Further Education Resources

Thinking about graduate school or professional programs? Not sure where to start or what program type is right for you? The following information can help you start exploring your options.

What are Graduate School Programs?

Graduate school programs can help students…

• Build on the knowledge and skillsets obtained from previous undergraduate or graduate studies
• Provide more opportunities for career advancement, bolster earning potential, and cultivate networks
• Become research and/or industry informed experts in a specialized academic or occupational discipline

Graduate school programs can be grouped into 3 main categories:

• Thesis-Based Programs
• Course-Based Programs
• Professional Programs*

*Professional programs can be offered at any post-secondary level (such as the graduate level or the undergraduate entry level). They can also be thesis-based or course-based.

What are Professional Programs?

Professional programs can help students…

• Enter professions that require licensure
• Acquire specific training that is associated with a particular industry
• Build on their current skillsets as a practicing or aspiring professional in a specific field

Occupations that require licensure are often known as “Regulated Professions.” To become licensed, students will typically complete an accredited and recognized professional training program and register with the applicable regulatory body. In addition to specific professional education requirements, regulatory bodies may also need students to complete competency or ethics exams, character tests, or supervised work experience as part of the licensing criteria. Overall, regulatory bodies protect public interest by ensuring licensed professionals remain competent and continuously adhere to ethical standards.

An example could be a student wanting to become a licensed Audiologist in Ontario. To become licensed, the individual would have to register with the College of Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists of Ontario (the applicable regulatory body) and fulfill all requirements stipulated by the College. These requirements may include the completion of an accredited professional Master’s degree in Audiology, successfully passing any applicable examinations, and fulfilling any other terms as necessary.

If a student would like to become a licensed Audiologist outside of Ontario, they need to consult the applicable regulatory body corresponding to their location of practice.

See below for further examples of Professional Programs associated with Regulated Professions.

Commonalities and Differences Between the Types of Graduate School and Professional Programs:

The following chart can help map out the specific commonalities and differences between Thesis-Based, Course-Based, and Professional Programs

Examples of Graduate School and Professional Programs

Some examples of Thesis-Based Graduate Programs are:

Some examples of Course-Based Graduate Programs are:

Some common examples of Professional Degrees associated with regulated professions in Ontario are:

• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) to become a Professional Engineer
• Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Teacher Education to become a Teacher for Grades K-12
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing to become a Registered Nurse
• Bachelor or Master of Social Work (BSW or MSW) to become a Registered Social Worker
• Juris Doctor (JD) to become a licensed Lawyer
• Master of Science (MSc) in Physiotherapy to become a licensed Physiotherapist
• Master of Science (MSc) in Speech Language Pathology to become a licensed Speech Therapist
• Doctor of Medicine (MD) to become a licensed Physician or Surgeon
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) to become a licensed Pharmacist
• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) to become a licensed Veterinarian
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology to become a Registered Psychologist

 *If you would like to learn how to determine if a profession is regulated or how to determine if a program is recognized by a regulatory body, please consult our FAQs page below.

Examples of Good Websites to Use When Researching Graduate School and Professional Programs:

• universitystudy.ca: Research graduate and professional programs across Canada based on your field of interest.
• MastersPortal.com: Research graduate and professional programs around the world based on your field of interest.

CU Graduate Studies

There are many professional programs in Ontario and across Canada that can prepare you for specific occupations requiring licensure. Below are handouts pertaining to common professional schools and training programs. Each handout contains a list of recognized programs associated with a particular regulated profession as well as supplementary links to applicable regulatory bodies, accreditation committees, professional associations, and preparation resources for relevant admission tests. Consider using these handouts as a starting point when exploring professional program options. If you have questions about a particular professional program or occupation that is not listed below, please contact Career Services. A staff member would be happy to help.

• Architectural Professional Programs
• Audiology
• Clinical Psychology
• Dentistry
• Dieticians
• Genetic Counselling
• Law School
• Medical School
• Occupational Therapy
• Optometry
• Pharmacy
• Physician Assistant
• Physiotherapy
• Planning
• Psychotherapy (Counselling Psychology)
• Social Work
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Teacher Education
• Veterinary Medicine

This page will provide you with an overview of some requirements, eligibility, and application tips to keep in mind when applying to common professional school programs.

If you have questions about a particular professional program or occupation that is not listed below, please contact Career Services. A staff member would be happy to help.

Medical School
Law School
Teacher Education

Whether you are a current Carleton student or alumni, you may be contemplating career fields that require graduate school or professional programs. There are many factors to consider when researching and comparing your options. The purpose of this video tutorial will help you answer the question “What do I need to know?” as you prepare your applications for further education.

If you would like to transition to a particular topic found in this video, consider using the following chapter sections and corresponding timestamps.

Chapters:

• 0:00 Intro-Apply to Graduate and Professional Studies: What do I need to know?
• 1:23 Defining the purpose of graduate school and professional programs
• 14:07 Factors to consider before applying:
• 20:03 How to research and apply to programs
• 38:41 Next Steps
• 40:05 How Carleton University Career Services can help

This video was last updated in August 2023.

Applying to graduate school or professional programs can be overwhelming at times. It is important to start preparing as soon as possible.

To help pace yourself during the application process, consider using the following timeline as a guide*.

*Please note, this is only a proposed timeline based on how soon you should start preparing your applications. Admission requirements vary depending on the school and some program applications require more preparation time than others. Regardless of when you would like to apply, your main priority should be giving yourself enough time to meet eligibility criteria and bolster the competitiveness of your applications.

Coming soon!

Part 1-What Do I Need to Know

Thinking about graduate school or professional studies? Getting ready to apply? Not sure where to start? Consider attending our workshop “Applying to Graduate and Professional Studies Part 1-What Do I Need to Know?” 

This workshop will help attendees, in any year standing or program, think about:

• Things to consider before applying to graduate school or professional programs
• How to research/compare schools and requirements
• Key timelines for applying (hint: it’s earlier than people think!)
• How to decide which offer to accept when there are multiple offers
• How Career Services can help you with the consideration of graduate schools or professional programs

This session is open to both current students and alumni.

Interested? Check the Co-op and Careers Events/Workshop Calendar on mySuccess to see when this workshop will be offered next.

Part 2-Application Documents

Are you starting to prepare your application to graduate school or professional studies? Not sure how to organize your documents or satisfy certain admission requirements? Consider attending our workshop “Applying to Graduate and Professional Studies Part 2-Application Documents?” 

This workshop will help attendees, in any year standing or program, think about:

• Writing a high-quality personal statement that meets the required criteria
• The differences between a CV and resume and when to use either one appropriately
• Securing the right professional and academic references
• Preparing for standardized admissions tests (if applicable)

There will also be time during the session to work on your personal statement/letter of intent or application and receive support and feedback.

This session is open to both current students and alumni

Interested? Check the Co-op and Careers Events/Workshop Calendar on mySuccess to see when this workshop will be offered next.

mySuccess Co-op and Career Events and Workshops Calendar

This answer will depend on the applicant. Each school will have unique features. Some schools may offer smaller class sizes, some schools may provide more financial aid options, or some schools may have exclusive partnerships with certain employers. Overall, we recommend that you reflect on what is important to you in terms of a student experience and explore which schools would fulfill these expectations. Consider using this checklist when conducting your research and making an informed decision.

See our “Defining Graduate School and Professional Programs” section for further information.

This answer will depend on your personal circumstances. Some students prefer to start a graduate school or professional program immediately after earning their undergraduate degree and some prefer to take a gap period between degrees. Either option is perfectly okay!

Students may choose the first option because they do not want to lose their “academic momentum” (such as good study habits, time-management skills, or self-discipline). Other students may choose the second option because they need the break to prepare. Undergraduate programs are challenging enough as it is and graduate school and professional program schedules can be even more demanding (and expensive).  Some students may just feel more comfortable starting a new program after they had a chance to recharge, pay down some debts, and ensure they have the right personal and financial supports in place. Overall, it is important to make an informed decision that is best for you.

This answer will depend on the program. Most graduate school and professional programs require a candidate to have a 4-year undergraduate degree (honours preferably) whereas some will still accept a 3-year general undergraduate degree. Also, some programs may only require a partially completed undergraduate degree or offer qualifying year options for applicants who do not meet the minimum education requirements. It is important to do your research and reflect on whether your undergraduate degree will make you both eligible and competitive when applying to different schools.

This answer will depend on the program. Many thesis-based graduate and professional research programs require or prefer applicants to complete an honours undergraduate thesis. If you are unable to complete this potential admission requirement, you should confirm if a school would accept alternative ways to demonstrate your research skills such as: completing an honours research project course or working as a research assistant. It is important to do your research and plan accordingly.

A regulated profession is a profession that requires licensure such as a Physician or Lawyer. Licencing requirements are determined by an applicable regulatory body.

In terms of regulated professions, a regulatory body oversees the licensing process for an occupation in a particular geographical area. The regulatory body determines the licensing requirements and protects public interest by ensuring licensed professionals remain competent and continuously adhere to ethical standards. For instance, the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia oversees the licensing process of all dentists practicing in British Columbia and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario oversees the licensing process of all dentists practicing in Ontario.

This answer will depend on where you would like to work. In Canada, certain professions are regulated in some provinces and territories but not in others. Job Bank is a good resource to use when verifying if a profession is regulated or not. If the profession is regulated in a particular province or territory, the website will generate a list of applicable regulatory bodies. See the screenshot below for an example of how to determine if Physiotherapy is regulated in Canada, where it is regulated, and what are the applicable regulatory bodies to consult.  

This answer will depend on the regulatory body that would provide your license. Each regulatory body will have a public website listing the licensing requirements for each regulated profession they oversee. These licensing requirements will indicate which types of professional programs will be acceptable.

Academic admission prerequisites are spefcific courses that must be taken before starting a graduate school or professional program. For instance, some Schools of Dentistry may require applicants to take certain undergraduate courses in sciences, math, and social sciences as part of their admission criteria. Academic admission prerequisites for certain programs may vary across schools so it is important to do your research and plan accordingly.

This answer will depend on the program and what grade point scale is used. Some programs may use an applicant’s cumulative grade point average. Other programs may use an applicant’s best 20 grades or grades obtained during their last 2 years of study (typically the last 20 courses taken). Majority of programs will have a minimum admission average that an applicant must meet. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Overall, it is important to do your research, understand how your grades could be converted using a particular grade point scale, plan accordingly, and apply to programs where your admission average will be as competitive as possible.

An academic reference is provided by a faculty member who has taught an applicant at the post-secondary level. A professional reference is provided by a supervisor or colleague who has worked with an applicant. Both types of referees will be asked to comment on an applicant’s academic fortitude and professional qualities needed to handle the expectations and demanding schedule of graduate school or professional programs.

This answer will depend on the program. Most schools will have confidential reference forms with specific questions for your referees to answer. When you are ready to apply, the schools will typically forward these confidential reference forms to the professional email addresses of your referees. It is important to research the admission instructions and deadlines for each school to understand how and when your referees will provide their input.

A personal statement is a common admission requirement for most graduate school and professional programs. It typically consists of a short essay where an applicant can articulate their career goals and inspirations, their academic and professional qualifications, and why they are interested in a particular school and program. It is important to research the specific personal statement criteria for each school you are applying to and plan accordingly.

View our personal statement checklist or visit 401 Tory to meet with a Career Consultant to get tips on how to start writing your personal statement and what info to include.

A personal statement and a letter of intent are terms used interchangeably when applying to further education. However, the content can differ between these two types of application documents. A letter of intent or interest is usually for academic and research-focused programs. It focuses on an applicant’s relevant academic and research experiences while representing their intellectual interest in the program and fit with potential research supervisors.

A personal statement is usually for professional or course-based programs. It highlights an applicant’s personal and professional competencies, motivations, knowledge, and interests related to their fit within a particular industry.

Some graduate school and professional programs may require applicants to submit an autobiographical sketch. This will be a document that showcases your educational experience, work experience, volunteer experience, extra-curricular involvement and community involvement that could be relevant to the program you are applying to.

See our “Resume or CV” section for further information.

Consider the following resource links when preparing for common admission tests. If you have questions about a particular admission test that is not listed below, please contact Career Services. A staff member would be happy to help

• LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
• OAT(Optometry Admission Test)
• DAT (Dental Aptitude Test)
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
• GRE (Graduate Records Examination) 
• CASPer Test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) 

*Consult Career Services for additional practice resources and workshops that could be available on campus or in the local area.

• OSAP
• Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant opportunities
• Bank loans and student lines of credit
• Scholarships – look for scholarship options specific to your program, visit school websites or some of the links below:

• • StudentAwards.com
  • ScholarshipsCanada.com
  • SchoolFinder.com