Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies M.A.
Fuel your curiousity and passion as you prepare for professional and academic career paths. In this program, students lead research projects that span the humanities, social sciences and other interdisciplinary fields, as they produce either a major research paper or thesis. This Master’s degree prepares you for a vibrant future in academia, as well as careers in education, social services or not-for-profit and advocacy sectors.
Contribute to a robust exploration of themes and debates in Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies as you gain grounding in methodological and theoretical approaches to current scholarly research and writing. The Frost Centre for Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies provides a vibrant space for scholarly research, writing, and discussion about issues central to a critical understanding of Canada.
Experiential Learning
In the Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies MA program, you will be able to explore a number of experiential or ‘learning through doing’ possibilities, including participating in a Humanities wide co-op opportunity, or working closely with a community partner in a community-based research project. You can take advantage of opportunities to travel to conferences and workshops, to present papers, and to engage with professional academic communities, or to work collaboratively with your peers to organize program-specific professional and academic workshops and to earn micro-credits focused on real world applications.
Explore critical issues of our past, present, and future. Engage with leading scholars from the humanities and social sciences in one of the first programs dedicated to Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies. In this leading master’s program, you will make a meaningful contribution to contemporary scholarship as you study, debate, and explore.
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Eligibility Requirements
- Honours degree (a four year undergraduate bachelor's degree)
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent in the last two years of full-time study, or last ten full academic credits
- Candidates should have a clear interest in an interdisciplinary graduate experience, and have undergraduate courses relating to Canada, or a willingness to take such courses as make-up, typically before admission
Eligibility Requirements
- Honours degree (a four year undergraduate bachelor's degree)
- Minimum B+ (77%) or equivalent in the last two years of full-time study, or last ten full academic credits
- Candidates should have a clear interest in an interdisciplinary graduate experience, and have undergraduate courses relating to Canada, or a willingness to take such courses as make-up, typically before admission
- Proof of English Proficiency: All international applicants must provide proof of an adequate level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. Please visit our How to Apply: International page for details on English Language Proficiency requirements.
- A GRE test score is not required for admission into this program
All applicants, domestic and international, must submit the following documents to complete their application:
- Transcripts: Unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- 2 letters of reference: Academic references are required. Reference forms will be emailed to the referees that you have appointed on OUAC
- Plan of Study/Personal Statement: 1-2 pages outlining your objectives in a graduate program. Any specific research interests, relevant experiences, and/or career aspirations can be included
- Writing Sample: A sample of your writing of about 20 pages or less. The preferred submission format is PDF. Good choices for writing samples include: an undergraduate essay, lab report, research report, journal article, a chapter from a masters thesis, or a published article.
- Proof of Citizenship (ie. copy of passport or birth certificate)
- Supervisor: Identifying a potential supervisor is recommended for this program. Please list your supervisor on your OUAC application and discuss this in your plan of study. Please visit the program's Faculty and Research page for a listing of faculty and areas of research. Applicants are responsible for reaching out to a faculty member
For more information on submitting transcripts, re-sending reference links and other application questions, please visit our How to Apply: Domestic or International pages and review Step 4, as well as review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Learn more about tuition & fees
Eligible full-time students are offered minimum funding packages during their funded period of $18,000 annually. This includes a Graduate Teaching Assistantship employment offer valued at approximately $13,000 annually. Specific funding details are included in individual admission letters.
Students are supported in competing for external awards during their studies, such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. A full list of external awards is available on our Scholarships & Awards page.
This program also offers unique funding opportunities for its students, such as program-specific entrance awards that may be automatically assigned at the time of admission, and competitive funding available throughout their studies.
Trent has clear pathways for graduate students to apply and be admitted to study for their master's or doctorate at either of our campuses. Please review admission requirements for your program before applying.
I am enjoying the small community feelings in my program. In my research I am embodying a compare and contrast of Classical Ballet and Pow Wow dances with the intention of discovering similarities in the practices and if the pedagogy of ballet can become more inclusive through an indigenous lens. Trent feels like a space where I am accepted and my ideas are valid. That is a great way to facilitate growth and knowledge. This program has allowed me to create deeper connections to my community while continuing to maintain my position at Canada's National Ballet School.
Denise teaches courses in history and social justice education, particularly gender studies and anti-racist education, for the B.Ed. and M.Ed. programs. Her research areas include: spirituality and community in education, sex education, well-being and education, Jewish studies, and birth/motherhood studies.Denise supervises graduate students in the Canadian Studies & Indigenous Studies program who have related interests.
Jackson is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Methodologies in the Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies and also appointed to the Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies MA Program at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. His research is focused on the Anishinaabeg including the history of education particularly the legacy of the Indian Day School system. His upcoming book, Students by Day: Colonialism and Resistance at the Curve Lake Indian Day School and co-authored article with Jack Hoggarth, Pyroepistemology Along the Northern Shores of Lake Ontario: Reinterpreting the Hopewell Tradition and Moundbuilders Theory through Anishinaabeg Perspectives combines oral history with archival analysis to uncover overlooked histories of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.
*Domestic applications remain open