This section presents the requirements for programs in:

• M.A. Canadian Studies
• M.A. Canadian Studies with Specialization in Digital Humanities
• Ph.D. Canadian Studies
• Ph.D. Canadian Studies with Specialization in Political Economy

Regulations

The minimum requirements for the master's program are outlined in the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

The School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies specifies that all candidates must select one of the following three program patterns:

• 4.0 credits of coursework
• 3.0 credits plus a 1.0 credit research essay
• 2.0 credits plus a 2.0 credit thesis

Students must declare their option as coursework, thesis, or research essay no later than the end of the second term of registration for students enrolled full-time, and no later than the end of the fifth term of registration for students enrolled part-time. For students beginning their program in September the deadline is the following April 30, and for students starting in January the deadline is the following August 31.

Regulations

Consult the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Doctoral candidates must successfully complete 10.0 credits. Candidates with deficiencies in certain areas may be admitted to the Ph.D. program, but normally will be required to complete additional work.

Academic Standing
All Ph.D. candidates must obtain at least B+ standing or better (GPA 9.0) in each course counted towards the degree. Comprehensive examinations (which will be graded on a Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory or Pass with Distinction basis) are exempted from this required standing.

Admission

Applicants to the M.A. Canadian Studies are required to hold a B.A. Honours (or the equivalent), with at least high honours standing.

Accelerated Pathway

The accelerated pathway in the M.A. in Canadian Studies is a flexible and individualized plan of graduate study for students in their final year of a Carleton M.A. in Canadian Studies.

Students in their third-year of study in the B.A. Honours Canadian Studies degree or the B.A. Combined Honours in Indigenous Studies degree should consult with both the Undergraduate Supervisor and the Graduate Supervisor to determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses for their final year of undergraduate studies. 

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

1. CDNS courses at the 5000-level with a grade of B+ or higher
2.  Minimum overall CGPA of A-

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

Qualifying Year

Applicants who do not qualify for direct admission to the master's program may, in exceptional cases, be admitted to a qualifying-year program. However, admission to the qualifying-year program does not imply automatic admission to the master's program. At the end of the qualifying-year program the student will be required to apply for entry into the master's program, at which time the School will determine the student's eligibility to enter the program.

Proficiency in English

Proficiency in English is necessary to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University. All applicants whose first language is not English must satisfy this requirement by presenting a TOEFL score of 600 or higher.

Language Requirement
The School requires a reading knowledge of French. This is a program requirement and not an admission requirement. This requirement may be satisfied in the following ways:

• Successful completion of FINS 3105 or its equivalent (with a grade of B- or better).
• Successful completion of a French language examination.
• Alternatively, a student may fulfill this requirement with a demonstrated knowledge of an Aboriginal language.
• The School conducts the French language examinations in September and January. Students choosing the first option should note that examination results in these courses form part of their record, although they are additional to the course requirements for the degree.

Admission

Admission to the Ph.D. Canadian Studies requires a master's degree (or equivalent), with at least high honours standing in Canadian Studies or one of the disciplines represented in the School. Applicants should note, however, that meeting the admission requirement does not guarantee admission to the program.

The Ph.D. program in Canadian Studies normally will be undertaken on a full-time basis. In cases of exceptional merit, the School will accept a few candidates for the degree on a part-time basis.

Language Requirement
All doctoral students are required to pass the Ph.D. program's language test. The language test entails the translation into English of a French text (or a text in another approved language such as an Aboriginal language indigenous to Canada or another language if it is demonstrably relevant to their research interest). The language test is two hours long, and students are permitted to use a dictionary. Grades for the language test are Pass or Fail.

Students who have taken a language test as a requirement for their M.A. cannot use it to meet the Ph.D. language requirement. In order to establish equal treatment of all students, all doctoral candidates will be required to pass the Ph.D. language test.