Pre-Master’s Program

Purpose

The Pre-Master’s Program (PMP) provides international students with the academic and language skills they need to be successful in the following master’s programs: 

Students who enroll in the program meet all the academic admission requirements but require additional preparation in academic reading, writing, and research skills for their studies in English at the graduate level. Students benefit from support in adjusting to a new culture in Canada and from the opportunity to focus on learning, reviewing, and upgrading skills necessary for success in a North American university.

A student’s placement in this program is based on the outcome of an academic writing test. 

Program Highlights

One-Term Course of Study

Offered three times per academic year, each course runs for 15 weeks and aligns with the University’s academic calendar.

Focused Support for International Students
Designed to address the most common challenges faced by international graduate students, including:

  • Understanding and meeting academic and cultural expectations at the master’s level
  • Improving academic language, thinking, and organizational skills related to students’ chosen degree programs, including:
  • Essay and report writing
  • Sentence structure and grammar
  • Academic vocabulary and technical terminology
  • Communication skills for professional and academic presentations
  • Navigate expectations of Western academic conventions
  • Receive real-time feedback grounded in pedagogical expertise

Research Skill Development
Students learn to:

  • Access and evaluate credible sources
  • Use and cite sources effectively
  • Follow appropriate formatting styles (APA or IEEE)

Small Class Sizes
Ensure individualized attention and targeted support based on each student’s unique needs.

Access to the Academic Writing Centre
Enrolled students receive free additional support through tutoring and workshops focused on:

    • Academic reading and writing skills
    • Advanced academic English language development
    • Research strategies and effective library use
    • Understanding specific academic content
    • Presentation skills and group assignment strategies

Courses

EPS 5099 Academic Writing Skills-Masters (6 Non-Academic Credits)

  • EPS 5099 is designed to help students improve academic and professional skills for graduate level university studies. Students focus on five areas: academic and professional writing; critical reading and thinking, oral communications; foundations for research; and, orientation to the culture of North American graduate studies.

EPS  5089 Academic Writ Skills-Masters (6 Non-Academic Credits)

  • EPS 5089 is designed to help students improve academic and professional skills for graduate level university studies. Students focus on five areas: academic and professional writing; critical reading and thinking, oral communications; foundations for research; and orientation to the culture of North American graduate studies. The course will focus on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers style (IEEE) format. The Pre-Master’s Program (PMP) provides international students with academic and language skills This course will be for MSACS students. The students will use IEEE format. The students will not be able to take EPS 5289 or EPS 5099 for credit with EPS 5089. This is a developmental course.

EPS_5299 Academic Research Foundations (3 Non-Academic Credits)

  • EPS 5299 helps students develop the academic language and research skills needed for graduate studies in English. The course focuses on writing, reading, critical thinking, and presenting in academic contexts, with an emphasis on organizing ideas, improving grammar and vocabulary, and using APA style. Students explore rhetorical modes such as exposition, cause and effect, and argument, while learning to analyze texts, avoid plagiarism, and incorporate sources effectively. They also gain familiarity with Canadian academic culture and expectations through discussions, peer review, and regular practice in writing and presentations.

EPS 6299 Graduate Research Seminar (3 Non-Academic Credits)

  • EPS 6299 Graduate Research Seminar immerses students in academic research through critical engagement with diverse projects, literature reviews, and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The course develops students’ understanding of research paradigms, procedures, and approaches, while building skills in presenting, discussing, and writing about research. Students gain experience in group forums, receive peer feedback, and learn to write a seminar paper using APA format and proper citation.

EPS 5289 Academic Research Foundations (3 Non-Academic Credits)

  • EPS 5289 helps students build the academic skills needed for graduate studies in English at a North American university. Through current topics and exposure to Canadian culture, students develop their reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking abilities. The course emphasizes organizing ideas, writing clear sentences, and using appropriate grammar and vocabulary. Students practice reading strategies, analyze texts using rhetorical modes like exposition and argument, and learn essential research skills such as identifying credible sources, accessing FDU’s online library, and citing sources using IEEE formatting.

*Each course carries “non-academic credits” and requires a Pass, which means it appears on the transcript, but results do not affect a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA).