UNBC offers Canada's first and only graduate program in disability management providing graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist labor, management, insurance providers, employers and employees with the development of successful work entry or return-to-work strategies for injured workers and/or persons with disabilities.
The on-line distance option has greatly contributed to the overall success of our program by attracting students from far-reaching geographical locations.
From an academic perspective, the Disability Management Program has demonstrated ongoing excellence. Many students, working with the faculty, are to publish/have published peer-reviewed manuscripts as well as countless peer-conference proceedings. For our students who have chosen the non-thesis route, success is demonstrated through the implementation of their project documents into the grey literature, i.e. occupational policy and procedure manuals for major organizations across Canada.

Entry Requirements

English Language Requirements

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at UNBC. Consequently, it is expected that an applicant be able to demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in the use of English in order to receive and participate in classroom instruction and discussion as well as to complete written assignments.

Applicants whose first language is not English, regardless of citizenship or country of origin, must submit evidence of English language proficiency prior to admission. French-speaking Canadians and Canadian First Nations language speakers are exempted from this requirement. Students who completed their undergraduate degree program entirely in the English language are exempted from this requirement.

Acceptable evidence of English language proficiency may be any one of the following:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 88 or higher in the internet-based test, with not less than 20 in any of the Reading, Listening, Writing or Speaking components; or equivalent other TOEFL score. UNBC's institutional TOEFL code is 0320.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any of the four modules.
• LPI (Language Proficiency Index) score of at least 5.
• Comparable results in any other internationally recognized English Language Assessment test considered as equivalent to TOEFL or IELTS.
• A final grade of 2.00 (C) or better in the UNBC English Language Studies 50 Component 1 and 2, obtained prior to application for Graduate admission.
In order to be considered valid, these scores must be sent directly from the testing agency/institution to the Office of the Registrar.

Admission to Master's Degrees

1.3.1 In general, an acceptable academic standing will be a four-year (120 credit hours) Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) from a recognized institution.

1.3.2 A grade point average of at least 3.00 ("B") in the work of the last 60 credit hours (approximately the last two years) leading to the Baccalaureate degree is required for entry. Note: Higher entrance standards than those outlined in this section may be set by individual programs.

Courses used in the calculation of the admission grade point average cannot be used as credit toward a graduate degree program.

1.3.3 A faculty member who wishes to supervise an applicant to a Graduate Program who has a four-year (120 credit hours) Baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) which does not meet the grade point average requirements stated above and who obtains the recommendation of the appropriate program may seek approval from the Dean of Graduate Programs to admit the applicant. The applicant must have significant formal training and relevant professional experience to offset such grade point average deficiencies.

1.3.4 Evidence is required, in the form of three letters of reference that are submitted directly to the Office of the Registrar from qualified referees, of the student's ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest.

1.4 Admission to the Master's Degree as a Conditionally Admitted Mature Student

Five years after completion of a Baccalaureate degree as defined in 1.3.1, applicants whose academic record is such that they would not be admissible to a Master's program may be admitted conditionally as mature students, provided they are recommended by the appropriate Program. Such recommendations must be made in writing by the Program and approved by the Dean of Graduate Programs.

The minimum grade point average for admission to a Master's program as a conditionally admitted mature student is 2.67 ("B-").

A student conditionally admitted to a graduate program must earn a grade point average of at least 3.00 ("B") in each of the first two 3 credit hour graduate courses taken. The first two courses will be determined by the Program and approved by the Dean of Graduate Programs. If this condition is successfully met, the student's status will be changed to regular graduate student status. If it is not, the student will be required to withdraw from the program.

Students admitted in this category normally will not receive transfer credit for any courses completed prior to enrolling in their Graduate Program.

Other Fees

Late Registration fee (if applicable) $100.00 per semester

Application fee - domestic transcripts $75.00* (non-refundable)

*to accompany application for admission if all post secondary transcripts come from institutions within Canada

Application fee – international transcripts $150.00* (non-refundable)

*to accompany application for admission

Re-Application fee $100.00

Medical Insurance for International Students $160.00 per 3-month period (please refer to the following section on Medical Insurance for International Students)

Graduation fee $40.00 per application for all graduating students (one-time, non-refundable)

Student ID Card Replacement $15.00 per lost card

Thesis/Dissertation Registration fee $48.00 (Library and Archives Canada fee for inclusion in LAC Database and Dissertation Abstracts - per thesis submitted).

Thesis Bookbinding fee $34.00 per bound copy (tax included)

Official Transcript fee $10.00 per official transcript

Calendar fee $3.00 (not applicable to new applicants if sent with registration package)

NSF charge $15.00 (per returned cheque)

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