University of Alberta

Admission and Degree Requirements

Important Information 

Graduate students at the University of Alberta are admitted to graduate studies through the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research but will be based in the faculty of their choice to complete the degree requirements. 

Apply

Please visit the Areas of Research and Researchers section of the web site to determine which professor's research matches your own areas of interest. When we make admission decisions it is important that we be able to match you and your research interests to a supervisor with similar research interests.


Admission and Degree Requirements for Master's and Doctoral Programs:

Master's Program Thesis Master's Program Course-based Doctoral Program Thesis
Admission Requirements
  • Four year degree in physical education, kinesiology, recreation or another related degree
  • Grade point average (GPA): minimum 3.0/4.0 over last 60 credits
  • International students whose first language is not English require a TOEFL score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas; the IELTS requirement is an overall band score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5 on each test band.  NOTE: applicant must provide the original document of the score.  Copies are not acceptable.
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) requires an overall score of 59.

 
  • Master's degree with thesis in physical education, kinesiology, recreation or area related to student's specific area of research
  • Grade point average: minimum 3.0/4.0 over last 60 credits
  • International students whose first language is not English require a TOEFL score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas; the IELTS requirement is an overall band score of 6.5, with a minimum or 5 on each test band
Course Requirements
  • Minimum of 4 graduate level courses plus thesis
  • Maximum of 1 directed study
  • PERLS 581 or PEDS 580 or equivalent approved course
  • Remaining courses decided by supervisor and student. Choice of course depends of student's previous academic preparation and area(s) of study
  • Minimum of 8 graduate level courses plus a capping exercise
  • Maximum of 2 directed studies
  • PERLS 581 or PEDS 580 or equivalent approved course
  • Remaining courses decided by supervisor and student. Choice of course depends of student's previous academic preparation and area(s) of study
  • No course requirements
  • Courses decided by supervisor and student in preparation for conducting independent research in an area which will create new knowledge
Registration Requirements
  • Register full-time.  Contact Graduate Office for regulations regarding part-time registration. 
  • Full-time is nine credits per term (fall and winter)
  • Not required to register during spring and summer
  • Must register full-time if holding a graduate assistantship of more than six hours per week
  • Register full or part-time
  • Full-time status requires nine credits per term (fall and winter); part-time is a minimum of three credits in a term
  • Must register in one term per calendar year to keep program active
  • Must register full-time for two consecutive years (fall/winter)
  • Register for fall and winter terms; not required to register during spring and summer
  • Full-time is nine credits per term (fall and winter)
  • Must register full-time if holding a graduate assistantship of more than six hours per week
Completion Requirements
  • Maximum of 4 years to complete degree from time of first registration
  • Average time to completion: 2.5 to 3 years.
  • Maximum of 6 years to complete degree requirements
  • Time to completion varies owing to part-time status of many students
  • Maximum of 6 years to complete degree from time of first registration
  • Average time to completion: 5 - 6 years

 How to Apply

Deadline for admissions for Canadian and International students

  • Applications are accepted from October 1 up to March 1 for September and January admission.
  • Applications received by January 1 will be considered for scholarship nomination.

Apply online (required)

  • Online application enables you to follow the documents that are submitted and added to the file. 

Graduate Studies Application Checklist

You'll require the following to complete your application:

  1. Apply online at the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research
  2. An application fee of $100 CAD is required when you apply

Send the following documents to the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation:

  1. A letter of intent for graduate studies. (free form)
    • The letter of intent could include a description of your area of interest, how you became interested and why it is important
    • Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended, with the institution seal, date and appropriate signature.
    • Official translation of foreign transcripts with the original transcript in the foreign language.
    • Proof of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL,  IELTS) if the undergraduate degree is from a non-English university.
    • Your curriculum vitae.
    • Minimum of three references from previous or present professors.
    • Graduate Assistantship application.  Download form from Forms and Handbooks on our website. 

    Important:

    • No application is reviewed until we have received all of your documents.
    • You may provide any additional information you believe will be helpful in evaluating your application.
    • Send all documents, including paper applications and outstanding documents, directly to the Faculty.

    Where to send your documents/paper applications and outstanding documents:

    Anne Jordan, Graduate Programs Administrator
    Graduate Studies
    Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation
    University of Alberta
    Edmonton AB
    Canada T6G 2H9

    Phone: 780 492-3198
    Email: anne.jordan@ualberta.ca
    Fax: 780 492-2364
     

    Selection process

    • Once the Graduate Programs office receives all your documents, we assess your application to see if you're eligible for a scholarship nomination. 
    • Professors in your area of research will review your file.
    • If you aren't eligible to be nominated for a scholarship we'll review your application for admission in February and March. 
    • A letter of acceptance will be sent by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

    More information

    Additional information is available from the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research and the University of Alberta Calendar about

    • Graduate student classification,
    • Fees,
    • Awards and financial aid,
    • Information for international students.