Admission Requirements

High School Standing – For the 2025/2026 Academic Year

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

For entry in: English, General Studies, History, Liberal Studies, Social Justice & Catholic Studies, Open Studies & Diploma Program

1. English 30-1
   
2. Three of:
   • Math 30-1
   • Math 30-2
   • 30-level language other than English
   • Aboriginal Studies 30
   • Biology 30
   • Chemistry 30
   • Math 31
   • Physics 30
   • Science 30
   • Social Studies 30-1
   • Art 30
   • Art 31
   • Choral Music 30
   • General Music 30
   • Instrumental Music 30
   • Drama 30
   • Dance 35
   • Musical Theatre 35
   • CTS Computing Science 30 (5 credits)

3. An additional approved 5-credit 30-level course, the average of two approved 3-credit 30-level courses, or the average of five approved 1-credit Advanced-level CTS courses from the same occupational area. For a more detailed explanation of the courses that will fulfil this requirement.

One additional course from the below list:

• One additional 5-credit course from the list in category two
• Social Studies 30-2 (if Social Studies 30-1 is not a course used to satisfy category 2)
• Any 30-level 5-credit Dual Credit Post-Secondary Institution (PSI) course
• Physical Education 30 [5 credits]
• Work Experience 35 [≥5 credits]
• Any 35-level Locally Developed Course (LDC) [≥5 credits] including Religious Studies 35
• Any 5-credit Advanced Placement (AP) course
• Any 5-credit International Baccalaureate (IB) course

OR

The average of two courses from the below list:

• Any 3-credit course from the list in category two
• Physical Education 30 [3 or 4 credits]
• Work Experience 35 [3 or 4 credits]
• International Politics 30
• World Religions 30
• World Geography 30
• Experimental Psychology 30
• Cultural and Physical Anthropology 30
• Applied Sociology 30
• Philosophies of Man 30
• Microeconomics 30
• Western World History 30
• Macroeconomics 30
• Any 35-level Locally Developed 3 or 4 credit course (LDC)
• Any 3-credit Advanced Placement (AP) course
• Any 3-credit International Baccalaureate (IB) course

OR

The average of five, 1-credit CTS courses at the Advanced level within the same occupational area (see the list below). An example of course codes for CTS courses at the 30-level are COM3025 or FOD3900. If there are more than five, 1-credit courses in an occupational area, the five best courses will be used to calculate the average.

• Business, Administration, Finance & Information Technology (BIT)
• Health, Recreation & Human Services (HRH)
• Media, Design & Communication Arts (MDC)
• Natural Resources (NAT)
• Trades, Manufacturing & Transportation (TMT)

For reference on which area your CTS courses are within, please reference the Provincially Authorized Senior High School Courses and Course Codes.

Courses that CANNOT be used for Admission:

• Any course with a final mark below 50%
• English Language Arts 30-2
• Any 30-3 or 30-4 level course
• Career and Life Management (CALM)
• Special Projects 30

Post-Secondary Standing

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 StMU. 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 required to withdraw for a one-year period.
  • Part-time studies (less than 9 credits)- must be achieved upon completing 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.

Mature Standing

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility

If you do not meet the requirements for high school or post-secondary admission, you may be considered for mature admission. Mature standing applicants must:

• 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 and
• Biology 30 and
• 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

Visiting Student Admission

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.

If you have previously submitted an application or attended St. Mary’s University but have not attended or registered for one or more years, you 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. If you wish to return after being required to withdraw from the University, you will be required to meet with the Dean prior to re-entry.

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

Re-Admission to the University

If you have previously submitted an application or attended St. Mary’s University but have not attended or registered for one or more years, you 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 Registrar’s Office at info@stmu.ca. If you wish to return after being required to withdraw from the University, you will be required to meet with the Dean prior to re-entry.

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

Special Admission

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

1. Limited to register in a maximum of nine credit hours (3 courses in the first term) and required to meet with an academic advisor before registering.
2. 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 required to withdraw for a one-year period.
   • Part-time studies (less than 9 credits)- must be achieved upon completing 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.

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 Admissions 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 Admissions Office.

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 Admissions Office 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 % 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 % 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 recommendation, 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.

Admission Requirements – Bachelor of Education

Academic Records – Transcripts

• Applicants with Post-Secondary Degrees
  Official transcripts from participating ApplyAlberta institutions will be requested on behalf of the applicant
• Official transcripts for all other post-secondary institutions (non-participating ApplyAlberta institutions) must be requested by the applicant and submitted directly to St. Mary’s University. Transcripts must remain sealed to be considered official. Transcripts can be mailed to St. Mary’s or emailed directly by the issuing institution to admissions@stmu.ca.
  St. Mary’s University
  Attention: Admissions
  14500 Bannister Rd SE
  Calgary, AB T2X 1Z4
• Applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s University do not need to submit transcripts.
• High school transcripts are not required.

Applicants with International Credentials

• Arrange for all original transcripts and/or documentation from previous educational institutions to be sent directly to St. Mary’s either by mail or email.
• Exact translations from a qualified translator must be provided if the documentation is not already in English.
• An assessment completed by the International Qualification Assessment Service (IQAS), or World Education Services (WES), which compares international educational standards to Canada, must be sent to admissions@stmu.ca or by mail to St. Mary’s.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency is required for individuals whose first language is not English. Evidence accepted by the University is:
  • Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT). The minimum standard scores required in the four categories are 27 in Speaking, 25 in Writing, 23 in Listening, and 23 in Reading.
  • IELTS (Academic Format) The minimum score required is 8.0 with no bands below a 7.0.
  • Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) with a minimum score of 200
  • Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) with a minimum score of 200
• Language proficiency evidence is not needed in cases where an applicant has studied for a minimum of 3 years in a formal full-time secondary or post-secondary institution in Canada or in any one of the language exempt countries.

Reference Forms

• References are a rating of the applicant’s personal and professional qualities in different capabilities as a learner, worker, and leader. References should be professional or academic; submissions from family or friends will not be considered.
• Two reference forms are required; references must be submitted through our confidential online form. Only references submitted through our form will be accepted.

Evidence of Community Involvement and Interest in the Vocation of Teaching

Résumé

• Applicants will be evaluated on the breadth and the depth of involvement in educational settings as well as experience with diversity and inclusive practices, highlighting prior work with children.
• Email your résumé to admissions@stmu.ca with the subject line “LAST NAME, First Name – Resume”. Include education, and relevant work and volunteer experience. Emphasize experience with children and work in a leadership or teaching capacity.