Program Admission

Standard Admission 

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study;
• Normally, a minimum of three years of professional experience.

Flexible Admission 

While an undergraduate degree in a relevant field of study is recommended, applicants may be assessed for admission on the basis of their skills, knowledge and background developed outside traditional learning structures. This flexible admissions approach opens doors to higher learning for qualified candidates who otherwise might not meet traditional admission requirements, and thereby serves the needs of a diverse group of students.

Additional Recommendations for Admission 

• Ideal candidates are self-directed and highly motivated and possess strong interpersonal, research, and communication skills. MAIS students move between cohorts and groups of learners and need to be comfortable with completing an individualized program at their own pace and integrating into student teams in different programs.
• Academic writing skills are required for success in this program and an English composition course focused on academic writing is therefore recommended, and may be required if deficiencies are identified during the admissions process. An online eight-week Introduction to Academic Writing and Critical Thinking course that meets this recommendation is offered several times a year through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University. 

Application Requirements

At a minimum, all applications must contain the following:

• Application form;
• Application fee (non-refundable);
• Official transcripts (from all previous and current post-secondary institutions attended);
• Two letters of reference written by individuals qualified to assess your professional expertise and speak specifically to your academic qualifications and ability to conduct graduate level research; 
• Detailed resume that includes: 
  • Education;
  • Work experience (including voluntary and unpaid); 
  • Reports and publications;
  • Professional memberships and affiliations;
  • Other relevant information.
• Personal statement which speaks to your educational and career goals and the role the degree would play in your professional development. Your statement should outline the focus unifying the proposed course of study and identify the courses you seek to complete for the proposed degree. Requests for transfer credits must also be included along with supporting documentation.

When applicable, applications must also include the following:

• Students planning to complete a thesis or major project must submit a Research Proposal that reflects current research foci in the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences at Royal Roads University. The proposal should elaborate on the interdisciplinary grounding of the proposed topic, indicate the literature to be reviewed for this area of study, and preview the preferred methodology. This proposal must show the relevance of the proposed MAIS design to the applied research project. Students planning to complete the course-based option are not required to submit a Research Proposal.
• Submission of an official English language proficiency score report or demonstrated English proficiency through other acceptable means;
• If any credentials are not from a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution, an applicant must submit a recognized third party International Credential Evaluation Report or International Credential Evaluation fee. 

Admission Timelines

It is recommended that applications are completed two months prior to the program start date to ensure all application requirements (i.e. course schedule development) are met by the application deadline.

For questions about the MAIS application process, please contact:

Carole Sandhu, Program Associate
Office of Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences
Ph: 250-391-2600 ext. 4753
Carole.Sandhu@royalroads.ca

For questions about the MAIS curriculum, please contact:

Wendy Schissel, Program Head
Office of Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences
Ph: 250-391-2600 Ext 4753 (to reach program office)
Wendy.Schissel@royalroads.ca