Graduate & Advanced Admission Requirements

For application deadlines and important dates, visit the Important Dates & Deadlines section.

General requirements

Each of the graduate & advanced programs require applicants to have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree at a recognized university with a B average or better. Please refer to each program’s specific requirements for qualifying degree programs.

Specific program requirements

• One-Year Bachelor of Journalism
• Master of Journalism
• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction

Join this program with your Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university showing a minimum average of B. The Journalism Admissions Committee takes into account your academic record, copies of published articles and media files, extracurricular activities, and other evidence of keen interest in journalism. Previous journalism experience is not essential.

How to Apply

Please include the following documentation in your application to the University of King’s College:

• A completed BJ application form
• Application fee of $70
• An official transcript from all previous post-secondary institutions
• A 1,000-word autobiographical sketch (outlining why you want to study journalism, your academic strengths/weaknesses, your general interests, any work you may have done in journalism or related fields and anything else that would contribute to a well-rounded story about you)
• A portfolio (recommended)
• Up to three letters of reference (optional)
• Resume (optional)

Applicants are requested to send all official documents directly to:

Office of the Registrar
1st Floor Arts and Administration Building
University of King’s College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS
B3H 2A1

The 1,000 word sketch, portfolio and resume can be sent electronically to admissions@ukings.ca. Please identify on each document your legal name and DOB.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students offered a place in the BJ program will be asked to confirm acceptance of the offer and tender an admission deposit by a specified deadline in order to hold a place in the program.

English Language Requirements

If your first language is not English you may be required to provide proof of English language proficiency. If you have studied in an English-language institution for three years (full time) or more at a secondary level or one year (full time) at the post-secondary level, you will not be required to submit proof of English-language proficiency. When proof of English language proficiency is necessary, you must achieve the following minimum score or above on a recognized English language proficiency test:

Students must achieve 4.0 or better on the essay or TOEFL Writing Test.

TOEFL Code: 0990

Applicants should arrange for their English language proficiency test score(s) to be sent directly from the testing agency to:

University of King’s College, Registrar’s Office,
6350 Coburg Road,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3H 2A1 CANADA

Information for international students

Interviewing people and writing stories for the public requires a strong ability to communicate. Practising journalism in a new country and/or in a second language can be especially demanding. To help our international students succeed, we may require applicants to complete a summer-term English language course at Dalhousie University that enhances language skills and understanding of Canadian culture. Any program requirement will be determined after an admission interview is completed. Students will participate in this additional program at their own expense as a condition of admission.

September entry (for those with a degree that isn’t journalism)

Applicants with a four-year undergraduate degree with an average of ‘B’ or higher in the last 60 credit hours of study from an accredited university may apply. Your degree may be in any subject or discipline other than journalism. Students who hold a three-year degree from Quebec and a two-year diploma from CEGEP will be considered on an individual basis.

January entry (for those with a journalism degree or equivalent)

Students may qualify to begin the program in the winter semester (January) of year one if they have one of:

• An accredited four-year journalism degree (or equivalent) with an average grade of ‘B’ or higher in the last 60 credit hours of study
• A three-year journalism degree from Quebec and a two-year diploma from CEGEP
• A four-year undergraduate degree and a minimum of five years’ full-time experience in journalism

How to Apply

The Master of Journalism is offered jointly by Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College. Applicants are requested to send all official documents directly to:

Office of the Registrar
1st Floor Arts and Administration Building
University of King’s College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS
B3H 2A1

Your personal statement and portfolio can be sent electronically to admissions@ukings.ca. Please identify on each document your legal name and DOB.

Please include the following in your application:

• Admission application: a completed graduate application form (online or print [PDF]).
• Application fee: a $115.00 application fee (please make cheques payable to the University of King’s College).
• Transcripts: two copies of an official academic transcript and degree certificate (if degree conferral not stated on transcripts) for each post-secondary institution attended. Transcripts are required to be sent directly from the host university in a sealed envelope (a notarized translation is also required for each non-English transcript in addition to an original transcript sent directly from the host university in a sealed envelope). Notarized copies will not be accepted.
  • In the event where applicants can only get one original transcript and degree certificate we will accept verified transcripts/degree certificates (attested copies) from the issuing university. Verified transcripts are photocopies of the original transcripts that the university has attested (stamped/embossed with university seal) to be true. All verified transcripts must arrive in “sealed envelopes” from the issuing university. We will not accept unofficial copies of transcripts (photocopies, notarized copies, nor official transcripts in envelopes that have been opened).
  • If your transcripts are issued in a partial name format (i.e. initial of first name and last name spelled out) than the name on your application please have the degree issuing university provide a letter with your full legal name (as it appears on your passport and application) and your student number/seat number. If your name has been legally changed and is different than the name on your transcripts please provide government proof of name change.

• Personal statement: a letter outlining your educational/professional experience, your goals for the program and your reasons for wanting to attend the master of journalism program. Explain any gaps or deficiencies in your academic record or any other factors you wish to have taken into account.
• Portfolio: a maximum of five selected samples (copies of published articles, media files, etc) of your best related work.
• Reference letters: two confidential reference letters are required (one academic and one professional letter), either through the electronic reference system in the online application or by paper [PDF]. Applicants who have been out of university for more than 5 years and are unable to obtain an academic reference letter may submit a second professional reference in lieu.
  • If using the e-reference system, make sure to have the email addresses of your referee ready to list in the online application. King’s and Dalhousie will only accept university, teaching hospital, and government email addresses (i.e. not Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, or business addresses]. Please allow 5 business days for your referee(s) to be contacted by our system. Please note that you cannot edit, add, or omit references if using the e-reference system. If you made an error in the submission of an email address a paper reference must be submitted.
  • If you are submitting a paper reference letter, the letter must be signed in ink and in a sealed, stamped envelope which is endorsed across the back seal by the referee and mailed to the address indicated above. If a referee is reluctant to follow this procedure, please provide him/her with a stamped envelope, addressed to the department to which you are applying, and have him/her mail the letter directly. If the reference is given to the student directly, do not open the envelope.

• English proficiency: applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English language competency. Please refer to the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies English Language Requirements [PDF] for more information on English language proficiency test scores.

Process of Admissions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

All documents received become the property of the university and will be used at its discretion for internal purposes only. Documents will not be returned.

The School of Journalism evaluates applications and makes a recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. The Registrar of Dalhousie University issues a final decision and a formal offer of admission.

Students who are offered a place in the MJ program will be asked to confirm acceptance of the offer and tender an admission deposit by a specified deadline in order to hold a place in the program.

Information for international students

Interviewing people and writing stories for the public requires a strong ability to communicate. Practising journalism in a new country and/or in a second language can be especially demanding. To help our international students succeed, we may require applicants to complete a summer-term English language course at Dalhousie University that enhances language skills and understanding of Canadian culture. Any program requirement will be determined after an admission interview is completed. Students will participate in this additional program at their own expense as a condition of admission.

The MFA program is open to students who hold an undergraduate degree (preferably an honours degree), with a minimum GPA of B or better. Students who do not possess an undergraduate degree may apply for admission based on an assessment of their prior learning, work and life experience (see Prior Learning Assessment below for more information).

How to Apply

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction is offered jointly by Dalhousie University and the University of King’s College. Applicants are requested to send all official documents directly to:

Office of the Registrar
1st Floor Arts and Administration Building
University of King’s College
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS
B3H 2A1

Your personal statement, project idea, portfolio and resume can be sent electronically to admissions@ukings.ca. Please identify on each document your legal name and DOB.

Please include the following in your application:

• Admission application: a completed graduate application form (online or print [PDF]).
• Application fee: a $115.00 application fee (please make cheques payable to the University of King’s College).
• Transcripts: two copies of an official academic transcript and degree certificate (if degree conferral not stated on transcripts) for each post-secondary institution attended. Transcripts are required to be sent directly from the host university in a sealed envelope (a notarized translation is also required for each non-English transcript in addition to an original transcript sent directly from the host university in a sealed envelope). Notarized copies will not be accepted.
  • In the event where applicants can only get one original transcript and degree certificate we will accept verified transcripts/degree certificates (attested copies) from the issuing university. Verified transcripts are photocopies of the original transcripts that the university has attested (stamped/embossed with university seal) to be true. All verified transcripts must arrive in “sealed envelopes” from the issuing university. We will not accept unofficial copies of transcripts (photocopies, notarized copies, nor official transcripts in envelopes that have been opened).
  • If your transcripts are issued in a partial name format (ie initial of first name and last name spelled out) than the name on your application please have the degree issuing university provide a letter with your full legal name (as it appears on your passport and application) and your student number/seat number. If your name has been legally changed and is different than the name on your transcripts please provide government proof of name change.
• Personal statement: a letter outlining your educational/professional experience, your goals for the program, and your reasons for wanting to attend the master of fine arts in creative nonfiction program. Explain any gaps or deficiencies in your academic record, and any other factors you wish to have taken into account.
• Project idea: a description of the idea or ideas you want to pursue as your major creative nonfiction project.
• Portfolio: a maximum of 25 double-spaced pages of your best nonfiction related work.
• Reference letters: two confidential reference letters are required (one academic and one professional letter), either through the electronic reference system in the online application or by paper [PDF]. Applicants who have been out of university for more than 5 years and are unable to obtain an academic reference letter may submit a professional reference in lieu.
  • If using the e-reference system, make sure to have the email addresses of your referee ready to list in the online application. King’s and Dalhousie will only accept university, teaching hospital, and government email addresses (i.e. not Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail, or business addresses). Please allow 5 business days for your referee(s) to be contacted by our system. Please note that you cannot edit, add, or omit references if using the e-reference system. If you made an error in the submission of an email address a paper reference must be submitted.
  • If you are submitting a paper reference letter, the letter must be signed in ink and in a sealed, stamped envelope which is endorsed across the back seal by the referee and mailed to the address indicated above. If a referee is reluctant to follow this procedure, please provide him/her with a stamped envelope, addressed to the department to which you are applying, and have him/her mail the letter directly. If the reference is given to the student directly, do not open the envelope.

• English proficiency: applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English language competency. Please refer to the Dalhousie University Graduate Studies English Language Requirements for more information on English language proficiency test scores.

Process of Admissions

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

The number of places in the program is limited, so it is expected that only a proportion of qualified applicants will be admitted; selection will be made on a competitive basis.

All documents received become the property of the university and will be used at the discretion of the university for internal purposes only. Documents will not be returned.

The School of Journalism conducts the initial application evaluation process and makes its recommendation to the Dalhousie University Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS). FGS makes the final decision and a formal offer of admission is signed and sent out by the Registrar of Dalhousie University.

Students offered a place in the MFA program will be asked to confirm acceptance of the offer and tender an admission deposit by a specified deadline in order to hold a place in the program.

A ranked waiting list of qualified students will be maintained throughout the late spring and early summer.

Prior Learning Assessment

To be considered for Prior Learning Assessment, applicants would normally require a significant body of work professionally published in newspapers, magazines, broadcast or online, or in books; and/or substantial related work experience in a writing of publishing-related business enterprise; evidence of membership in one or more professional writing organizations and/or attendance at workshops, seminars or other professional development programs. Evidence of any writing-related diplomas or credential awarded will also be considered by the admission committee.

If you are applying under Prior Learning Assessment, you should explain in your personal statement your motivation for seeking entrance to the program. Please expand upon why you think your life and work experience and/or related formal education and courses merit adjudication under the Prior Learning Assessment process.