Arts & Science Program: Facilitated Admissions Process for Indigenous Applicants
The Arts & Science Program stresses active, self-directed, and cooperative interdisciplinary learning with an emphasis on social awareness. A hallmark of the program is its engaged and supportive community, which draws together people with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests, and thrives on the open exchange, development, and refinement of ideas.
- Individuals applying through the Facilitated Admission Process must meet the same academic requirements as all other applicants, and complete the same supplementary application.
- Applicants who wish to be considered through this process should apply to the Arts & Science Program as per the standard process. Visit the Indigenous Student Services Admission Support website for application support, and/or contact Shelley Anderson (anderso@mcmaster.ca) in the Arts & Science Program Office.
- Students applying via the Facilitated Admissions Process should submit their Supplementary Application following the usual procedures. The Supplementary Application will provide all applicants with the opportunity to indicate if they wish to participate in the Facilitated Admissions Process if they are eligible. If you are Indigenous and would like to participate in the process, please opt in using this question.
Department contact: Dr. Beth Marquis (beth.marquis@mcmaster.ca)
Health Sciences: Facilitated Admissions Self-Identification (FIAP)
With an understanding that Indigenous learners can face specific barriers or challenges when pursuing higher education, schools and programs within McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences have facilitated admissions streams for applicants with Indigenous North American (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) ancestry. This process is intended to provide equitable access to Indigenous applicants and aligns with the intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action.
Applicants wishing to apply through McMaster’s FIAP need to complete the self-identification application in addition to McMaster University and program-specific application processes, including the McMaster Indigenous Ancestry Verification process starting in the 2026 application year.
The FIAP self-identification application is submitted to McMaster’s Indigenous Health Task Force (IHTF) through the online application housed on the IHLL website. Learn more about the FIAP application and its components.
Department contacts:
- Melissa Steven, Learner Services Coordinator (lscihll@mcmaster.ca) MDCL 3510
- Taiwo Adeleke, Administrative Assistant (ihll@mcmaster.ca) MDCL 3510
Social Work: Indigenous Students (Includes First Nations and Métis) Alternate Admissions Process and Criteria
The Circle of Indigenous Social Work Action has designed an admission process in pursuit of McMaster’s commitment to enhancing the accessibility of the undergraduate social work program to First Nations, Métis and Inuit applicants. Indigenous applicants may select the following Indigenous admission process or may opt for the process utilized by the general applicant population.
Learn more about the process in the Indigenous Application Policy.
Are you still wondering if you are eligible to apply to the B.S.W. post-degree program? Please contact Lorna O’Connell for more assistance in completing your application or other administrative concerns.
Department contacts:
- Lorna O’Connell, Administrative Assistant (oconnell@mcmaster.ca)
905-525-9140 ext. 23795 - Tammy Maikawa, Academic Department Manager (millet@mcmaster.ca)