Admission Requirements

Applicants in this category must have received a high school diploma and must have an overall average of 65 per cent or higher on five 30-level subjects as listed below.

If missing one of the required subjects or if the admission average is between 60 – 64.9 per cent, admission may be considered under the Special Admission category on a case-by-case basis.

If less than 30 credit hours have been completed at another post-secondary institution, admission under this category may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

1. English Language Arts 30-1 or equivalent
   Note: Applicants who present a final grade below 65 per cent in English Language Arts 30-1 will be required to take WRIT 201 (3 credits) during their first semester of studies.
2. One of:
   • Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent, Mathematics 30-2 or equivalent.
     Note: Mathematics 31 does not satisfy this requirement.
   • 30-level language other than English
3. Two of:
   • Aboriginal Studies 30 (5 credits)
   • Biology 30
   • Chemistry 30
   • 30-level language other than English
   • Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent, Mathematics 30-2 or equivalent (if not used to satisfy requirement #2)
   • Mathematics 31
   • Physics 30
   • Science 30
   • Social Studies 30-1
4. One additional approved 5-credit or two 3-credit subjects at the 30-level (excluding Special Projects 30)

Two subjects in the same discipline may not normally be presented to satisfy admission requirements. Exceptions are Mathematics 30-1 and Mathematics 31, and languages other than English. No course with a mark below 50 per cent may be used.

Bachelor of Science, 4-year Biology Degree

Applicants to this program will adhere to the same admission requirements as for High School Standing, but in addition must have each of the following subjects:

• Biology 30
• Chemistry 30
• Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent

If deemed inadmissible to the Bachelor of Science program, admission will automatically be deferred to the Open Studies program.

Business Transfer Program

Applicants to this program will adhere to the same admission requirements as for high School Standing, but in addition must have one of the following subjects:

• Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent
• Mathematics 30-2 or equivalent

Or, if transferring to the University of Calgary

• Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent

Psychology Degree Programs

Applicants to this program will adhere to the same admission requirements as for High School Standing, but in addition must have one of the following subjects:

• Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent
• Mathematics 30-2 or equivalent

Science Transfer Program

Applicants to this program will adhere to the same admission requirements as for High School Standing, but in addition must have one of the following subjects:

• Biology 30 and
• Chemistry 30 and
• Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent

Out-of-Province Students

Applicants who have completed high school in a Canadian province other than Alberta will be permitted to use equivalent courses to meet admission requirements. The chart here lists courses offered in other provinces that are acceptable for admission purposes in lieu of Alberta 30-level courses. Please contact the Enrolment Services Office if you have questions about admission course equivalencies. Applicants who have completed high school in a province other than Alberta must make arrangements to have their official transcripts forwarded directly to the enrollment Services Offices.

For more information, click here to view the University Calendar.

Bachelor of Education, Single Entry Stream

The Bachelor of Education, Single-Entry stream is for students entering from high school who wish to complete both a 4-year Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and the Bachelor of Education degree. Applicants are only eligible for entry to the program during the year that they graduate from high school, and cannot have previously completed any coursework at the post-secondary level. Applicants to the B.Ed. Single-Entry program must complete all 4-year degree requirements within 5 years by April of the year preceding commencement of the B.Ed. degree, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 30 credits of their BA/BSc degree and submit an Intent to Continue form by the same date as the Application to Graduate form. Please note that the Single Entry program does not guarantee entry into the Bachelor of Education Program, applicants will be reassessed upon the completion of their first degree.

Admission Criteria
A cohort cap for the Single-Entry program will be determined annually in consultation with the Dean of Education and Vice President Academic. During the review process, applicants are initially evaluated in the following areas:

1. 1. Academic Records Admission to the Single-Entry program is competitive:
      • Minimum high school admission average of 75%
      • Early conditional admission average is calculated on the best five grade 11 or 12 admission subjects
      • Final admission average is calculated on the best five grade 12 admission subjects
   2. Supporting DocumentsSupporting documents are submitted separately from the online application for admission. The application is considered complete when all the supporting documentation has been received and will be reviewed after that date.
   3. Letter of Intent Applicants must submit a letter of intent outlining the applicant’s interest in the teaching profession and describing how their skills, experience, and challenges make them suitable candidates for the Bachelor of Education program.
   4. Résumé Include all experience working with children, volunteer experience, and work history.
   5. Letters of Reference Two letters of reference are required; references must be submitted through our confidential online form at stmu.ca/bed-reference-form. References are a rating of the applicant’s personal and professional qualities by two referees who know the individual in different capacities as either a learner, a worker, or a leader. References from family or friends cannot be accepted. All supporting documents may be submitted by mail, email, or in person to:

St. Mary’s University
Attention: Admissions
14500 Bannister Rd SE
Calgary, AB T2X 1Z4
Email: admissions@stmu.ca

Home Educated Students

St. Mary’s University recognizes that individuals who have followed a non-traditional education path will still possess the capabilities and competencies required to succeed in a post-secondary institution. Home-educated applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To be considered for admission, applicants must provide a written recommendation from an individual other than a parent, such as a home education coordinator, teaching professional or counsellor, commenting on the applicant’s academic readiness for a university-level program of studies. References from family or friends cannot be accepted.

Home-schooled applicants will also be required to submit their Academic Portfolio for the Registrar to review. Portfolios should include:

• Introduction. Provide basic information about your homeschool approach or the type of curriculum used. Include any transcripts you may have.
• Test Scores. Submit official results from at least one of the following standard tests: English 30-1 with a 65 per cent or better; GED with a minimum score of 525; SAT reasoning test scores of 925. Applicants to the Bachelor of Science must submit scores of 50 percent or higher for Biology 30, Chemistry 30, and Mathematics 30-1 or equivalent.
• Literature List. Include a list of books read during high school years. Include the title, author, and the year the book was read.
• Writing Samples. Include writing samples from grades 9 through 12. Include written reports for history, English, science, etc.
• Recognition. Include both the award title and a single page outlining the details of the award, including what it took to achieve the award or recognition. Also include letters of recommendations, if applicable.
• Extracurricular. Include activities where talents, leadership, and skills shine, whether the focus is art, dance, drama, music, sport, or other activities.
• Work Experience. Any jobs held, apprentice work completed in a specialized field, or internships during the high school years should be recorded in this section.
• Volunteerism. Include any community involvement and volunteer service.

Applicants in this category will have attempted or completed at least 30 credit hours at another post-secondary institution. Applicants with fewer than 30 completed credit hours will be considered for admission under the High School Standing category as determined by Admissions.

If post-secondary credit was earned at one of ApplyAlberta’s participating institutions, transcripts will automatically be obtained by St. Mary’s automatically. If the credit was earned at a non-participating institution, the applicant must arrange to have official transcripts forwarded to Admissions.

Applicants who present a cumulative GPA below 2.0 and/or who have been required to withdraw from another institution may be admitted on a Special Admission basis and placed on academic probation. To fulfill the obligations of academic probation, students will be:

• Limited to registering in a maximum of nine credit hours (3 courses in the first term) and required to meet with an academic advisor before registering.
• Required to achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher as follows:
  • Full-time studies (9 credits)- must be achieved during the student’s first term of studies; failure to do so will result in being require to withdraw for a one-year period.
  • Part-time studies (less than 9 credits)- must be achieved upon completing of 9 credits; failure to do so will result in being required to withdraw for a one-year period.
• Required to complete a total of four Success Strategy Seminars during the student’s first term of studies. Failure to do so will result in being required to withdraw for a one-year period.

All Programs

English, General Studies, History, Liberal Studies, Social Justice & Catholic Studies, Open Studies as well as Biology, Psychology, and Business Transfer

• Present an English 30-1 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 65%,  or present a GED with a minimum score of 525 in the 5 comprehensive areas
• Be at least 21 years of age by the beginning of the semester in which they wish to commence studies
• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents (international students will be considered based on the admissions criteria for international students)

Biology
Additional Requirements of:

• Mathematics 30-1
• Biology 30
• Chemistry 30

Psychology
Additional requirements of:

• Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2

Business Transfer
Additional requirement of:

• Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2 *if transferring to University of Calgary, Mathematics 30-1

St. Mary’s University is a Designated Learning Institute (DLI Number O19273782872) eligible to accept and enroll international students on a study permit.

If you are not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, you must obtain a valid study permit before you come to Canada.

Note: International Students are not eligible for the Humanities 101 Program.

APPLYING TO ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY

Applying for a study permit can be a lengthy process. It is recommended that international students begin the admissions process at least three months prior to the term in which you would like to commence studies.

• The application deadline for the Fall term is June 1
• The application deadline for the Winter term is October 31

International students are considered on case-by-case bases and must:

• Apply online at apply.stmu.ca
• Pay a non-refundable $175 (Canadian) international student application fee
• Present English Language proficiency results
• Provide all original transcripts and/or documentation from previous educational institutions, including exact translations from qualified translator of the documentation is not already in English

Assessment Services are available through:

International Qualification Assessment Service
(IQAS)
9th Floor, 9942 – 108 Street
Edmonton, AB, Canada, T5K 2J5
Phone: (780) 427-2655
Fax: (780) 422-9734
Alberta.ca/iqas

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO STUDY IN CANADA

To obtain a student permit you must:

• Apply to St. Mary’s University and have your letter of acceptance
• Have a valid passport
• Submit a completed application with the requested fees to the Canadian Embassy or to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in your country

You must provide proof that you have enough funds to pay for your:

• Tuition fees
• Living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada
• Return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada

You must be law-abiding and have no record of criminal activity (you may be asked to provide a Police Clearance Certificate)

• You will not be a risk to the security of Canada
• You must be in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, if necessary
• You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada when you have completed your studies

For more information about obtaining a study permit, visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp

HEALTH INSURANCE/ACCIDENT INSURANCE

It is important that you subscribe to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) as soon as you arrive in Canada. You will need an Alberta Health Care Identification Card, Blue Cross Card or another private insurance plan identification card to access the health care system.

Students authorized to stay in Canada for 12 months or longer are required to register with AHCIP. You will be eligible to apply and to receive coverage on the date of your arrival. You must register within 3 months of your arrival in Canada. A copy of your Study Permit and /or your Temporary Resident Visa will be required when you apply for AHCIP.

AHCIP pays for services provided by Physicians (doctors) and oral surgeons. It also pays a portion of the cost of treatment provided by optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, and physical therapists. It does not pay for naturopaths, or for medication or ambulance services.

Apply for AHCIP by visiting one of the local registry agents or by mail:
Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan
Box 1360 Stn Main
Edmonton, AB T5J 2N3

Additional information can be obtained by calling toll free:
403-310-0000 or visit the website for more information.

If you do not qualify for AHCIP, you may purchase health insurance from a private insurance company such as:

• Kanetix
• Bridges International Insurance Services
• Guard Me

International students are not covered through St. Mary’s University’s accident insurance plan that covers injuries sustained in campus buildings or on the premises while attending classes on any regular day of classes; while attending or participating in any University activity approved and supervised by an appropriate University authority; while travelling directly to or from any regularly scheduled and approved University activity under the direction or supervision of a proper University authority; and while travelling to or from the insured’s residence and the University for the purpose of attending classes or participating in any University-sponsored activity.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

1. English is the official language of Instruction at St. Mary’s University. All applicants, regardless of their citizenship or country or origin, must demonstrate English language proficiency to be considered for admission to the University.
   

   Acceptable English Language Tests	Bachelor of Education After-Degree	BA/BSc and Transfer Programs
   TOEFL iBT	Minimum 27 in Speaking, 25 in Writing, 23 in Listening, 23 in Reading	80 with no component score below 19
   TOEFL BPT	N/A	550 with no component score less than 50
   TOEFL CBT	N/A	213 with no component score less than 17
   IELTS Academic	8.0 with no bands below 7.0	No individual score below 6.0
   MELAB	N/A	85
   PTE	N/A	59
   CLB	N/A	Level 8
   Canadian English Language Test (CAEL)	N/A	70
   Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)	200	180
   Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)	200	180

2. Students who complete English for Academic Purposes (EAP) with a grade of B or higher at Bow Valley College meet the language requirements of St. Mary’s University.
3. Applicants who have studied for three full years in Canada must present 65 per cent or higher in English 30-1 or approved equivalent. The three years must include Alberta Grade 12 or equivalent and may be a combination of secondary and post-secondary education. Proof of three years education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts.
4. Applicants who have studied in Canada but for less than three full years must present 65 per cent or higher in English 30-1 or equivalent and a minimum TOEFL CBT score of 213 or an iBT score of 80. Applicants who achieve 65 per cent or higher in English 30-1 or approved equivalent may be exempt from the TOEFL requirements.
5. International applicants who have resided in Canada and do not meet the previously stated requirements may take an English assessment test. If the assessment indicates the need to take English upgrading, then English 30-1 must be completed with a grade of 65 per cent or higher before the applicant can be admitted to St. Mary’s University. For assessment information contact:Immigrant Services Calgary
   Phone: 403-265-1120
   Email: info@immigrantservicescalgary.ca
   Website: https://immigrantservicescalgary.ca/our-services/english-testingeducation

Students who have completed their formal full-time studies at an accredited English post-secondary institution in any of the countries listed below, with proof of education in English, will have satisfied the English Language Proficiency requirement for St. Mary’s University.

• Anguilla
• Antigua
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Botswana
• British Virgin Islands
• Canada
• Cameroon (English stream-GCE)
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Fiji
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• India
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Liberia
• Malawi
• Malta
• Mauritius (English stream-GCE)
• Montserrat
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Puerto Rico (English stream)
• Singapore
• South Africa
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent
• Tanzania
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• Uganda
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Visiting students are those enrolled in a degree program at another post-secondary institution who wish to take courses at St. Mary’s University for transfer credit. Visiting students must apply for admission at apply.stmu.ca. A letter of permission from the home institution indicating the dates of study and approved course(s) must be provided prior to registering at St.Mary’s University

If the home institution is a member of ApplyAlberta, it is the responsibility of the home institution to request transcripts on behalf of the student upon completion of the approved course(s). If the home institution is not a member of ApplyAlberta, visiting students must request that a transcript be sent to their home institution.

Applicants who do not meet the requirements for the other admission categories may be considered for Special Admission on a case-by-case basis. Students admitted under this category will be placed on academic probation. To fulfill the obligations of academic probation, students will be:

• Limited to registering in a maximum of nine credit hours (3 courses in the first term) and required to meet with an academic advisor before registering.
• Required to achieve a GPA of 2.0 or higher as follows:
  • Full-time studies (9 credits)- must be achieved during the student’s first term of studies; failure to do so will result in being require to withdraw for a one-year period.
  • Part-time studies (less than 9 credits)- must be achieved upon completing of 9 credits; failure to do so will result in being required to withdraw for a one-year period.
• Required to complete a total of four Success Strategy Seminars during the student’s first term of studies. Failure to do so will result in being required to withdraw for a one-year period.

Students who have previously submitted an application or attended St. Mary’s University but who have not attended or registered for one or more years must apply for re-admission at
apply.stmu.ca, and must pay a $100 re-application fee. If you previously attended St. Mary’s University and were registered within one year you do not need to apply for re-admission; please contact the Enrolment Services Office. Students who wish to return after being required to withdraw from the University will be required to meet with the Dean prior to re-entry.

If a returning student has been attending a post-secondary institution that is not a participating member of ApplyAlberta, the student must supply official transcripts from the postsecondary institution when applying for re-admission to St. Mary’s University

The University will automatically obtain transcripts on behalf of applicants who attended high school or a post-secondary institution in Alberta, as long as the institution is a participating member of ApplyAlberta. If the institution is not a member of ApplyAlberta, the student must supply official transcripts when applying for admission to St. Mary’s University. Transcripts must be mailed directly to the Enrolment Services Office from the issuing institution bearing the official seal of the institution.

Applicants who did not complete Grade 12 in Alberta or did not attend a post-secondary institution in Alberta must provide official high school and/or post-secondary transcripts from each institution. Transcripts must be mailed directly to the Enrolment Services Office from the issuing institution bearing the official seal of the institution.

Out-Of-Province High School Transcripts

Transcripts from other provinces can be obtained from the appropriate education board in the province where applicants attended or are attending high school.

British Columbia
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/
support/transcripts-and-certificates
Manitoba
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/studrec/marks.html
New Brunswick
Contact High School
Newfoundland & Labrador
https://www.gov.nl.ca/education/k12/highschool/transcripts/
Northwest Territories
https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/student-records
Nova Scotia
Contact High School
Nunavut
https://www.gov.nu.ca/education/information/student-recordsand-student-information-system-sis#transcript
Ontario
Contact High School
Prince Edward Island
Contact High School
Québec
http://www.education.gouv.qc.ca/en/students/report-cardstranscripts-diplomas/
Saskatchewan
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/education-andlearning/credits-degrees-and-transcripts/requesting-transcriptsfor-high-school
Yukon
https://yukon.ca/en/school-transcript