Graduate resources

Graduate resources

Here you will find resources to help you navigate through and succeed in your Master’s or Doctoral program.

Below is a quick overview of all the major components and requirements of our graduate programs.

MA (Thesis-based) Program Requirements

Our two-year, thesis-based MA program is for students who want the opportunity to develop and deepen their skills as an independent researcher by devoting a year beyond course-work to researching and writing a Master’s thesis. This degree option will be particularly attractive for students considering a PhD program in the future. Of course, the job market is equally a possibility with this degree: many graduates from our thesis-based program have taken their skills learned into successful careers.

Program Length

Recommended time to completion is two years (max.: four years):

  • Year one - Course work
  • Year two - Thesis

Funding

All MA (Thesis-based) students may receive some guaranteed funding over the two years of their program.  

Office Space

Guaranteed a desk in a shared office space for two years.

Courses

You will complete a minimum of 15 units or 2.5 Full-course equivalents (i.e., five x one-semester courses) in Year one.

Thesis

Working with your Supervisor, you will research, write, and have an oral defence of a MA thesis of approximately 120 pages or 30,000 words.

MA (Course-based) Program Requirements

Our one-year, course-based MA program is for students who wish to complete a graduate degree quickly, without the need of research-intensive thesis project. It is a great fit particularly if you want to enter the job market right away with increased skills and graduate credentials. Of course, a PhD program is still option with the MA (Course-based) program, as an MA—whether course or thesis-based—is required in Canada.

Program Length

Recommended time to completion is one year: 

  • Fall and Winter Semesters of year one: Course work
  • Spring and Summer Semesters of year one: Major Research Paper

Funding

MA Course-based students are eligible to apply for scholarships and may receive support as Graduate Research Assistants; however, there is no guarantee of funding for this program.

Office Space

Normally, MA course-based students will be allocated shared desk space within the department for one year.

Courses

You will complete a minimum of 24 units or 4 Full-course equivalents (i.e., 8 x one-semester courses). Included in these 24 units is the 3-unit Major Research Paper.

Major Research Paper

Working with your Supervisor, you will research and write a Major Research Paper of approximately 36 pages or 9,000 words (not including notes and bibliography). The Major Research Paper counts as 3 units of the 24 required units of courses.

PhD Candidacy Requirements

Program Length

Recommended time to completion is four years (max: six years):

  • Year one - Course work
  • Year two - Candidacy completed
  • Year three & four - Dissertation

Funding

All admitted PhD students receive guaranteed funding for four years.

Office Space

Guaranteed a desk in a shared office space for four years.

Courses

You will complete a minimum of 18 units or 3.0 Full-course equivalents (i.e., six x one-semester courses) in Year One.

Candidacy for Doctoral Students

You are required to complete five candidacy requirements by Year Two:

  • Required Course Work
  • Two x Field of Study (FoS) Written Examination
  • One x Field of Study (FoS) Oral Examination
  • Thesis Proposal and Meeting
  • Optional Language Requirement

Thesis

Working with your Supervisory Committee (your Supervisor and two other faculty members), you will research, write and defend a doctoral dissertation of approximately 250–300 pages.

MA requirements

MA requirements

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PhD requirements

PhD requirements

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Payment policies

Payment policies

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