HISTORYIn 1910 the Lutheran Church entered into an agreement to establish a Lutheran Seminary. The majority of Lutherans in Ontario lived in the vicinity of Waterloo and Berlin (Kitchener), and Waterloo was selected when its citizens offered a tract of land on the boundary of the town. In 1911 the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary of Canada opened its doors. Facilities for pre-theological education were established in 1914 with courses leading to senior matriculation given in Waterloo College School.
In 1924 the Waterloo College of Arts, providing courses in postsecondary education in a four-year program, was established. In 1925 the Faculty of Arts, under the name of Waterloo College, affiliated with the University of Western Ontario. Waterloo College soon began to offer Honours degree programs in the arts.
The affiliation with the University of Western Ontario ended in 1960 when the Seminary obtained a revised charter changing the name of the institution to Waterloo Lutheran University.
On November 1, 1973, Bill 178 was given Royal Assent by the Lieutenant Governor, William Ross Macdonald (a former Chancellor), and Waterloo Lutheran University became Wilfrid Laurier University, one of Ontario's provincially funded universities.
Heraldic Coat of Arms
In 1989, Wilfrid Laurier University received a Grant for Arms from the Crown through the Canadian College of Heralds. The Coat of Arms is composed of several elements. The shield in the centre is filled with three emblems: three maple leaves taken from the Coat of Arms of Wilfrid Laurier's personal arms, representing Canada; an open book of learning; and a rose of Luther which was dominant in the arms of Waterloo College and Waterloo Lutheran University, and so commemorates the Lutheran heritage of the University.
The crest above the shield is composed of a mantled helmet, which is topped by a beaver, symbol of industriousness, holding a lamp of learning.
Supporting the shield and crest are two does upon a grassy mount, adorned with three roses of Luther, which is bordered by the University's motto, Veritas Omnia Vincit-Truth Conquers All.The University Seal
The University Seal is the customary emblem used to identify the University. It contains the main elements of the heraldic Coat of Arms.
Reproducible artwork for the University Seal may be obtained from the Office of Public Affairs.
All of the names, marks and acronyms of the University are protected by registration with the College of Heralds, under the Crown; and under section IX of the Canadian Copyright Act.The University is comprised of six divisions: a Faculty of Arts, a Faculty of Science, a School of Business and Economics, a Faculty of Social Work, a Faculty of Music and a Faculty of Graduate Studies. The Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, connected with the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, is a federated theological college.
MISSION STATEMENT-THE UNIVERSITY
Wilfrid Laurier University strives to be a diverse, personal and supportive community. It is devoted to learning, research, scholarship, creativity, professional expertise and personal development in a student-centred environment. Faculty and staff work with highly talented undergraduate, Master's and Doctoral students, and other individuals interested in life long learning. Our aim is to educate engaged and aware citizens of an increasingly complex world. The Laurier community fulfils this mission through distinctive programs in Arts and Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Music, Science, Social Work, and Theology.
Veritas Omnia Vincit.
The purpose of graduate studies is to provide further education or professional training beyond that acquired as an undergraduate student. A major difference between the two levels of education is that graduate education provides students with an opportunity not only to develop and enrich their intellectual skills in an area of special interest, but also to do so within a collegial environment. At the graduate level, there are fewer courses, and the teaching is more personalized and interactive with others who share a deep intrinsic interest in a particular subject matter or profession. Much, if not most, of the learning occurs outside the classroom where students are encouraged to learn and think independently, to identify and solve new problems in their field, and to advance knowledge by becoming involved in research and scholarly inquiry. The extent to which graduate students become involved in the pursuit of knowledge with faculty, with other students and on their own is another major difference between undergraduate and graduate education. In effect, in the ideal world of graduate studies, a mentoring relationship evolves during the pursuit of knowledge to explore and expand our disciplinary and professional frontiers. Graduate student-faculty relationships should be based on mutual trust, honesty, collegiality, open communication, the avoidance of conflict of interest, and the absence of exploitation, harassment and neglect.
At WLU, research and scholarly inquiry represent the heart of graduate education. These goals are achieved by participation in small graduate seminars, by engaging in research and scholarly pursuits with faculty, and by successfully completing a comprehensive requirement or defence of a cognate essay, research project, dissertation or thesis. Upon completion of a program, graduates are well-prepared to identify, to think critically about, and to contribute to the solving of current problems and issues facing their discipline or profession, as well as those facing society.
Graduate studies at WLU began in 1964 with the initiation of Master of Arts programs in Geography and in Romance Languages. In 1966, the first students were admitted to a Master of Social Work program and to an MA program in Psychology. Subsequently, MA programs were initiated in History (1968), Political Science (1970), Religion and Culture (1970), Economics (1992), and English (1993). The MES program was initiated in 1992. In 1976, the School of Business and Economics began to offer an MBA program, and in 1987 the first Doctoral program at WLU was initiated by the Faculty of Social Work, followed by a PhD program in Geography (1992), in History (1995), in Philosophy (2000) and in English (2001). The first program at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary began in 1970, and in 1994 a DMin program was initiated.Degree Programs
The following graduate programs are currently offered at Wilfrid Laurier University:
Master of Arts (MA) in Economics, English, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Religion and Culture
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Environmental Studies in Geography (MES)
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Doctor of Philosophy in English (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Geography (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in History (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD)Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, a federated Seminary of Wilfrid Laurier University, offers through the University the following programs:
Diploma in Theology
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)
Master of Theology (MTh) in: Pastoral Counselling, Christian Ethics, Homiletics
Master of Divinity/Master of Theological Studies - Master of Social Work (MDiv-MSW or MTS-MSW)
Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Pastoral Counselling and Marriage and Family StudiesThe Faculty of Graduate Studies
The Faculty of Graduate Studies is administered by a Dean who serves as Chairperson of the Graduate Faculty Council. This Council has four Standing Committees: the Graduate Awards Committee; the Graduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards Policy Committee; the Petitions Committee; and the Nominations Committee.
The Faculty of Graduate Studies administers the policies of the Senate as they pertain to graduate studies. The Graduate Faculty Council is responsible for establishing the policies of the Faculty as recommended to it by the departments in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Social Work, by the School of Business and Economics, and by Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. The administration of all policies and procedures within the Faculty of Graduate Studies and of all matters pertaining to admission, programs of study, and Comprehensive, Thesis and Dissertation Examinations, is the responsibility of the University Graduate Office.Graduate Faculty Status
The training of future scholars in graduate programs enhances the intellectual vitality and reputation of a university. To offer a quality graduate program, the faculty, individually and as a group, must demonstrate that they are active scholars in their discipline or profession. Therefore, in matters pertaining to graduate student research and scholarly activity, the University has a responsibility to ensure that students are supervised and examined by faculty who are active in the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, or in some fields, in the creative application of this knowledge in society. Thus, in order to serve as an MA/MES/MSW Thesis Supervisor, as a member of a thesis/research project/cognate essay Examining Committee, as an External Examiner, or as a Chairperson of an Examining Committee, an individual must be a member of the Graduate Faculty. At the Doctoral level, an individual must be a member of the Graduate Faculty in order to serve as a Dissertation Supervisor, as a member of a Comprehensive Examination Committee or as a member of a Dissertation Examination Committee. A current list of members of the Graduate Faculty is available in the University Graduate Office and/or from a Graduate Officer/Program Director/Program Co-ordinator.Guidelines for Teaching Assistantship Responsibilities
A teaching assistantship is awarded from University operating funds to enable departments with graduate programs to provide (a) assistance to faculty with their teaching or research responsibilities, and (b) graduate students with teaching or research experience. As a result, TAs might be expected to provide informal and formal advice to students; assist in the grading of tests, papers, lab reports and final exams; conduct tutorial or lab sessions; and assist with ongoing research projects. Teaching assistant functions shall not include clerical, technical or administrative work not related to teaching or research.
A teaching assistant cannot work more than an average of 10 hours per week for a maximum of 13 weeks (i.e., 130 hours per term). To ensure that there is a fair, equitable and consistent interpretation of this regulation, the following guidelines are to be employed:LOCATIONThe definition of the number of hours per week includes: attendance at lectures, preparation time if a teaching assignment (e.g., tutorial, lab, lecture, seminar); travel time if engaged in off-campus research; meeting time with the instructor; formal office hours. Voluntary attendance at professional development workshops or seminars does not count toward the maximum number of hours per week or term. Given variations in course requirements--in some weeks an instructor may require a TA to work more or less than 10 hours per week because of the scheduling of such course requirements as midterm exams, term papers, lab reports or final exams. Faculty must recognize that graduate students also have graduate course requirements which must be met, and these may be due at about the same time as they are carrying out their TA duties (especially in midterm or at the end of term). Thus, a TA cannot be required to work more than 15 hours in any one week, or more than 10 hours per three-day period, regardless of the urgency of the task. Any exceptions to this maximum must be agreed to, in writing, by the TA at least three weeks in advance of the particular week in which the 10- or 15-hour limits are to be exceeded. All TA responsibilities should be completed within 13 weeks, beginning from the official first day of classes. Any work beyond the 13-week deadline as required by an instructor (e.g., the final exam is scheduled late in the exam schedule), must be agreed to by the TA in writing, by the end of the sixth week of classes. The time required beyond the normal 13-week deadline must be compensated by a comparable reduced load (in hours) prior to the beginning of the exam schedule so that no student works more than 130 hours per term. Hours not required in one term cannot be carried forward to a subsequent term. Where disputes arise, the student shall consult with the immediate supervisor and the Graduate Officer in an attempt to resolve the matter. Should this process fail to resolve the dispute, written correspondence on the matter should be addressed to the Department Chairperson by both faculty and student. If the above consultations should fail to resolve the dispute, a ruling will be sought from the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Wilfrid Laurier University is located in the city of Waterloo in the province of Ontario, Canada. The twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo, with a combined population of approximately 275,000, lie in the prosperous rural and urban area known as the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
Waterloo is located 112 km west of Toronto, 104 km northeast of London, 128 km northwest of Niagara Falls, and 66 km northwest of Hamilton. Waterloo is easily reached by Highways 7, 8 and 86, from Highway 401, which connects Montreal and Windsor and which passes within about 16 km of the Wilfrid Laurier University campus. The community is serviced by train and bus lines. Air service is available through Pearson International Airport in Toronto; limousine or bus service is available from the airport to Waterloo.
Throughout the Region of Waterloo, the rich history, the vigorous industry and the high quality of life are readily apparent. Musical and theatrical performances, art exhibitions, film screenings and sports activities are among the many cultural and recreational events which are available to students. The Stratford Shakespearean Festival at Stratford is only 48 km from the campus. A neighbouring university, the University of Waterloo, is located less than two km from the Wilfrid Laurier University campus, and Laurier participates actively in sharing library resources with the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph.