This section presents the requirements for programs in:

• M.A. Migration and Diaspora Studies
• M.A. Migration and Diaspora Studies with Collaborative Specialization in African Studies
• M.A. Migration and Diaspora Studies with Collaborative Specialization in Climate Change
• M.A. Migration and Diaspora Studies with Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
• Graduate Diploma in Migration and Diaspora Studies

Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Regularly Scheduled Break

For immigration purposes, the summer term (May to August) for the M.A. Migration and Diaspora Studies, including all concentrations and specializations, is considered a regularly scheduled break approved by the University. Students should resume full-time studies in September.

Note:  a Regularly Scheduled Break as described for immigration purposes does not supersede the requirement for continuous registration in Thesis, Research Essay, or Independent Research Project as described in Section 8.2 of the Graduate General Regulations.

Admission Requirements

M.A. Migration and Diaspora Studies

The normal requirement for admission to the Master's program is an Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent), with at least a B+ average.

For admission to the program, applicants should normally possess a four-year undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a humanities or social sciences discipline or interdisciplinary program. Previous coursework in Migration and Diaspora Studies is an asset. Practical experience working with migrant or diaspora issues will also be taken into consideration.

Accelerated Pathway

The accelerated pathway in Migration and Diaspora Studies is a flexible and individualized plan of graduate study for students in their final year of a Carleton University undergraduate degree.

Students in their third year of study in a Carleton University undergraduate degree should consult with both the Undergraduate Advisor in their program of study and the Migration and Diaspora Studies Program Director 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. At least 1.0 credit in Migration and Diaspora Studies elective courses (5000-level 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.

Admission Requirements for Diploma in Migration and Diaspora Studies (Type 2)

• Enrolment in a Master's or Doctoral degree program at Carleton University.
• Letter of support from the student's supervisor or, if no supervisor has been assigned, a faculty member in the home program.
• A 1-2 page statement of interest from the applicant outlining the reasons for wishing to enrol in the Migration and Diaspora Studies Diploma program.

Admissions Requirements for Diploma in Migration and Diaspora Studies (Type 3)

• An Honours Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline, with an average of B+ or higher. University transcripts must be submitted as part of the application.
• A 1-2 page statement of interest from the applicant outlining the reasons for wishing to enrol in the Migration and Diaspora Studies Diploma program.
• An academic letter of recommendation. In addition, students with relevant professional or practical experience may submit a letter from their supervisor/employer.

Co-operative Education

For information about how to apply for the Co-op program and how the Co-op program works, visit the Co-op website.

All graduate students participating in the Co-op program are governed by this Graduate Co-operative Education Policy.

Application Requirements

Graduate students are encouraged to apply to the Co-op Program during their first term of studies. Alternatively, students may delay their participation until later on, provided that they have mandatory credits remaining for degree completion.

Participation Requirements

Graduate students:

• must be registered as full-time before they begin their co-op job search and their co-op work term.
• will be registered in a Co-op Work Term course while at work. This course does not carry academic course credit, but is noted on academic transcripts.
• may register in a 0.5 credit during a work term, provided the course is offered during the evening or is offered asynchronously online.
• are not permitted to hold a Teaching Assistantship while on a co-op work term. Where eligible, Teaching Assistantships will be deferred to a later term.
• in receipt of internal or external scholarships should contact the Faculty of Graduate and Post-Doctoral Affairs to discuss the possible funding implications of being on a co-op work term
• must have mandatory courses left to complete following their final co-op work term. In cases where the graduate student has just a 0.5 credit left, he or she may request permission of the Co-op Office to complete this course during the work term.

Co-op Participation Agreement

All graduate students must adhere to the policies found within the Co-op Participation Agreement.

Communication with the Co-op Office

Graduate students must maintain regular contact with the Co-op Office during their job search and while on a work term. All email communication will be conducted via the student’s Carleton email account.

Graduation with the Co-op Designation

In order to graduate with the Co-op Designation, graduate students must satisfy all requirements of the degree program in addition to the successful completion of two work terms.  Students found in violation of the Co-op Participation Agreement may have the Co-op Designation withheld. 

Employment

Although every effort is made to ensure a sufficient number of job postings for all Co-op students, no guarantee of employment can be made. The Co-op job search process is competitive, and success is dependent upon factors such as current market conditions, academic performance, skills, motivation, and level of commitment to the job search. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for positions via the Co-op job board in addition to actively conducting a self-directed job search. Students who do not obtain a co-op work term are expected to continue with their academic studies. It should be noted that hiring priority for positions within the Federal Government of Canada is given to Canadian citizens.

Work Term Assessment and Evaluation

Work Term Evaluation

Employers are responsible for submitting to Carleton University final performance evaluations for their Co-op students at the end of their work terms.

Work Term Assessment

In order to successfully complete the co-op work term, graduate students must receive a Satisfactory (SAT) grade on their Co-op Work Term Report, which they must submit at the completion of each four-month work term.

Voluntary Withdrawal from the Co-op Option

Students who are currently on a co-op work term or who have already committed to a co-op work term either verbally or in writing may not leave the position and/or withdraw from the co-op option until they have completed the requirements of the work term.

Involuntary or Required Withdrawal from the Co-op Option

Graduate students may be removed from the Co-op Program for any of the following reasons:

1. Failure to attend all interviews for positions to which the student has applied;
2. Declining more than one job offer during the job search;
3. Reneging on a co-op position that the student has accepted either verbally or in writing;
4. Continuing a job search after accepting a co-op position;
5. Dismissal from a work term by the co-op employer;
6. Leaving a work term without approval from the Co-op Management Team;
7. Receipt of an unsatisfactory work term evaluation;
8. Receiving a grade of UNS on the work term report;

International Students

All Graduate International Students are required to possess a Co-op Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before they can begin working. The Co-operative Education Office will provide students  with a letter of support to accompany their Co-op Work Permit application. Students are advised to discuss the application process and application requirements with the International Student Services Office.

Co-op Fees

All participating Co-op students are required to pay Co-op fees. For full details, please see the Co-op website.

Migration and Diaspora Studies
Co-operative Education Option

Students are encouraged to apply for admission to the Co-operative Education Program by the end of their first term of academic study.

To be eligible for admission to Co-op, students must:

1. be enrolled in the M.A. in Migration and Diaspora Studies;
2. have successfully completed, by the start-date of the first work term, 2.0 credits of required courses which must include:
   1. MGDS 5001 [0.5] MA Core Seminar: Migration and Diaspora Studies
   2. an additional 0.5 credit in 5000-level MGDS, excluding MGDS 5101
3. be registered as a full-time student in each academic term prior to a work term;
4. be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work terms)

For more information, please refer to the Co-operative Education Policy.