Master of Arts
Program components
Coursework and Thesis
Co-operative education (optional)
Registration options
Full-time
Part-time
Description
The Master of Arts program at the University of Lethbridge is thesis-based and offers students in a wide range of disciplines the opportunity to earn a master’s degree by writing a thesis and successfully completing a limited number of courses.
The creation of a thesis in any discipline calls for a range of skills that are central to the liberal education tradition, including analysis and synthesis of ideas, empirical investigations, the construction and articulation of arguments, and writing skills. The M.A. program prepares students to undertake Ph.D. programs in relevant disciplines as well as develop professional, transferable skills for a wide range of careers.
Students are required to secure a potential supervisor prior to submitting an application for this program (except for the Economics major). For further information please visit our Contacting a Graduate Supervisor guide.
Our M.A. programs are delivered on the Lethbridge campus only. The thesis forms the central requirement of the program; it is important for students to be on campus to conduct research with their supervisors.
Most majors have Spring, Summer, and Fall intakes. Please see our application deadlines for more information.
For most majors, both full-time (24-months) and part-time (48-months) registration are available. See individual majors for more information.
In case of discrepancies between this page and the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue, the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue shall prevail.
Majors
Admission information
Applicants will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree (i.e. an undergraduate degree) in a related discipline from a recognized degree-granting institution
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (based on 4.00 scale) on the last 20 graded university-level term courses OR calculated on the most recently completed master’s degree if the applicant is applying for another master’s degree
- Demonstrate English language proficiency (ELP) for graduate student
- Secure a potential supervisor (except for Economics major and Dramatic Arts majors)
International applicants must present qualifications comparable to those of Canadian applicants. See here for information regarding international graduate-level admission requirements.
Step 1: Prepare Supporting Documents
See Supporting Documents for the Master of Arts program below. If additional documents are required, the School of Graduate Studies will contact you.
Step 2: Find a Supervisor
To find a potential supervisor, you will need to contact a uLethbridge faculty member with expertise in the your research area. Please visit Search Supervisors page to find a potential supervisor.
Step 3: Submit Online Application by Deadline
Step 4: Arrange for Official Documents
Official documents (e.g., transcripts, English language proficiency test scores) are required prior to registration.
Note: Applicants who have attended or are currently attending an institution participating in ApplyAlberta do not need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to uLethbridge from the issuing institution. A list of participating institutions is available at www.applyalberta.ca.
Step 5: Admission Decision Process
The departmental committee reviews your application and makes a recommendation on admission to the program committee. All applicants will be notified of their official admission status by Admissions no later than ten weeks after the appropriate application deadline.
*Note: Students who are graduates of non-Canadian universities must provide notarized English translations of all documents not in the English language.
For more details please see the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.
Because the capacity of the program is limited, not all students who meet the minimum admission requirements can be admitted. Criteria used for admission include:
- your record and letters of recommendation
- your proposed supervisor’s record of scholarship, completed and current, especially in relation to your proposed work
- the feasibility of your project in the light of available resources
- your financial support
If the program committee feels that you are eligible for admission, but are lacking in necessary preparation, you may be admitted subject to relevant conditions. In these cases, candidates may be given one of two options:
- The required preparation may be undertaken prior to admission, with the permission of the program committee
- It may be taken after admission and within the maximum time limit of 24 months for full-time students and 48 months for part-time students
In either case, the program committee establishes a definite date by which all conditions must be fully satisfied.
Supporting documents
Unofficial Transcripts
You will need to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts, including proof of graduation for your completed degree(s) and transcripts of all post-baccalaureate work, if any, via the online application system.
Official Transcripts
You will also need to arrange for your official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Your official transcripts are required to be received prior to course registration.
Applicants who have attended or are currently attending institutions NOT participating in ApplyAlberta must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office. A list of participating institutions is available at applyalberta.ca.
Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to:
Registrar’s Office
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive West
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Canada
Your transcripts are required to display your up-to-date coursework, including grades/marks received for completed coursework.
Applicants to the Master of Arts program are required to submit three (3) reference letters, two (2) of which must be academic. You should have studied with at least one of your references.
Your CV is a comprehensive document with a formal structure and academic focus. It should include your background, work experience, awards, scholarships, publications, and other achievements. If you are a current or former University of Lethbridge student, contact Career and Employment Services for additional information on the content and structure of a CV.
Your Letter of Intent for the Master of Arts program for most majors must contain:
- Your goals or objectives for seeking a graduate degree in the chosen discipline;
- the nature of your proposed research; and
- the alignment of your proposed research with your supervisor’s expertise.
Your Letter of Intent for the Master of Arts with a major in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought must contain:
- A description of the proposed research topic, including research question and methodology;
- the rationale for choosing the interdisciplinary Cultural, Social, and Political Thought major;
- and the proposed supervisor(s).
- The purpose of the letter is to provide the admission committee with information on your proposed research. The maximum length is one page.
You should address your letter to the School of Graduate Studies.
Things to Note:
Your Letter of Intent is your opportunity to show us your passion for your proposed research. Explain how dedicated and invested you are to your proposed graduate program, and provide specific examples of key accomplishments. Be concise and include only important information – reviewers have many graduate applications to review.
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to registration, all applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, research, and participation in tutorials and discussions, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin. Please see the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for graduate students for detailed information.
I chose to pursue graduate studies at the University of Lethbridge because of its smaller size and quality of instruction and research. A lot of my early learning and First Nations culture was passed to me through traditional storytelling, song and dance, so I had to learn to overcome challenges with writing. Having close interaction with my professors greatly impacted my research skills, as well as my ability to write.” - Leon Crane Bear, (MA '15)