PhD Program Requirements

English Language

You must be proficient in speaking, writing and comprehending English.

Language in research area

This is only required if you are proposing to do your research in an area that will need a level of proficiency in a different language.

Courses

You will be required to take:

• Sociology 611
• Sociology 706 & 707 (Doctoral Seminar in Professional Sociology I & II)
• Sociology 731 (Doctoral Seminar in Sociological Theory)
• Two HCE methodology courses at the 700-level
• Two HCE substantive courses at the 600- or 700-level

If you have already taken 611 or an equivalent course as part of your MA program you may substitute another course. If you begin the PhD program without the prerequisites for 611, you may be required to take or audit Sociology 311 and possibly 315 before taking 611.

Prerequisites

If you begin the PhD program without the prerequisites for required courses, you may be required to take or audit select undergraduate or master’s level courses.   You will be allowed to complete your elective courses in the Spring or Summer session of first year to stay on track with the program.

Timeline

Within 16 - 20 months of initial registration in the program.

Successful Completeion

To successfully complete the dissertation prospectus, you must have your thesis project approved by your Supervisory Committee and file a written copy of the prospectus with the Sociology Department Graduate Administrator.

Planning

With the help of your supervisor, you will determine three substantive areas of specialization that must be approved by your supervisory committee.

Reading lists

The three substantive areas will serve as the basis of your reading list for candidacy examinations. The reading list will go beyond your proposed thesis research and will reflect broader areas of substantive, theoretical and methodological specialization.

Resources

You are expected to take advantage of whatever departmental expertise and resources may be available to develop strength in the substantive area long before Candidacy. There might also be resources and expertise available elsewhere in the university and outside the university. The point is that the substantive area specialization begins much earlier than the establishment of a final reading list.

Written Examinations

Students are required to complete both a written and an oral field of study examination in order to progress to candidacy. You must complete all course requirements and your dissertation prospectus before you undertake your field of study examination.

The reading list for the field of study examination is developed by you and your supervisory committee. The list addresses three areas of specialization relevant to your planned research and should include key theoretical, methodological, and substantive works.

The written exam consists of three essays on questions set by the supervisory committee; you will have one week to write the essays after receiving the questions. The oral examination is based on your essays and your broader knowledge of the works on the reading list; it is conducted by the supervisory committee with the addition of two additional examiners.

Procedures

The Faculty of Graduate studies sets the procedures for the Doctoral Dissertation. The examination is a public event.  However, only examiners have a right to question the candidate.  Observers must leave the examination room before the examining committee members begin their deliberations.