The general regulations governing the operation of graduate programs at Laurentian University is set out in the Laurentian University School of Graduate Studies webpage

To be admitted, students should normally hold an appropriate (i.e. undergraduate degree with Aboriginal/Indigenous content, or specific courses in Indigenous studies at the undergraduate level etc) bachelor’s degree at the honours level, or its equivalent, with at least second class standing (70% average of all courses). Students with a general 3 year degree will need to complete a full qualifying year beyond the general degree before being considered. To enter a qualifying year, students should have at least second-class standing in their major subject. Successful completion of courses during a qualifying year does not ensure automatic admission to a graduate program, nor does meeting minimum requirements.  At this time, the program will focus on “on- campus full-time” students with a view to extending the program to part-time students and Distance Education (DE) once there is a full team of faculty.

Applicants to the master’s program will submit their documentation through the Laurentian University Admissions Office.  Documentation will include:

• a completed application form;
• official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions at which the applicant has been enrolled;
• a curriculum vitae;
• a statement of research interests;
• two letters of reference;
• language certification as required. 

Once the application is complete, it will be forwarded to the Program Director and a Program Admissions Committee made up of at least 3 School of Native Human Services faculty (one of whom will Chair the committee) and at least two external faculty members.  The Admissions Committee will meet to rank all applicants and produce a list of students to contact for the admission program. Consideration will be given to the applicants’ backgrounds to ensure that each cohort of students is offered an interdisciplinary education.  These criteria are intended to ensure that only students of high caliber are accepted into the program, that their research goals and interests are consistent with those of the faculty, and that there is a clear linkage with a specific member of the faculty.  The Vice-President of Graduate Studies and Research, on the recommendation of the Program Director, will grant final admission to the program. Formal offers will be made via the School of Graduate studies and the Laurentian University’s admissions office.

The total annual enrollment for the program will begin with at least 6 or more students.  The program will also be open to other students who are enrolled in masters programs across campus.  Every effort will be made to attract students to this new program by creating targeted promotional material, working in collaboration with the Liaison and Marketing Unit and networking with the Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Educational Institutes to assist with promotion and possible sponsorship opportunities.

Upon admission, a faculty member will be identified as the student’s thesis supervisor. Together the thesis supervisor and student will determine the course schedule for the student and the initial direction of the research thesis.  The thesis supervisor and student will also engage in a sustained period of personal interaction in order to provide continued guidance and mentoring throughout both their academic and research process.