Program Overview

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PhD Program Completion

The PhD program completion process involves several steps that students must follow to successfully finish their degree.

Producing Your Thesis

The main requirement of the degree is an acceptable thesis, which embodies an individual contribution to original research of a standard that warrants publication in the research literature.

Completing Degree Requirements for Thesis Programs

Degree requirements are another important part of completing the PhD program. Students are encouraged to review all the degree requirements to ensure that they have covered all necessary components before completing their degree.

Doctoral Examinations & Schedule

The doctoral examination process includes a final oral examination, which can be completed in one of two options:

• Final Oral Examination: Option 1: Eight weeks after the successful completion of the departmental oral, the student proceeds to the final oral examination. The examination committee consists of four to six members. The student gives a 20-minute summary of the thesis, which is followed by a question period.
• Final Oral Examination: Option 2: The one-defense system works as follows:
  • A public presentation (one hour, family and friends welcome), with occasion for public questions;
  • The actual exam, closed to the public, scheduled, with an external chair provided by the School of Graduate Studies. At the start of that exam, the candidate waives their right to a 20-minute defense (since they just gave a full talk on their thesis). The exam then proceeds with questioning from the exam committee members.

Final-Year Fees

Academic fees for full-time doctoral students in the final year of their program, and who are before their maximum time limit, are pro-rated based on the 12-month academic year plus sessional incidentals. Doctoral students will be billed for the whole year but may choose to pay:

• The full fee;
• The minimum first payment (50% of the full fee);
• The fee based on the expected date of completion.

Graduation & Convocation

Graduation is the culmination and affirmation of all hard work in graduate studies. To ensure the final stages proceed as smoothly as possible, students must complete all requirements of their PhD program before requesting graduation.

Graduate Program Overview

The graduate program offers various components, including:

• Prospective Students: Information about the graduate program, admissions requirements, and procedures.
• Current MSc Students: Program requirements, tuition and funding, and other relevant details.
• Current PhD Students: Program requirements, tuition and funding, PhD program completion, and PhD defenses.
• Curriculum & Courses: Course listings, course descriptions, and other academic information.
• Graduate Student Resources: Contact information, graduate studies handbook, forms and resources, scholarships and awards, career information, and other support services.

University Acknowledgement

The University of Toronto operates on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island, and the university is grateful to have the opportunity to work on this land.