Admissions
Admission Requirements
Applicants should regard their satisfaction of the entrance requirements as meaning only that they are eligible for selection to the program. Since there is competition for admission (usually only 30 seats are available each year), a regular applicant should have an undergraduate grade point average substantially higher than the minimum in order to have a reasonable chance of admission.
To be eligible for selection, an applicant must have:
- obtained an undergraduate degree from a degree granting institution with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (a B, or good, overall grade), or
- obtained an undergraduate degree from a degree granting institution with a cumulative gradepoint average of less than 3.0 (B, or good, overall grade) and have subsequently completed an approved course of study at a degree granting institution resulting in, (i) the award of either a certificate, diploma or other approved qualification with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (a B, or good, overall grade) or higher, or (ii) a recognized professional qualification relevant to practice as a notary, such as an accounting designation, or
- successful completion of 90 or more units of an approved course of study leading to an undergraduate degree at a degree granting institution with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (a B or good, overall grade), and possess sufficient and appropriate work experience relevant to practice as a notary that, in the view of the admissions committee, compensates for the lack of a completed degree, or
- practiced as a Notary Public for a period of at least 10 years, be in good standing with the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia, and have completed an approved course of study at a degree granting institution resulting in the award of a certificate, diploma or other approved qualification with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher (a B, or good, overall grade).
Please note that, following a review of an application, the Admissions Committee may decide that an applicant’s academic background needs strengthening in a particular area. If this is the case, an application may be accepted on the condition that extra work (e.g., in the area of law or legal studies) is completed prior to admission.
Application Procedure
Applications for admission to the MA ALS program for a Fall 2023 start date will be submitted using the SFU GoGrad application submission platform https://gograd.sfu.ca/apply/. Applications for the MA ALS program will be accepted through the SFU GoGrad portal between November 1st to February 1st. For detailed information regarding the GoGrad application process please review the information available at https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/gograd.html
The following supporting documents must be included with your application (see https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/gograd.html for instructions re submission). Please ensure you give yourself adequate time to assemble the documentation required:
- You must upload an unofficial transcript (scanned, saved, etc.) for each post-secondary institution you have attended with your application. Please note, if you receive an offer of admission, you will be required to submit an official transcript for each post-secondary institution you have attended (your official transcripts are required only if you receive an offer of admission; your unofficial transcripts are required with your application). If you have a degree in progress, your offer of admission letter will confirm if that degree must be awarded before you begin your studies at SFU. If the degree must be completed, do not send your official transcript from that institution until your degree is awarded and appearing on your transcript. More detailed information about submitting transcripts can be found on the GO Grad application page: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/gograd.html;
- Your resume (maximum 2 pages);
- The "statement" required is a statement of why you are interested in the program (maximum 250 words);
- An Essay is not required for this program;
- No research information is required for this program;
- No interview notes are required for this program;
- If applicable, an English language test score. Information regarding English language requirements can be found here: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/requirements.html#english;
- An International Credential Evaluation Certificate (Comprehensive), available from the BC Institute of Technology, must be submitted for transcripts obtained from a non-Canadian educational institution; for more information please visit https://www.bcit.ca/ices/. The BCIT ICES Comprehensive evaluation is the only one that is accepted for students with international degrees looking to apply for admission to the MA-ALS program; and,
- All applicants are required to submit a list of qualified referees who will submit a reference for their application. Information regarding references can be found here: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/applying/gograd.html#references.
Referees should be made aware of the following: The British Columbia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows an applicant to have access to the information contained in his/her letters of reference where that can be done without disclosing the identities of the referees who supply a reference in confidence. It is understood between Simon Fraser University and yourself that the letter of reference is supplied in confidence unless you state otherwise.
Please note, an application fee must be paid at the time you submit your application. Further information will be available on the SFU GoGrad application website. Application fees are set by the Dean of Graduate Studies Office and are subject to change every year. The application fee is non-refundable.