A full-time, two-year, thesis-based option is available for those who wish to pursue a topic in greater depth. In the thesis option (in place of the major research project), you will complete a thesis proposal by the end of your first year, and in your second year complete a thesis and an oral defence.

Note: Internal funding is typically only available for the first year; students thinking of completing the two-year thesis option or a sixteen month internship option should have alternate funding (e.g. hold an external scholarship such as SSHRC or have assured research assistantship funding from their supervisor) for their second year.

Students who wish to pursue the Internship Option for their degree must first obtain agreement from a program faculty member to supervise their completion of RE697: Supervised Internship. Internships may be conducted in Canada or abroad, and will normally be related to students’ topic of research for RE697: Supervised Internship.

The 12-Month Internship Option will normally be conducted during the spring semester for a minimum duration of four weeks. The longer option with internship is also a possibility but leads to a 16-month MA program, with no funding offered during the second fall term, during which the student writes their internship-informed MRP.

To pursue either internship option, students must submit a cover letter providing information on the internship program under consideration and a resume to the Graduate Program Coordinator for approval by the end of the fourth week of the winter term. Students return after the internship to complete RE697: Supervised Internship by the end of the spring semester (if completing the 12-month MA).

Note: Internal funding is typically only available for the first year; students thinking of completing the two-year thesis option or a sixteen month internship option should have alternate funding (e.g. hold an external scholarship such as SSHRC or have assured research assistantship funding from their supervisor) for their second year.

The 12-Month MRP option remains the most popular program option and requires the completion of a Major Research Project.

• A four-year (honours) undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• A minimum B average in your fourth year of undergraduate study and a B+ in your major.
• Applications are reviewed by the graduate program committee, which considers all prior university grades, statement of research interests, a writing sample and letters of reference.
• Review any additional requirements/considerations applicable as an international applicant.

The first round of applications is considered in early January. Thereafter, applications will continue to be considered until the program is full. If applying after the first phase of applications is considered in early January, consult the graduate coordinator directly to enquire about further openings in the program. We have had a significant amount of interest in our program during the past two years, so we strongly encourage prospective students to apply prior to the deadline.

After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).

Please note, the application process and the uploading of supplemental documentation, which includes references, typically takes two weeks. To avoid disappointment, apply early.

An application for admission to our MA program in Religion, Culture, and Global Justice must include:

• The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
• A completed statement of intent.
• A resume of your academic and work experience. Where applicable, include a history of your research experience and publication or conference activity, as well as any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
• A sample of your scholarly writing (10-20 pages in length). This may be a paper written for a senior undergraduate course.
• Completed reference forms. Two academic references are required. Note: Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.

Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying.

Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.