Political Science Doctor of Philosophy Program
Department of Political Science | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
丁香园AV Calendar 2012 Spring
The doctor of philosophy program (PhD) offers specialized research resources in Canadian government and politics, comparative politics, and international relations with a thematic focus on issues of political economy, public policy and governance.
丁香园AV Requirements
In addition to the minimum admission requirements (see graduate general regulations), a completed political science MA is required, normally with a minimum 3.67 GPA. How well the applicant鈥檚 proposed research coincides with the department鈥檚 focus on political economy, public policy and governance is an important consideration. Background deficiencies must be met by completing appropriate courses in addition to normal PhD work.
丁香园AV applications are reviewed once a year by the department graduate studies committee. The program starts in September.
Supervisory Committee
In accordance with Graduate General Regulation 1.6.4, upon program admission, the departmental graduate studies committee assigns a senior supervisor.
Program Requirements
At least five graduate courses beyond the MA requirements and a second language requirement, two comprehensive exams and a thesis are required.
Course Work
Students must successfully complete a minimum of six graduate courses. All courses are approved by the supervisory committee and reflect areas of specialization within the fields of political economy, public policy and governance as identified in the student's letter of intent.
Students complete
- POL 801 Theoretical Perspectives in Political Science (5)
and one of
- POL 802 Political Research: Design and Analysis (5)
- POL 803 Qualitative Research Methods in Political Science (5)
Language Requirement
Students must demonstrate a reading ability in a language other than English that is acceptable to the supervisory committee. Those studying subjects related to Canadian politics must demonstrate an ability to read French, determined by successful completion of a time limited exam consisting of a dictionary aided translation of a political science literature passage written in the language selected.
Comprehensive Examinations
Prior to thesis research, students must successfully pass two comprehensive exams that are administered by the Department of Political Science.
Thesis
Candidates successfully completing both comprehensive exams will complete POL 890 which culminates with the presentation as a seminar to the department outlining his/her draft research proposal.
After the seminar, and in consultation with the supervisory committee, the candidate prepares a final proposal for graduate studies committee approval prior to being forwarded to the graduate studies committee. The research proposal will state the thesis title, topic, general intent, methodology and bibliography and will be accompanied by a detailed research plan and completion timetable of each thesis chapter.
The proposal should not exceed 2000 words in length, excluding bibliographic references.
The thesis should not be more than 300 pages and must represent an original contribution to the development of the discipline. The completed thesis must be successfully defended at an oral defence established in accordance with the Graduate General Regulations.
Performance Evaluation
In accordance with the Graduate General Regulations, the student's progress is reviewed periodically by the graduate studies committee. At least once a year, the supervisory committee submits a written report on the student's progress to the graduate studies committee to aid its deliberations. Students judged to have maintained unsatisfactory progress may be asked to withdraw.
Time Limits
Although Graduate General Regulation 1.12 establishes an eight year time limit for PhD completion, the department expects the PhD program will be completed within four to five years.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the graduate general regulations (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.