MA Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Women and Gender Studies Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate bachelor's degree in women's studies and gender studies or a related area at an approved university. Applicants must have obtained an average equivalent to a University of Toronto B+ or better in their final year of undergraduate study.

• Letter of intent outlining the academic goals the applicant wishes to pursue in the program, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.

Completion Requirements

• The student's program of study must be approved by the Women and Gender Studies Institute. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 0.5 core FCEs in women and gender studies WGS5000H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements I.

  • 1.0 elective FCE in women and gender studies; either a special topics seminar or an independent research/reading course WGS1007H Directed Research/Reading.

  • 1.0 FCE WGS1005Y MA Research Paper.

  • 1.0 FCE (one year-long or two half-year courses) offered by other departments and chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.

  • Completion of WGS2000H WGS Research Seminar, requiring participation in the WGS Research Seminar Series. To complete this requirement, students must attend at least 80% of the seminars during the Fall/Winter academic session.

• The MA degree program is not offered on a part-time basis.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Women and Gender Studies Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A master's degree in women and gender studies, or a master's degree in a related discipline from a recognized university. Applicants must have obtained an average of A– or better in the master's program.

• Letter of intent outlining the academic goals the applicant wishes to pursue in the program, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.

Completion Requirements

• The student’s program of study must be approved by the Women and Gender Studies Institute.

• All coursework should normally be completed by the end of Year 1 of PhD study. Students must successfully complete a total of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 1.0 FCE in Women and Gender Studies (WGS5000H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements I and WGS5001H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements II). Students who have already taken these courses, or their equivalent, will be required to enrol in alternate course selections, with institute approval.

  • 0.5 elective FCE in Women and Gender Studies.

  • 1.5 FCEs offered in Women and Gender Studies or by other graduate units and chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

• WGS Research Seminar Series. Normally, students enrol in WGS2000H WGS Research Seminar in Year 1 of their PhD program. Attendance at 80% of the seminars is required in Year 1. After completion of this course, students are recommended to attend this seminar regularly, as a crucial part of their graduate education. In addition, students must present their research in the seminar series once before graduation after they have achieved candidacy, a milestone captured by WGS2001H WGS Research Seminar — Presentation. Students will enrol in WGS2001H WGS Research Seminar — Presentation during the session in which they plan to present.

• Comprehensive examinations:

  • Completion of two comprehensive exams, one in a primary (major) and one in a secondary (minor) area of study, defined in consultation with the advisor and other committee members.

  • The thesis proposal, an integral part of the comprehensive exams, should be defended and accepted no later than August 31 of Year 2.

  • Examinations are marked on a pass/fail basis. Candidates are allowed two attempts to pass a comprehensive examination. A failure to pass on the second attempt results either in the student’s voluntary withdrawal from the program, or a recommendation by the institute for termination of the student's registration in the program.

  • The major comprehensive examination should be completed by January 31 of Year 2. The minor comprehensive examination should be completed by May 31 of Year 2.

• Completion of a doctoral thesis based on original research conducted by the candidate on an approved topic in women and gender studies, and successful defence at the SGS Final Oral Examination.

• Each student will meet at least annually with their supervisor and other doctoral committee members to review academic progress and to consult about future directions.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Women and Gender Studies Institute's additional admission requirements stated below.

• In exceptional cases, direct-entry admission is offered to outstanding students with a bachelor's degree in women and gender studies or a related area, from a recognized university. Direct-entry students must have a cumulative average of A or better. Applicants must also have obtained an average equivalent to an A– or better in their final year of undergraduate study.

• Letter of intent outlining the academic goals the applicant wishes to pursue in the program, two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.

Completion Requirements

• The student’s program of study must be approved by the Women and Gender Studies Institute.

• All coursework should normally be completed by the end of Year 2 of PhD study. Students must successfully complete a total of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 1.0 FCE in Women and Gender Studies (WGS5000H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements I and WGS5001H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements II).

  • 2.0 elective FCEs in Women and Gender Studies.

  • 2.0 FCEs offered in Women and Gender Studies or by other graduate units and chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

• WGS Research Seminar Series. Normally, students will enrol in WGS2000H WGS Research Seminar in Year 1 of their PhD program. Attendance at 80% of the seminars is required in Year 1. After completion of this course, students are recommended to attend this seminar regularly, as a crucial part of their graduate education. In addition, students must present their research in the seminar series once before graduation after they have achieved candidacy, a milestone captured by WGS2001H WGS Research Seminar — Presentation. Students will enrol in WGS2001H WGS Research Seminar — Presentation during the session in which they plan to present.

• Comprehensive examinations:

  • Completion of two comprehensive exams, one in a primary (major) and one in a secondary (minor) area of study, defined in consultation with the advisor and other committee members.

  • The thesis proposal, an integral part of the comprehensive exams, should be defended and accepted no later than December 31 of Year 3.

  • Examinations are marked on a pass/fail basis. Candidates are allowed two attempts to pass a comprehensive examination. A failure to pass on the second attempt results either in the student’s voluntary withdrawal from the program or a recommendation by the institute for termination of the student’s registration in the program.

  • The major comprehensive examination should be completed by May 31 of Year 2. The minor comprehensive examination should be completed by September 30 of Year 3.

• Completion of a doctoral thesis based on original research conducted by the candidate on an approved topic in women and gender studies, and successful defence at the SGS Final Oral Examination.

• Each student will meet at least annually with their supervisor and other doctoral committee members to review academic progress and to consult about future directions.