Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies application information

Program application deadlines

People wishing to enrol in the Master of Arts—Interdisciplinary Studies program must hold a baccalaureate degree (3- or 4-year) from a recognized post-secondary education institution.

The Master of Arts—Interdisciplinary Studies program invites applications from candidates with a baccalaureate degree and strong analytical, writing, and critical-thinking skills. Admission is open, keeping with Athabasca University's mandate to remove "barriers that restrict access to, and success in, university-level studies." Still, some candidates may require additional preparatory work in composition and analysis prior to admission.

There are 3 program intakes per year. All application materials must be received by:

• Jan. 15 for a course start date in spring of the same year
• May 15 for a course start in fall of the same year
• Sept. 15 for a course start in winter of the following year

Please complete all components of the application process before the deadline. We cannot proceed with your file until the application is complete.

Transferring outside credits

It is possible for students to transfer up to 15 credits of graduate study from other universities into the MA-IS program. Typically students are asked to demonstrate how previous work fits into their MA-IS study plans.

Students receiving the maximum number of transfer credits (15) are restricted to the Independent Track route as they will not qualify for a focus area. Students wishing to pursue a focus area will be limited to 12 transfer credits in total. For more detailed information on transferring outside credits, refer to Transfer Credit under Admission requirements in the Calendar.

Application procedures

How to apply

• Create an account as a new user or sign in if a returning user and select the program intake for the Master of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies program.
• Complete all components of the application by the deadline and pay the application fee, which will include the following:

1. Transcripts

Official transcripts must be received directly from the accredited institution(s) by mail, email, or MyCreds. They must include the date of graduation, degrees granted, and any completed courses. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted to finalize the application, but official transcripts will be required before admission is considered.

a. Mailing address:

b. Email address: augradapply@athabascau.ca

Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside Canada or the United States, documentation measuring its equivalence based on Canadian qualifications can be acquired using an evaluation service.

2. Academic writing proficiency requirement

There are minimum English language proficiency requirements allowed for admission to a graduate program at Athabasca University. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.

All students applying for admission into the MA-IS Program students must complete an Academic Writing Assessment as part of the application process.

Success at the graduate level requires reading and writing skills that many MA-IS applicants may not have had an opportunity to develop or practice for a number of years. To help applicants determine their level of proficiency in this area, we have developed an Academic Writing Assessment (AWA) writing diagnostic test. The AWA is designed to help us determine whether applicants are prepared to commence graduate studies, or whether they need to develop or refine their writing and composition skills before beginning, or while they are in the early stages of their studies. We are committed to helping our students succeed, and every effort will be made to ensure that appropriate assistance is provided to those who need to develop or refine their writing and composition skills.

For more information on the Academic Writing Assessment, please go to the AWA website.

3. International students: English language proficiency 

There are minimum English language proficiency requirements allowed for admission to a graduate program at Athabasca University. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the minimum requirements. 

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