Master of Arts in Community Engagement

Graduate Program Overview

Engaging with stakeholders, community members, or special interest groups is an integral part of many jobs. Whether working in government, industry, the nonprofit sector or research institutions, learning how to foster and evaluate effective engagement activities is essential.

Community engagement is the term used to describe how various agencies and community groups share information, contribute expertise, and work collaboratively to address pressing issues and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. But effective community engagement does not just happen.

The Master of Arts in Community Engagement (MACE) is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program that prepares students for the study and practice of community engagement in a variety of settings. MACE can be completed as a thesis-based program or as a course-based program and is open to full-time and part-time students.

Throughout the program students will:

• Explore the theoretical, historical, and contemporary perspectives that shape the scholarship and practice of engagement;
• Learn about community-based research and evaluation methodologies that reflect community context, are culturally responsive and in collaboration with community partners;
• Gain practical experience by working with community organizations, government or industry to conduct research and/or develop engagement activities that incorporate principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization.

Audience

This graduate degree program is offered to full-time and part-time students interested in the study and practice of community engagement in a variety of settings.

Students of the MACE program come from diverse academic and career backgrounds.

Career Possibilities

• Government, community, and industry relations 
• Communication and knowledge mobilization
• Project planning and management
• Designing and developing engagement processes
• Community-based research and evaluation

Thesis-based or Course-based

• MACE Thesis route
• MACE Course-based route

Apply

Oct 1–Feb 1 for Fall intake.

Application for Admission

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from a recognized university.
• Grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (or equivalent) on a 4-point scale.
• Where applicable, demonstrated English language proficiency (see details below)

English language proficiency

Exams	Effective as of Fall 2020
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) *	Total score of 100 with a score of at least 21 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based) or equivalent
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery(MELAB)	85 with a minimum band score of 80 and a minimum score of 3 on the speaking component
Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	6.5, with at least 5.5 on each test band
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)	Overall 70 with at least 60 on each subtest
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	61 with a minimum band score of 60

Online Application

1. Prepare your supporting documents:
   • CV or resumé.
   • Sample of academic writing.
   • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
   • Three letters of reference (at least one from an academic referee).
   • A letter of intent.
     

     
     For those applying for the thesis-based option:  (a) specify how the completion of this program would support your professional and personal goals; (b) identify a provisional research topic and describe if you have any previous research experience; and (c) identify potential academic supervisors in the School of Public Health whose research aligns with your research interests.

     For those applying for the course-based option: (a) specify how the completion of this program would support your professional and personal goals; (b) describe how previous education, work or volunteer experience makes you well suited to the program; and, (c) identify potential academic supervisors in the School of Public Health whose interests align with their own.

2. Apply online:
   • Access the GSMS online admissions applications portal to complete the online application (between October 1 and February 1).
   • There is a $135 CAD non-refundable application fee assessed at the time your online application is submitted.

After You’ve Completed your Online Application

If you receive an Official Admission Letter, you will be asked to request official transcripts (original document, front and back) and degree certificates (if applicable) to be sent from the relevant institution directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research.

Prior to review by the admission committee, you may be contacted by School of Public Health staff to ensure that all required information has been included in your application. You may be asked to furnish other documentation, a new CV, an additional sample of academic writing or a revised letter of interest. These requests are made to help strengthen your application.

Tuition & Fees

Information regarding tuition and fees can be found at Tuition and Fees.