Admissions

• Apply online at Applying for Graduate Studies - Next Steps. 
  - When filling in your application form, double check your entries as no corrections are possible after submission. 
• Dalhousie University’s electronic reference system will allow you to track the status of your online application.
• Access will be provided once you have completed your application online.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all required documents listed below are received by the Clinical Vision Science Program office.

1. Post-secondary academic transcripts
   Two copies of all official transcripts of your academic record are required from each university you have attended to be sent by the issuing institution directly to the Clinical Vision Science Program office. Official transcripts issued by Dalhousie University are not required from current or previous Dalhousie students.  
2. Confidential Reference Letters
   Three letters of reference (two academic and one career related) are to be completed by referees and to be sent directly to the Clinical Vision Science Program office. The letters should be in sealed envelopes with the referee's signature over the seal. The official template of the reference letters is available in PDF format at Applying for Graduate Studies - Next Steps.
3. Curriculum Vitae / Personal Statement
   A complete Curriculum Vitae, including information regarding academic background and work/volunteer experience should be sent to the Clinical Vision Science Program office along with a hand written personal statement outlining the reason for your interest in orthoptics / ophthalmic medical technology.
4. Documentation of English Language Competency
   If proof of English language proficiency is required for your application you have to arrange the submission of documentation of successful TOEFL or other recognized language test. Official test results are to be forwarded by the Testing Service directly to the Clinical Vision Science Program. For more information on who is required to take a competency test, on accredited language testing institutions and accepted scores see the Language Competency Requirements section below.

Payment of a non-refundable application fee of $115 must be received by the Registrar’s Office before your application can be processed or reviewed. You can submit the application fee online, by phone, fax, or mail.

You should contact the Registrar’s Office if you need to make arrangements for your payment.

• Email: Admissions@Dal.Ca
  Phone: (902) 494-2450
  Fax: (902) 494-1630

Instead of applying online, candidates have the option to fill in the printed application form. The completed application form and the application fee are to be submitted to the Registrar’s Office and all supporting documents are to be sent to the Clinical Vision Science Program office.

Dalhousie University will verify any information provided by the applicants, including letters of reference and transcripts. After all submitted documents have been reviewed, select applicants will be invited by the Clinical Vision Science Program to participate in an interview with the Program's Admissions Committee. The interview may be conducted in person or by phone at the applicant's preference.  

Students whose native language is not English, must also, as required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, demonstrate ability to participate in a graduate program conducted in English prior to their acceptance to the program. The language competency test may be waived for international students who have completed their degree in an English speaking country at an institution where the language of instruction is English.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The standard test to assess the language knowledge of potential students is TOEFL but other language competency examinations may also be accepted. The TOEFL test is available in Internet-based (TOEFL iBT) or Paper-based (TOEFL PB) formats.  The paper-based written test is offered in locations where TOEFL iBT is not available. Details of the test and how to take it in your country can be found on the official TOEFL website.  http://www.ets.org/toefl  

The minimum acceptable score, as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and required for acceptance to the MSc Clinical Vision Science, is 92 for the internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) and 580 for the written test (TOEFL PB).

The TOEFL Code Number assigned to the Clinical Vision Science Program is 0730. You will have to use this code number at the TOEFL examination when indicating our institution as a score recipient. The exam scores will be sent to us directly from the Testing Service.

Other Language Competency Tests

Information on all available English competency tests and the required scores for acceptance set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies can be found in the directory of Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations.              

The Clinical Vision Science Program welcomes applications from students with disabilities who are academically qualified applicants in accordance with the University's admissions policy. The Clinical Vision Science program recognizes and affirms the rights of these students to have full, fair and equal access to all University services, programs and facilities and to be welcomed as participating members of the University community. Reasonable accommodations will be made to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified student who has a documented disability.

Accommodations may be made by providing alternative ways for the student to meet requirements or by adapting the instructional delivery system and/or assessment procedures (for example, through visual language interpreters, note takers, alternate examination formats, adaptive equipment). These accommodations should enable the student to demonstrate his or her knowledge and skill without diluting curriculum or credentials, or detracting from the responsibility of the student to achieve individual results consistent with course/program requirements and objectives. All accommodations provided by the Clinical Vision Science program must:

• be based on documented individual disability needs;
• allow the most integrated experience possible;
• not pose a threat to personal or public safety.

Scope:
Please note that the meaning of disability is established in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, and includes physical, sensory, mobility, communication, learning, emotional, psychiatric and other non-visible impairments and disabilities. See Appendix A for the definition of “disabilities” according to section 3 (1) in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act.

Process:
Applicants are advised to contact the Advisor to Students with Disabilities in writing to ascertain that their needs can be met, since the University may not be equipped to fulfill all special needs. For more information please visit the  Accessibility  page at Dalhousie Academic Support.