Academic Regulations

Academic Regulations for the School of Continuing Studies

In general, diplomas offered by the Career and Professional Development unit comprise ten courses. Some programs, however, have corequisite and prerequisite courses that must be completed by the students in order for them to obtain their certificate or diploma.

Students who believe that they have taken the equivalent of one or more of the corequisites to the program, or one or more of the prerequisite courses that are not part of the program to which they have applied, may take an Exemption by Examination test. Students who have failed any of the corequisite courses to the program, or any of the prerequisite courses that are not part of the program to which they have applied, are not eligible to take the Exemption by Examination test for the course(s) that they have failed.

The Exemption by Examination test is intended for students who do not have the requisite academic background required, but who believe that they have the requisite level of knowledge needed.

Students who successfully pass the Exemption by Examination test(s) with a minimum grade of 65% will not have to take the course(s) for which the test(s) was taken. Those who fail the Exemption by Examination test(s) will not be permitted to repeat the test(s); instead, they must enrol in the course(s) for which the particular test was taken. Students will be notified in writing of their test results. Test results are valid for one academic year. Students may obtain an application form from Client Services, or may download one from the website: www.mcgill.ca/continuingstudies/recognition-prior-learning.

Students may register for the Exemption by Examination test on the following website: www.mcgill.ca/continuingstudies/recognition-prior-learning. There is a CAD$107.50 (non-refundable) application fee (payable by credit card) due at the time of registration. Students interested in a list of courses for which the Exemption by Examination test applies should refer to the website.

Exemption by Examination tests will be held on the following dates:

Exemption by Examination
Thursday	April 19, 2018
Saturday	April 21, 2018
Wednesday	August 22, 2018
Thursday	August 23, 2018
Wednesday	November 28, 2018
Thursday	November 29, 2018
Saturday	December 15, 2018
Wednesday	April 24, 2019
Thursday	April 25, 2019

Note: The School of Continuing Studies reserves the right to reschedule test dates and to revise the application fee without prior notice.

Admission Procedures for all Programs

For more information, see School of Continuing Studies > Getting Started > Admission Requirements.

Proof of Proficiency in English

The language of instruction for most courses and programs at McGill is English; however, students may submit any written work that is to be graded in English or French, except in cases where knowledge of the language is one of the objectives of the course. Applicants must demonstrate the required level of proficiency in English prior to admission to McGill University, regardless of citizenship status or country of origin. McGill University has this language requirement in place to ensure that all students are provided with the opportunity to succeed in their chosen program. In all cases, the University reserves the right to require proof of English proficiency if it is deemed necessary. Below you will find information on when proof of proficiency is required.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following seven statements, you do NOT necessarily need to provide proof of English proficiency, but must provide documentation to support your answer.

Have you lived and attended school, for at least four consecutive years, in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language?
Have you completed both Secondary V and a DEC at a French CEGEP in Quebec?
Have you completed a DEC at an English CEGEP in Quebec, during or later than 2003?
Have you or will you complete a French Baccalaureate – Option Internationale (British or American section)?
Have you or will you complete an International Baccalaureate (IB) Group 1 English (Language A: Literature, Language A: Language and Literature, or Literature and Performance) with a result of 5 or better?
Have you or will you complete the British Curriculum A-Level English with a final grade of “C” or better?
Have you completed the British Curriculum GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-Level English, English Language, English First Language, or English as a Second Language with a final grade of “B” or better?

If you answered "no" to all of the above, but answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you will be asked to provide supporting documentation to this effect in order to provide proof of English language proficiency.

Do you consider English to be your mother tongue?
Have you been attending school for at least four consecutive years at an accredited educational institution (in a non-English speaking country) where English is the language of instruction?
Have you obtained an undergraduate degree from an accredited educational institution where the language of instruction in your program of study was English (minimum three years)?
Have you obtained a graduate degree from an accredited educational institution where the language of instruction in your program of study was English (minimum two years)?

Applicants to Career and Professional Development who do not meet any of the above-listed conditions must demonstrate proficiency in English using one of the following options:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Minimum acceptable scores:
iBT (Internet-based test): 90 overall (a minimum individual component score of 21 in each of the four components, i.e., reading, writing, listening, and speaking)

Note: An institutional version of the TOEFL is not acceptable.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic Versions: A band score of 6.5 or better; individual component scores must be 6.0 or better. Regular Academic and UKVI Academic versions are both accepted.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery): a minimum mark of 85%.
McGill SCS TELP (McGill SCS Test of English Language Proficiency): a Category A result.
McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English or McGill Certificate of Proficiency – English for Professional Communication: Certificate of Proficiency awarded.
University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): a grade of “B” (Good) or higher.
University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of “C” (Pass) or higher.
Edexcel London Test of English – Level 4 – with an overall grade of at least “Merit Pass.”
Edexcel London Test of English – Level 5 – with an overall grade of at least “Pass.”

Note: Your test results must be reported directly to the University by the test centre; consequently, candidates' copies of results will not be accepted as proof of English language proficiency. It is your responsibility to ensure that the official test results in an official format are forwarded directly by the testing service to:

Client Services Office (Admissions)
School of Continuing Studies
688 Sherbrooke St. West, 11th Floor
Montreal QC H3A 3R1

For TOEFL, the institutional code at McGill University is 0935-00.

Independent Studies

Please consult School of Continuing Studies > Getting Started > Admission Requirements > Special Student Status > Graduate Courses for information pertaining to Special Students.

Academic Advisers

General advising information for the School of Continuing Studies can be obtained by calling one of our Client Service Representatives at 514-398-6200 during regular business hours, or by sending an email to info.conted [at] mcgill.ca.

Current and prospective students who wish to take the opportunity to meet with an academic adviser to obtain information on course and program selection, are encouraged to call the Client Services Office at 514-398-6200 to schedule an appointment. The Client Services Office welcomes walk-ins during regular business hours to obtain general advising or to meet with an academic adviser.

Please note that a pre-scheduled appointment is preferred so we can better address your queries and prioritize your appointment over walk-ins. Learners are recommended to contact Client Services well ahead of admission deadlines and registration peak periods for assistance, as academic advisers have a high influx of learners during those periods and the wait time may be longer.

Advanced Standing for the Diploma Programs

Students transferring to McGill University from another university may be awarded Advanced Standing of up to 30% of the courses in any one degree program for successfully completed equivalent graduate-level study done at another recognized university within the last five years.

Students may apply for admission to, and register in, more than one program concurrently. Where program course requirements overlap, credits may be granted up to a maximum of three courses (9 credits). Students may be granted exemption for overlapping courses in excess of 9 credits but must choose substitute courses with the approval of Career and Professional Development.

Students who apply for admission to a degree or diploma program after having completed a certificate program may be granted Advanced Standing at the discretion of the Associate Dean of the faculty in which the degree or diploma is offered.

Please consult School of Continuing Studies > Getting Started > Admission Requirements > Special Student Status > Graduate Courses for information pertaining to Special Students.

Diploma in Management

Students who have completed equivalent post-graduate level courses with a minimum grade of B- at a recognized university may apply for a transfer of credits. A maximum of three courses (9 credits) may be credited for post-graduate courses taken outside the program in which they are registered. These courses must have been completed within the last five years. Students are required to complete the remaining courses at McGill University in order to be eligible for the program.

Graduate Certificates

Students who have completed equivalent post-graduate level courses, including corequisite and prerequisite courses, with a minimum grade of B- at a recognized university may be granted a maximum of 3 credits (one course). This course must have been completed within the last five years. Students must complete 12 credits (four courses) in the Graduate Certificate at McGill University. Students completing two graduate certificates may only double count 3 credits.

Supplementals for all Programs

Please note: Supplemental examinations are not available for courses offered by Career and Professional Development (i.e., if a student fails a course he/she must repeat it).

Academic Standing Regulations

Diploma Programs

Students must complete all courses with a minimum passing grade of B-. This includes all required courses, elective courses, corequisite courses, prerequisite courses, and courses outside the program to which the student has been admitted. Students will be allowed to fail no more than two courses. On the third failure, students will be asked to withdraw from the program immediately. In this context, an unsatisfactory grade is deemed to be any grade below that of a B-. Please note that even if an unsatisfactory grade is improved by means of repetition of the course(s), the original grade remains on the student's record and counts toward the total number of unsatisfactory grades.
Students have a maximum of four years to complete the Diploma in Management.

Graduate Certificates

Students must complete all courses, including corequisite and prerequisite courses, with a minimum passing grade of B-. Students will be permitted a maximum of one failure. On the second failure, students will be asked to withdraw from the program immediately. In this context, an unsatisfactory grade is deemed to be any grade below that of a B-. Please note that even if an unsatisfactory grade is improved by means of repetition of the course(s), the original grade remains on the student's record and counts toward the total number of unsatisfactory grades.
Students have a maximum of two years to complete a graduate certificate.

Special Students

Special Students must meet all academic and language requirements stipulated by Career and Professional Development and must complete all courses, including corequisite and prerequisite courses, with a minimum passing grade of B-. Students will be permitted a maximum of two unsatisfactory grades on their academic record. Students who obtain three unsatisfactory grades will be asked to withdraw from Career and Professional Development immediately. In this context, an unsatisfactory grade is deemed to be any grade below that of a B-. Please note that even if an unsatisfactory grade is improved by means of repetition of the course(s), the original grade remains on the student's record and counts toward the total number of unsatisfactory grades.

Students who fail to comply with the minimum standards set by Career and Professional Development may not continue in their program, may not take courses as a Special Student, and will have their registration cancelled. Once a student is asked to withdraw he/she will not be permitted to register in other courses or programs in Career and Professional Development, nor will they be permitted to exercise deferral privileges for the following term.

McGill University's School of Continuing Studies affirms the right of students to dispute substantive or procedural academic matters, including decisions about the student's continuation in a program; or concerning any other decision with respect to the application of academic regulations and requirements to a student. A formal academic appeal must be made in writing directly to the Career and Professional Development Appeal Committee. This request must be accompanied by supporting documentation which substantiates reinstatement.

Time Limits

For a single diploma requiring 30 credits, the program must be completed within four years of initial registration. For a single graduate certificate program requiring 15 credits, the program must be completed within two years of initial registration. Time limits will be adjusted accordingly for those students who are granted Advanced Standing, or who transfer from one program to another. Students exceeding the time limits may request an extension, in writing, to the graduate adviser. A recommended revision of the program of study must be approved by the Director.

Students who do not register for a course in their program for one year will be required to reapply and meet any new program requirements.

Corequisite

This refers to academic requirements that may be completed before or concurrently. Corequisite courses must be respected for all courses - including all courses for which deferrals (L) have been granted.

Corequisites for Programs

Certain programs require specific corequisites. These may be completed after admission to the program. It is highly recommended that students complete all corequisite courses for a program at the beginning of the program. Please note that program corequisites must be completed in order to graduate from the program.

Prerequisites for Courses

Admission to certain courses is restricted to students who have reached a certain level of knowledge by having completed other required work. In course terminology, this means that Course A is prerequisite to Course B if a satisfactory pass in Course A is required for admission to Course B. The prerequisite course(s) or conditions are specified in the course descriptions. Students must observe these prerequisites. If you fail to meet the prerequisite requirement, you will be denied permission to register in the course. Students unsure of their status with regard to a prerequisite must inquire at the School of Continuing Studies. Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to course registration - including all courses for which deferrals (L) have been granted.

Note: Any student in violation of the above regulation may have the course in question immediately removed from their student record. Please note that this will affect course load, which may result in part-time registration status.

Required Courses

Programs may frequently comprise a number of required courses. In course terminology these represent mandatory courses that must be completed to fulfil the requirements of a program unless the student receives an exemption(s).

Complementary Courses

Programs may comprise a number of complementary courses. These are courses selected from a restricted list, a particular subject area, or a discipline. In some programs, students must include a number of these complementary courses to meet program requirements.

Course Load

All our programs are structured to be taken on a part-time basis. Therefore, students are advised to register for no more than two courses per term. If, however, a student with special reason wishes to take a full-time load, the following conditions are applicable:

A student would be permitted, if the schedule allows it, to register for a full load in the first term.
If a student then has one failure, the course load will be reduced to three courses in the subsequent term.
If a student has two failures, the course load would be reduced to two in the subsequent term.
If a student has accumulated three failures, he/she will be asked to withdraw.

A failure is defined as being a grade less than B- (65%).

Information Sessions

Information sessions will be held prior to each registration period. Please refer to the School of Continuing Studies website for the precise dates. These sessions will give you an opportunity to learn more about specific programs and courses. Academic advisers will be available at these sessions to provide you with details on program requirements, admission procedures, etc. We urge you to attend these sessions if you are planning to take courses in the upcoming term.

Registration in Graduate-Level Courses

For more information, see Admission Requirements.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2018-2019 (last updated Jun. 27, 2018) (disclaimer)

School of Continuing Studies—2018-2019 (last updated Jun. 27, 2018) (disclaimer)

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