($100 for MBA, MAcc and MEd programs).

Wherever possible students should assemble all relevant documentation and submit the complete application package to the Office of Graduate Studies.

A complete application package will consist of the following:

·	Completed application Form, with the non-refundable application fee
·	Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies to date in sealed, signed envelopes. Applicants currently taking courses, must arrange to have an official final transcript forwarded as soon as results become available. For all documentation not written in English, a certified English translation is required.
·	Confidential letters of recommendation (on the forms supplied by Brock) to support the application.
·	Any supplementary information required by a specific graduate program, such as a letter of intent, resume or sample of writing. (see Graduate Program Supplemental Application Material List)
·	Proof of English Language Proficiency if required (see Proof of Proficiency in English for a list of exempt countries).
·	Proof of permanent residence status in Canada if applicable. Please submit a signed copy of your record of landing document or a copy of the front and back of your permanent resident card.

The Office of Graduate Studies will also accept transcripts sent to the Office of Graduate Studies directly from previously attended institutions or reference letters directly from referees but prefers, where possible, that the application package be self-assembled by the prospective student.

Only a complete application package will be forwarded to the program for consideration.

All documents become the property of the University and will not be returned.

The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents are submitted by the deadline date as indicated on the Application Deadline Table.

International Applicants
Applications for admission from outside of Canada should be completed at least six months before the desired date of admission in order for students to make the necessary visa arrangements.

In addition to the information outlined above for domestic applicants, international applicants must also submit proof of English Language Proficiency. (See Proof of Proficiency in English for a list of exempt countries.) Original or certified true copies of all English Language Proficiency test results undertaken to date must be submitted.

The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents are submitted by the deadline date as indicated on the Application Deadline Table.

Readmission of students who withdrew or were required to withdraw
A request for readmission shall be addressed to the Director, Office of Graduate Studies and will be sent to the graduate program for consideration. A reinstatement fee of $75.00 will be assessed if the request for readmission is approved.

Admissions Criteria

Master's Degrees

Master of Accountancy program
The basic admission requirements for the Master of Accountancy degree are:

·	completion of an honours bachelor's degree with an accounting concentration, or its equivalent, acceptable to Brock University
·	at least a B (second-class honours standing) or equivalent grade point average

In practice a higher average may be required as spaces are limited. Admission average is determined by grades received on the applicant's undergraduate degree.

·	three letters of recommendation attesting to the scholastic record and abilities of the applicant
·	a personal interview may be required

Applicants without sufficient concentration in accounting may require one or more qualifying term(s) before being accepted into the Master of Accountancy program. Such applicants should contact the Accounting and Finance department regarding the courses required. Admission to the qualifying term(s) does not imply automatic admission to the Master of Accountancy program.

Master of Business Administration

The admission requirements for the MBA are:

·	completion of a four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent. Although a degree in any field is sufficient, it is advisable that students have some exposure to introductory statistics and mathematics at the university level
·	the equivalent of at least a B (second-class honours standing/75%)
·	three letters of reference
·	resume
·	GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) score of at least 550
·	where applicants have a primary language other than English or who have a degree from a university where the language of instruction was not English a TOEFL score (or equivalent) of 620 is recommended. However, a minimum TOEFL score of 575, or TOEFL(CBT) 230, and TWE 4.5 is required to apply

Master of Arts and Master of Science programs

The basic admission requirement for the program is an honours bachelor's degree or its equivalent acceptable to Brock University. Ordinarily, at least a B (second-class honours standing) or equivalent grade point average is required.

GRE scores are required for some graduate programs. Refer to the graduate program calendar entry for the specific graduate program you are interested in applying to.

Applicants with a general or pass degree or an honours degree without sufficient concentration in the subject area, will normally require a qualifying year beyond the general degree before being considered for a graduate program. Such applicants should contact the program concerned regarding the courses required for the qualifying year. Admission to the qualifying year does not imply automatic admission to a master's program. See the Undergraduate Calendar re: Non-degree admission to undergraduate studies to apply to complete a qualifying year.

Applicants with education credentials outside North America will be assessed on an individual basis with respect to degree and standing equivalents.

Graduate programs may specify additional requirements and applicants should refer to the information provided by the specific program.

Master of Education Program

The basic admission requirements for the Master of Education degree are:

a)	Completion of one of the following degrees, acceptable to Brock:
	A four-year undergraduate degree with minimum 75 percent standing

·	A four-year BEd degree with minimum 75 percent standing
·	a BA/BEd, BPhEd/BEd or BSc/BEd degree with minimum 75 percent standing

b)	In practice a higher average may be required as spaces are limited. Admission average is determined by grades received on the applicant's undergraduate degree.
c)	Two letters of recommendation; one attesting to the academic ability of the applicant and the other to professional experience.
d)	Professional experience evidence of at least one year full-time or equivalent successful teaching or other acceptable professional-experience in education.
e)	Approved teaching certificate.*
	Candidates with suitable educational experience in a field that does not require teaching certification (e.g., CAAT instructors) may be considered for special admission. PhD Programs* To be admitted to a PhD program, a student should hold either an appropriate Master's degree or, students with an Honours Bachelor's degree already registered in a Master's program, may convert to PhD studies in year 2 of their program. They will normally be expected to have attained an 80% average and have achieved significant research progress as determined by their supervisory committee. Admission is not guaranteed by the attainment of the minimum requirements.

Proof of Proficiency in English
English is the language of instruction for graduate programs at Brock University. Therefore, strong English language ability is necessary for full participation in academic life at the University. Successful graduate work requires solid proficiency in all four English language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Applicants whose first language is not English, and who have not successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from a designated* English-speaking country must provide evidence of proficiency in English as demonstrated through one of the following (* Designated countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States of America and the English-speaking countries of the Caribbean):

·	Successful completion of Level 5 of the Brock Intensive English Language Program; or
·	Submission of official test results (original copies) obtained during the last calendar year for one of the following standardized English Language Proficiency tests:
·	A minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a TOEFL CBT score of 213, and a TWE score of 4.5; or

A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no section under 6.0; or

·	A minimum score of 530 on the International Test of English Language Proficiency (ITELP); or
·	Achievement of an overall Band Score of 60, with 60 in writing, and no other under 50 on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL); or
·	An average of at least 4.5 with no band score lower than 4.0 on the CanTest (Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees).

Students admitted on the basis of an English Language Proficiency test score are required to take the Brock University International Placement Test upon arrival at the university as a condition of admission. Depending on the result, applicants may be required to complete English language courses (e.g. APLS 1P90, 1P91 or Intensive English Upgrading Program for Graduate Students) along with their graduate program. Test results and recommendations will be forwarded to the Office of Graduate Studies and the student's graduate supervisor.

Graduate departments and programs may require English Proficiency scores that are higher than the university minimums for admission to specific graduate programs.

International Student Immigration Requirements
Students entering Canada from other countries are required to comply with Canadian immigration requirements. Student Study Permits are issued abroad by Canadian diplomatic, consular or immigration officers. Where there is no Canadian representative, prospective students may apply to representatives of the British government. An original letter of acceptance from Brock University must be presented at that time.

Registration in co-operative programs is available only to students eligible for employment in Canada in their chosen field.

A pamphlet outlining immigration requirements is available from Canadian immigration officers, Canadian embassies, consulates, high commissioners' offices, and British consular offices or directly from the Immigration Division, Citizenship and Immigration department, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Offers of Admission
Assessment of academic background and eligibility for admission to graduate programs is the responsibility of the Office of Graduate Studies and the specific graduate program. Each graduate program will make recommendations for the acceptance of applicants to the Office of Graduate Studies. The official letter of acceptance will be issued by the Dean of Graduate Studies or his/her designate. Students not recommended for admission to the applied graduate program will also be notified.

Applicants who are offered admission pending receipt of final transcripts must submit official final transcripts to the Office of Graduate Studies before registration in the graduate program is approved.

Some offers of admission may be made with specific conditions attached.

The University may nullify an offer of admission and revoke registration if it finds that an applicant has in the application process provided false or incomplete information.

All students admitted to a funded (non-professional) graduate program will as part of their admission package receive a Graduate Student Financial Support Information Form that outlines the graduate funding package they will receive in year 1 of their graduate program. Additional years of funding will be confirmed prior to each anniversary of the student's start date. The maximum funding duration for the various graduate programs is outlined at: http://www.brocku.ca/gradstudies

Graduate fee information can be found at: http://www.brocku.ca/gradstudies and in the Graduate Calendar, Schedule of Fees.

Students must confirm their acceptance of an offer of admission in writing by mail, fax or email within the time period specified in their offer of admission.

Admission of International Students
International applicants who are considering graduate studies at Brock should not leave for Canada until admission into a graduate program has been confirmed by the Office of Graduate Studies. These applicants should have their status cleared with the appropriate immigration authorities and ensure that they have in their possession a Study Permit Approval Letter issued by Canada Immigration. Because of the time required to complete the immigration formalities and obtain the necessary documentation, applicants are advised that it may take several months from the time of admission to the receipt of a study permit (student visa).

Transfer credits
Students admitted to Graduate studies may be granted transfer credit only at the time of admission to a maximum of one credit (or equivalent) for graduate courses completed at another university that are approved by the graduate program. Only graduate courses completed with a grade of B+ or higher within the last five years will be considered. The request for transfer credit must be made at the time of application. Credit will not be granted for courses which have been credited toward another degree or diploma at Brock or another university. Candidates must submit official transcripts, course descriptions and other supporting documentation before consideration will be given to granting transfer credit.

Advanced Standing
The MBA program will automatically assess a student's transcripts for completed undergraduate credits that would be considered to be equivalent to those normally completed in the first year of the MBA. Subject to the student's performance in the undergraduate courses, up to a maximum of five credits (ten half-credit courses) may be granted as advanced standing credits.