Application to the Master of Arts in War Studies

General Admission information

The Master of Arts (MA) in War Studies can be completed entirely online.  Military personnel, civilians, and government employees can apply. 

You can apply as a Full-Time student or as a Part-Time student, regardless of your location of residence. For more information on Study status, consult Academic Regulation for Graduate Studies.

Fees information is available at Administration and Tuition Fees

More General RMC Graduate Admission information is available for all programs overall but you must adhere to the directives here to start your application to War Studies. 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the Master's of Art Programme in War Studies must have an Honours bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a B average.

Interested applicants whose first language is neither English nor French should consult the RMC Admission to Graduate Studies on General Admission Requirements for the additional documentation required. 

The War Studies Admissions Committee follows the established practice of Ontario universities in admitting the occasional candidate who has a three-year degree (non-honors), provided that the individual is a very high-quality applicant with other types of educational and professional experience of substantial nature. 

Deadlines

The War Studies Admissions Committee assemble twice each year to review applications for admission at the master and PhD levels. All admitted students will start in September of the same year. 

There are 2 Application deadlines for the boards of Admission: 15 January for all applicants, and 1 May for military personnel and government employees.

Application

There are three possible study patterns:

• Thesis^Note  : three 2-term courses or the equivalent, a total of 6 credits plus, a thesis.
• Directed Research Project^Note : four 2-term courses or the equivalent, a total of 8 credits plus, a Directed Research Project(2cr).

Courses only: five 2-term courses or the equivalent for a total of 10 credits.

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For more information on the thesis or DRP option, consult the following pages at the Master of Arts Program in War Studies

For more information on courses offered each academic year, see the applicable Timetables.

Advanced Standing (MA only)

Candidates with suitable education and/or experience may apply for advanced credit. This application should be made in writing to the Chair of War Studies at the time the candidate is applying to the program. This application will normally require the candidate to provide documentation on the achievement for which credit is sought. The Chair of War Studies will assess the eligibility for advanced standing and make a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies who will determine if advanced standing is authorized. RMC's Graduate Studies Committee will review the advanced standing status of specific courses regularly.

At present, the following courses qualify for advanced credits:

Canadian Forces College course:

• Joint Command and Staff Programme (JCSP)

For more information, consult the RMC of Canada-CFC Joint Programmes.

Transfer Credits

An applicant may apply for transfer credit for graduate courses taken at other recognized universities. An application for a transfer credit will be considered when a student has taken a course similar to a course offered in the War Studies program and obtained a mark of at least 70% in that course, and that it has not been used for credit towards a previous degree. A request for transfer credit should normally be made in writing to the Chair of War Studies. The Chair of War Studies will assess the eligibility for transfer credit and make a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies, who will determine if the transfer credit is authorized. There is an administrative fee for each transferred credit or credit granted. For more information see under PLAR 

Required Documentation

To be considered for admission to the MA Programme, applicants must provide:

• A completed application form (Online Application form ).
• An official transcript from each post-secondary institution you have attended.
• A definitive Statement of Purpose outlining in precise terms your area of interest and plans for study in the graduate program so that the War Studies Admissions Committee can determine if we offer courses in your area of interest. This should take the form of an essay of approximately 1000 words covering the following:
  • Why you are interested in the RMC War Studies program.
  • The field or discipline in which you are interested.
  • How your academic and practical experience prepares you for War Studies.
• A paper you have written that is substantial in content and analysis in your area of interest, which the War Studies Admissions Committee can use to assess your analytical ability and writing skills.
• References:

  • 3 completed Referee Assessment Forms from three academic referees, plus a letter of references from each. The Referee Assessment Forms and letters of reference must be written by academic faculty.

  • Each Referee Assessment Form and letter of reference should be sent directly from the author to the program at ws-eg@rmc-cmr.ca

  • The War Studies Program does not normally accept references from non-academic personnel, such as supervisors, commanders, or colleagues for Master of Arts applications. Those applicants that cannot provide at least two academic references should explain why this is the case in their Statement of Purpose.  Only in rare and exceptional circumstances will an application proceed without at least two academic references.

  • Referee Assessment Form (PDF Version, 110 Kb)

How to Contact the War Studies Program

By mail:

War Studies
2 Verité Ave, Cavalry House
Royal Military College of Canada
P.O. Box 17000, Stn. Forces
Kingston ON K7K 7B4
 

Phone

By phone: 613-541-6000 ext 3724
By fax: 613-541-6219
Military (CSN): 271- 3724

Email : ws-eg@rmc-cmr.ca