Application & Course Requirements

Participation Criteria

Courses can be taken for training as professional or personal development, or for university credit. At this time, we are planning for mainly in-person courses in 2023. Please see the Courses page to view availability and course descriptions. Participants taking a course for training are strongly encouraged to complete course readings but are not required to complete course assignments. Students taking courses for university credit will be expected to complete readings and assignments. A syllabus will be posted in Moodle, CMU’s Learning Management System, and can be accessed by students once registered. A tentative syllabus will be posted to the CSOP website on the courses page, when available.

All CSOP participants must have:  

  • Proficiency in spoken and written English. If English is not your first language and your education was not primarily in English, you will be required to submit a writing sample as part of the application process.  
  • A secondary-school diploma and at least one year of university or equivalent work experience.

Please note that CSOP’s admission process is independent of CMU’s admission process. For CMU’s admission requirements and procedures, please go visit CMU's Admission Requirements webpage. For information on CMU’s Masters of Arts in Peace and Collaborative Development, please visit CMU's MA-PCD information webpage.

Application Process

CMU STUDENTS who are already admitted to a degree program should register through their Student Portal by May 29. Late registrations may be accepted.

All non-CMU student applications must be made using the online application form. We suggest that you submit your application as soon as possible; waitlists will be created for classes that reach their maximum enrollment. Payment is required to complete your application and reserve your place in the course. Once your application is complete, we will review it and will be in touch by mail or e-mail.

All international participants coming to Canada to attend CSOP will need to carry a valid passport. The Canadian government will require some of you to obtain a temporary resident visa an/or an Electronic Travel Authorization before you arrive in the country. Please start the process early; obtaining visas can take several months. For more information, see our page about Getting to CSOP.

Application Deadline

  • International Applicants – Must provide proof of valid visitor status or study visa to be accepted for CSOP 2023. Apply by May 1.
  • Canadian/US Applicants – Applications may be accepted until May 29, space permitting.  
  • CMU Students (already admitted to a degree program, including international students already registered at CMU) – Register through your Student Portal by May 29. Late registrations may be accepted, if space is available. 

Once a class is full, any further participants may join a waiting list, or may be registered in their second choice until a space opens in their first choice. In past years, some CSOP courses have filled up, so apply early to ensure your place in the course of your choice. 

Course Requirements & Materials

All CSOP participants are expected to attend all class sessions, to engage in class activities, and to complete the basic reading assignments. Classes are daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Additional requirements for those earning academic credit will be included in the course syllabus. 

Course syllabi and introductory readings will be available online prior to CSOP for those registered for courses. Those who do not have access to the internet will receive these materials upon their arrival. Course readers will be distributed as electronic resources in advance of each class. Books listed in the syllabi should be ordered ahead of time by participants. 

The deadline for completion of CSOP 2023 academic course work is August 1, 2023. 

Withdrawal Policy for Academic Credit Students

The last day to delete a course from your registration is 8:30 AM on the second day of the course. The refund schedule is available on the Cost & Payment Options page.

The last day for voluntary withdrawal from a course is July 15, 2023.