PAPM Academic Advising – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let’s be honest: navigating degree requirements, credit hours, and university policies can sometimes feel like trying to solve a maze without a map. Whether you’re a first-year student trying to decode your first course registration or a senior double-checking that you’ve crossed every “t” before graduation, we know it’s a lot to manage.

This FAQ page is your go-to guide for those “wait, how does this work?” moments. We’ve rounded up the most common questions to help you clear the fog and get back to what actually matters – your learning and your future.

What courses do I need to take during my first-year?

You may find this page helpful First-year course selection guide

Can you lead me through the first-year registration process step by step?

This answer is coming soon.

What courses I need to be taking for my specialization each year?

The PAPM Year-by-year guide is updated each year before the registration opens. Please find the latest copy here PAPM Year-by-Year Guide

I am looking for specialization or stream elective courses, but they are either not offered this year or are full. Is there a way to take other courses as a replacement?

Taking courses as replacements for your specialization or stream electives is sometimes allowed if the required options are not available. You can select a course at the same level as the required elective courses (usually 3000 or 4000 level), the course has to be relevant to your specialization or stream. Check if you meet the prerequisites for the course and if it works with your timetable. Once this is done, fill out this form. The PAPM Program Director will review the form and you will receive your response within a couple of days.

Note: even though the course is approved as a replacement by PAPM, the department offering the course makes the final decision, whether to allow you to register for the course.

Is there a list of courses that were approved as replacements for this term already?

This answer is coming soon.

I am having trouble navigating my language requirement. Can you map this process for me, please?

This answer is coming soon. In the meantime please fill out this form to help us know where you stand.

I am a fourth-year student planning to graduate. How can I make sure that I have fulfilled all the program requirements?

If you are planning to graduate this year, please check your audit. There are several things you need to pay attention to:

1. If you are registered for all the necessary courses to fulfill the program requirements, your audit will state ALL REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED

If it doesn’t state this, but you know that you have fulfilled the requirements, your audit may need adjustment. Please reach out to bpapm@carleton.ca.

One other reason why your audit may not display this note is that you have not fulfilled the co-op requirement. In this case, please reach out to your co-op advisor.

2. Please also look at the bottom of your audit, there may be some courses set aside there

Some courses are set aside because you have repeated them, some because of the failing grade. However, if you see some courses set aside as excess, you may need to discuss this with the PAPM Academic Advising.

I have not found my question here. How can I reach the PAPM Academic Advising?