Master of Science in Information Systems
Program Student Application

Please read all the application procedures carefully prior to commencing with your application. You may want to print a copy for your reference.

Application Deadlines

There are two program intakes per year. The MSc IS office must receive all application materials by March 1 for admission to the program for Fall semester, and by October 1 for consideration to the program for the Winter semester.

Application Procedures

Applications for admission to the MSc IS Program are submitted online, including payment of the application fee.

1. Complete the Application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies online through the Registrar's Office at Athabasca University.

IMPORTANT: If you have been a student at Athabasca University (AU) or have received an AU student ID number as part of a previous application:

1. You must first login by clicking the Login link (left-hand side, under the General heading);
2. Click on Graduate Application and complete the required steps;
3. Be sure to select "Application for Master of Science”
4. Then select Major “Information Systems".
5. You will be required to pay the MSC IS Program Application fee.

2. Proceed to the SCIS Graduate Student Admission System.

3. Select the "Master of Science - Information Systems (MSc IS)" option to start your MSc application.

Complete all components of the online MSc IS Program application. Each component must be finalized.

4. Click on the "Proceed to Final Review" button in the checklist after all components have been completed and submitted. At that point you will no longer have access to view or modify your application.

5. You can make changes or additions to your application at any time prior to the application deadline (and prior to submitting your application for final review). You will be able to track completion of various components of the online application through an online Application Checklist.
   
   To check your application status, log into your myAU Portal and click on the link titled "SCIS Graduate Student Admission System".

6. The status of your application will appear as "Under Review" if all steps have been completed and the application has been submitted for final review. All applications will be reviewed for approval during the two week period after the application deadline. Note that telephone confirmation will not be provided.

7. If the status of your application appears as "Review Complete", your application has been processed. Click on the link beside your status to review the results of your application.

   Track receipt of hard copy documents and the status of your application online through the online Application Checklist. It is your responsibility to ensure that all components of your application package have been received by the application deadline. Allow sufficient time prior to the deadline for receipt of letters of reference, transcripts, credential assessments (if required), and CIPS ISP designation or equivalent.

8. In addition to the online application, you must submit all of the supplementary application materials:

   Transcripts

   Request that the institution you graduated from send an official transcript(s), including the date of graduation, the Bachelors degree granted, and any graduate-level courses you have completed to the MSc IS Office. Transcripts must be received directly from the accredited institution(s).

   Assessments

   Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside North America, documentation attesting to its equivalence to a North American baccalaureate is required. Such documentation can be provided through:

   1. NACES - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
      Contact NACES at: naces@ierf.org
   2. CICIC - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
   3. AACRAO - American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers.
      Contact IES at: (202) 296-3359 or email: ies@aacrao.org

   When requesting an assessment please select the assessment type that includes a description of course work that lists the courses completed towards credential if you would like to be considered for Advanced Standing.

   Letters of Reference

   All letters of reference must be sent directly to fst_grad_success@athabascau.ca as an attachment by the referees to the School of Computing and Information Systems. Athabasca University will not accept letters of reference not received directly from referees. Applicants may download the MSc IS Reference Template to send to the referees:
   
   *It is the applicant's responsibility to notify his or her referees, that, in accordance with the Province of Alberta's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information contained in the letter of reference is not considered to be confidential and it may be viewed by the applicant upon request. For more information, contact us.

• CIPS ISP designation or equivalent
• World Education Services (WES) or International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS) ((if required))
• For applicants without Canadian citizenship: Photocopy of either permanent resident documentation or study authorization/permit will need to be provided.

Please note that a student's application file will automatically go inactive 12 months after the initial application date, if the student does not proceed with the application process and/or there has not been any contact with the School of Computing and Information Systems.

Students, once admitted as program students, will be considered to have MSc IS program status. Where applicable, the following official documentation must be received before your application can be processed.

Ensure that all documentation is directed by mail or courier to:

Master of Science - Information Systems
School of Computing and Information Systems
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Canada

Note: All transcripts, references, test scores, and other documents become the property of Athabasca University and will not be returned to the applicants or forwarded to another program or institution.

Transfer Credit Application

To apply for transfer credit, please complete the following steps:

1. Carefully review the transfer credit allowance for the program. You can access the program residency requirements and the program courses from the program regulations.
2. Complete the transfer credit assessment form, making sure to include the following information for each course:
   • A clear indication of which COMP course in the MSc IS program you are targeting by the transfer.
   • Complete information about the course you have completed (course title and number, institution, and number of credits).
3. Submit a complete syllabus for each course; including course description, learning outcomes or objectives, list of course materials, outline of covered topics, and course regulations outlining the mark for a passing grade.
4. Pay a non-refundable transfer credit evaluation fee for each course at the time of application for the transfer credit.