The Joint Master’s Program (JMP)

What is the Joint Masters Program (JMP)?

“The Program was initiated in the 1976-77 academic year, and revised in 1996, making available to graduate students the combined resources of two universities. A Joint Discipline Committee, comprised of representatives of the two institutions, conducts the Joint Master's Program. Courses and thesis direction are offered at either or both institutions, as their Program dictates, and JMP students will be afforded graduate student privileges at both locations. Students graduating from the Program will receive a joint parchment.

The main purposes of the Master's Program are to develop the ability of the students to undertake independent research and place their findings properly within their historical context; and to ensure that students acquire a comprehensive knowledge of at least two areas of historical study.

Specialized work is offered in the following fields: The Americas, Asia and Africa, Britain and the Commonwealth, Canada, Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Modern Europe, History of Science, Modern World and Archival Studies.” (Write up from the University of Manitoba’s site, which you can view here)

benefits

As a student of the University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg Joint Master’s Program (JMP), you have access to everything both the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg have to offer! You can select an advisor from either school, attend classes at either school, apply for funding at either school, and access the resources (like the library, workshops, etc.!) at either school!

Choosing a stream

There are four streams to choose from when applying to the JMP. Click on any of them for more information about the program!

Want to learn more about what it means to write a thesis or a major research project? Check out our thesis crash course or our major research project crash course - both offered each semester on campus at the University of Manitoba. Registration is required, but the crash courses are free!

applying for the jmp

Deadline: January 15th

Required Information:

  • Two letters of recommendation

  • 500 word statement of intent

  • A photocopy of your birth certificate or passport (even if you’ve already been a student at the University of Manitoba)

  • Transcripts from any post-secondary institutions you have attended in the past (including the University of Manitoba)

  • $100 application fee

  • A completed application (online - click here to be taken to it!)

Letters of Recommendation:

  • These letters should come from professors who have taught you in the past—ideally, you’ve taken at least one full year seminar course with one, if not both, of them.

  • Choose professors who know how you work so they can write the best possible recommendation.

  • Email prospective professors early - they are busy; give them as much time as possible.

  • When you’re emailing professors to ask for letters of recommendation, provide them with everything they might need to write you the best recommendation letter possible - especially if it’s been a while. (Not everyone goes right from their undergrad to their master’s, and that’s okay!) This might be an overview of what it is you’re hoping to research/study, a copy of a final paper you submitted to them, something you really appreciated about their class/teaching style, etc. Do not send both professors a generic email - make it personal to each of them. If you can’t remember anything about them, odds are good they don’t remember you either. Keep in mind that you’re asking for a favour; treat it as such.

  • Do not submit your application until their letters of recommendation have been uploaded. You can check the status of their letters (you won’t have access to the letters themselves) in the Application Portal.

  • If you are asking one of these professors to be your advisor as well, you will likely want to include that in this email.

Statement of Intent:

  • If at all possible, discuss your research/program plans with a professor/professors in the History Department - your recommendation letter professors and/or the Graduate Chair are good options for this. Attend any and all meetings/workshops held by the University (or the HGSA!) about the program. Your Statement of Intent needs to cover both what you plan to research, and why you want to do it at the University of Manitoba/University of Winnipeg.

  • If you are applying to multiple universities, do not use the same Statement of Intent for all your applications. (Your research goals can be the same, but every statement must be tailored to the university you’re applying to!) You need to make a case for why you want to attend the university that you’re applying to. Is there a particular faculty member here who does work in your field? Or maybe your reasoning is more practical - you want to further your education, but you have significant family ties/other obligations that would keep you in Winnipeg. You don’t have to make up a bunch of stuff; honesty is also appreciated!

  • Make sure you outline whatever you’ve done already to prepare for graduate school. If you’re going into the Archival Studies program, do you have experience researching in archives? Perhaps you’ve done some volunteer work in an archival setting? Or perhaps the topic you’re proposing for your research is a long time interest of yours and you’ve already done tons of reading and research, you’ve subscribed to journals or other sources of information? Have you taken classes in your undergraduate studies that would enhance your research going forward?

  • If possible, point out any ways you might be a benefit to the department. Are already active in the university community? Make sure to mention that!

Getting your University of Manitoba Transcript (if you were previously a UofM Student)

  1. Sign into Aurora.

  2. Go to Enrolment & Academic Records.

  3. Click on Academic Transcript and scroll all the way to the end of the page.

  4. Click on “Request Official Transcript Online – payment by credit card, Interac and Visa Debit only” (there’s no need to panic about paying; you don’t have to).

  5. When prompted with the question “how would you like your transcript sent” choose email – it’s easy to place it with your digital application then.

  6. Now here’s the trick.  The place you’re “emailing to” doesn’t matter, at all.  Pick anything on the list because it doesn’t matter; it’s not actually going to be sent there.  What is going to happen is you are going to get a preview and that is what you attach to your application.

  7. Choose your level of study.

  8. Look at the number of copies/in progress cut off term and delivery method but remember it’s not actually going to be sent anywhere.

  9. Click to the next page and PAUSE.

  10. DO NOT submit request.  It’s tempting but don’t do it.  Look above for “Transcript Preview” and click on it. 

  11. Keep Aurora open while you wait for the transcript to generate.  Once it does, save it to your desktop and attach it to your application.

  12. Backspace out of Aurora.

  13. Done! 

For more information, contact the University of Manitoba department of history.

Department of History
403 Fletcher Argue Building
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Phone: 204-474-8401
https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/departments/history/
history@umanitoba.ca