CSPT PROGRAM ADMISSION STEPS

Step 1 – Apply to the Faculty of Graduate Admissions and Records

Applicants may apply online at:http://www.uvic.ca/students/grad/admissions/ready/index.php

Application forms and information packages are also available from:

Graduate Admissions and Records
University of Victoria
PO Box 3060 STN CSC
Victoria, BC V8W 3R4
CANADA
Telephone: (250) 472-4657
Fax: (250) 472-5420

There are two entry points to the program:

Option A – Concentration in one of the participating department graduate programs

The application procedures to the home departments (English, History, Political Science and Sociology) and the CSPT program are distinct from each other. However, to be considered for both, students must apply simultaneously for admission to the MA or PhD program in one of these departments as well as to the CSPT program. To do so, apply to the major ESPT (English with CSPT), HSPT (History with CSPT), PSPT (Political Science with CSPT) or SSPT (Sociology with CSPT). 

For an MA program, please include a 1-2 page Statement of Intent, indicating your specific interests and prospective thesis topic,  plus a sample of academic writing in English. The paper you submit should provide evidence that you can do high quality theoretical work and reach beyond the limits of your own discipline.

For a PhD program, please include a 2 page Statement of Intent, indicating your specific interests and prospective dissertation topic, plus a sample of academic writing in English. The paper you submit should provide evidence that you can do high quality theoretical work and reach beyond the limits of your own discipline.

Applicants are expected to have some background in theory.

Note that you must be accepted by one of the participating departments before you can be considered for admission to the CSPT Program.

Option B – Concentration in an Individual Interdisciplinary graduate program

For students whose proposed fields of research fall entirely outside of the areas covered by the four home departments, submit an application directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies as an Individual Interdisciplinary student. See http://web.uvic.ca/gradstudies/students/interdisciplinary.php for details.

Note that you must be accepted into an Individual Interdisciplinary program before you can be considered for admission to the CSPT Program.

For an MA program, please include a 1-2 page Statement of Intent, indicating your specific interests and prospective thesis topic, plus a sample of academic writing in English. The paper you submit should provide evidence that you can do high quality theoretical work and reach beyond the limits of your own discipline.

For a PhD program, please include a 2 page Statement of Intent, indicating your specific interests and prospective dissertation topic, plus a sample of academic writing in English. The paper you submit should provide evidence that you can do high quality theoretical work and reach beyond the limits of your own discipline.

Applicants are expected to have some background in theory.

Also send copies of your statement of intent and sample of academic writing, with a cover letter, to the CSPT Director:

c/o CSPT Secretary
Department of Political Science
University of Victoria
P.O. Box 3060 STN CSC
Victoria BC Canada V8W 3R4

 

Step 2 – Wait

Acceptance into a particular department does not guarantee entry into the CSPT Program. The CSPT Admissions Committee is interdisciplinary. We look for students who (1) have a strong interest in and aptitude for theoretical work within their own disciplines, and (2) want to reach out beyond those disciplines to make better sense of the world.

The CSPT admissions committee generally meets in April to review applications. Applicants are notified of the committee’s decision as soon as it is made, and hear officially from the University shortly after that.

In some cases, we delay our final decision on a student’s case until after the first term of graduate study. In these instances, we grant a student probationary status, which allows the student to enroll in a first term CSPT seminar as a matter of right. All CSPT seminars are open to other students with permission of the instructor. You may be interested in a particular seminar even though you do not want to become a regular student in the CSPT program. You are most welcome to take part on that basis. You may decide that you are interested in CSPT after you become a student at UVic, in which case you can apply for admission at that time. Make an appointment to see the CSPT Director if you are in that position, but remember that only students in English, History, Political Science, Sociology, and Interdisciplinary programs can presently qualify for the CSPT designation.

For further information, please email Rob Walker at rwalker@uvic.ca or telephone the CSPT secretary at (250) 721-7486.

For more information on English Department application requirements go to: http://english.uvic.ca/graduate/admission.html

For more information on History Department application requirements go to: http://web.uvic.ca/history/graduate_programs.htm

For more information on Political Science Department application requirements go to: http://web.uvic.ca/polisci/graduate/admissions.htm

For more information on Sociology Department application requirements go to: http://web.uvic.ca/soci/graduate/index.html