FAQs

If, after reading the information on our website, you still have questions, please contact:

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires that students complete their Masters degree in a maximum of 5 years and their Ph.D. degree in a maximum of 6 years.

Having a specific research topic is most helpful for M.A. and Ph.D. applicants, but not required. Applicants should have an area of research interest in mind when applying.

A student must have completed a recognized teacher education program.

December 1st. Late applications will not be accepted.
Student applications for all programs are considered once per year.

Unfortunately, we receive too many applications to follow up with each one. It is your responsibility to ensure your application is complete and submitted on time. Applicants should check their online application for the status of their references which are due by December 15.

A minimum of 3 years' work experience or volunteer experience working with people in a facilitating or helping context.
A helping context consists of a paid or unpaid role in which the person nurtures the growth of or addresses the problems of a person's physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional or spiritual well-being.

Examples of helping roles include: crisis line volunteer, employment and/or addictions counselling experience, summer camp counsellor, youth shelter volunteer, transition house volunteer, adult day centre volunteer, child and baby clinic volunteer.

Canadian & US Applicants:
All 300 and 400-level courses completed in a 4-year Bachelor’s degree with a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC) is required according to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies . However, admission to the program is competitive and often a greater average is required in order to be considered. The competitive average shifts from year to year based on applicants' academic profiles.

International Applicants:
Please check the Graduate Studies website: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/application-admission/minimum-academic-requirements-international-credentials since minimum requirements are based on where you completed your degree.

All Master's programs are available on a part-time basis, with the exception of the School Psychology Program.
It is the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies' policy that no doctoral program may be taken by part-time studies.

Currently, graduate programs are not available through distance education. Information on distance education programs are offered through the Faculty of Education's Professional Development & Community Engagement office.

Generally, a Master's degree that includes a thesis is required to apply to a doctoral program. Applicants must show evidence of having conducted a research project of the caliber of a graduate degree thesis in lieu of having done a thesis.

Doctoral students in SPED, HDLC, MERM and SACP are expected to complete residency of 12 consecutive months of full-time study and this period of study will normally begin at the start of their doctoral program. For CNPS students to meet deadlines for comprehensive examinations and candidacy, the department requires students to be engaged in full time study for a minimum of two calendar years. This means engaging in paid work not connected to your graduate program for less than 12 hours per week.

Visit the faculty directory page for ECPS faculty scholarly interests.