Graduate Admission Requirements

Graduate Admission Requirements

Normal requirement for admission to the M.A. program is an honours degree in History, with at least a 75% average in undergraduate History courses. Although it is possible, and desirable, for fully qualified students to complete the Master's program in History in one calendar year (three terms in residence), some students choose a two year program. This basic level of admission is known as the II Master's program.

History graduates with a three-year degree, and honours graduates in fields other than History, will be considered on the basis of their academic background and standing; those with less than an honours degree will be required to enter a two year program (I Master's, Qualifying).

Students with an Honour's degree in another discipline will normally be required to take up to one year of undergraduate courses in History (II Master's, Candidate). The first year of these two-year programs is similar to the fourth year of honours undergraduate studies: normally the student carries a full load of ten senior level undergraduate courses. These courses may be specified in the Letter of Admission, and are selected in consultation with the graduate counsellor.

After completion of the first year of this program, a student's performance is reviewed by the Graduate Committee and a recommendation is made to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, regarding admission to the candidate year, i.e. the regular one year program.

Preparing and Submitting your application to the program

Please note that you will be asked to supply the following materials with your formal application:

• an undergraduate transcript
• two Confidential Reports; these are letters of recommendation, from the professors who know your academic work best
• a one-page statement of purpose This is an outline of your historical interests: the place(s), time period(s) and theoretical and methodological approach(es) you find most interesting. If you already know what you hope to focus on in your research, this is the place to express your intention. The purpose of this statement is to help the faculty members who examine the application to know whether or not the program is appropriate to your interests.
• a sample of your writing; normally a paper written for a senior undergraduate course.

Due dates: Applications for admission in September are reviewed until July 1st. However applicants who wish to be considered for Graduate Assistantship funding should apply much earlier, to ensure full consideration for scholarships.

Applications for January admission are due November 1st.

Submit your formal application online at the Grad Studies website under Future Students >  Apply Online.

Application forms and copies of the graduate calendar are available through the University website: www.uwindsor.ca/grad or at the following address:

Liaison and Applicant Services, Graduate Division
University of Windsor
Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4