Application Steps
 

Step 1: Choose Your Program → Special Students

Special Students are non-degree students – in others words not enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree.

Course enrolment priority is given first to OISE degree students, then to other University of Toronto degree students, and finally to Special Students. Further, enrolment in some courses is restricted and not open to Special Students (for example courses based in the Counselling Psychology program are open only to current Counselling Psychology degree students, and some doctoral-level courses are open only to current EdD or PhD degree students). Consult the applicable Course Schedule for details and obtain the instructor’s permission when required.

Subject to approval courses completed as a Special Student may count for up to one full course or equivalent, or twenty-five percent of the course requirements for the degree, whichever is greater, in a subsequent degree program at the University of Toronto. Credit is possible only if the courses have not already been credited towards another degree, diploma, certificate, or any other qualification. Any tuition fees paid as a Special Student cannot be transferred to a subsequent degree program.


Application and Admission Process

Carefully review all relevant information on our OISE Graduate Admissions website.

All Special Student applicants must utilize the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies online application system to apply for admission. Special Students must submit an application for admission for each academic year of study. All Special Student applications are subject to the non-refundable application fee plus the non-refundable supplementary fee. Special Students are subject to regular English language facility requirements.

The Special Student Course Selection Form must be completed and submitted to the OISE Registrar’s Office, Graduate Admissions Unit. If the instructor’s permission is required written confirmation (e.g. instructor’s signature) must accompany this form. Keep a copy of this form for your records. A copy with confirmation information is included with an offer of admission. An application cannot be processed without complete course selection information.

Deadlines
Note the following deadlines for submission of a Special Student application:
April 1, 2013 (for 2013 Summer Session, First Term – May)
May 3, 2013 (for 2013 Summer Session, Second Term – July)
June 28, 2013 (for 2013 Fall Session – September)
October 4, 2013 (for 2014 Winter Session – January)

Online Application System
Graduate Unit: from the pick-list select “Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)”
Program: from the pick-list select “Non-Degree/Special Student”
Degree Program: Special Students are based in one academic department; select the most suitable department from the pick-list

Referees
Part-time Special Students are not required to submit letters of reference; full-time Special Students must. If part-time, enter “n/a” as required.

Document Checklist
Documentation required for a Special Student application is different from that of an application to a degree program. Your Special Student application must include:

• Special Student Course Selection Form
• Statement of Intent (briefly provide reasons for wishing to undertake courses as a Special Student)
• Official Transcript of Admitting Degree (i.e. appropriate bachelor's degree)

Notification of Results
Once a decision on your application has been made you will be sent official, written notification from the Registrar’s Office. Notification received directly from an academic department should not be considered official. Admission is valid only for the commencement date stated on the offer of admission. Results are typically sent two to three weeks from the date a complete Special Student application is submitted.


Fees and Registration

Fall and Winter Sessions
Full-time Special Students pay annually the one year full-time Academic Fee plus Incidental Fees. Part-time Special Students pay the Academic Fee for each half-course plus Incidental Fees. In the 2012-13 academic year the total tuition fee (Domestic Students) for one half-course was $1,547.49.

Summer Session (First Term and Second Term)
Special Students registered in the Summer Session pay tuition on a per course basis. Special Students registered full-time in the Summer Session may undertake a maximum of two half-courses per term. Those registered part-time may undertake a maximum of one half-course per term.


Special Student Facts

• if you are a current student you may not need to be a Special Student; students registered in a degree program at another Ontario university who wish to undertake OISE courses for credit to their home university program typically do so via the Ontario Visiting Graduate Students (OVGS) program
• Special Students’ programs must include at least one graduate course
• courses undertaken as a Special Student are not appropriate for upgrading purposes re future graduate studies admission
• Special Students are expected to complete all course requirements for grading purposes otherwise the earned grade of a failure will be recorded
• Special Students cannot undertake Individual Reading and Research courses
• Special Students are not permitted to use the web-based student record system (aka ROSI)
• Special Students are not eligible for OISE Graduate Assistantships and/or the OISE Graduate Funding Package
• once registered Special Students may obtain a University of Toronto student card (aka TCard) from the TCard Office, Robarts Library
   

Contacts

Admission inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Admissions Unit (416-978-1682, e-mail gradstudy.oise@utoronto.ca).

For current/active Special Students the Registrarial Liaison Officer is Ms Taleah Clarke (416-978-1636, taleah.clarke@utoronto.ca).