How to Apply

Application Period

Application deadline: October 31, 2025.
The application portal opens on May 1, 2025 - apply early to mitigate any concerns with your documentation (see below) or to account for any system issues.

Notes:

  • The Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies - School Librarianship begins in Winter term only (January).
  • Applications will be processed after the October deadline. We will contact you once your application has been reviewed.

Have Your Supporting Documents Ready

Your application will require you to upload some documents. Having them ready will expedite your application process.

1. A 1-2 page résumé outlining teaching and other relevant work experience

2. A letter of intent (1-2 pages). In your letter, please indicate how your current work would benefit from participation in the program and/or how you may be able to enter or alter your career because of receiving the certificate. 

3. The GCES Student Information Form (available in Spring 2025). Save this document to your computer, then fill it out and upload it to your application.

4. Transcripts from all of the post-secondary institutions you have attended (including incomplete studies, exchange and transfer credit courses), issued AFTER January 1, 2025. Transcripts issued before January 1, 2025 will not be accepted. 

  • Each transcript must be scanned in its entirety (front and back pages), including the transcript legend typically printed on the back of the transcript, and be legible. Ensure that no information is cut off during scanning.
  • The following are acceptable for uploading to GSMS:
    • PDF copies of transcripts that have been mailed to you from the issuing institution
    • PDF copies from Bear Tracks for U of A students
    • PDF copies from other institutions' student portals (must have the institution's URL clearly visible)
    • PDF copies from MyCreds (email to yourself, then upload PDF copy to GSMS).

Please review the Application Requirements for Academic Documents page to ensure that your transcripts meet ALL of the listed requirements.

When you receive your letter of admission from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), you will be asked to send official transcripts directly to them.

 

International Applicants

International applicants are welcome, but due to the part-time nature and blended delivery format of this program, admission into this program will not qualify the applicant under the Canadian Study Permit and/or Post Graduation Work Permit programs. For more information, visit University of Alberta International's page on Immigration.

In addition to the Supporting Documents mentioned above, international applicants must also provide the following:

  1. An official degree certificate

  2. Official (original) mark sheets and

  3. Certified English translations of each mark sheet outlining all courses taken and grades obtained for all post-secondary institutions attended

  4. English Language Proficiency through one of the following:
  • A TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based) or a total score of 93 with a score of at least 24 on speaking and writing and 21 on reading and listening (internet-based)
  • An Academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.5 on each band
  • A PTE Academic score of 63
  • Duolingo English Test

Application Process

The application portal for this program will open on May 1, 2025.