Transcripts

Types of transcript requests, how to request an official McMaster transcript, transcript legend and historical transcript legend.

Types of transcript requests

Official transcripts are available to current students in good standing and alumni. Transcript requests from students with outstanding student accounts will not be processed. A maximum of three transcripts can be requested at one time.

Note: In an effort to reduce our paper usage and better provide instant services to our students, the Office of the Registrar is now offering free on-demand transcripts in Gilmour Hall 108 after 10 a.m. on business days. Transcripts can no longer be requested for pick up in advance.

Processing options

Regular requests: Please allow 7 business days for processing. Processing times vary depending on the time of year. Visit Canada Post for delivery times.
Rush requests: Requests received by 11 p.m. will be processed by 12 noon the next business day. Visit Canada Post for delivery times.
In-person/on-demand: You may request a transcript at the Student Services Office, GH 108 after 10 a.m. on business days. Student card or government-issued ID is required.
Request for third-party pick-up: The written permission of a student is required for a third-party to pick-up a transcript on their behalf. Permissions are uploaded to MacDrive prior to the person’s arrival in the office.
Student’s statement of permission for a third-party pick-up requires:
Statement of consent to release the transcript
Student name & student number
Third party’s name and birth date
Third-party must arrive at the office with a government-issued ID and a copy of the statement of permission

Transcript delivery & service fees

- Any rush request – $15.00 per/transcript
- By mail – free
- By fax– $5.00 per fax number to anywhere in the world
- By courier– applicable charges apply
- In-person: free (student or authorized third-party)

Please note: The Registrar’s Office is not responsible for transcripts lost or delayed in the mail.

Transcript attachments

Please upload your attachments to MacDrive. Prior to uploading your attachment, please ensure that you have submitted a transcript request.

Current students and recent alumni

Grade information, unofficial transcripts or official transcripts (by request) are available in Mosaic > Student Centre > My Academics.

Unofficial transcript – quick and easy access to view and print on demand: My Academics > Unofficial Transcript.
Official transcripts – may be required for applications to other academic institutions; or if an employer requires a copy. A step-by-step guide on how to request one can be found in the next tab.
- My Academics > Request Official Transcript
- Options include in-person pick-up (GH, 108) or mail. For rush, courier or fax requests, processing charges apply.
- Processing times vary depending on the time of year. The current processing time is 15 business days.

Alumni and previous students (including LOP, exchange, etc.)

If you have completed your studies and don’t have access to Mosaic, you may use one of the following request options to order transcripts:

Regular request form: Currently 7 business days processing – no charge. Visit Canada Post for delivery times.
Rush request form: Requests received by 11 p.m. will be processed by 12 noon the next business day. A $15 charge per transcript applies. Visit Canada Post for delivery times.
In-person: You may request a transcript at the Student Services Office, GH 108. Student card or government-issued ID is required.
Request for third-party pick-up: The written permission of a student is required for a third-party to pick-up a transcript on their behalf. Permissions are uploaded to MacDrive prior to the person’s arrival in the office.
Student’s statement of permission for a third-party pick-up requires:
Statement of consent to release the transcript
Student name & student number
Third party’s name and birth date
Third-party must arrive at the office with a government-issued ID and a copy of the statement of permission

Payments: transcripts are free of charge, however, payment for rush service, faxing or courier services can be made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) by completing the appropriate section of the transcript form. The cardholder’s signature must be included in the request section.

Requests sent via email will not be accepted. Secure options are:

Fax to 905.527.1105 or:

Upload your completed form through a McMaster secure link. Please include your student number and last name in the file name (ex. Smith 001234567).

Note: The upload process happens quickly! Check for the word ‘uploaded’ to appear in the bottom right corner of the MacDrive dialogue box: If it’s there, we’ve got your request! Check out the graphic as an example.

How to request an official transcript (current students and recent alumni)

Step 1: Login to Mosaic

Step 2: Select transcript request

In your Student Centre, select the other academic drop down menu and select “Transcript: Request Official”. Use the “next” arrow.

Step 3: Choose processing options

Scroll down and select your processing options.

Quantity: You can order a maximum of five transcripts

Rush: Check this box if you would like rush service. It will be processed for pickup or mail the next business day by noon. A $15 fee applies.

Sealed Envelope: Check this box if you require the transcript to be in a sealed envelope. We suggest that you check this box if you are sending transcripts to professional organizations or other universities and colleges.

Also Fax: Check this box if you would like your transcript faxed. Additional fees apply.

Transcript Attachment/Cover Page: If you have a cover sheet that you need included with your transcript then please check this box. Ensure that your cover sheet has been dropped off in Gilmour Hall, Room 108 or uploaded to our secure MacDrive.

Step 4: Provide address

Enter the address you would like to send it to.

If you would like it send to yourself and your address is up to date in Mosaic then you can check off Send To My Address and your address will populate.

If you need to send it to a different address, enter the person’s name or the name of the organization in the Send To field and then go to Edit Address. Fill out the exact address you would like it sent to. After you’re done, click ok.

Please verify that the “Send to” and “Address” fields are correct. Incomplete or wrong addresses will result in delayed processing/delivery.

Step 5: Submit

Select submit. You’re all done! If you have selected an option that requires payment, then you will be taken to Moneris to pay for your request.

If you have requested a transcript for pick up then keep an eye on your McMaster email. You will receive notification once it’s ready.

McMaster transcript legend

This page outlines McMaster’s transcript legend used after March 2015. The legend changed in 2015 to reflect changes in academic terminology as a result of the Mosaic implementation.

I’m looking for the GPA scale

Undergraduate, Centre for Continuing Education, and Independent Careers Grading Scale

(Effective September 1982)

Grade	Points	Equivalent percentages
A+	12	90-100
A	11	85-89
A-	10	80-84
B+	9	77-79
B	8	73-76
B-	7	70-72
C+	6	67-69
C	5	63-66
C-	4	60-62
D+	3	57-59
D	2	53-56
D-	1	50-52
F	0	0-49

Graduation with Distinction: based on a minimum of 9.5 GPA over the entire program of study.

Deans’ Honour List: based on a minimum 9.5 GPA on at least 30 units since last assessed.

Provost Honour Roll: based on a 12.0 GPA on at least 30 units since last assessed.

Course Credit: courses are rated in terms of units. A unit normally consists of one lecture hour per week per term or one laboratory period of not less than two and not more than three hours per week per term.

Graduate Studies Grading Scale

(effective September 2012 for MBA and September 2002 for other graduate programs)

Grade	Points
A+	12
A	11
A-	10
B+	9
B	8
B-	7
F	0

Current Graduate Course Designation:

Graduate courses are designated to count towards the student’s primary academic program, unless the student has identified the course to count for another program, using a requirements designation.

Master of Theological Studies & Master of Divinity Grading Scale

(Effective September 1982)

Grade	Points	Equivalent percentages
A+	12	90-100
A	11	85-89
A-	10	80-84
B+	9	77-79
B	8	73-76
B-	7	70-72
C+	6	67-69
C	5	63-66
C-	4	60-62
D+	0	57-59
D	0	53-56
D-	0	50-52
F	0	0-49

Dean’s Honour List is based on a minimum 9.5 GPA on at least 27 units. Students who continue to achieve a 9.5 GPA will remain on the Dean’s Honour List.

Non-Numeric Grades

AS – Advanced Standing
AUD – Audit
CAN – Cancelled
F – Fail
INC – Incomplete
IP – In Progress
MT – Multi-Term
NC – No Credit
NMR – No Mark Received
P – Pass
P+ – Pass with Distinction
SAT – Satisfactory
T – Transfer Credit
U/S – Unsatisfactory
W – Withdrawn
XCH – Exchange

Term Average

Term Grade Point Average (Term GPA) is a weighted average based on the grades obtained in courses taken in a given term within the same career at McMaster University.

Notations

DEF – Deferred Examination
EXTRA – Extra credits not used towards degree
REPEAT – Repeat of a previously failed course (under discontinued repeat regulations)
UPGRADE – Repeat of a previously passed course (under discontinued repeat regulations)
(R) – Repeat of a previous course (under current repeat regulations)
LOP – Course taken at another institution

McMaster University MD Program
Curriculum Outline

Effective August 2019

Pre-Clerkship = 61 weeks

Medical Foundation 1 – 11 weeks
- Introduction to Medicine
- Respirology
- Cardiology
Medical Foundation 2 – 8 weeks
- Hematology
- Introduction to Oncology
- Renal System; Acid Base
Family Medicine Clinical Experience – Longitudinally during Pre-Clerkship
Medical Foundation 3 – 12 weeks
- Gastroenterology
- Nutrition
- Endocrinology
- Reproduction
Medical Foundation 4 – 12 weeks
- Musculoskeletal System
- Neuroscience
- Brain & Behaviour
Post Medical Foundation 4 Elective – 7 weeks
Integration foundation – 12 weeks
- Systems Review
- Complex & Chronic Care (immunology, infectious disease, neoplasia)

Clerkship = 63 weeks

Electives (17 weeks)
Anesthesia (2 weeks)
Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
Family Medicine (6 weeks)
Medical Subspecialty (2 weeks)
Medicine (6 weeks)
Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 weeks)
Orthopedic Surgery (2 weeks)
Pediatrics (6 weeks)
Psychiatry (6 weeks)
Surgery (6 weeks)

Concept Integration and Review (6 weeks)

Linking basic concepts to clinical decision-making

Professional Competencies Curriculum

Longitudinally across entire program

Interprofessional Competencies

Prior to August 2019

Pre-Clerkship = 61 weeks

Medical Foundation 1 – 13 weeks
- Oxygen Supply and Demand
Medical Foundation 2 – 9 weeks
- Energy and Metabolic Homeostasis
Family Medicine Clinical Experience – Longitudinally during Pre-Clerkship
Medical Foundation 3 – 9 weeks
- Renal System
- Acid Base
- Reproduction
- Genetics
Medical Foundation 4 – 10 weeks
- Host Defense
- Neoplasia
- Genetics
Post Medical Foundation 4 Elective – 7 weeks
Medical foundation 5 – 13 weeks
- Movement Control
- Interactivity and Communication
- Locomotor System
- Nervous System
- Behaviour

Clerkship = 63 weeks

Electives (17 weeks)
Anesthesia (2 weeks)
Emergency Medicine (4 weeks)
Family Medicine (6 weeks)
Medical Subspecialty (2 weeks)
Medicine (6 weeks)
Obstetrics and Gynecology (6 weeks)
Orthopedic Surgery (2 weeks)
Pediatrics (6 weeks)
Psychiatry (6 weeks)
Surgery (6 weeks)

Concept Integration and Review (6 weeks)

Linking basic concepts to clinical decision-making

Professional Competencies Curriculum

Longitudinally across entire program

Interprofessional Competencies

Historical transcript legend

McMaster’s Transcript legend changed in 2015 to reflect changes in academic terminology as a result of the Mosaic implementation.

This page outlines the Transcript legend used prior to March 2015:

The official results of Undergraduate courses are reported as letter grades. The averages are calculated using the grade point scale shown. Instructors may submit the results of a course on a percentage scale. The Office of the Registrar is authorized to convert the percentage mark to the official letter grade as indicated in the equivalent percentage scale.

Undergraduate, Centre for Continuing Education, and Independent Careers Grading Scale

Effective September 1982 – March 2015

Grade	Points	Equivalent percentages
A+	12	90-100
A	11	85-89
A-	10	80-84
B+	9	77-79
B	8	73-76
B-	7	70-72
C+	6	67-69
C	5	63-66
C-	4	60-62
D+	3	57-59
D	2	53-56
D-	1	50-52
F	0	0-49

For the purposes of satisfying prerequisite requirements a grade of at least D- is required unless otherwise stated.

Current Averages

Sessional Average (SA) is a weighted average based on all grades attained in a session. A weighted average of 9.5 is equivalent to first class standing.

Graduation with Distinction is based on a minimum of 9.5 average over the entire programme of study.

Deans’ Honour List standing is based on a minimum 9.5 average on at least 30 units since last assessed.

Provost Honour Roll is based on a 12.0 average on at least 30 units since last assessed.

Course Credit

Undergraduate courses are rated in terms of units. A unit normally consists of one lecture hour per week per term or one laboratory period of not less than two and not more than three hours per week per term.

Discontinued Grading Systems

Valid up to and including Summer School 1974

Grade	Percentage range
1 Grade	75 – 100%
2 Grade	66 – 74%
3 Grade	60-65%
C	50-59%
S Supplemental	40-49%

Letter grade	Percentage range
A	80 – 100%
B	70 – 79%
C	60 – 69%
D	50 – 59%
E	40 – 49%
F	0 – 39%

A final grade of E (40-49) may be accepted for credit on condition that the student has an overall weighted average of 55% and that the number of units with marks in the range of 40-49 does not constitute more than 20% of the units required for the Year. Otherwise final standings in this range will be treated as failures.

VR indicates that credit has been refused for this course. It will be counted as an attempt, but will not be included in the calculation of averages.

Discontinued Averages

The following averages were discontinued in September of 1993 when the University’s current Academic Regulations came into effect, except for those students who graduated in the Spring or Fall of 1994.

University Average (UA) is computed on the grades obtained in all courses since the last review of student standing.

Cumulative Area Average (CAA) is computed using the best 80% of the grades obtained in courses taken in the discipline beyond Level 1.

Graduation Average (GA) is used to determine the standing of a student at the time of graduation computed on the grades in a minimum number of courses taken in the discipline, depending on the programme taken.

Graduate Legend and Current Grading System

MBA September 2012 to March 2015
All Other Graduate Studies Programs September 2002 to Current

Grade	Points	Pass/fail
A+	12	P+/P/F
A	11
A-	10
B+	9
B	8
B-	7
F	0

Note: Grades in graduate courses are reported as letter grades. Averaging of letter grades must be done using the McMaster 12-point scale.

Discontinued Graduate Grading Systems

Graduate Studies from September 1982 to August 2002

Grade	Points
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- F	P+ P F

Grade

Points

A+

A-

B+

B-

C+

C-

P+

MBA From January 1970 to August 2012

Mark	Pass/fail
A+	9
A	8
A-	7
B+	6
B	5
B-	4
C+	3
C	2
C-	1
F	0

Graduate Studies From January 1970 to August 1982

I
II(1) or IIII(2) or II – III
C
F
J

MBA From January 1970 to August 2012

Official Grade / Class Standings

1 Class Standing
1 Class Standing
1 Class Standing
2+ Class Standing
2- Class Standing
3 Class Standing
3 Class Standing
3 Class Standing
3 Class Standing
F Failure

Graduate Studies Up to January 1970

I
II
III
C
F
J – Grades in the same subject in a
later session also covers this season

MBA Up to December 1969

700 level courses

Mark	Grade
1 Grade	75 – 100%
2 Grade	66 – 74%
3 Grade	60 – 65%
F Failure	Below 60%

600 level courses

Mark	Grade
1 Grade	75 – 100%
2 Grade	66 – 74%
3 Supplemental	60 – 65%
F Failure	Below 60%

Course Credit

Prior to September 1995, all MBA Courses consisted of a full session of study (12 weeks) represented by a blank “Credit” area on the transcript. From September 1995, MBA Courses vary in credit value and length; a full session course (12 weeks) is represented by a credit of 1.00; a half-session course (6 weeks) by a credit of 0.50.

Graduate Course Designations

Graduate Course Designations (to March 2015)

Graduate courses are rated as Full, Half or Quarter courses. An asterisk (*) denotes a Half Course. A pound (#) denotes a Quarter Course.

AUDStudent attended at least 80% of classes

Designation	Description
CER	Graduate Certificate Course – effective September 2004 Passing Standard is: B-
D	Doctoral Graduate Course – effective September 2002 Passing standard is: B-
DIP	Graduate Diploma Course – effective September 2004 Passing standard is: B-
EC	Extra Course – effective September 2002 Passing standard is: B-
M	Master’s Graduate Course – effective September 2002 Passing Standard is: B-
PGC	Prescribed Graduate Course – discontinued August 2002
PUC	Prerequisite Undergraduate Course – discontinued August 2002
REC	Required Extra Course – discontinued August 2002