Special Students

Individuals who have or are currently taking Carleton credit courses but are not registered in a degree program.

1. Check admission requirements

Special Students may be admitted to a degree program if their academic achievement at Carleton University indicates a reasonable probability of future academic success. Previous post-secondary studies at other institutions will also be taken into consideration. In the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Public Affairs and Management, a Special Student can normally be considered for admission to a General degree program after successfully completing at least 4.0 credits (or equivalent) out of the first six attempts with an overall CGPA of 3.0 or better. Provided there are no unsuccessful attempts, students who perform at a higher level can gain admission after fewer credits (i.e. after successful completion of):

2.0 credits (or equivalent) with a CGPA of 8.00 or better, or
2.5 credits (or equivalent) with a CGPA of 7.00 or better, or
3.0 credits (or equivalent) with a CGPA of 6.00 or better, or
3.5 credits (or equivalent) with a CGPA of 5.00 or better

In the Faculty of Science, a Special Student can normally be considered for admission to a General degree program after successful completion of at least 4.0 credits (or equivalent) out of the first six attempts with a CGPA of 3.0 or better. Prerequisites for your program of choice must be completed before admission. Special Students wishing to apply for admission to the Faculty of Engineering, or the Schools of Architecture, Business, Computer Science, Industrial Design, Information Technology, Journalism or Social Work, should consult with Admissions Services.Admission requirements vary by program. Check the following link:

Prerequisite Subjects

2. Apply before application deadlines

June 1, 2012 for Fall admission (for September 2012 entry).
November 15, 2011 for Winter admission (January 2012 entry. Not all degree programs are available in January).

Programs with earlier deadlines
Architectural Studies	February 1
Child Studies	May 1
Humanities	March 1
Industrial Design	March 1
Information Technology (Interactive Multimedia and Design)	March 1
Journalism	March 1
Music	March 1
Social Work	February 1

Note: Applicants who are required to submit documents originating outside of Canada or the United States must apply before April 1. Applications may be received after these deadlines with no guarantee that they will be processed in time for the session requested.

3. Apply on-line

As an internal applicant, apply directly using our on-line application for Carleton students at: admissions.carleton.ca/internalapp. If you require help with the application, you can email us at: wapp_help “at” carleton.ca. You are required to reveal all previous secondary and post-secondary studies (whether they were successfully completed or not) when completing the application for admission.

4. Check received confirmation

You will receive an acknowledgment letter confirming that we received your application within 2 – 3 weeks of submission.

5. Keep track of your application

Your acknowledgment letter contains your Carleton applicant number. You will need this number to access our on-line system, Carleton Central. You can check your application(s), the status of your application(s), and make updates to your address and phone number, if required.

6. Send in additional documentation before deadlines

If you’re applying to Architectural Studies, Humanities, Industrial Design, Information Technology (Interactive Media and Design), Music or Social Work, you’ll be required to provide additional documentation to support your application. Here are the deadlines:

Program / Requirement	Deadline
Architectural Studies You’re required to submit a portfolio, graphic exercise, résumé, and covering letter.	April 1
Child Studies You’re required to submit a personal information package	May 1
Humanities	March 1
Industrial Design You are required to submit a portfolio.	April 1
Information Technology Interactive Multimedia and Design You’re required to submit a portfolio.	March 1
Music You’re required to schedule an audition. If you live more than 100 kilometres outside of Ottawa, you can audition via audio cassette as long as you are able to provide us with an affidavit. For specific audition dates, visit the Music website.	March 1
Social Work You’re required to submit a personal information document.	March 1

7. Meet English language requirement

If your first language is not English you can prove your language proficiency in a number of ways.

Demonstrate that you have completed three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary education in Canada or in another country where English is the primary language and the language of instruction (e.g. U.K., U.S.A, or Australia).
Submit passing results from any one of the four following language assessment tests.
If you do not meet any of the scores below or for more information, please visit our International Admissions website.

English Language Tests	Score	Type of Offer
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment	70	Offer with no ESL requirement: may begin full-time degree studies
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment	Overall CAEL 30* – 69 (with no band score lower than 30)*An overall score of 30 must also have: 40 in Writing OR 50 in Reading or Listening OR 50 in Speaking and 40 in Reading or Listening	Offer with ESL requirement: enrol in the Foundation Program and take part-time degree studies.
Paper Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	580	Offer with no ESL requirement: may begin full-time degree studies.
Paper Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	500-579	Offer with ESL requirement: enrol in the Foundation Program and take part-time degree studies.
Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)	86 (22 in writing and speaking, 20 reading and listening)	Offer with no ESL requirement: may begin full-time degree studies.
	61-85 (min. 15 each section)	Offer with ESL requirement: enrol in the Foundation Program and take part-time degree studies.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	6.5 IELTS (min. 6.0 each band)	Offer with no ESL requirement: may begin full-time degree studies.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)	5.0-6.4 (min. 4.5 in each band)	Offer with ESL requirement: enrol in the Foundation Program and take part-time degree studies.
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)	85 (min. score of 80 on each section)	Offer with no ESL requirement: may begin full-time degree studies.

8. Receive admission decision

You will view your offer package in Carleton Central. Included in your package is important information about your degree program, scholarship offer, financial assistance, residence and more. If you receive a conditional offer of admission, your application will be reassessed once we receive your final grades to ensure that you still meet the requirements for your program. If you no longer meet the required averages, Carleton will change or withdraw your offer of admission.

9. Apply for residence

You may apply for a space in residence by submitting an application to be included in the lottery taking place on June 11, 2012. For more information please contact the Housing Office at 613-520-5612 or visit the Residence website.

10. What next?

If you receive an Offer of Admission and wish to accept, you need to confirm within 3 weeks of the date of the offer to reserve your space in the program. Log in to Carleton Central and accept your offer on the Admission Offer Details page.

Read and note any conditions identified in your offer. You will need to fulfill all conditions before the end of August.

Visit our Orientation website for events and information offered to new students to ease the transition to new studies.