Documents needed for the assessment of your application
The Office of Admission, Registrar and Student Services reserves the right to request the authenticity of official documents from World Education Services (WES) Canada. If you receive this request, you must choose the Document-by-Document International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) service. Please note that there is a fee payable to WES for this service.
If you are born outside of Canada and currently reside in Canada, official proof of your legal status in Canada will be required to determine your tuition fees before your first enrollment.
Don’t hesitate to contact the Admission office (admission@ustpaul.ca) for more details.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
With your application, you must submit transcripts from each institution you attended. If the transcript is written in a language other than French and English, you must also submit a certified translation (signed and sealed). During the admission process, it is not necessary to provide official transcripts. However, if you are submitting the transcripts electronically, please be sure to scan them in colour in PDF format. Photos taken with a cell phone are not accepted. These transcripts must be sent directly from your academic institution to the following address:
Saint Paul University
Office of Admissions
223 Main Street, room 154
Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 1C4
CANADA
If you are admitted, you will be required to provide official transcripts showing your final grades.
To be official, transcripts must be printed, marked with an official seal, and sent by the educational institution. Certified true copies from a notary public, lawyer or commissioner of oaths are also accepted.
Students or alumni of Saint Paul University, it is not necessary to submit a transcript request to the registrar for your studies at USP. Our admissions team can produce the necessary transcripts.
B.A. in Social Innovation
Applicants must submit a letter of intent. An interview (in person or otherwise) may be required. Élisabeth-Bruyère School of Social Innovation scholarships are available. The School will communicate with the applicants directly with more information.
SECOND-ENTRY PROGRAMS
Second-entry graduate program in Theology requires a B.A. or its equivalent for admission, but no prior theological training.
With your application, you must send us official transcripts from each post-secondary institution you have attended. Transcripts are considered official only if they come in a sealed envelope.
Students or alumni of Saint Paul University, it is not necessary to submit a transcript request to the registrar for your studies at USP. Our admissions team can produce the necessary transcripts.
NEW: If you are an international applicant, a letter of permission from your bishop (if member of the secular clergy) or superior (if member of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) is required. No letter is required for laypersons.
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- Evidence of suitability for pastoral leadership attested through a letter of recommendation and pre-admission interview;
- Evidence of ability to succeed in a post-baccalaureate program of study, attested in a letter of reference from a professor familiar with the applicant’s previous academic work.
Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
- Evidence of ability to succeed in a post-baccalaureate program of study attested through two academic letters of reference from professors familiar with the applicant’s previous academic work.
GRADUATE STUDIES
With your application, you must submit transcripts from each post-secondary institution you attended. If the transcript is written in a language other than French or English, you must also submit a certified translation. During the admission process, it is not necessary to provide official transcripts. However, if you are submitting the transcripts electronically, please be sure to scan them in colour in PDF format. Photos taken with a cell phone will not be accepted. It is important to mention any post-secondary education, both on your admission form and on your resume.
If you are admitted, you will be required to provide official transcripts showing your final grades.
To be official, transcripts must be printed, marked with an official seal, and sent by the educational institution. Certified true copies from a notary public, lawyer or commissioner of oaths are also accepted.
Students or alumni of Saint Paul University: it is not necessary to submit a transcript request to the registrar for your studies at USP. Our admissions team can produce the necessary transcripts.
Depending on your program selection, you may be required to submit supplementary documentation. To learn about the specific admission requirements for your program, please consult the tables below.
If you apply to one of the Canon Law programs, a letter of permission from your bishop (for members of the secular clergy) or superior (for members of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) is required. No letter is required for laypersons.
N.B. Enrolment is limited at the graduate level. To increase your chances of being admitted, we strongly recommend that you submit your application and all supporting documents before the admission deadlines.
GRADUATE DIPLOMAS
Canon Law
- One (1) letter of recommendation;
- A letter of permission from your bishop (if member of the secular clergy) or superior (if member of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) – no letter required for laypersons;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
- Program option sheet.
Canonical Practice
- One (1) letter of recommendation;
- A letter of permission from your bishop (if member of the secular clergy) or superior (if member of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) – no letter required for laypersons;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Program option sheet.
Catholic Bioethics
- Two (2) letters of recommendation (from professors, employers, professional mentors, religious leaders, etc.) – for candidates who have graduated within the previous seven years, at least one letter must be from a university professor;
- An interview;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Letter of intent (500 words) reporting on the applicant’s career objectives.
Couple Counselling and Spirituality
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Proof of 120 supervised client contact hours.
Ecclesiastical Administration
- One (1) letter of recommendation;
- A letter of permission from your bishop (if member of the secular clergy) or superior (if member of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) – no letter required for laypersons;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
- Program option sheet.
Public Ethics
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
Social Organization Development
- Cover letter (maximum 500 words);
- A curriculum vitae.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- One (1) letter of recommendation (from professors, employers, professional mentors, religious leaders, etc.); for candidates who have graduated within the previous seven years, at least one letter must be from a university professor;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Statement of purpose;
- An interview.
Master’s programs
Canon Law (Licentiate)
- One (1) letter of recommendation;
- A letter of permission from your bishop (if member of the secular clergy) or superior (if member of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) – no letter required for laypersons;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Program option sheet.
Conflict Studies
- Two (2) letters of recommendation;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
- An autobiographical questionnaire, completed and signed;
Social Innovation
- Letter of Intent (500-1000 words);
- Curriculum vitae (resumé);
- An interview.
Counselling and Spirituality
- Two (2) letters of recommendation, including at least one from a university professor;
- An autobiographical questionnaire;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
- OPTIONAL: The following document is a tool that can help candidates self-assess whether they have completed the prerequisites for the Master’s in Counselling and Spirituality. Candidates are encouraged to careful review this document before submitting an application. It is not necessary to submit this document with your application. Admissions Workbook
Public Ethics
- An autobiographical questionnaire;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
Leadership, Ecology and Equity
- One (1) letter of recommendation (from professors, employers, professional mentors, religious leaders, etc.); for candidates who have graduated within the previous seven years, at least one letter must be from a university professor;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Statement of purpose.
Doctoral programs
Canon Law
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who know you in the context of your previous university studies and of your Master’s of Canon Law, as dean, chair, professor or supervisor;
- A letter of permission from your bishop (if member of the secular clergy) or superior (if member of Institute of Consecrated Life or apostolic society) – no letter required for laypersons;
- A curriculum vitae highlighting, if applicable, your previous experience in the area of canon law;
- A statement of purpose indicating the interests, career goals, research focus and other factors relevant to the proposed research area;
- An electronic copy of your Master’s/Licentiate thesis.
- Program option sheet.
Conflict Studies
- Two (2) letters of recommendation. A minimum of two letters must be from academics. This can include adjunct, part-time or retired professors. Other referees who may be called upon should be managers or professionals who can assess whether the candidate has the intellectual capacity, knowledge base and work habits necessary to complete a PhD;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- Cover letter that explains the following:
- Interest in doing a Ph.D.
- Why are you interested in this multi-disciplinary program?
- Academic studies and relevant experience
- Identification of at least one professor in the program whose research interests correspond to yours;
- A two–page draft of the research topic, and the relationship with one or more of the seven themes of the program:
- Ethnic ⁄ cultural ⁄ religious dimension
- Social justice ⁄ social inequality dimension
- Ecological and territorial dimension
- Moral ⁄ ethical dimension
- Theories of conflict
- International ⁄ geopolitical conflicts
- Conflict resolution ⁄ peacebuilding ⁄ reconciliation
- Official proof of passive competence in the second official language (French or English).
Counselling and Spirituality
- Three (3) letters of recommendation: one clinical recommendation required. The other letters need to be provided by university professors capable of evaluating your work;
- Proof of at least 120 hours of supervised direct, face-to-face contact with clients;
- A statement of purpose indicating the interests, career goals, research focus and other factors relevant to the proposed research area;
- A written description of the proposed research project. This is a short essay between 750 and 1000 words (3–4 pages), presenting the relevance of your proposed research (include a short research question, methodology, and a brief bibliography).
- Identification of two possible supervisors, in order of preference. For September 2024, the following professors are available to take new doctoral students: Prof Laura Armstrong, Prof Cynthia Bilodeau, Prof Guillaume Durand, Prof Buuma Maisha, Prof Celine Mavounza. Furthermore, please explain how your research interests align with the research of the supervisors you have identified (one page).
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Contemporary Social Issues
- Three (3) letters of recommendation, including one from a professional familiar with the candidate’s social commitment and able to confirm their suitability for advanced research (candidates returning to university after many years in the workforce may provide two letters from immediate supervisors confirming their social commitment and suitability for advanced research);
- A curriculum vitae (resumé);
- A letter of intention (maximum 500 words) setting out the candidate’s career goals;
- A draft of the thesis project (maximum 1,000 words);
- A letter of support from a Saint Paul University professor (whose research interests correspond to the proposed thesis topic) who is able to supervise the candidate’s proposed research topic.
Ministry
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from professors;
- One (1) confidential letter of recommendation from an experienced professional;
- One (1) letter of support from your supervisor;
- Confirmation of sustained professional experience in ministry. The letter of confirmation (of five years of sustained practical experience in ministry) should be written by your supervisors;
- Confirmation of passive competence in second official language – Students whose knowledge of the language is deemed insufficient may be required to complete successfully additional courses in either English or French before they can resume their studies in Theology;
- Intended doctoral research – This information will assist the Admissions Committee in ensuring adequate research direction;
- An interview with the Admissions Committee may also be required by the Faculty;
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).
Social Innovation
- A curriculum vitae which includes including relevant publications. If candidates do not have any suitable publications, they are invited to provide a chapter of their MA thesis, or a final paper from a previous graduate course;
- A letter of intent (maximum 1000 words);
- Two (2) letters of reference
Theology
- Two (2) letters of recommendation, from professors capable of evaluating your work;
- Intended doctoral research;
- Official proof of passive competence in the second official language (French or English);
- A curriculum vitae (resumé).