Registration, Course, and Degree Requirements

A complete Registration Guide is available online. Graduate students register every academic term via the Bridge throughout the tenure of their programs.

For course selection, each graduate student should consult with her/his Advisor. Planned, in progress, and completed course work is included in the student’s next progress and standing report (see Progress and standing reports on pg. 21).

Deadlines 
Graduate students must register every term no later than the last day of add/drop. There are three (3) academic terms:

• Spring (January to April)
• Summer (May to August)
• Fall (September to December)

For the last day of registration for each academic term, refer to the Academic Schedule.

Failure to register 
Students who do not register in either a course or a placeholder in each academic term will be considered to have administratively withdrawn from the program unless a Leave of Absence has been granted.

For a student to re-enter their program, the student must obtain written permission from the School of Graduate Studies Dean or designate.

Course requirements—including the required number of credit hours and specific course requirements—for graduate degrees are outlined in the relevant program section of the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.

Students are responsible for ensuring courses outlined in the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue and any outlined in the offer of admission from School of Graduate Studies are successfully completed.

A student who has not completed all degree requirements—including final submission and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies (or designate) of program-specific culminating activity—must request a program extension and, upon approval, must register for the next academic term.

Independent Study courses:

Where the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue does not specify otherwise, the following policies apply.

For Independent and Applied Studies courses:

• No more than one (1) Independent Study or Applied Studies course may be taught by the student’s supervisor.
• For Independent Study courses, no more than two (2) Independent Study courses may be taught by the same instructor.
• When Independent Study courses are taught by a Supervisory Committee member, a second reader must be named from outside the student's Supervisory Committee.

To register in an Independent Study course, contact the relevant graduate program office first.

The student must obtain approval from their Advisor (if applicable) and submit a completed Independent Study Enrolment form (available at the Registrar’s Office) to the relevant graduate program office.

For Applied Studies, students register through the Career Bridge office. Registration in an Applied Studies course requires the Advisor's approval.

Note: Applied Studies courses will become available at the graduate level May 1, 2027. 

Senior undergraduate level courses taken at the graduate level: 
Submit a Request to Take a Senior Undergraduate Course at the Graduate Level form to take a senior undergraduate level course at the graduate level.

Degree requirements for all graduate programs, including details regarding minimum individual courses and cumulative grade point averages for each program, are outlined in the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.

Failure of a course

Where the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue does not specify otherwise, the following policies apply.

A student who obtains a failing grade in a course may repeat the course one (1) time to receive at least the minimum passing grade for the program.

NOTE: For master’s programs, the minimal pass for graded courses is ‘B-’ and failure is ‘C+’ or below. For doctoral programs, the minimal pass for graded courses is ‘B’ and failure is ‘B-’ or below.

A graduate student may repeat a course once to: (1) improve the course grade; (2) improve the GPA; and/or (3) meet graduation requirements. Graduate students should consult their Advisor, before repeating a course.

A student registered in a program must obtain approval from the relevant Graduate Program Committee to substitute a course. The student, in consultation with the Advisor, must forward the course substitution request to the relevant graduate program office for approval consideration by the relevant Graduate Program Committee prior to registering for the term academic term

Independent Study courses will not normally be approved as replacements for regular graduate course offerings. Under exceptional circumstances, such a substitution may be recommended by a Departmental Graduate Education Committee or, in Faculties without DGECs, by a Department or Area Chair or equivalent. These requests must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee as well as by the Dean or Dean’s designate.

Academic probation

A student whose performance in the program is judged unsatisfactory by the relevant Graduate Program Committee may be placed on probation in the next academic term of study. Academic probation will start at the beginning of an academic term and will be assessed no earlier than four (4) weeks and no later than one week prior to the end of that academic term. Students who remain on academic probation for two (2) consecutive academic term may be required to withdraw from the University.

An Advisor who recommends a student for probation will provide the relevant Graduate Program Committee with:

1. A Progress and Standing Report form
2. A detailed evaluation of the student’s performance and an outline of the conditions of probation
3. A detailed plan to transition the student out of probation including outlining specific tasks, duties, and responsibilities for the student.

The student and Advisor/Supervisory Committee must hold a progress and standing meeting and submit a Statement of Progress and Standing form no more than four (4) weeks and no later than one week before the end of the academic term in which the student is on academic probation to review performance related to the conditions of probation. When the student has met the conditions of the probation, the Advisor will provide a written assessment of the student’s progress to the relevant Graduate Program Committee. Once approved, the student will regain good standing in the program in the subsequent academic term.

Refer to the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue for policies related to academic probation and required withdrawal from the University.

Changes to program requirements

Any changes or deviations from course and/or program requirements for all graduate programs outlined in the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue must be reviewed and approved by the relevant Graduate Program Committee. Students must satisfy the Degree Requirements as outlined in the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.

Refer to the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue for course withdrawal policies.

(Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Science (Management) students only)

The Co-operative Education/Internship Option is available to students in the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Science (Management) programs. Refer to the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue for detailed information.

For full details on program fees and payments, refer to the Fees section in the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.

Graduate award and scholarships: www.ulethbridge.ca/graduate-studies/award-opportunities

Scholarships, awards, and bursaries application system: www.ulethbridge.ca/bridge (under Student menu)

Financial FAQ: www.ulethbridge.ca/graduate-studies/financial-faq