Application Requirements

This program has specific admission and application requirements outlined below.

Admission Requirements

To be considered eligible for the My OWN McMaster pathway, you must meet the following criteria:

You are considered a mature student (as defined by McMaster University). This means you have not attended secondary school or college on a full-time basis for at least two years.
You have not graduated from an undergraduate degree program. If you have completed more than one year of study, certain eligibility conditions apply.
You meet the minimum age requirement of 21 years
You have submitted the My OWN McMaster application form and completed all required documentation

Note:

Current undergraduate degree students at McMaster University are not eligible for the My OWN McMaster pathway. These students should consult with their Faculty Academic Advisor about the possibility of applying McMaster Continuing Education courses to their degree program.
Previous undergraduate degree students with McMaster University who earned 30 units or less may be eligible under certain conditions.

To enrol in McMaster Continuing Education programs, you must:

Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent OR
Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University OR
Be deemed an exceptional case

To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.

Language Requirements

If English is not your native language, you must meet McMaster University’s English proficiency requirements by passing a McMaster approved English test or qualifying for an exemption. All applicants must indicate their proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English. If you do not qualify for an exemption, you must provide English test scores during the application process. If you do not meet these requirements, your application will be denied. Also, if you demonstrate English proficiency below the required standard, you will be asked to provide proof or to withdraw.

Application Dates

Spring 2026:

Open date: February 1, 2026
Close date: April 30, 2026

Fall 2026:

Open date: May 1, 2026
Close date: September 30, 2026

Winter 2027:

Open date: October 1, 2026
Close date: January 31, 2027

Spring 2027:

Open date: February 1, 2027
Close date: April 30, 2027

Application Process

You must submit a completed application package. McMaster Continuing Education does not evaluate admission documentation unless an application is submitted. Please do not use Hotmail addresses to apply.

The application process is a multi-step process. You must apply, receive your acceptance and then you can enrol in courses.

Steps to complete your application:

Please submit your application using our Online Application Portal.
Select the box titled ‘McMaster University Continuing Education Application’.
Create an application account if you have never been a student, employee or researcher with McMaster University (i.e. you do not have a MacID) or sign in with your MacID.
Identify the specific program for which you are applying
Select the term in which you wish to begin your studies. If the program is not offered in the term you selected, or if the program is no longer accepting students, a notice will be shown.
Follow all of the steps to enter your information and upload the required documentation. Be sure to save the information on the application pages before you proceed to the next page.
Pay the application fee (payable by credit or debit online).
Submit your application.

You may return to a partially completed application to edit or add new information. Once an application is submitted, no further edits can be made. You will receive an email confirmation of payment and successful application submission. Another email will notify you of the application admission decision after the application data has been reviewed.

Please note: You may experience longer than usual application response times during the months each term begins (May, September and January). Rest assured we will review your application and provide a response as soon as possible.

If you wish to pay by cheque, please contact us to request a paper application which you may submit by mail, with payment. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.

To apply, you will need the following items:

Current resume (Word or PDF)
A letter of intent (250-500 words) outlining reasons for applying to this program, learning goals, and suitability for the My OWN McMaster pathway
Official transcripts of all previous academic studies from accredited post-secondary institutions
Credit/debit card to submit the $59 non-refundable application fee

Please note: Your application will not be reviewed until all required documentation is received. You will be notified directly by program staff if additional information or documentation is required. Admission status is updated within 4-6 weeks of our receipt of your application package.

How to Register for our Courses and Programs

Visit continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs to find your program of choice
Click on each tab on the program page to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (bottom of the browser screen on mobile)
Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)

A payment receipt email will be issued to you immediately after registering, and a course confirmation email will be sent to you overnight. Within approximately 24 hours of registering, you will also receive an important email containing credentials used to activate your MacID, which you must do before you can access courses in Avenue to Learn. Please review our Getting Started page to learn more about the next steps for beginning your studies after registration, and our Help Centre for our Refund Policy and other frequently asked questions. Please note that on average, each course requires 6-8 hours of study per week, per course (sometimes more) and some courses may have listed prerequisites. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Most students take 1-2 courses per term across a few different terms and a full-time equivalent course load is typically 3-4 courses per term.

For more information and a walkthrough on how to register, please check out this video.

Payment Options

Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
Google Pay is available for faster checkout
Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.
Problem processing your payment? Please reach out to your credit card company if your payment was declined. Otherwise, wait two hours before attempting your registration again.

Online Application Portal Access the Portal

Ready to start your application?