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Queen's University
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Students


I want to apply to Queen's University for graduate studies. How do I get started?

All applicants make initial inquiries to the department to which they wish to apply. This can be done by calling Queen's University at 613-533-6000 or by corresponding with the department through their website contact information or pre-application process.

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Can I pay the application fee by credit card?

If you are applying on-line, you MUST pay by credit card (Mastercard or Visa only). However, we do not accept credit card payment with the paper application. You must submit a cheque or money order for the amount of the application fee along with your paper application package.

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What degree programs are available at Queen's University?

Departments in the School of Graduate Studies offer programs of study leading to the following degrees:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Arts (M.A. )
  • Master of Art Conservation (M.A.C.)
  • Master of Education (M.Ed.)
  • Master of Industrial Relations (M.I.R.)
  • Master of Laws (LL.M.)
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA)
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)
  • Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  • Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (M.Sc [O.T.])
  • Master of Science in Physical Therapy (M.Sc.[P.T.])
  • Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.)
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning (M.PL.)
  • Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
  • Master of Environmental Studies (MES)
  • Master of Public Health (MPH)

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When should I apply?

All departments of the School of Graduate Studies have internal deadlines. Consult the departmental information (PDF*, 17 KB) for the specific deadline.

International applicants are advised that they should allow at least six months for the completed application to be considered. International students will need time to assemble the required transcripts, letters of recommendation and, where applicable, scores from standardized examinations (TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, etc.).

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I have been in the workforce for several years and have lost contact with my previous instructors. Can I submit work references instead of academic references?

One or more professional recommendations may be included, however, all effort should be made to include at least one academic recommendation.

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I have only one copy of my transcript and it is difficult to obtain copies from my university. May I submit a photocopy of it?

If submitting a copy of a transcript it must be notarized. This requires that you take your original transcript to a notary public and have official notarized copies made. These must have the original signature and seal of the notary public when submitted with your application.

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The application deadline is fast approaching and I have not received back the recommendation letters/transcripts. May I submit them later?

It is important that your application be submitted as a package. However, it is understood that in exceptional circumstances some documentation may be late in arriving. In these cases you may submit it late and we will match it with your other documentation. Please ensure that your full name and reference number is visible on the outside of the document.

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I have submitted my completed application. Now what happens?

On-line applicants are sent an email when the application is received and credit card payment has been processed, and another email when all required documentation has been received.

Graduate applications are processed in the following manner:

  1. The graduate department reviews each application
  2. The graduate department then recommends selected applicants for admission to the School of Graduate Studies
  3. The School verifies the credentials of the applicant and, if admissible, will issue an official letter of acceptance

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Where can I get information on the status of my application?

If you applied online, you can log in to the Application Status Manager for information on the status of your application. For applicants who applied by paper, you must contact the department of interest directly.

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If I get accepted, when will studies begin?

Many graduate programs allow entry in September, January and May. Graduate students remain continuously enrolled in programs and are expected to be making academic progress in all three terms each year (Fall term: September-December; Winter term: January-April; Spring/Summer Term: May-August).

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If I get accepted, what else do I need to know?

If you applied online, you will be sent an email directing you to the online application site, where you can log in to your Application Status Manager and review our offer of admission. This online letter includes details of registration as soon as these are available. If you replied on paper, this offer of admission letter will be mailed to the mailing address on the form. If you require information about Tuition Fees, Registration and Preregistration, Sessional dates, or if you wish to take a campus tour, please consult the Queen's University Office of the University Registrar.

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May I apply to more than one graduate program?

You may apply to for more than one graduate program, but you must submit a complete application, (either the online application with all required supporting documentation, or the paper application, with all required supporting documentation) and pay the application fee, for each program to which you apply.

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I'm a full-time graduate student but I need to change to be a part-time student. How do I make this change?

You should first talk to your supervisor and the Graduate Assistant in your graduate program. A formal recommendation, as a letter, is needed by the School of Graduate Studies from your program that details your academic program and progress to date. This recommendation should be provided to the Director of Admissions and Student Services in the School of Graduate Studies by emailing grad.studies@queensu.ca, calling the School at 613-533-6100 (internally, extension 36100) or dropping the letter off at the School on the fourth floor of Gordon Hall, 74 Union Street.

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I need to take maternity or paternity leave. What do I do?

You can change your registration status to "inactive" for up to two terms. Keep in mind that both parents are entitled to parental leave and mothers are entitled to a maternity leave. Leaves are usually taken during the first year of the child's life. A fee waiver for the period of the leave is granted through the School of Graduate Studies. Your eligibility for financial support through the School will be extended by the period of time taken for the leave. Please check with any outside funding agency that may be providing you with awards for any regulations the agency may have regarding leaves. 

Please complete a Change in Status form (PDF*, 56 KB) and provide the completed form to the Director, Admissions and Student Services by email to grad.studies@queensu.ca, or drop it off at the School on the fourth floor of Gordon Hall, 74 Union Street.

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I'm hoping to get some financial support to present a paper at a conference. Where can I turn for financial help to attend?

Talk to your supervisor or the Graduate Assistant in your graduate program. Each graduate program receives funding from the School of Graduate Studies to assist students who need to travel to present a paper at a conference. Graduate programs also provide funding in some cases. Presenting conference papers is an important part of graduate studies and is encouraged whenever possible.

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I need to improve my presentation skills. Is there help at Queen's?

Yes, you can find support and assistance through academic support services at Queen's. The Learning Strategies Development Centre in particular offers workshops and support for graduate students.

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I am having a hard time writing my thesis or dissertation. What resources can I turn to for assistance and support?

Contact the Queen's Libraries and/or the Learning Strategies Development service. Help is available, for example, through a Thesis Support Group run by Learning Strategies Development.

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Who can supervise or co-supervise graduate students?

All research graduate students must have a supervisor. The supervisor must be a faculty member at Queen's who is a member of the School of Graduate Studies.  A co-supervisor is either a faculty member at Queen's who is a member of the School of Graduate Studies or who has been given permission to co-supervise by the School. Adjunct or term faculty and faculty from other universities cannot sole supervise a graduate student and can only act as a co-supervisor.

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Where do I turn if I have a problem with my supervisor?

First, resolution of an issue should initially be sought through informal departmental channels. Find out your graduate program's departmental procedures on dealing with issues or problems.

A discussion of the problem should occur first between you and your supervisor or supervisory committee. If the issue cannot be resolved there, you should consult the Graduate Coordinator and/or the Department Head to seek possible resolution.

If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, assistance can be requested of the Associate Dean(s) of the School of Graduate Studies. In consultation with the student, the Dean may elect to appoint an advisory committee to help resolve the issue. All consultations in the Departmental and School of Graduate Studies are kept confidential and no direct action should be taken without the prior consent of the student.

Resolution of the issue can also be sought through the University’s Grievance Procedures, which include informal, administrative and formal channels. The Queen’s Senate Statement on Grievance, Discipline and Related Matters and the University’s Grievance and Appeal Procedures document should be consulted. Note that, unless warranted by unusual circumstances, no interruptions to a student's academic program may be put into effect until all channels of appeal or grievance have been exhausted, or the time for appeal has been allowed to lapse.

Students may also seek the advice and counsel from the SGPS Advisors. For more details on each of the advisors go to the SGPS website at http://www.sgps.ca/services/advisors.html or email them on studentadvisors@sgps.ca

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