MS ISDF Requirements - Niagara University in Ontario

MS ISDF Admission Requirements

Below are the minimum requirements for admission to the MS. ISDF program at Niagara University in Ontario. As these are the minimum requirements, they do not guarantee acceptance into the program as space is limited. Niagara University in Ontario applies a holistic approach to the review process taking into consideration all components of the application.

1. Evidence of successful completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree in Information Systems, Management of Information Systems, Computer Science, or closely related field (minors in technology will also be considered) through the submission of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. At least one of these transcripts must indicate the awarding of an accredited four-year undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 using a 4.0-point scale, or a B average if letter grades were used.

In keeping with Niagara University in Ontario’s mission, it recognizes that applicants who completed undergraduate degrees with GPA scores of less than the required 3.0, may have, since the completion of their degrees, gained significant professional experience, and possibly industry certifications that may provide additional information on which to judge success in graduate studies. Therefore, we encourage individuals who find themselves in this situation to apply.
Applicants who have not received their degree from a Canadian or US institution where English is the official language of instruction, will be required to provide an official transcript evaluation as well as official English proficiency scores. For more information, please refer to the Applicants with International Degrees section below.

2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Official GRE scores from a test taken within the past five years. Students who are applying with an undergraduate GPA equivalent to a B+ or better, or who have already completed a Master’s Degree from an accredited institution are exempt from this requirement.

3. Completion of the Online Application

Which includes:

Transcripts indicating successful completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree.
- In the case where degrees were completed internationally, an international evaluation of the degree such as a WES, SpanTran, or CES must accompany the application.
Two letters of reference (it is recommended that one letter speaks to the student’s academics and that the second to professional experience/qualifications)
An up-to-date resume
A personal statement
- Two-page, double-spaced, typewritten statement discussing your academic and/or research background, your career goals, your personal philosophy related to your area of study, and how Niagara University in Ontario’s graduate program will prepare you to meet your career and educational objectives.

All credentials submitted for admission become and remain the property of the university. Misrepresentations on application forms may result in expulsion or degree revocation.

International Applicants

Study Permit

International students wishing to study at Niagara University, for a period of more than 6 months, and who are not Canadian citizens, or permanent residents of Canada will require a study permit. Study Permits are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC),as a paper document that is usually attached to an individual’s passport at the Canadian port of entry. In order to obtain a Study Permit, an applicant must be studying at an approved Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Niagara University is a Designate Learning Institution. Our DLI number is O268049601572. This number begins with the letter “O” which stands for Ontario. This information is also available as part of the DLI list on IRCC’s website.

If the study permit application is approved, the individual will receive a Letter of Introduction that must be presented to the border officer upon entry to Canada. The study permit will be printed and issued at the border.

Please note that a study permit does not authorize re-entry to Canada should you decide to leave at any point during the time of your studies. In addition to the study permit, some individuals may also require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA in order to enter and/or re-enter Canada. Follow this link to Find out if you need a visa to travel to Canada. The initial processing time for a request may take anywhere from one to six months. To find out more information Check processing times – Canada.ca.

You may also Extend your study permit if you have already been issued one, or transfer from another institution.

Applicants with International Degrees

Together with the standard application requirements above, applicants to Niagara University’s Ontario programs who have not received their degree from a Canadian or US institution where English is the official language of instruction, must also submit the following items:

Official credential evaluation of all undergraduate transcripts. Copies or emails for any test score or credential evaluation will not be accepted. Please choose the “comprehensive course by course evaluations” from either SpanTran or World Education Services.
Evidence of English Language Proficiency through official TOEFL or IELTS scores sent directly from the testing service. In order to be eligible for acceptance into the program, applicants must provide evidence of having achieved a score equal to or greater than the minimum identified below on one of the following tests.

Test	Score
TOEFL Paper	600
TOEFL CBT	250
TOEFL iBT	100
IELTS	6.5
Duolingo	125+

Admission Policies and Procedures for Mature Students

All students are required to meet the above standards. Challenge exams are not permitted at the graduate level.