Program Overview

Program Overview

The Recreation and Leisure Studies PhD program is designed to help students organize their progress through the program. The following tasks are the responsibility of the student.

Program Requirements

• Register as an active student every term (Fall, Winter, and Spring) by arranging payment of tuition fees.
• Complete two academic integrity milestones:
  • Milestone 1: Complete the online Academic Integrity Tutorial (normally within the first 8 weeks of starting the program).
  • Milestone 2: Attend the AHS Academic Integrity Workshop (normally held in September).
• Meet with the supervisor to discuss the individualized program of study, including the selection of appropriate courses.
• Complete a minimum of 9 courses above the BA level, including:
  • REC 600: Integrative Seminar in Recreation and Leisure Studies
  • REC 700: Foundations of Knowledge in Leisure Studies
  • One of REC 772 or REC 773 (Quantitative Research Data Analysis and Interpretation or Designing Advanced Qualitative Inquiry)
  • Graduate-level elective #1
  • Graduate-level elective #2 (if needed)
• Complete the PhD Research Seminar milestone, with attendance required for two terms.
• Complete the Research Presentation Milestone (usually as part of the PhD Research Seminar).
• In consultation with the supervisor, select the Comprehensive Examination committee.
• Complete and submit the PhD Comprehensive Examination Approval of Committee and Date of Examination Form before the comprehensive examination process begins.
• Receive Comprehensive Exam Questions and complete the written response within the four-month deadline (six months for part-time students).
• Schedule a date, time, and room for the oral exam.
• In consultation with the supervisor, select a thesis topic and thesis committee.
• Complete, have signed, and submit the MA/PhD Thesis Topic and Supervisor form.
• Prepare a thesis proposal in close consultation with the supervisor.
• Schedule an oral defense of the proposal at least one month in advance.
• Pass the oral proposal defense and make necessary modifications to the proposal, if applicable.
• Obtain approval for data collection from the Office of Research Ethics, if appropriate.
• Submit an application for research support funding to the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, if needed (maximum of $350).
• Conduct thesis research and write up the thesis in close consultation with the supervisor.
• Submit original receipts and expense claim form for research support funding to the Department Administrator.
• Arrange the proposed examining board at least 8 weeks prior to the final defense.
• Determine a time and date for the thesis defense, with the final defense set four weeks before Convocation.
• Pass the final oral defense and make final modifications to the thesis to the approval of the committee.
• Complete the application to graduate on Quest, upload the final thesis to online UW Space, and return the fob to the Department Administrator.

Program Structure

The program is structured to provide students with a comprehensive education in Recreation and Leisure Studies, with a focus on research and academic integrity. The program requires students to complete a minimum of 9 courses above the BA level, including core courses and electives. Students must also complete a PhD Research Seminar, a Research Presentation Milestone, and a comprehensive examination.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is a critical component of the program, and students must complete it by the end of the seventh term of enrollment. The examination consists of written and oral components, and students must receive approval from the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies, before the examination process begins.

Thesis

The thesis is a major component of the program, and students must work closely with their supervisor to select a thesis topic and committee. Students must prepare a thesis proposal, schedule an oral defense of the proposal, and pass the oral proposal defense. The thesis must be conducted in close consultation with the supervisor, and students must obtain approval for data collection from the Office of Research Ethics, if appropriate.

Graduation

To graduate, students must complete the application to graduate on Quest, upload the final thesis to online UW Space, and return the fob to the Department Administrator. Students must also attend Convocation and celebrate their achievement. The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of its work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples, and the program is committed to reconciliation and community building.