PhD admission requirements

Unless otherwise stated, the admission requirements for the doctoral program are those of the UNB School of Graduate Studies with the following modifications and additions.

1. The applicant must have completed a previous degree at the graduate level from a recognized institution. The applicant must submit original transcripts of previously completed undergraduate and graduate degrees. Facsimiles and reproduced copies of transcripts will not be acceptable. Such transcripts must be sent from the relevant university or educational institution directly to UNB's School of Graduate Studies.

Applicants will be considered to be admissible if their academic standing in their previous graduate degree indicates a high academic standing (e.g., a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 or higher, an average of A- or higher, or its equivalent).

To assist the Graduate Studies Coordinating Committee in determining the applicant's admissibility, some applicants may wish to submit results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as additional evidence of academic competence. GRE scores may be required of some applicants. GRE test results must be mailed directly to UNB's School of Graduate Studies.

2. The applicant must submit evidence of having completed academic studies in the field of education. A full degree in Education is not required. Such studies should include credit courses in Education and be shown on an academic transcript.
   
   
3. The applicant must submit a portfolio demonstrating personal competence in conducting independent research and in writing in English. The portfolio should be a substantial piece of writing in the English language, and could include a master's thesis, a qualifying research paper, a report of a program or curriculum design and evaluation, or an equivalent document. Course assignments and co-authored papers are not considered to be acceptable evidence of such competence.

The following minimum proficiency levels are accepted by the Faculty of Education for each type of test:

• TOEFL 650 (280 computer-based)
• IBT minimum score of 92
• TWE minimum score of 5.5
• IELTS minimum score of 7 in each category (reading, listening, writing and speaking)
• MELAB minimum score of 85
• CanTest minimum score of 4.5 in each category (reading, listening, writing and speaking)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) minimum score of 70

All applications are assessed on a competitive basis. Satisfaction of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

Test scores should be sent by the testing agency directly to the School of Graduate Studies by email to gradschl@unb.ca or by mail or courier to:

The University of New Brunswick
School of Graduate Studies
Sir Howard Douglas Hall, Room 317
3 Bailey Drive, P.O. Box 4400
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3

4. The applicant must submit evidence of having a minimum of two years working/teaching experience, or its equivalent and of competence in education related areas such as teaching, counselling, administration, program development or program evaluation.

Evidence of such experience and competence should be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies and could include: a resume or curriculum vitae listing the names of two persons who could provide suitable references, original letters of reference, or an abbreviated personal portfolio (no more than 20 pages). Portfolios will not be returned.

5. The applicant must submit three reference letters in support of their application for graduate studies which attest to their professional and academic suitability to study at the doctoral level.
   
   
6. The applicant must submit an outline of the area of study and/or research to be pursued. This outline should be approximately one-page or 500 words in length.
   
   
7. Top ranked applicants may be invited to participate in an interview with members of the Graduate Studies Coordinating Committee or their designates (face-to-face or by audio-conference).

This interview will assist the Graduate Studies Coordinating Committee in rank ordering admissible applicants and in determining if the Faculty of Education can provide adequate supervisory resources during the applicant's proposed period of study.