Western Deans' Agreement
Thompson Rivers University is proud to be a member of the Western Canadian Deans' Agreement. This agreement was established in 1974 as an expression of cooperation and mutual support among universities offering graduate programs in Western Canada. Its primary purpose is the reciprocal enrichment of graduate programs throughout Western Canada. This agreement is not intended to preclude other agreements between participating institutions.
The agreement provides an automatic tuition fee waiver for visiting students. Graduate students paying normal required tuition fees to their home institution will not pay tuition fees to the host institution.
Students may be required to pay student, activity, application, or other ancillary fees to the host institution, according to general policies in effect at the host institution. Wherever possible, these fees will also be waived.
Students will qualify for the fee waiver if they:
- present the Western Deans' Agreement authorization form signed by the Dean or designate and Department Head or Graduate Advisor of a participating Western institution specifying the courses to be taken for credit toward a graduate degree program at their home institution;
- are in good standing in a graduate program at the home institution;
- have paid all current and back fees at the home institution.
Students must meet all requirements as prescribed by the host university's regulations, deadlines, class capacities, and course prerequisites.
At TRU, all on-campus graduate courses are eligible under this agreement. All distance delivery (online) graduate level courses are not eligible to be covered under the Western Deans' Agreement.
Registration is possible in courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. To be eligible, courses must be an integral part of the applicant's graduate degree program. Fee waiver is not permitted for audit or non-credit courses.
Students must have the Authorization Form approved by the relevant department head and the Faculty of Graduate Studies (or equivalent) at the host institution at least four weeks prior to the commencement of the course(s) requested. The fee waiver is not available retroactively.
Students are subject to regulations of the home institution governing credit for the courses to be undertaken. As a condition of registration at the host institution, students will arrange for official transcripts from the host institution to be sent to the home institution confirming successful completion of courses selected.
Students must send confirmation of registration and notice of any change to the Graduate Records Office of the home institution at the time registration or course change is completed.
Students may not claim fee waivers under the terms of this agreement for a period of more than 12 months total.
Each institution has its own regulations regarding the maximum number of transfer credits permitted in a given degree program. Students should ensure that their requests are within these limits.
