Program Overview

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PhD in Gerontology Program

The PhD in Gerontology program at Simon Fraser University provides advanced research training in gerontology grounded in an interdisciplinary theoretical foundation, current and prospective substantive issues, a range of research methods and statistical techniques, and knowledge to translate research into practice and policy.

Admission Requirements

Admission requires a Master's degree in Gerontology or other discipline in which a significant amount of coursework and/or thesis/project research deals with aging or the aged. Students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Those not meeting these requirements may need to take preparatory coursework equivalent to a Masters in Gerontology or Aging Studies.

• Candidates must have a minimum 3.5 GPA.
• There must be supervisory capacity in the department to support the candidate’s research.
• Students must also meet University requirements for a doctoral level program.

Application Process

Application Deadlines

• Spring 2026 (January Admission): July 2nd to August 31st
• Fall 2026 (September Admission): December 2nd to January 31st

Transcripts

Applicants will upload unofficial copies of all their post-secondary transcripts as part of the online process. Only if offered admission, will they be required to send official transcripts directly from the institution to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

References

Three academic references are required. Referees should address the applicant’s ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest. Non-academic references should address the candidate’s academic potential.

Statement of Research Interest

All applicants are required to submit a Statement of Research Interest. It is important for applicants to write a clear and detailed research statement in order for proper assessment by the admissions committee. A research statement should provide a clear articulation of the PhD dissertation’s substantive focus, justification, and possible research methods.

Statement of Work/Volunteer

This is a required document. However, if you have not had any formal work or volunteer experience with the aging population, you have probably spent time with elderly family members or those in your neighborhood at large. Be creative! Someone has given you the reason to study Gerontology.

Writing Samples

Copies of up to three published articles may be submitted for consideration by the Admissions Committee.

Supervisor Pre-Selection

Applicants MUST identify a senior supervisor from within the Department of Gerontology based on compatibility of research interests. Applicants are expected to contact their selected supervisor/s in order to discuss their research interest prior to submission of the application.

English Language Competence

An applicant whose primary language is not English or whose previous education has been conducted in another language must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field.

Program Requirements

This program consists of three core courses, two electives, comprehensive examinations, and a thesis. Students may be required to complete up to two additional courses if deemed necessary by the admissions committee.

Required Courses

• GERO 803-4: Analytical Techniques for Gerontological Research
• GERO 804-4: Advanced Qualitative Methods in Gerontology
• GERO 806-4: Interdisciplinary Theories in Gerontology

Elective Courses

• GERO 802-4: Development and Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs for the Elderly
• GERO 810-4: Community Based Housing, Health and Support Services for Older People
• GERO 811-4: Institutional Living Environments
• GERO 820-4: Principles and Practices of Health Promotion/Population Health
• GERO 822-4: Families, Communities, and Health
• GERO 823-4: Mental Health and Illness in Later Life
• GERO 830-4: Aging in a Technological World
• GERO 840-4: Special Topics

Comprehensive Examinations

After completion of all coursework, students will write two comprehensive examinations based on reading lists developed with their supervisory committee.

Thesis Proposal // Thesis Defense

When both comprehensive examinations are satisfactorily completed, the student must develop and successfully defend a thesis prospectus before being officially admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.

Funding

The Department of Gerontology provides funding to its graduate students through a combination of teaching positions, Research Assistantships, scholarships, Graduate Fellowships, and private awards. Students must maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum CGPA of 3.5 in their graduate work to be eligible for funding.

Awards

• Arthur and Ancie Fouks Graduate Entrance Award in Public Service
• Bert Henry Memorial Graduate Entrance Scholarship
• Special Graduate Entrance Scholarship (SGES)
• Graduate Dean's Entrance Scholarship
• Indigenous Graduate Entrance Scholarship
• British Columbia Graduate Scholarships (BCGS)
• Graduate Fellowships
• Provost International Fellowship
• Kruger Products Bicultural Entrance Fellowship
• Simons Foundation Doctoral Entrance Fellowship
• President's PhD Scholarship

Donor Awards

• 54th Avenue Capital Corporation Annual Graduate Award
• Annie and Leon Josefowicz Memorial Award
• Aziz and Parin Dossa Graduate Community Outreach Award
• Big Data Graduate Scholarship
• Darcy and Karina Biagioni Family Graduate Scholarship
• David and Rachelle Chertkow Elder Abuse/ Family Violence Prevention Essay Prize
• Dr. A.H. Somjee and Dr. Geeta Somjee Graduate Fellowship in Indian Political Development
• Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation Annual Graduate Scholarship
• Flight 752 Graduate Memorial Scholarship
• Fung Chan Yee Shan Memorial Scholarship in Gerontology
• GABC Chuck Bayley Memorial Graduate Award in Gerontology
• German Canadian Benevolent Society of British Columbia Aulinger Award in Gerontology
• Gloria Gutman Conference Travel Award
• IODE Seaman Morley Scott Memorial Graduate Scholarship
• Isabel Dawson Memorial Scholarship in Gerontology
• Israel Chertkow Memorial Scholarship in Gerontology
• June Glory Morrison Graduate Award in Gerontology
• Knud George Pedersen International Graduate Students Fund Endowment
• Lillian Zimmerman Graduate Scholarship in Gerontology
• Louise Berthe Samson Award in Gerontology
• Marie Magrega Memorial Graduate Award in Gerontology
• Mark Nussbaum Graduate Research Fellowships in Gerontology
• Michael Geller Graduate Scholarship in Urban Development
• Michael Stevenson Graduate Scholarship
• Robert Russell Family/First Nations Graduate Award
• Waterhouse Graduate Fellowship in Organizational Change and Innovation
• William & Ada Isabelle Steel Memorial Graduate Scholarship
• Wister-Mitchell Graduate Scholarship in Gerontology

Tuition

All doctoral students are charged a 'per term fee' each term (fall, spring, and summer) of their enrollment. SFU admission and funding offers do not include a tuition waiver.