How to Apply

Application Period

Application deadline for a spring start: February 28, 2025.
Application deadline for a summer start: March 31, 2025.
The application portal opens on November 1, 2024 - apply early to mitigate any concerns with your documentation (see below) or to account for any system issues.

Notes:

  • Applications will be processed after each deadline. We will contact you once your application has been reviewed.
  • Applicants in 2025 and beyond can only receive transfer credit for one previous music education course.

Have Your Supporting Documents Ready

Your application will require you to upload some documents. Having them ready will expedite your application process.

1. A 1-2 page résumé outlining teaching and other relevant work experience

2. A letter of intent (1-2 pages). In your letter, please indicate how your current work would benefit from participation in the program and/or how you may be able to enter or alter your career because of receiving the certificate. 

3. The GCES Student Information Form (available soon). Save this document to your computer, then fill it out and upload it to your application.

4. Transcripts from all of the post-secondary institutions you have attended (including incomplete studies, exchange and transfer credit courses), issued AFTER May 1, 2024 for spring term; July 1, 2024 for summer term. Transcripts issued before these dates will not be accepted. 

  • Each transcript must be scanned in its entirety (front and back pages), including the transcript legend typically printed on the back of the transcript, and be legible. Ensure that no information is cut off during scanning.
  • The following are acceptable for uploading to GSMS:
    • PDF copies of transcripts that have been mailed to you from the issuing institution
    • PDF copies from Bear Tracks for U of A students
    • PDF copies from other institutions' student portals (must have the institution's URL clearly visible)
    • PDF copies from MyCreds (email to yourself, then upload PDF copy to GSMS).

Please review the Application Requirements for Academic Documents page to ensure that your transcripts meet ALL of the listed requirements.

When you receive your letter of admission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), you will be required to have the issuing institution send official transcripts directly to GPS.


International Applicants

International applicants are welcome, but due to the part-time nature and blended delivery format of this program, admission into this program will not qualify the applicant under the Canadian Study Permit and/or Post Graduation Work Permit programs. For more information, visit University of Alberta International's page on Immigration.

Note: These courses take place on the University of Alberta campus. There is no online option.

In addition to the Supporting Documents mentioned above, international applicants must also provide the following:

  1. An official degree certificate

  2. Official (original) mark sheets and

  3. Certified English translations of each mark sheet outlining all courses taken and grades obtained for all post-secondary institutions attended

  4. English Language Proficiency through one of the following:
  • A TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based) or a total score of 93 with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing and 21 on reading and listening (internet-based)
  • An Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 on each band
  • A PTE Academic score of 63
  • Duolingo English Test

Application Process

When you click the yellow Apply Now button below, you will be redirected to the Graduate Studies Management Solution (GSMS) webpage. 

  1. Create a login account if you are logging in for the first time.

  2. Once you have created an account, click 'Start a New Application'.

  3. On the Program Search page, choose 'Education' as your Department and click 'Search Now' (leave 'keyword' and 'mode of study' as they are).

  4. Choose 'Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - PART TIME' in the search results.

  5. Find your Program Start Date click Apply to fill out the application. May 2025 is the start date for Spring Term and July 2025 is the start date for Summer Term.

Remember: you must take a course in the term for which you apply, so be sure to choose carefully.


Apply Now!