Admission

Admission Process and Application Deadlines

Consult our helpful admission checklist

You must complete a number of steps to ensure your admission file is complete and ready to be reviewed by the Telfer School of Management Admissions Committee. We’ve prepared a checklist to help you complete these steps properly. Please follow this checklist carefully and thoroughly. The admissions committee will only review complete files.

Admission deadlines

Since classes for the Telfer MHA program begin earlier than most graduate programs (in late August), application deadlines have been established to give our staff enough time to process applications and you enough time to prepare for classes once admitted.

For Canadian and American students, the deadline for applications is April 1.

Late applications may be accepted. Please consult the Graduate Office for more information by phone 613-562-5884 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For international students, the deadline for applications is February 1. Should admission to the Telfer MHA be offered to you, international candidates are asked to verify with the Canadian embassies in their home countries of any expected delays in obtaining the necessary student authorization and to plan accordingly.

Scholarships deadline

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. To ensure that your application is considered for scholarships your file must be complete by February 15. We strongly advise candidates to apply as early as possible to increase their chance of being considered for a scholarship.

Additional admission requirements

In addition to the requirements set out in the admission checklist, you must also fulfil several additional requirements. Use these links to access further information on:

• the four basic criteria you must meet to be eligible to apply
• the tests you need to perform and the scores you must achieve
• the background in mathematics and computer skills you must possess
• whether or not you are eligible to receive exemptions, retain credits or qualify for advanced standing.

Admission Criteria

You must meet the following four criteria to be considered for admission to the Telfer MHA:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from a Canadian school or its equivalent from a school outside Canada and achieve a minimum standing of B or 70 percent. A limited number of candidates may be considered for admission if they do not hold a university degree or do not meet the minimum academic requirements. These potential candidates must have significant managerial or professional training and experience (at least 10 years), and demonstrate strong evidence of substantial management responsibilities and steady career progression during this time.
• A minimum of three years of full-time managerial or professional work experience. Part-time and summer jobs and coop placements do not count toward this number but are considered favourably during file evaluation.
• Achieve a competitive score in the Graduate Management Admission Test. Last year’s average score was 621 and the range 550-780.
• Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English.

Mandatory Admission Tests

GMAT is mandatory

All Telfer MHA candidates must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and achieve a competitive score. Last year’s average score was 611 and the range 550-780.

English proficiency is mandatory

All Telfer MHA candidates whose first language is neither English nor French must submit to the Telfer Graduate Office one of the following to demonstrate their proficiency in English:

• Proof of completion within the last five years of a degree program in an English-language university.
• Proof of recent prolonged residence and exercise of a profession in an English-speaking country (normally at least four of the last six years).
• A minimum score of 100 (Internet-based) or 250 (computer-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and a minimum score of five on the Test of Written English (TWE).
• A minimum score of seven in at least three of the four Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) tests (reading, listening, writing, speaking) and a minimum score of six in the fourth test. The General Training IELTS test is not accepted.
• A minimum score of 14 on the CANTEST, administered by the University of Ottawa, with no individual test score below 4.0 and a minimum score of 4.5 on the oral component of the test.

With respect to test scores, they cannot be more than two years old as of September 1 of the year of potential entry into the Telfer MHA.

Math Background and Computer Skills

To take full advantage of the Telfer MHA, you must enjoy a fundamental understanding of mathematics and possess a wide range of basic computer skills.

Solid math background

The quantitative content of some of the MBA and MHA courses requires that all students have a well-developed capability in mathematics. To assist in updating and upgrading student capabilities in this area, an on-line series of modules (titled MBA Essentials) is a required experience for all incoming students. Students will be required to complete Business Math Boot Camp, Statistics Essentials, Finance Essentials 1 and 2, and Accounting Essentials prior to arrival at Introduction to the MBA and MHA Week. This requires between 20 and 27 hours of work on-line. The remainder of the modules can be completed “just-in-time” as students engage in the appropriate courses throughout the program. For some students, completion will represent a pleasant review and preparation for the individual courses. For others who may be more challenged by the quantitative courses, completion of each of these modules will represent a critical key to success in the program. For all students, completion of the modules ensures that everyone arrives in class with a common understanding of the appropriate concepts and common skills related to required functions at the beginning of each course. More...

Basic computer skills

During your studies, you will be required to conduct Internet research, make oral presentations and prepare memos and case- and data-analysis reports. As a result of this workload, time will be an extremely valuable commodity. It will be important for you to be able to use computer tools to assist you in your tasks, facilitate your work and make you more efficient.

As such, you should possess a number of basic computer skills before you start your Telfer MHA studies. These skills should enable you to use:

• Word processing software such as Microsoft Word
• Spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel
• Presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint

You should also be able to perform research via the Internet and be familiar with Internet browsers and search engines. And a laptop computer with wireless capabilities is highly recommended. Wireless access is available in the Desmarais Building. If you use a PC, you will need the Windows XP Pro or Vista Business operating systems to connect to our network. “Home” versions of these operating systems do not enable you to connect to our network.

Exemptions, Retained Credits and Advanced Standing

There are three ways you may be eligible to receive exemptions, retain credits and qualify for advanced standing:

• If you completed graduate courses in management as a regular student in a University of Ottawa interdisciplinary program in which the Telfer School of Management is involved.
• If you completed graduate courses in management as a regular student in an MBA program at a Canadian university.
• If you completed graduate courses in management as a regular student of an MBA program accredited by the American Association of Colleges and Schools of Business, the Association of MBAs or EQUIS—the European Quality Improvement System.

No more than 24 credits

Twenty-four is the maximum number of credits that can be granted to you by way of exemptions, retained credits and advanced standing. All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits from MBA or health administration courses to earn the Telfer MHA degree.

At least a B grade in courses completed fewer than five years ago

You will receive no exemptions, retain no credits and not qualify for advanced standing for courses you completed more than five years ago or for courses in which your grade was lower than B (70 percent).

5000-level MBA courses only

You may retain credits and qualify for advanced standing based on your performance in 5000-level MBA courses only.

GMAT Prep Classes

New Partnership

The Telfer School of Management is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Kaplan to provide candidates with discounted GMAT prep classes and free GMAT practice tests. Telfer candidates are now eligible to receive 10% off the price of a Kaplan prep class and are provided with the full GMAT test day experience.

Each prep class includes 13 sessions with Kaplan GMAT’s top faculty featuring Flex Sessions, revised GMAT materials prepared for each exam and free make-up sessions—in person and through their video-based Lessons-on-Demand. It offers the most Integrated Reasoning preparation of any major GMAT prep provider, with a dedicated teaching session, a Lesson-on-Demand, and full-length, scored Integrated Reasoning sections in all 9 CATs. On top of this, you will receive over 160 hours of instruction and practice, including over 5,000 practice items and 9 full-length computer adaptive tests (CATs) in the format of the GMAT.

Kaplan encompasses three pillars in which it was founded on:

1. Proven Leader in GMAT prep: More people get into business schools after taking a Kaplan prep class than any other prep course.
2. Personalized Learning: Kaplan uses Smart Reports and Flex-Sessions to provide students with customized recommendations and added convenience.
3. High Score Guarantee: Kaplan has the most comprehensive guarantee in the industry. – Satisfaction, Readiness, or your money back!

The following GMAT Classes are starting soon at University of Ottawa:

• GMOT13002 - January 12 – March 9, 2013 – Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Desmarais Building)
• GMOT13001A – February 9 – April 6, 2013 – Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

For more information or to register for the prep classes, please contact Suzanne Wiseman by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 647-631-7465