Start earning your Bachelor of Arts in History or Sociology at McMaster Continuing Education
My OWN McMaster is a pathway that combines McMaster Continuing Education and McMaster undergraduate courses to earn a McMaster diploma and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History or Sociology.
- A unique partnership between McMaster University Continuing Education and the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Designed for working professionals who wish to earn a degree on a part-time, flexible schedule
- Makes your transition from diploma to degree studies as easy as possible
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Pathway highlights Learn More
- Only one application needed to begin
- Customized course selection for diploma to degree
- Complete required diploma and elective courses and progress to your undergraduate program in History or Sociology
What you'll learn Learn More
- In-demand skills that employers are seeking
- Educational requirements to earn a McMaster University undergraduate degree
- Graduate with both practical and analytical skills
Learn more about the My OWN McMaster Pathway
- Professionals seeking a degree to advance their career
- Professionals pursuing additional credentials for future employment opportunities
- Professionals looking to combine the practical (diploma studies) and analytical (degree studies) skills sought by employers
- Professionals searching for accessible, part-time academic studies to fit within their busy schedules
- McMaster Continuing Education diploma students wanting to earn an undergraduate degree on a part-time basis
The first step in pursuing the My OWN McMaster pathway is to speak with one of our Information Specialists. After discussing your educational background with us, we can help you to determine if My OWN McMaster is a suitable pathway to help you achieve your goals. Contact us today!
The first step in pursuing the My OWN McMaster degree pathway is to speak with one of our knowledgeable Information Specialists. After discussing your educational background with us, we can help you to determine if My OWN McMaster is a suitable pathway to achieve your goals.
The below chart provides you with a sense of whether My OWN McMaster would be right for you. After reviewing the chart, if you’d like to learn more about pursuing the My OWN McMaster degree pathway, please contact one of our Information Specialists today. We’d be happy to help you get started.
| Are you? | Is My OWN McMaster pathway right for you? |
| Currently enrolled in a McMaster University Certificate or Diploma program offered with McMaster University Continuing Education | Yes! My OWN McMaster is an ideal pathway for you to continue your studies with McMaster University Continuing Education in order to:
Important Notes:
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| A graduate from a McMaster University Continuing Education Diploma program? | Yes! My OWN McMaster allows you to apply your completed diploma as one of the pathway requirements. You will select and complete additional McMaster Continuing Education courses to achieve the required number of general electives. Then, you will proceed to degree studies. |
| A graduate from a McMaster University Continuing Education Certificate or Certificate of Professional Learning program? | Yes! You are eligible to apply to the My OWN McMaster pathway, however, please note the following important points:
As per McMaster University Senate policy (May 2017), a course can be used no more than two times towards a McMaster University credential. At McMaster, the term credential refers to a certificate, certificate of professional learning, a diploma, a My OWN McMaster milestone, and an undergraduate degree. This means that credits from a previously earned McMaster Certificate cannot be used towards the My OWN McMaster pathway. Using the credits from the previously earned Certificate (1) towards the 60 units of continuing education credit for My OWN McMaster (2) and then towards degree studies (3) exceeds the maximum. |
| A graduate from an accredited university, but you are interested in earning a second degree? | No. My OWN McMaster is a pathway for students who have not achieved a university-level degree. You can learn more about applying for a second degree by contacting the Office of the Registrar. |
| A graduate of a diploma program from an accredited post-secondary institution and wish to pursue an undergraduate degree program? | Yes! My OWN McMaster is one option for you to earn a 3-year, Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University.
You may be approved to have your diploma program credits applied to the General Elective portion of the pathway, and you may continue your studies with the McMaster Continuing Education and undergraduate studies. |
| A recent graduate from high school (under the age of 21) and want to apply to degree studies? | No. My OWN McMaster is designed for adult learners over the age of 21 who have not completed a university degree program.
If you are a recent high school graduate, please proceed to the Admissions website for details. |
| Completed some courses at a college, or McMaster University Continuing Education units, but did not complete a program? | Yes. My OWN McMaster is a definite pathway for you to continue your studies to complete a diploma program and your elective courses with McMaster University Continuing Education. Once you complete your 60 units of study with McMaster Continuing Education with a minimum 8.0 GPA, you can begin your degree studies. |
| Interested in completing a university degree program, but have never attended college/university, or McMaster University Continuing Education? | Yes, My OWN McMaster pathway is an option for you!
The My OWN McMaster pathway provides you with a route to complete 60 units of academic credit with McMaster Continuing Education that will be applied to your degree program. Once you complete a McMaster Continuing Education Diploma and remaining credits for 60 units with a minimum 8.0 GPA, you will transfer to the Faculty of Humanities or the Faculty of Social Sciences as a degree student. You will complete the 30 units remaining for a 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree. Note: My OWN McMaster is designed for part-time, adult learners who are unable to complete a full-time degree program. If you wish to apply as a full-time degree student, please proceed to the Admissions website for details. |
| Have you? | Is My OWN McMaster pathway right for you? |
| Started an undergraduate degree program, completed a few courses, but did not graduate? | Maybe! My OWN McMaster may be one option for you to complete a Diploma + a 3-year Bachelor of Arts degree from McMaster University. An evaluation of your completed undergraduate courses would be necessary to determine if the pathway is right for you. |
| Started an undergraduate degree program with McMaster, completed a few courses, but did not graduate? Now, you want to resume your studies in that same program. | No. My OWN McMaster is not the pathway to resume undergraduate studies in your original program or to apply for a second degree.
If you wish to resume your previous degree studies as a traditional full-time or part-time student, please proceed to the admission guidelines for degree studies (returning student). |
| Completed some courses at college, or McMaster Continuing Education units, but did not complete a program? | Yes. My OWN McMaster is a definite pathway for you to continue your studies to complete a diploma program and your elective courses with McMaster Continuing Education. Once you complete your 60 units of study with McMaster Continuing Education with a minimum 8.0 GPA, you can begin your degree studies. |
Please note: McMaster Continuing Education and undergraduate courses are offered in a variety of formats. Some courses may include daytime live sessions. Please review course outlines and schedules for details prior to registering.
The transition from diploma to degree study is straightforward.
Step 1: Apply to My OWN McMaster, accept your offer of admission and receive a detailed learning plan
Have questions? McMaster Continuing Education’s Information Specialists are available to you to determine if this pathway is right for you. Contact us today!
Step 2: Begin your studies with McMaster Continuing Education (Diploma and McMaster Continuing Education general electives)
My OWN McMaster students are required to complete 60 units of study (approximately 20 courses) with the McMaster Continuing Education. The 60 units are comprised of a McMaster Continuing Education diploma program (minimum of 24 units of study) and general elective courses from existing certificate and diploma programs (maximum of 36 units).
McMaster Continuing Education will contact the Faculty advisors to assist with your transition to degree studies.
Admission to Degree Studies:
My OWN McMaster pathway students are expected to meet the academic standards and requirements set out by McMaster Continuing Education and the Faculty of Humanities, History Department and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Sociology Department.
In order to be admitted to degree studies upon completion of 60 units of study with McMaster Continuing Education, students must meet the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a Business Communications course (3 units)
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 8.0 on McMaster’s grade point scale for diploma and elective credit (B average)
Step 3: Begin your undergraduate program in History or Sociology
My OWN McMaster students are required to complete 30 units of study (approximately 10 courses) with the degree program of their choice (History or Sociology).
Please note: McMaster Continuing Education and undergraduate courses are offered in a variety of formats. Some courses may include daytime live sessions. Please review course outlines and schedules for details prior to registering.
My OWN McMaster allows you to choose from a variety of diploma programs to pair with your degree studies.
- Simply select a Diploma offered through McMaster Continuing Education:
- Only one credential may be granted in the My OWN McMaster pathway. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded the diploma that you have selected to pursue in the pathway. No additional diplomas, certificates, or certificates of professional learning will be granted.
- Some diplomas have an application. You will be required to meet those program eligibility requirements.
- Complete the remaining units with elective credit through McMaster Continuing Education to reach a total of 60 units:
- Elective courses must be academic credit. Academic courses have a unit value listed, while professional development or non-credit courses do not.
- Any existing course eligibility and prerequisite rules will apply.
For example, you might select Human Resources Management as your diploma. This diploma earns 27 units. The remaining 33 units of elective credit would be selected from the other academic courses offered through McMaster Continuing Education to reach a total of 60 units. You would then complete 30 units of study through the Faculty of Social Sciences or Humanities.
Please note: McMaster Continuing Education and undergraduate courses are offered in a variety of formats. Some courses may include daytime live sessions. Review course outlines and schedules for details prior to registering.
McMaster Professional Development programs are not eligible for the My OWN McMaster Pathway.
Earning a diploma, degree and professional certification (where applicable) while continuing to work in your profession could lead to:
- Career advancement in your current position
- A brand-new career path
- Achievement of your academic goals without disrupting your current career
- Opportunity to continue on to a post-graduate degree
The My OWN McMaster pathway is streamlined to make your transition from diploma to degree studies as easy as possible.
The Pathway involves 3 steps:
- Submit an application to begin the pathway
- Complete the required number of courses with McMaster Continuing Education
- Progress to your undergraduate program in History or Sociology
Please note: McMaster Continuing Education and undergraduate courses are offered in a variety of formats. Some courses may include daytime live sessions. Review course outlines and schedules for details prior to registering.
My OWN McMaster Transfer of Credit
Consideration for transfer credits will be made once the My OWN McMaster application is submitted to McMaster Continuing Education. Transfer credits are not assessed or “pre-approved” before an application is submitted. For more information on the application requirements, please visit the Admission and Application Requirements page. For more information on transfer credits, please visit the Transfer Credit page.
Consideration for transfer credits will be made once the My OWN McMaster application is submitted to McMaster Continuing Education. Transfer credits are not assessed or “pre-approved” before an application is submitted.
- McMaster courses may be applied towards two McMaster credentials only
- Official transcripts must be received as part of the application in order to assess transfer credit options
- A maximum of 30 units of transfer credit may be applied to the My OWN McMaster Pathway (McMaster Continuing Education portion)
- Students are responsible to submit the required documentation and to remit any fees associated with a transfer credit approval
Transfer credits towards a McMaster Continuing Education Diploma program:
McMaster Continuing Education’s current transfer credit policy for a Diploma program applies to students enrolled in the My OWN McMaster Pathway. The approval for transfer credits is based on the specific Diploma program’s policy. See our Transfer of Credit page for more information.
Transfer credit towards general electives:
Transfer credits may be approved and applied towards the general elective portion of the My OWN McMaster Pathway. Potential transfers are assessed as part of the application review process. For further details, please fill out our Contact Us form.
