Master's (MA) - School of Canadian Studies

The Master of Arts (MA) in Canadian Studies is one of the oldest graduate programmes at Carleton University, with the first MA thesis going back to the early 1970s, and over 260 written since then. By 2003, the MA courses were organized around four interdisciplinary research areas: Aboriginal Studies and the North; Women’s Studies, after 2009 changed to Gender Studies; Canadian Cultural Studies and Cultural Policy; and Heritage Conservation. Each of these research areas has a unique history in the School’s evolution and in helping foster related new programmes across the university.

To see a list of all graduate courses offered through the School, follow this link.

For a full overview of the program, see the SCS MA Program Guidelines Revised JAN 2023

For further information on the MA program, please contact: Jennifer Henderson, Graduate Supervisor Jennifer.Henderson@carleton.ca

Admissions

Applicants are required to hold an Honours B.A. (or the equivalent), normally with an A- average, in a subject area related to Canadian Studies or Indigenous Studies. Possession of the minimum entrance standing is not in itself, however, an assurance of admission into the program.

In addition to transcripts and letters of reference, application packages will include a statement of interest and a representative academic writing sample.

We recommend applicants explore the webpages of faculty members in advance of applying. SCS faculty research areas, related courses and publications are described on their individual SCS webpages. Applicants interested in the heritage conservation specialization, in particular, should contact appropriate faculty members to discuss this specialization.

M.A. Application Deadline

Applications are being accepted – Deadline is February 1 to be guaranteed consideration for funding for the fall semester.

Request application account

Accelerated Pathway

Students in their third-year of study in the B.A. Honours Canadian Studies degree should consult with both the Undergraduate Supervisor and the Graduate Supervisor to determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses for their final year of undergraduate studies.

Digital Humanities

Canadian Studies, in conjunction with a new collaborating MA in Digital Humanities, offers a program designed to add value to the existing MA in Canadian Studies by offering courses focused on the rapidly growing field of digital humanities. Applicants must already be enrolled in the MA in Canadian Studies and, upon completion of their degree, they will obtain an MA in Canadian Studies with a designated concentration in Digital Humanities. For more information, go to Digital Humanities.

Qualifying Year Program

Applicants who do not qualify for direct admission to the master’s program may, in exceptional cases, be admitted to a qualifying-year program. Admission to the qualifying-year program does not imply automatic admission to the master’s program. At the end of the qualifying-year program, the student will be required to apply for entry into the master’s program, at which time the School will determine the student’s eligibility to enter the program.

Donner Exemption

The Aboriginal Studies and the North program area was initiated through a grant from the Donner Foundation. Students in this program area research a wide range of cultural, economic and political issues concerning First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities as well as Northern Canada. Although the same admission conditions and requirements apply as in other areas of the master’s program, here special consideration for admission may be granted to candidates who have extensive knowledge of the North and/or Aboriginal peoples.

More details

Funding

You may be offered a funding package as part of your offer of admission to the program. Admissions funding packages can include scholarship funding and employment opportunities. Unlike other types of funding, you do not apply independently of your application to the program for an admission funding package or any of its constituent elements. Rather, any applications received by the annual February 1^stdeadline are automatically considered for an admissions funding offer. Admissions funding packages may include the following elements: Departmental Scholarships, Domestic Entrance Scholarships, Endowment Awards, Teaching Assistantships, and Research Assistantships. For more information, see the SCS MA Program Guidelines Revised JAN 2023 . In addition to admissions funding packages, the following awards are available to students enrolled in the program:

SCS Donor-Funded Awards

Davidson Dunton Memorial Student Assistance Fund
The fund was established in 1987 by relatives, colleagues and friends of the late Davidson Dunton, Carleton’s fourth and longest serving president and a director of the School of Canadian Studies. This fund is available on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Canadian Studies to graduate students within the School of Canadian Studies who are experiencing financial difficulty relating to the reproduction of their thesis/research papers, conference attendance or with other approved special needs.

Lois Gonyer Bursary
The Bursary is awarded annually on application on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Canadian Studies to a Canadian Studies graduate student whose program is threatened because of financial need. It was established in 1988 by friends and colleagues of Lois Gonyer and funded by them and by the School graduates in recognition of her 27 years of service as an administrator in the School of Canadian Studies.

William and Margaret Roxburgh Memorial Award
This award was established in 1981 by Gwenda and Ross Roxburgh, and is open to all graduate students in the School of Canadian Studies. The amount of $150 is provided annually to assist students in carrying out research projects. Application is made to the director of the School of Canadian Studies; recipients will be chosen from a list of candidates recommended by the director.

Walter Baker Fellowship
In honour of the distinguished contribution of the late Walter Baker to Canadian politics, parliamentary life, and public administration, and his long-standing dedication and service to the Ottawa community, Minto Construction Ltd. has established the Walter Baker Fellowship. It is awarded annually to an outstanding student entering the School of Canadian Studies M.A. program. Application is not required; the recipient will be chosen by the graduate awards committee from a list of candidates recommended by the Director of the School of Canadian Studies.

Colonel William B. Sutherland Bursary
Awarded annually on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Canadian Studies, to a Canadian Studies graduate student who demonstrates the need for financial assistance in order to excel in their studies. Preference is given to students enrolled in the Cultural Studies or Aboriginal Studies and the North program areas. Endowed in 2000 by the Sutherland family in tribute to the passion for the pursuit of knowledge that Colonel Sutherland has exemplified in all aspects of life. The award is intended to provide support for students who share this spirit.

Natalie Luckyj Prize in Canadian Studies
This award, valued at $100, is presented annually to a graduate student enrolled in the first year of the Master of Arts program in the School of Canadian Studies. Application is not required. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of the School of Canadian Studies.

Robert McDougall Scholarship
Established in 2001 by friends, colleagues and former students in honour of Dr.Robert McDougall, Founding Director of the Institute of Canadian Studies, whose willingness to take risks and look to the future made a significant contribution to the intellectual and cultural history of Canada. This scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding graduate student in the School of Canadian Studies. The recipient will be selected each year by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Canadian Studies.

Carleton Donor-Funded Awards

For information on university-wide awards, visit the Graduate Awards and Funding website.

Graduate Student Travel /Research Bursary

Please use this link for information on this bursary.

Please note that students must submit their completed application to the Program Administrator in Canadian Studies.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS)

SSHRC

https://gradstudents.carleton.ca/awards-and-funding/external-awards/sshrc/

Students considering applying to the program can submit applications to OGS and SSHRC in the academic year prior to commencing the program.

For more information, see the SCS MA Program Guidelines posted under Graduate Resources in the Canadian Studies section of this website.

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Master’s (MA)