Degree Requirements
PhD Program
The doctoral program is a full-time four year program.
Each PhD student is required to:
-
Take the equivalent of three full courses or six half courses. If the candidate has not taken the core courses Feminist Theory (WS 9550) and either Researching Lived Experience - Feminist Methodologies (WS 9560) or Feminist Theory and Methods in the Arts and Humanities (WS 9565) in the Western Master's program, they must be taken in the first year of the PhD as part of the course requirements. Each student will be assigned a faculty mentor in their field who will assist, along with the Graduate Chair, in the selection of their courses. Attention will be paid to providing the student with adequate background preparation for their thesis research. This could include taking courses in research methodology in other departments or undertaking an independent reading course, with the approval of the Graduate Chair. It is expected that a student will have a supervisor confirmed by September 15th of their second year of study.
In lieu of comprehensive exams, undertake the development of two course outlines. The course outlines will be a general level lecture course and an upper year seminar in the candidate's area of interest. Readings and themes for each class as well as teaching philosophy must be detailed. Requirements will include analytical reflection on the course content, the learning objectives of the evaluation methods and the course's contribution to teaching and training for the field of WSFR in the academy or in the workplace. The course design proposal is due on November 30 of the second year. Please see detailed guidelines for the development of the course proposals and the examination process here:
PhD Course Design Guidelines
Course Design Exam Form-
Each PhD student will have their outlines considered as potential offering in the Department's undergraduate program and may have a chance to teach a course they have designed in year three or four of their program.
-
Prepare a thesis proposal whiich is due on March 1st of their second year and will be examined by a committee consisting of their supervisor and two additional faculty mebers who will serve as a supervising committee for the thesis. The members of this committee must be selected by January 15 of the second year of study. Detailed guidelines for the thesis proposal can be found here: Thesis Proposal Guidelines
-
Research and write a dissertation in years 3 and 4.
-
In either year 3 or 4, students may opt to receive their teaching assistantship funding as a research grant for a term so that they may concentrate solely on writing their thesis.
- Each student will be required to submit a short 1-2 page written report on their dissertation progress to the Graduate Chair on September 1st and March 1st beginning in their third year until completion.
Timeline for completion of the PhD Program
| Year One September - April |
Year One -Two April - December/ January |
Year One -Two January - April |
Years Two to Four April - end |
Completion of three (3) full courses (or six half credits) - must include core courses in Theory and Metholodogy if new to UWO Program |
Preparation of two course outlines Oral examination |
Preparation of thesis prospectus Examination of prospectus in June |
Thesis preparation and defense Progress reports submitted on September 1 and March 1. |