Application Steps
 

Step 3: Prepare Your Application → Supporting Documentation

Transcripts | Letters of Reference | Résumé | Statement of Intent | Sample of Written Work | Special Notes for Applicants to Teacher Certification Programs


The OISE graduate studies application is self-administered – you are required to compile (and submit) all necessary documentation. One single set of supporting documents is required even if more than one program of study choice is selected (maximum three permitted).

The self-administered application process is applicable to all applicants. If you have previously applied to OISE graduate studies, or if you are a current or former OISE graduate studies student, you must submit all necessary documentation. Previously submitted documents (e.g. letters of reference, official transcripts) will not be carried forward to a new application. Current or former OISE graduate studies students must submit an official record of their OISE studies – an official University of Toronto transcript generated by the University of Toronto Transcript Centre (UTTC).

Your complete application must include the following supporting documents:

• Official Transcripts from Each and Every Post-Secondary Institution Attended (one official transcript from each)    
• Letter of Reference – Academic
• Letter of Reference – Professional
• Résumé
• Statement of Intent

Your application may also include other supporting documents (requested by some programs of study; refer to the relevant departmental section(s) in the OISE Bulletin for more information):

• Letter of Reference – Additional
• Sample of Written Work

Transcripts

One official transcript of your academic record from each and every post-secondary institution you have attended (including OISE and the University of Toronto) must be included in your application. Post-secondary study consists of all degree programs, pre-degree courses (e.g. CEGEP in the province of Quebec), post-degree courses (even a single course), and professional development (e.g. Additional Qualification Courses for Educators). If you are applying to a doctoral program, official transcripts pertaining to both bachelor’s and master’s degrees must be submitted.

Official transcripts are transcripts received in the Registrar’s Office in a sealed envelope, signed/stamped by the issuing institution. Do not open the envelope. Transcripts received in an unsealed envelope cannot be considered official. Faxed copies of transcripts, or informal grade reports, or electronically transmitted transcripts, cannot be considered official.

University of Toronto Students
Applicants (including current or former OISE graduate studies students) are required to submit official transcripts of study undertaken at the University of Toronto. Generally, such transcripts are produced by the University of Toronto Transcript Centre (UTTC) (exceptions are listed below). Transcripts must be ordered by you and will not be automatically transferred to our office.

Requests for transcripts of academic records must be directed to the consolidated transcript centre:
University of Toronto Transcript Centre (UTTC)
100 St. George Street, Room 1006
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G3
Telephone 416-978-3384
Fax. 416-978-2487
Web via www.rosi.utoronto.ca 
or
www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/transcripts

Exceptions (transcripts for the below programs must be requested directly from the division):
- Additional Qualification Courses for Educators (including Principals’ Qualification Program)
- School of Continuing Studies
- Toronto School of Theology
- Pre-University Program (Woodsworth College) (up to and including 2000 Summer Session)

Academic Documentation From Universities Outside North America
Official English language translations must accompany all non-Canadian documentation not written in English. An official translation is one received in the Registrar’s Office in a sealed envelope, signed/stamped by an accredited Translation Service.

Original transcripts are not equivalent to official transcripts. Original transcripts cannot be considered official unless received in the Registrar’s Office in a sealed envelope, signed/stamped by the issuing institution. Keep in mind all documents submitted (online and paper) in support of your application become and remain the property of the University of Toronto and are not returnable or transferable. Do not submit the sole original document; if necessary submit a photocopy accompanied by a letter of explanation from you. Your situation will be reviewed.

On extremely rare occasions, an academic institution will not issue official transcripts. As well, some applicants, under very extraordinary circumstances, cannot acquire official transcripts. If your post-secondary institution does not issue official transcripts or if you are unable to obtain official transcripts due to extraordinary circumstances, you may submit unofficial transcript copies accompanied by a letter of explanation from you. Your situation will be reviewed. You may be required to submit a declaration sworn before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths.

If you cannot obtain even an unofficial copy of your transcript, you may submit a declaration sworn before a Notary Public or Commissioner of Oaths. Such a statement should bear the stamp and/or seal of the Notary Public or Commission of Oaths and should provide:
- the reason that neither the transcript nor a copy is available
- the name of credential (e.g. degree, diploma) obtained
- the university and country where credential obtained
- the years of enrolment
- the area of concentration
- all courses and final grades obtained
- the date credential (e.g. degree, diploma) was conferred


Letters of Reference

Two supporting letters of reference – one academic and one professional – must be included in your application. The academic reference should be from a university instructor with whom you have studied. The professional reference should be from a referee who is familiar with your professional work and promise.

Generally, two letters of reference are sufficient and submitting extra reference letters is not encouraged or permitted. However, several programs request an additional (third) letter of reference; refer to the relevant departmental section(s) in the OISE Bulletin for more information. At present, only applicants to the Developmental Psychology and Education (MA, PhD) program and applicants to the School and Clinical Child Psychology program are requested to submit an additional letter of recommendation.

Letters of reference will be reviewed by the Admissions Committees for all OISE graduate programs to which you are applying.

Sometimes applicants may experience difficulty obtaining an academic or professional letter of reference. For example, applicants who graduated from university many years ago and who have since not been active in an academic setting may be unable to call upon a university instructor with whom they studied. While applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain one academic and one professional letter of reference, they may submit an alternative combination such as two letters of reference from a professional source (in this case you should direct the most suitable referee to include some comments pertaining to your intellectual abilities and potential).


Résumé

Your up-to-date résumé or curriculum vitae must be included in your application.

A résumé should detail your employment history (including names of employers, job titles, position responsibilities, dates employed, whether full- or part-time), education history (both academic and professional), awards, business and professional achievements, community activities, as well as any special skills.

Applicants to the Child Study and Education program and the Master of Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Education program are required to submit a list of all experiences working with children. This list should be a clearly identified part of the résumé; a separate document is not required.


Statement of Intent

A statement of intent (also known as a plan of study or letter of intent) must be included in your application.

A statement of intent should detail your study and/or research interests, career goals, and reasons for seeking admission. It’s helpful to begin with a list of four or five key words or phrases that relate to your proposed study. You may also wish to identify OISE faculty members with whom you are interested in working. The length of a statement of intent can vary, but generally it should be 1,000 – 1,500 words.

If you are applying to more than one program, it is helpful to clearly identify sections within your statement specifically adapted for/directed to each program.

Some MEd programs have more than one degree requirement option available. For example, students enrolled in a program in Educational Administration, or History and Philosophy of Education, can undertake studies including a research project (Option II), or coursework only (Option IV). Refer to the relevant departmental section(s) in the OISE Bulletin for more information. Applicants to an MEd program should identify their option preference within their statement of intent.


Sample of Written Work

A sample of written work is generally not required. However, some programs of study request a sample of your scholarly/academic writing for consideration in their evaluation process. Refer to the relevant departmental section(s) in the OISE Bulletin for more information. At present, only applicants applying to one or more of the following programs of study should provide a sample of written work:
- Adult Education and Community Development (PhD)
- Curriculum Studies and Teacher Development (PhD)
- Higher Education (MA, EdD, PhD)
- Second Language Education (PhD)
- Sociology in Education (all degrees)

A sample of your written work should be no more than 5,000 words maximum. Large documents (more than 5,000 words) cannot be accommodated. So, for example, because of its large size you should not submit a complete master's thesis or major research paper. We suggest selecting one or two key chapters.


Special Notes for Applicants to the Child Study and Education Program and the Master of Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Education Program

Canadian Birth Certificate / Certificate of Change of Name
Applicants to the Child Study and Education program and the Master of Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Education program are advised that a photocopy of a Canadian birth certificate (or in the case of a person who was not born in Canada documents showing the basis upon which the individual is present in Canada including date and place of birth), while not required at the time of application for admission, may be required subsequently. Similarly, if applicable, a photocopy of a certificate of change of name is not required at the time of application but may subsequently be required.

School Board Requirements
Applicants to the Child Study and Education program and the Master of Teaching in Elementary and Secondary Education program are advised that a criminal record report, while not required at the time of application for admission, may be required subsequently.

Both these programs require successful completion of practice teaching in the schools. School Boards require candidates on practice teaching assignments in Ontario schools to complete a satisfactory police record check prior to having direct contact with students. Without a satisfactory criminal record report the schools will not allow candidates to participate in practice teaching. Read detailed information about vulnerable sector police screening.

The Ontario College of Teachers Certification
The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) is responsible for the licensing and regulation of the teaching profession in the public interest. In order to provide increased protection for elementary and secondary students in Ontario schools and to help to ensure that teachers are worthy of the trust placed in them, by students, parents, and colleagues, the College requires that all new teacher education graduates who will be applicants for OCT membership and teacher certification (O.T.C. of Q.), provide original documentation of police record checks and an Applicant's Declaration about their suitability for registration. The report is valid for six months only. Questions regarding a police record check which might prevent meeting this teacher certification requirement should be directed to:
The Ontario College of Teachers
Telephone 416-961-8800 
Web www.oct.ca