Application FAQ

January 31st is the deadline to be considered for admission and funding. Please note, if you apply after the January 31 deadline there may not be spaces or funding left in the program. Your application cannot be deferred for the following year, nor be transferred to another department.

Yes – If your undergraduate institution only offered a three-year degree and as long as all other criteria have been met, you are eligible to apply.

Yes – As long as you have completed all your current degree requirements by the time the fall semester begins. All prior degrees must be conferred with required standing, prior to your first registration.

No – We only have fall semester admissions.

No – But if you are a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant and accepted into the MA program you will most likely receive some kind of funding package. Your admissible GPA will determine whether you receive a TA position and the level of funding.

Yes – If you are required to do an English language test, you may do so any time before the first day of classes. Alternatively, and in some circumstances, you can complete an English as a second language course during your first semester at Carleton University.

Not at all – If you have not met the Political Theory and/or Research Methods requirement, you may be asked to take them as part of your program. The methods requirement will count towards your degree credits, while the Political Theory requirement will be in addition to the required 5.0 credits of your program.

No – For the application package, you can only upload what is required (transcripts, statement of intent/interest, references and language test if applicable).

No – work experience is different from academic experience, and holds no additional value to your application.

No – The process of finding a faculty member to supervise your thesis or MRP does not usually start until later on into your program. However, if you know a particular faculty member that you would like to work with, feel free to reach out to them at any time.

Not at all – It is perfectly acceptable to be uncertain about which stream you wish to select at the time of applying. This is something that can be discussed once you have been admitted.

Please contact Brookes Fee, the graduate program administrator: Brookes.Fee@carleton.ca

The GPA is calculated using the applicant’s last 10 credits—normally the last 20 courses completed, based on most courses being one semester or 0.5 credits. Credits completed outside the degree will also be counted: the last 10 credits are identified simply by going back in chronological order. In some cases the GPA will be calculated using only PSCI courses or courses closely related to PSCI.  Find out more about Carleton’s Grade Point System.

January 31st is the deadline to apply to be considered for admission and funding. If you apply after January 31, please note that there may not be spaces and/or funding left in the program, and your application will be declined.

Depends – We generally admit students from the various fields and sub-fields of Political Science. If your MA degree was not in Political Science, please contact our graduate office.

No – If your MA degree will be completed by the time our PHD program begins, then we can still admit you with the condition that your MA degree is conferred prior to initial registration.

No – We only offer fall semester admission.

Most likely – If you are a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant, then you will most likely receive a funding package. Many of these funding packages will include a Teaching Assistant position.

Yes – If you are required to do an English language test, you may do so any time before the first day of classes. Alternatively, and in some circumstances, you can complete an English as a second language course here on campus, while in your first semester of regular program studies.

Not at all – If you have not met the Political Theory and/or Research Methods requirement, you will be asked to take them as part of your program. The methods requirement will count towards your elective credits, while the Political Theory requirement will be in addition to the required 10.0 credits of your program.

No – For the application package, you can only upload what is required (transcripts, statement of intent, references and language test, if applicable).

No – While we appreciate work experience, this is different from academic experience, and holds no additional value to your application.

No – Applicants are not expected to have secured a supervisor at the time you apply to the program. This pairing is not usually established until later on into your program. However, if there is a particular faculty member that you would like to work with, feel free to reach out to them at any time during the application process.

Please contact Brookes Fee, the graduate program administrator: Brookes.Fee@carleton.ca

The GPA is calculated using the applicant’s last 10 credits—normally the last 20 courses completed, based on most courses being one semester or 0.5 credits. Credits completed outside the degree will also be counted: the last 10 credits are identified simply by going back in chronological order. In some cases the GPA will be calculated using only PSCI courses or courses closely related to PSCI.  Find out more about Carleton’s Grade Point System.