Admissions

We are currently reviewing our admission requirements and program structure for the May 2027 intake. Please continue to monitor our website for updates. More information about the transition to the new CPA Professional program can be found on the CPA Ontario website.

 

The GDPA welcomes applicants from a range of academic backgrounds. Eligibility and course requirements depend on where you completed your undergraduate degree and whether you’ve already completed accounting coursework. Review the categories below to find the path that applies to you.

 

Who can apply

 

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the academic requirements, regardless of the institution where their undergraduate degree was completed. Below are the Course & GPA requirements for applicable candidates:

McMaster graduates who have completed the required accounting and business coursework are eligible to apply and must meet the following:
  • A minimum B+ average (equal to a McMaster 8.5 GPA) across the CPA third-and-fourth-year required courses
  • A minimum B- average for Accounting and Business courses listed below
  • A minimum grade of 60% in each required CPA course
Seven required accounting courses (or your undergraduate institution’s equivalents):
  1. COMM 3AB3 Intermediate Financial Accounting I
  2. COMM 3AC3 Intermediate Financial Accounting II
  3. COMM 4AC3 Advanced Financial Accounting
  4. COMM 2FB3 Managerial Finance
  5. COMM 4AD3 Introduction to Auditing
  6. COMM 4SC3 Advanced Canadian Taxation
  7. COMM 4AA3 Managerial Accounting II
Plus eight required business courses (or equivalents):
  1. COMM 4SB3 Introduction to Canadian Taxation
  2. COMM 4PA3 Business Policy: Strategic Management
  3. COMM 4AF3 Accounting Theory
  4. COMM 2FA3 Introduction to Finance
  5. COMM 2KA3 Information Systems in Management
  6. COMM 2AB3 Managerial Accounting I
  7. COMM 4SD3 Commercial Law
  8. COMM 1AA3 Introductory Financial Accounting

Applicants from other Canadian institutions who have completed an accounting degree may apply.
  • Applicants must meet the KAT exemption requirements outlined by their institution and approved by the CPA.
  • Applicants from institutions other than McMaster without an accounting degree are not currently eligible for the GDPA.
  • Post-Secondary Institutions are still confirming if their undergraduate courses are exempt from the KAT. Check the CPA Ontario | CPA Qualifying Courses website for updates; please confirm with your institution.
GPA requirements: 
  • A minimum B+ average (equal to a McMaster 8.5 GPA) across the CPA third-and-fourth-year required courses
  • A minimum B- average for Accounting and Business courses listed below
  • A minimum grade of 60% in each required CPA course
Seven required accounting courses (or your undergraduate institution’s equivalents):
  • Intermediate financial reporting I
  • Intermediate financial reporting II
  • Advanced financial reporting
  • Corporate finance
  • Audit and assurance
  • Taxation
  • Intermediate management accounting
Plus eight required business courses (or equivalents).

Please confirm with your previous institution which courses have been approved by the CPA for a KAT exemption.

DeGroote considers McMaster graduates without an accounting background on a case-by-case basis; you must have:
  • A four-year Honours Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution
  • A minimum B+ average (equal to a McMaster 8.5 GPA) in final-year courses in, or related to, the accounting discipline
  • A minimum B- average for Accounting and Business courses listed below
  • Successful completion of the CPA Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT)
  • conditional offers cannot be issued before KAT results are received
  • Demonstration of strong academic capabilities and competencies required to succeed in the GDPA program.

Prepare your application

 

Applications open soon for the May 2027 intake. Please review the admissions requirements and ensure you meet all criteria before applying to the GDPA program.

  • Applications open: October 1, 2026
  • Round 1 deadline: November 15, 2026 (priority for early decisions and scholarship consideration)
  • Final round deadline: January 31, 2027

 

Required documents

Before getting started with your application we suggest reviewing the below information on what documents are required during the application process.

You will be asked to upload your most up-to-date unofficial transcript. In addition, you will be asked to grant us authorization to access your transcript internally. By allowing us to do so, we will be able to process your application faster.

If we don’t have your authorization and you are currently completing your program, then you will need to send us the updated transcript, and this will cause delays in reviewing your application.

You will be asked to upload your most up-to-date unofficial transcript showing the completed courses and their final grades.

If you are currently completing your program and your unofficial transcript does not show the courses you’re taking this academic year, then please request a letter from your institution confirming the courses you are registered in and their expected date of completion.

Starting your application

 

To begin your application please use the link below to be directed to the application portal. We have also created a step-by-step instruction guide to assist in navigating the portal and completing your application. Additional instructions can be found on the SGS website. 

Start application

Offer accepted – next steps 

Applicants who are currently completing their program will be required to submit another copy of their unofficial transcript. The transcript must show the final grades for all courses including the ones that were in progress at the time of the application. 

All applicants must submit their official documents, including official transcripts and degree completion. Please review the Graduate Studies’ condition clearing page for more details.

Learn more

Finances

 

Planning for the financial investment of the Graduate Diploma in Professional Accountancy (GDPA) is an important part of preparing for the program. Below is an overview of the application, acceptance and tuition fees, as well as available financial assistance.

All components of the GDPA program remain subject to approval by CPA Ontario under the new program structure and may be subject to change without notice. 

 

Application fee

A non-refundable application fee of $150 is required when you apply to the GDPA program. There are no exemptions from this fee.

Tuition

Tuition for the 14-week GDPA program is approximately $12,500 for both domestic and international applicants.

Fees are estimates based on the 2026–27 academic year and are subject to annual revision. Supplementary fees may apply. Detailed fee information is available on the Registrar’s website.

Acceptance deposit

Upon acceptance of an offer of admission, a $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required. The payment deadline will be outlined in your offer letter.

Financial Assistance

The GDPA program is not eligible for OSAP funding. Students should consider this when planning for the overall cost of the program and explore other sources of financial support, if applicable.