Regulations

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Academic Regulations

The University reserves the right to modify academic programs and regulations at its discretion.

Admissions

For information on admission regulations, consult the Graduate Studies section of the most recent version of the Academic Calendar.

Time and Completion Regulations

Academic Year

The School of Graduate Studies operates on a trimester basis, with three terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), and spring/summer (May to August). The academic year begins with the fall term, followed by the winter term.

Registration Status for Graduate Students

Graduate students are classified as full-time or flex-time based on the program in which they are enrolled. Regardless of this classification, all students have access to university facilities and are expected to participate in the academic life of their program and the University. All graduate students are considered full-time unless declared otherwise.

Full-time Students

Full-time students must identify themselves as such when registering and on all documents. They are eligible for graduate funding during the full-time program of study period.

Full-time students employed by Nipissing University may work no more than an average of 10 hours per week in diversionary employment. Diversionary employment is work that takes a student's time away from their program of study and research.

Flex-time Students

This option is intended to permit working professionals to remain employed in areas related to their fields of research. Flex-time students are not eligible for financial support from the University.

Changing Status

Students may change their status from full-time to flex-time, or vice versa, by completing a Change in Status Request form and submitting it to the School of Graduate Studies for approval by the Vice President, Academic and Research, or designate. A change in status may affect student aid and awards eligibility, fees, income tax credits, and other areas.

Program MRP Full-time Thesis Full-time Flex-time
PhD in Education N/A 4 years N/A
MA in History 1 year N/A 1 year + 6 flex terms (total: 3 years)
MA Sociology 1 year 2 years 1 year + 6 flex terms (total: 3 years, MRP route)
2 years + 6 flex terms (total: 4 years, thesis route)
MSc in Mathematics 1 year 2 years 2 years + 6 flex terms (total: 4 years, thesis route only)
MSc Kinesiology N/A 2 years 2 years + 6 flex terms (total: 4 years)
MESc/MES 1 year 2 years 1 year + 6 flex terms (total: 3 years, MRP route)
2 years + 6 flex terms (total: 4 years, thesis route only)
MEd (Course, MRP, and Thesis routes) 2 years 2 years 2 years + 6 flex terms (total: 4 years)

A year is based on three terms: fall, winter, and spring/summer.

Nipissing Balance of Degree Fee

The minimum total academic fee is predetermined by the length of the graduate program into which a student is admitted. Please refer to the Time and Completion section of the Academic Regulations.

Full-time and flex-time graduate students should be aware that they may be required to pay additional academic fees to equal the total minimum fee paid by a full-time student in the same program if they finish their program earlier than the normal completion time. This balance of degree fee is assessed just prior to graduation and is based on the tuition fee schedule in effect at the time of graduation.

Continuous Registration

All graduate students must maintain continuous registration in each consecutive semester of study until they have completed the requirements of their program. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they are registered in their courses by the appropriate deadline for each term.

All graduate students who have not been granted a Leave of Absence will be registered in a University placeholder course and assessed the appropriate fees.

Students who wish to complete their program after being withdrawn must apply for readmission and pay the applicable application fee. In the event of readmission, continuation of the same research project or supervisor cannot be guaranteed. Previously earned graduate credits may also not be eligible to count toward completion of the degree.

Extensions

Under exceptional circumstances, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research may permit the time to completion to be extended by one term, to a maximum of three terms. Requests for extensions must use the appropriate form and should be directed to the Graduate Program Coordinator or Graduate Chair, who will make a recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Tuition and Other Fees

Graduate students pay all required tuition and other fees as set by Nipissing University. Fees are assessed on a per-term basis.

Leaves of Absence

The requirement of continuous registration supports students toward the timely completion of their studies. However, the University recognizes that students may occasionally need to be absent from their studies. Upon recommendation of the Faculty Advisor or Research Supervisor and the Graduate Program Coordinator or Chair, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research may grant the following types of leave.

Leaves of Absence may not be used to pursue activities that form part of a study plan, such as field experience, individual study, directed study, or individual research, or for which any form of residual program credit might otherwise be requested.

Elective Leave of Absence

Students applying for an elective leave of absence do not have to provide grounds for their request, provided the request is submitted in a timely manner.

Restrictions
  • Granted for only one term over the course of the degree program.
  • Students must have completed at least two terms of study.

Exceptional Circumstances Leave of Absence

Students applying for a leave of absence under exceptional circumstances are those facing a type of hardship that takes them away from their studies, such as medical, professional, or compassionate circumstances.

Restrictions
  • Granted for up to three terms during the course of the degree program.

Maternity Leave of Absence

Available to students during and immediately following a pregnancy.

Restrictions
  • Granted for up to three terms per pregnancy during the course of a degree program.

Parental Leave of Absence

Available to students whose parental responsibilities require them to be absent from their studies.

Restrictions
  • Granted for only one term per child over the course of the degree program.

No Course Available

Available to students who have yet to complete coursework if no suitable course is offered in a given term.

Restrictions
  • Granted on a term-by-term basis only during the course of the degree program.
  • Does not apply if the student is registered as working on a thesis or Major Research Paper, or has an incomplete or in-progress grade at the end of the previous term.

Once on leave, students will not be registered and will not be required to pay fees for the leave period. In general, students on leave may not use University resources such as the library, laboratories, or gymnasium, attend classes, or expect advice from their supervisor. Students on leave are not eligible to receive internal awards or funds from Nipissing University. For other graduate student awards or funds, the regulations of the particular granting agency apply.

Except where noted and in special circumstances, a student will generally not be granted more than one leave of absence. An elective leave of absence will only be approved once. Requests for a leave of absence must be received before the registration deadline for the term in which the leave is requested. Requests received after the registration deadline will become effective in the following academic term. Requests cannot be approved retroactively.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Students who withdraw from a graduate program must immediately inform the Registrar's Office, the School of Graduate Studies, the relevant Graduate Program Coordinator or Chair, and their Research Supervisor in writing.

A withdrawal is not official until it has been received by the Registrar's Office. Under no circumstances will a withdrawal notice be backdated.

After a voluntary withdrawal has been processed by the Office of the Registrar, the student is officially withdrawn and may be eligible for a credit of a portion of tuition fees. In programs other than Thesis or MRP, a mark of "W" (Withdrawn) or "F" (Failed) may appear on the student's academic record, depending on when the withdrawal request was received. In an MRP or Thesis course, a mark of "W" will appear on the student's academic record.

Discontinuing attendance in classes, failing to submit assignments, notifying the instructor, or stopping payment on a cheque does not constitute official withdrawal.

Withdrawal Schedule

The withdrawal schedule is posted before the beginning of each academic year under the Important Dates section of the most recent version of the Academic Calendar.

Visiting Student

Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Plan (OVGS)

The Ontario Visiting Graduate Student Plan allows graduate students at an Ontario university to take graduate courses at another Ontario university while remaining registered at their home university. The plan allows students to bypass the usual application or admission procedures. Registration is not complete until prior approval has been received from both the host and home universities.

A student classified as an Ontario Visiting Graduate Student will register and pay fees to the home university but will pay no fees to the host university. Nipissing University graduate students interested in taking a graduate course at another Ontario university under the OVGS plan should complete the OVGS application form available on the School of Graduate Studies website. No more than six credits will be allowed as OVGS credits. The course must be at the graduate level, required for the student's degree program, and unavailable at Nipissing University. Such courses may not be extra or audit courses.

Canadian University Graduate Transfer Agreement (CUGTA)

Graduate students wishing to take courses at institutions outside Ontario but within Canada may do so through the Canadian University Graduate Transfer Agreement (CUGTA). This agreement provides students in good standing who are enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) member university with the opportunity to take courses at another member institution for transfer credit toward their program at their home institution.

Under the CUGTA, students pay tuition and applicable incidental fees to the host institution. Nipissing University graduate students interested in taking a graduate course at another Canadian university outside Ontario should contact sgs@nipissingu.ca. No more than six credits will be allowed as CUGTA credits. The course must be at the graduate level, required for the student's degree program, and unavailable at Nipissing University. Such courses may not be extra or audit courses.

Canadian Graduate Student Research Mobility Agreement (CGRSMA)

The Canadian Graduate Student Research Mobility Agreement (CGRSMA) establishes a protocol for institutional recognition of visiting graduate research students. The agreement does not pertain to courses but facilitates visits by graduate students to other institutions so they can participate in research activities and be recognized as legitimate visitors to the host campus.

Under the CGRSMA, graduate students pay fees to their home university and pay no fees to the host institution. However, incidental fees may be charged at the discretion of the host university. Graduate students interested in conducting research at another Canadian university should contact the School of Graduate Studies for more information.

Out-of-Province and International Students

Nipissing University allows out-of-province and international students to visit in one of three ways: to take coursework, conduct research, or participate in an internship. In all cases, students will be registered as full-time students for a maximum of one year. Acceptance is based on the recommendation of the department or program at Nipissing.

Students completing research or an internship will be registered in one of the following courses while at Nipissing University:

SOGS 5001: Visiting Student Research

This course is for out-of-province and international students coming to Nipissing to conduct research as part of their degree studies at their home university. This course is not for credit. Enrollment is by permission only, and course content will be determined by the host program.

SOGS 5002: Visiting Student Internship

This course is for out-of-province and international students coming to Nipissing to participate in an internship as part of their studies at their home university, with support from their government program or other scholarship. This course is not for credit. Enrollment is by permission only, and course content will be determined by the host program.

Acknowledgement is given to McMaster University for its contribution to the development of this policy.

Program Regulations

Program of Studies Approval

The Program of Studies shall meet program requirements as approved by Senate and includes required courses, including directed studies, work terms or other practice-based components, competency examinations, scholarly components, and other requirements.

For Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Environmental Science/Studies programs, each student has a Program of Studies prepared by the School of Graduate Studies and approved by the relevant Graduate Program Coordinator or Chair and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. For programs with a Major Research Paper or Thesis component, consultation will also include the Research Supervisor. The Program of Studies must be approved before the student registers in the program and must include a detailed schedule for progress and completion.

In the Master of Education program, each student is assigned a Faculty Advisor and automatically registered in the course route. An MEd student may decide, in consultation with their Faculty Advisor, to pursue a Major Research Paper or Thesis. The student will then find a suitable Research Supervisor with the help of their Faculty Advisor and complete the Request to Declare a Supervisory Committee and MRP/Thesis Application Form.

Program Requirements

Scholarly Content

All graduate programs at Nipissing have a defined scholarly research component, which may take the form of a Thesis, an MRP, or a Research Project and Seminar for MEd students.

Where appropriate for the discipline or field, another specified activity designed to test the acquisition of analytical and interpretive skills may be used, such as a series of shorter research papers within courses, an exhibit of works, or a creative performance. In such cases, the appropriate scholarly content must be approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

Practice-based Content

Where appropriate and possible, Master's programs at Nipissing have a defined practice-based component. This may include a co-op work program, practicum, work term, professional, community, or industry-based project or paper, Thesis, or another form of practice-based or service-learning assessment.

Ethics in Research

The Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2, 2018) establishes procedures and standards for the ethics review of research involving human subjects. All researchers, including graduate and undergraduate students collecting data from human subjects, should become familiar with this policy.

All research involving living human subjects requires review and approval by a Research Ethics Board (REB) before the research begins. This includes research funded by grants, scholarships, contracts, and contributions, as well as unfunded faculty research, graduate and undergraduate research, and administrative research. The REB must review and approve research conducted on and off campus by faculty, staff, and students.

Grading

With the exception of MRPs, Theses, and courses with a Pass/Fail grade, the standardized grading system for graduate courses at Nipissing University is:

Grade Percentage
A+ 90–100%
A 85–<90%
A− 80–<85%
B+ 76–<80%
B 70–<76%
F <70%

Graduate students must receive a grade of B or higher to receive credit for a course. Individual programs may have additional specific degree requirements.

Required Withdrawal

  • Students who receive a final mark of less than 70% in one graduate course will be placed on academic probation. If the course is required, students must repeat the course and obtain at least 70% in the repeated course.
  • If a student receives a final mark of less than 70% in two graduate courses, the student will be required to withdraw from the University.
  • Students who are required to withdraw from the University will not be eligible to receive funding for the remainder of the year.
  • Students who are required to withdraw from the University for academic reasons and wish to reapply may do so after one calendar year following the required withdrawal date.

Appeals of Academic Decisions

Appeals are normally heard regarding possible inequities in the process used in grading. Students who are not satisfied with an awarded grade may appeal using the process outlined in the Academic Calendar.

MRP/Thesis/Dissertation Regulations

MRP/Thesis/Dissertation Oral Proposal Presentation

Individual programs may require students to make an oral presentation as part of the MRP proposal.

For programs that require students to present their research proposals, both the Research Supervisor(s) and Graduate Program Coordinator or Chair must approve the proposal before the student proceeds with writing their MRP, Thesis, or Dissertation.

MRP/Thesis/Dissertation Temporary Restricted Access

At least one month before submitting an MRP, Thesis, or Dissertation, a student may apply to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research to have the work withheld from deposit in the library for an additional three months.

For each additional period of six months, the student must submit a request for an extension one month before the end of the previous restriction period. The student's supervisor will be required to justify the extension.

The total restriction period may not exceed two years from the date the degree is approved. There is no unlimited period of restriction. Please see the MRP/Thesis/Dissertation Embargo/Delay of Publication Form.

Reasons for Exemptions

  • Publication: To refrain from releasing data contained in the research while publications are prepared.
  • Patent: Disclosure of data or research results could prevent the issuance of a patent. Information that has become public knowledge generally cannot be patented.
  • Security and safety: Some data or information contained in the research could endanger the security or safety of individuals, including through racial, ethnic, or political persecution.
  • Actionable breach of confidence: Disclosure of information could constitute a breach of a confidentiality agreement and may be actionable by the owner of the information, such as in matters involving intellectual property rights.
  • Third-party liability: Publication of information could expose third parties mentioned in the text to legal challenges or liability.