Deadlines and Application Links

Graduate Diplomas	Deadline Date
Public Policy and Evaluation	July 15
Health Policy	May 1
Public Management	May 1
Sustainable Development	May 1

Application procedures

Read the following instructions carefully before applying. You will receive an acknowledgement via email when your application is received, indicating that your application is complete or documentation is missing.

• Process
• Application fee
• Checklist for submission of application material
• Instructions on Preparing Application Package

Application Process

Applying to School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) is a four-step process.

1. Apply for an online application account
2. Complete the online application
3. Arrange application fee payment
4. Forward the completed application and all required documentation to:

Nicole Enouy, Graduate Programs Administrator
School of Public Policy and Administration
Room 5224 River Building
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $100 Canadian must be submitted for each department / school to which you are applying. This fee is payable to the Ontario Universities Application Centre by Visa, MasterCard, internet banking, cheque, or money order (payable to the “Ontario Universities Application Centre”.)

Note: Applications will not be processed without the application fee. If paying by cheque or money order (payable to “Ontario Universities Application Centre”) you must include your OUAC Reference number and mail payment to:

OUAC Fees Dept
170 Research Lane
Guelph, ON
Canada N1G 5E2

Checklist for submission of application material

Contents of application package:

1. Two (2) signed copies of your Submission Summary printed from the online application
2. Two (2) copies of all post-secondary academic transcripts (in separate sealed envelopes)
3. Confidential Appraisal Forms from two (2) referees (in separate sealed envelopes)
4. English language test scores (if applicable)
5. Record of Landing or Confirmation of Permanent Residence documentation (if applicable)
6. Statement of intent (not to exceed one page, single-spaced)
7. Resume
8. Sample of recent written work

Send your completed application package to:

Nicole Enouy, Graduate Programs Administrator
School of Public Policy and Administration
Room 5224 River Building
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6

Note: We are unable to process incomplete applications. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required documentation is submitted correctly and promptly. Otherwise, a letter of explanation is required.

Instructions for preparing the application package:

1. Print and sign two copies of the Submission Summary that records the information you enter online through the Ontario Universities’s Application Centre. This page serves as an application form.
2. Arrange for two official academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions to be sent directly to you in sealed envelopes. (Note that if the seal on the envelopes is broken, the transcripts will not be considered official.) These transcripts should document your entire university record and degrees received, up until the time of application. All foreign transcripts that are not in English must be officially translated into English and notarized.
3. Select two referees who can comment on your academic preparation and potential for graduate study in public policy and administration. Provide each of them with a Referee’s Confidential Appraisal Form and the accompanying Note to Referees. The design of the Appraisal Form anticipates that your referees will be university faculty members who have recently taught or supervised your academic work. If you have been away from University for some time you may select non-academic referees who are familiar with your professional work. Ensure that your referees are aware of the application deadline, and that they will send their completed appraisal form directly to you in an envelope that they have first sealed, and then signed along the seal.
4. English language proficiency is necessary to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University. All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate their proficiency by: (i) providing certification that the language of instruction in their most recently completed undergraduate or graduate degree was English; or (ii) recently achieving the required results on standardized English language tests, and arranging for those results to be sent directly from their original source to the School of Public Policy and Administration. As an interim measure, include a photocopy of the official test results among the application materials you submit. The minimum level of English language proficiency needed for admission is measured by the following: a TOEFL score of 237 CBT (computer-based test) or 580 (written) or 86 IBT (internet-based test) with a minimum score of 22 in both writing and speaking, and a minimum score of 20 in both reading and listening; or a CAEL score of 70; or an IELTS score of 7.0.
5. If you are a Landed Immigrant or Permanent Resident, please provide a photocopy of the relevant documentation
6. Provide a statement of intent of no more than one page, single-spaced. This statement should outline your academic interests and your personal and professional goals. It should also explain how the diploma will complement your existing academic and professional experience, and thus support you in realizing those interests and goals
7. Provide a resume that provides biographical information, including your education, professional experience, voluntary activities, and noteworthy achievements
8. Provide a sample of original academic or professional written work from the past year for which you are exclusively responsible. This sample should not exceed 20 pages, double-spaced. It could be a term paper, a chapter from a research essay, or an excerpt from a report.

Please ensure that these documents are received by the School of Public Policy and Administration before the stated deadline. Students accepted into the Diplomas are not eligible for funding from Carleton University, but may apply for funding from other sources (e.g., OSAP).

If evidence of misrepresentation or fraudulent or falsified documentation is found, the penalty is severe. Carleton University reserves the right to revoke any offer of admission and/or financial support from the University. Carleton University may disclose evidence of any misrepresentation or fraudulent or falsified documentation to all Canadian universities, to Citizenship and Immigration Canada and to law enforcement personnel where appropriate.