Program Overview
PhD Program Requirements
The PhD program in Industrial Relations and Human Resources is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the field and to prepare them for careers in research and academia. The program is normally completed in four years, although direct-entry students may take five years to complete the degree.
Course Work
The course work requirements for the PhD program consist of a core course in Industrial Relations and Human Resources, elective courses, and courses in research methods and statistics. Students must take the equivalent of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- The core requirement in Industrial Relations and Human Resources is met by completing:
- IRE 3004H Special Topics in Employment and Industrial Relations
- The research and statistics requirements are met by completing:
- IRE 3002Y Research Seminar I
- IRE 3003H Research Seminar II (PR)
- RSM 3062H Methods and Research in Organizational Behaviour and Industrial Relations
- 1.0 FCE in statistics, chosen, with the approval of the PhD Coordinator, from selected offerings in other departments and Faculties
- 1.0 FCE is chosen from the elective courses set out below or from selected offerings in other departments and Faculties
In cases where a student’s prior academic background may have covered any of the courses listed above, substitutions may be permitted with the approval of the PhD Coordinator.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive examination is normally written by January 31 of the student’s second year in the program. It is designed to encourage students to broaden their understanding of industrial relations and human resources, to demonstrate analytical and methodological abilities, and to address current policy issues. The examination is four to five hours in length and graded as Pass/Fail. It is normally set by four faculty members and students must answer one of two questions submitted by each of them. A student who fails the exam will be permitted one attempt to complete the examination.
Candidacy Achieved Status
Students are required to achieve candidacy at the end of the third year of study (or fourth year for direct-entry students). Candidacy is achieved when all requirements for the degree are completed (excluding thesis research and IRE3005H/IRE3006H). Students must have an approved thesis topic, supervisor, and supervisory committee. A notation is made on the transcript when candidacy has been achieved.
PhD Supervision
A good supervisory relationship is key to ensuring that the goals and standards of the doctoral program are met while contributing to the student’s overall positive experience in the program.
Thesis and Final Oral Exam
Information regarding preparation of the thesis is available in the General Regulations section of the current SGS Calendar. When the student’s Supervisory Committee agrees that the thesis is ready to defend, the Supervisor will begin the process of scheduling the Final Oral Examination.
PhD Policy on Standing
Students are required to remain in good standing in the program and to make satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements.
Additional Requirements
Students who are in their third and fourth years of study must enrol in the following courses:
- IRE 3005H Workshop in Industrial Relations I (Credit/No Credit)
- IRE 3006H Workshop in Industrial Relations II (Credit/No Credit)
Proficiency in French and/or other languages will be required when the student’s supervisor deems it necessary for dissertation research or when the centre deems it necessary for the student’s field.
The normal program length is four years (five for direct-entry students). The time limit is six years (seven for direct-entry).