Getting a MA without a BA

Dean of graduate studies says Memorial not heading in direction of “flexible admissions”

By Ben Wolthers

Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC has a new admissions policy for their graduate programs. Now, students with no bachelor’s degree are being admitted. The road to admissions into a university graduate program is a long one, traditionally characterized by formal education.

The new program is known as “flexible admissions.” Under this program, students wishing to be admitted to their graduate program complete what is known as a “prior life learning assessment” through the university. This decides the level of education they have obtained through not only their previous work experience, but any other form of informal education. Noreen Golfman, dean of graduate studies at Memorial, says that since Royal Roads is a private institution, it can be much easier for the university to take on endeavours such as this.

“Public institutions probably see their mandates as being far more transparent and accountable. So it is very important to have proper accreditation universally applied,” she said.

The system of “flexible admissions” is a popular choice for mature students who are looking to go further in their chosen career path, rather than start a new one. Private educational institutions like Royal Roads are challenging the traditional methods of education. They are not accountable to a government, allowing them to follow their own path.

Memorial has admission requirements that encompass life experience as well as formal education. However, these requirements do not outweigh the value of educational experience. They never will, according to Golfman. She points out that, while exceptions relating to admissions are made at Memorial occasionally, there is no specific policy, and it is a rare occurrence. While mature students across the country hope this admission policy will be adopted by other institutions, Golfman is extremely doubtful it will be fully adopted by Memorial anytime soon.

“I can’t see us going there. You challenge your standards when you do that, and your fairness. So, I can see exceptions — we have made them — but in addition to formal education … what else is there?”

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