FAQs
- What are the minimum admission requirements?
- Do you accept part-time students?
- Can I still apply after the deadline has passed?
- Can I start the program in January?
- Do I need to contact and consult with a professor for my plan of study?
- Is there financial support?
- What undergraduate degrees are acceptable for admission?
- Can I defer acceptance?
- What is a MDP pre-master’s year?
- Is this program available on-line?
- What is a field placement?
- Do I need to arrange and pay for my own field placement?
- What are the expected living costs in Winnipeg?
- What kind of jobs can I expect to compete for with this degree?
1. What are the minimum admission requirements?
A recognized 4-Year General or Honours Bachelor Degree in a relevant subject area with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0;
Proficiency in the English language at levels required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies;
Proficiency in a second language is also strongly recommended for this program.
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
2. Do you accept part-time students?
Yes, it is possible to complete the MDP on a part-time basis.
3. Can I still apply after the deadline has passed?
There is an annual application deadline of February 1st for a September commencement. Late applications may be considered but there is no guarantee of being accepted or receiving financial support.
4. Can I start the program in January?
No, all incoming students begin the program in late August with the Orientation.
5. Do I need to contact and consult with a professor for my plan of study?
Applicants to the MDP are not obligated to consult with or secure a supervisor before applying. Upon admission to the MDP, students will be assigned an academic supervisor according to their area of interest.
6. Is there financial support?
All MDP students receive some funding support. The student must cover the difference between the tuition and the funding support offered.
All students are encouraged to apply for major external awards such as the Tri-Council Awards (SSHRC, CIHR, NSERC), the University of Winnipeg President’s Scholarship for World Leaders, and the UWinnipeg Graduate Studies Scholarship (UWGSS).
See a complete list of scholarships available, applicable deadlines, and eligibility and admission requirements.
7. What undergraduate degrees are acceptable for admission?
A relevant degree may include but is not restricted to the following: Indigenous/Native Studies; Business or Public Administration; Conflict/Dispute Resolution; International Development Studies; Economics; Environmental Management/ Science; History; Law; Geography; Politics; Social Work and Sociology. Other degrees and/or experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Requests for deferrals are processed on a case-by-case basis. Funding offers cannot be deferred.
9. What is an MDP pre-master’s year?
Select students may be offered admission to a pre-master’s year of study. The pre-master’s year is specifically for students with a strong application but who are missing some key elements in their academic history. A Qualifying Year is especially encouraged for those students who have only a three-year undergraduate degree or whose GPA is slightly below 3.0. The selection and number of courses are selected in consultation with the MDP Director, & are tailored to each specific student. Courses generally consist of upper-level undergraduate courses. Admission to the pre-master’s year is NOT a guarantee of future admission into the MDP.
10. Is this program available online?
No, all the MDP coursework is offered on-campus and in-class.
11. What is a field placement?
A field placement is when a student works with an organization engaged in Indigenous development on a defined project/program. It is an opportunity to put classroom learning into practice and to learn first-hand from practitioners. It is a learning experience and the student works closely with an organization-identified mentor.
The MDP program requires two field placements. Generally, but not necessarily, placements can take place in the spring/summer terms. All placements are between ten-twelve weeks in length and students are expected to work between 25-30 hours a week. More information.
12. Do I need to arrange and pay for my own field placement?
No. The MDP endeavors to make the best match possible between host organization and student. See a list of past and current host organizations.
Those students who wish to pursue a particular placement not included in the MDP list are able to initiate their own placement. The placement must adhere to MDP criteria and be approved.
Direct travel costs are covered, all students are provided with financial support for accommodations and a modest living allowance for the duration of their field placement.
13. What are the expected living costs in Winnipeg?
You can anticipate budgeting at least $10,000 for living costs per year.
14. What kind of jobs can I expect to compete for with this degree?
Potential careers in the field of development include economic development officers, project/ program management, monitoring and evaluation, policy analyst, development consultant. Potential employers include non-governmental organizations, international organizations, government (municipal, provincial, federal), Band Council, and companies in the private sector. Interested in learning more about where our graduates are working? Learn more.