Master of Disability and Community Studies (FAQs)

Go to main MDCS page on our parent site (Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary)

Description

The Masters of Disability and Community Studies program is a course-based graduate program for working professionals in the field of community rehabilitation and disability studies.

Students are able to work full time and complete their studies in three years if following the course schedule in sequence. The maximum length of time in program is 6 years.

Students will complete a capstone project/paper in their area of interest and present the final document publicly to their student cohort.

Required MDCS Courses

• CORE 603.15 Foundations & Futures of Disability and Community Studies
• CORE 603.12 Politics of Inclusion & Exclusion: A study of law, policy and ethics
• CORE 603.13 Leadership & Innovation
• 1 half credit Quantitative Research Methods (May be taken on campus, on line and/or at another institution)
• CORE 676 Consultation in Human Services & Systems
• CORE 603.18 Social Construction & Health Capacity
• CORE 624.20 Specialization Theory and Practice: A collaborative inquiry capstone
• 3 half credit graduate courses (Options/Electives)

MDCS Mandatory Course Schedule
Department of Community Health Sciences

Recommended Electives
CRDS has other graduate courses (on campus & on line) that may be of interest to the student's area of specialization. Please see Course descriptions for Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

Notes on Elective Courses
Courses can be taken from the CRDS, CHS graduate program or other U of C graduate programs. Students may take graduate courses at other Canadian university institutions by completing a Letter of Permission. Please consult with the CRDS graduate advisor before registering for any outside program graduate courses.
Masters of Disability and Community Studies (MDCS) Competencies
http://www.ucalgary.ca/communityhealthsciences/node/217

MDCS Application Procedures

Application Deadline - August 15 for admission the following January.

1. Submit an online application to the Department of Community Health Sciences (CHS). Select the following:
   Degree: Master of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies (MDCS)
   Program: Community Health Sciences
   (enter specialization area from within the application)
   
2. Submit a non-refundable Application Fee of $100.00 CDN ($130.00 CDN for international students).
3. Submit supporting documentation together in one package to the Graduate Program Administrator in the Department of Community Health Sciences:
   • curriculum vitae or resume that includes publications, presentations and funding
   • official transcripts (and degree certificates if the transcript does not mention the granting of the degree) from all post secondary institutions attended, regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there.
     *"official" = submitted in an unopened, original envelope sealed by the academic institution.
     *for non-English official transcripts, a certified English translation must also be provided.
   • two letters of reference on Faculty of Medicine reference forms
     *submit reference letters in their original sealed unopened envelopes, with the signature of the referee across the seal
   • "application fee if not submitted online with the application

MDCS Admission Requirements

For all admissions into the Department of Community Health Sciences programs, the minimum grade-point average (GPA) is 3.2 on a 4-point system; approximately equivalent to a B+ on courses in the last two years of undergraduate study.

• minimum 4 year undergraduate degree from a recognized institution
• Minimum 3 years of work and/or life experience in the related field

Note: In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements but who have significant life achievements may be considered for admission to some graduate programs. The candidate must provide the relevant graduate program with evidence demonstrating a potential to undertake successfully the proposed program of studies. Such candidates are advised to make early contact with the graduate program. In all cases, the decision whether or not to admit rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Excerpt from "Resource Handbook", Faculty of Graduate Studies