Graduate & Professional Schools
Preparing for graduate school
References
How to get yourself the best reference–what does a reference need from you?
Graduate and professional programs may use the term referee to describe the person providing your letter of reference or recommendation.
To help your referee write the strongest possible letter:
- Give them time–always try and give your referee sufficient lead time–at least three weeks
- Ask if they feel they are familiar enough with your work to provide a strong and comprehensive letter of reference
- Submit a package of information
- A copy of your transcript
- A description of the program you are applying to, including why you are interested in it and how it connects to your academic or career goals
- Some professors like to see a sample essay or two
- Some students include a photo of themselves
I wish someone had told me …
For applications to history MA schools, I wish someone had told me that:
“In the summer before my 4th year, I should seek to develop an intellectual relationship with a faculty member whose scholarly work I’ve read, so that when I apply in the fall term for an MA program in the following year, I can confidently present my intellectual interests in a suitably scholarly way, certain that there will be a good fit between my preferences and my supervisor’s strengths. More than one of these relationships can be useful, and the summer is a better time to develop them than in the fall term.
Not all MA degrees lead to PhDs. Even if a student has the academic ability to go on to a PhD, it can be useful after getting the MA to test the waters in the rest of the world, and, if you want, come back to do a PhD as a mature student. A strong undergrad record and a successful MA don’t “go stale.” Doing your PhD between ages 30 and 35 (or older) may be at least as interesting, valuable, and useful on the job market as doing it between 23 and 28.”
Dr. Shirley Tillotson, Dalhousie Department of History
I wish someone would tell them…
“Students should be encouraged to apply for SSHRC awards for their MA degrees while in their honours year. Some other awards such as Killam scholarships only accept applications from students who have applied for SSHRCs, NSERCS etc. if they are eligible. Of course, it is very difficult for students to write applications in October for a potential MA project when they are only commencing their fourth year undergraduate essays, so they need encouragement. I tell honours students that they may feel they will need a break at the end of their undergraduate studies but after the summer months have passed they may regret they didn’t make the effort in October. I am often told ‘I am so glad you encouraged me to apply!’ Should they decide they truly want a break, they can decline scholarships and offers of positions in graduate programs. But come September, it’s too late to apply.”
Pauline Gardiner Barber, Dalhousie Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology
Key questions to ask
- What kinds of jobs, academic and non-academic, do former students in the program hold?
- Is there an option for fast tracking from the master’s to the PhD?
- Will you be involved with regular meetings with professors and students to discuss scholarly topics?
- In what ways do faculty members encourage a community atmosphere within graduate student group and between faculty and doctoral students?
- What is the average completion time for the degree you are considering?
- Are there professional skills development sessions on subjects like grant writing, getting articles published or presenting papers at conferences?
- Has the supervisor received any awards for teaching or supervision?
- How much research funding does this person have? Will it cover the operating costs of your thesis research?
- Will you be expected to work in the supervisor’s area of funded research?
- Will the department be able to give you lab or office space in the department?
- How many students in the program are funded? At what rate? For how long?
- What will be happening the year I am in the program?
Top tips for choosing a grad school
- Know thyself: Graduate degrees are about improving your knowledge and expertise. As a guiding principle, it’s important to ask yourself at the outset “what is it I most want to learn about?”
- Ask others: Your professors and employers are familiar with your work and your interests and abilities and may be able to point you towards a good program or potential supervisor
- Know your rights: As prospective graduate students, you are important potential members of a university’s research and learning community. Even though you may feel that the process of admission to graduate studies is one in which you are being evaluated by a university, you actually have just as significant a role in evaluating your prospective program of study. Make sure you have the information you need to make a good decision.
- Make contact: Do your best to talk to prospective supervisors or heads of graduate admission committees as well as a range of students including those enrolled in the program and those who have graduated. You need to gauge your potential satisfaction with a program or supervisor from a student perspective.
- Calling all supervisors: Thinking about appropriate supervisors and then approaching them is one of the most important things to do when applying to a graduate research program. In certain disciplines, the choice of the type of research project for which supervision and financial support are available will depend quite directly on the research work of the supervisor. However, in the social sciences and humanities, research topics often originate from the students themselves. In either case, you will want to identity research topics in which potential supervisors are interested and knowledgeable.
- Show me the money: It is important to get a good idea of a university’s and/or department’s commitment to funding its graduate students. When you are offered admission, you should ask for a written letter that specifies what funding the university and the department are willing to offer you.
Rosanna Tamburri, University Affairs
King’s graduate programs
King’s offers distinctive graduate and advanced programs that build on the strengths in journalism, writing and the humanities. These programs provide pathways for students interested in storytelling, research, creative practice and public-facing work.
One-Year Bachelor of Journalism (BJ)
The One-Year Bachelor of Journalism is an intensive, hands-on program designed for students who want to develop practical journalism skills in a short time. Over nine months, students learn reporting, writing and multimedia storytelling while building a professional portfolio. The program includes real-world newsroom experience and an internship, with many graduates moving directly into careers in media, communications and related fields.
Master of Journalism (MJ)
The Master of Journalism program combines advanced reporting, research and storytelling with a strong focus on producing a substantial professional project. Students work closely with faculty and industry professionals in leadership roles in journalism and other fields that require strong analytical and communication skills.
Combined Degree: Juris Doctor/Master of Journalism
The combined Juris Doctor/Master of Journalism program is offered in partnership with Dalhousie’s Schulich School of Law, this combined degree brings together legal training and journalism. The program prepares graduates to work at the intersection of media, public policy and law, developing strong research, analytical and communication skills across both disciplines.
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Nonfiction or Fiction
King’s MFA programs are unique limited-residency programs that allows students to develop a book-length manuscript while working with award-winning writers and editors. Combining craft and publishing industry knowledge, the MFA supports students in building both their writing practice and professional pathways as authors. The flexible structure allows students to work remotely while participating in short in-person and online residencies.
Admission requirements
Graduate & Advanced Admission Requirements provides the most up-to-date information and application requirements.
Professional and graduate programs
Professional and graduate programs offer a range of pathways across disciplines, including law, medicine, the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences. Many of these programs have specific admission requirements and timelines, so early planning is important.
King’s partnership with University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law
King’s students who completed the Foundation Year Program are provisionally pre-admitted to the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law. Visit the webpage for more details about the Law School Admission Test, admissions requirements and the unique partnership between King’s and UCalgary.
- The Murray Fraser QC Scholarship is given to graduates of the University of King’s College or Dalhousie University who completed King’s Foundation Year Program (FYP) and are entering their first year in the Faculty of Law, JD Program at the University of Calgary.
Other professional schools
If you are applying to professional programs at Dalhousie, you can find the most up-to-date information on requirements, timelines and application processes through the program admissions webpage:
Exploring graduate programs across disciplines
For graduate study in the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences, students are encouraged to explore:
- Dalhousie Faculty of Graduate Studies: the Faculty of Graduate Studies page is your central hub for program listings, admission requirements and finding potential supervisors.
Students can also speak with faculty members in their area of interest or connect with Academic Advising to help identify potential pathways and next steps.
