In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program requires:
a) A statement identifying at least two academic disciplines or interdisciplinary degrees that will be integrated in the MA, MSc or PhD degree.
b) For MA and MSc admission an undergraduate degree in one of the academic disciplines or interdisciplinary degrees that will be integrated in the master’s degree. For PhD admission the master’s degree must be thesis (research)-based (or equivalent) and in one of the academic disciplines or interdisciplinary degrees that will be integrated in the PhD degree. Please note that applicants who hold non-thesis-based master’s degrees must present clear evidence of research experience (e.g., peer-reviewed papers in the research literature) that is equivalent to a thesis (research)-based degree.
c) A grade point average of 3.50 or higher (on the University of Calgary four-point system). For MA and MSc admission this is based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree (minimum of 60 units or 10 full-course equivalents). For PhD admission the overall GPA from the master's degree will be considered.
d) Applicants required to prove proficiency in English must fulfill this requirement in one of the following three ways:
- a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test) including at least 5.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE), and a score of at least 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)
- a TOEFL score of 100 on the Internet-based test
- an IELTS score of 7.5
e) Three reference letters on the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program’s reference letter forms.
f) An up-to-date curriculum vitae. Please separate refereed and non-refereed research contributions.
g) A concise statement of reasons for applying to the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, including its fit with career objectives.
h) A research statement (maximum of 1500 words (5 pages)). Please note that this research statement must include the following sections: Background, research questions, literature review, research methodology, intellectual merit of the proposed research, and broader impacts of the proposed research. The research statement should also indicate if ethics approval is required to carry out the proposed research.
i) A statement of interdisciplinarity that:
- sets out what makes the proposed program of study interdisciplinary
- specifies how each academic discipline or interdisciplinary degree will inform the research and why each is essential to answering the proposed research questions
- provides clear evidence that the proposed program of study cannot be undertaken in any other disciplinary or interdisciplinary degree at the University of Calgary
Please note that insufficient academic preparedness for another disciplinary or interdisciplinary degree and absence of an MA, MSc, or PhD program at the University of Calgary in an established disciplinary or interdisciplinary degree are not adequate reasons for pursuing a degree in IGP.
j) Proposed coursework as set out below in Program/Course Requirements.
k) A proposed Supervisory Committee. For MA and MSc admission the Supervisory Committee must consist of at least two people (Supervisor plus one person), one from each identified academic discipline or interdisciplinary degree (maximum of three members). For PhD admission the Supervisory Committee must consist of at least three people (Supervisor plus two people), at least one from each identified academic discipline or interdisciplinary degree (maximum of four members).
l) The proposed Supervisor must provide a letter that:
- confirms their willingness to supervise the applicant through to completion of the degree
- supports the proposed research and statement of interdisciplinarity
- confirms that the proposed research cannot be carried out in their program
- sets out how the proposed courses and research project will ensure sufficient disciplinary rigor within the program of study
- explains how the selection of other members of the Supervisory Committee will ensure a balance of interdisciplinary and disciplinarity
- confirms department/program approval for their role on the Supervisory Committee for this student
- includes a curriculum vitae that provides evidence of their expertise and experience relevant to the proposed research
m) Each proposed Supervisory Committee Member must provide a letter that:
- confirms their willingness to serve on the Supervisory Committee through to completion of the degree
- supports the proposed research and statement of interdisciplinarity
- confirms that the proposed research cannot be carried out in their program
- sets out how the proposed courses and research project will ensure sufficient disciplinary rigor within the program of study
- includes a curriculum vitae that provides evidence of their expertise and experience relevant to the proposed research
n) A proposed completion schedule. The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program does not offer a part-time registration status option. Expected completion time is two years for the MA degree and the MSc degree and four years for the PhD degree. Maximum completion time is four years for the MA degree and the MSc degree and six years for the PhD degree.
o) A funding plan that provides evidence of sufficient financial resources to carry out the program of study. For MA and MSc admission a two-year funding plan is required. For PhD admission a four-year funding plan is required. Applicants must be eligible to hold awards administered by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. Please note that statements signalling an intention to apply for funding are not sufficient.
p) A statement of availability of, and access to, all resources that are required to carry out the proposed research (e.g., equipment, data, access to respondents, funding for field work).
Program Descriptions