PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Average of at least A– in an appropriate master's degree program, or equivalent. Equivalency is normally determined by the number of courses and/or credits taken. Applicants holding an MLS or other master's degree earned in two or three sessions, or by completing 5.0 to 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs), will normally be required to take additional courses in the MI program.

• Admission is limited to graduates of high intellectual ability who have an interest in research. Evaluation of applicants is based on academic records, a statement of research interest, and three academic letters of reference. A personal interview may be requested.

• All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.

  • English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.

• Admission procedures are described in the General Regulations section of this calendar.

• Doctoral students are admitted in September.

• Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.

Completion Requirements

To achieve candidacy, students must fulfil the following:

• In all concentrations (except Media, Technology, and Culture), students must successfully complete a total of 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • INF3001H Research Colloquium.

  • A methods course: INF3003H Research in Information: Frameworks and Design or a specific methods course to be determined in consultation with the student's research advisor.

  • INF3006Y Major Area Reading Course or two additional electives to be determined in consultation with the research advisor (1.0 FCE).

  • 2.0 elective FCEs.

Upon achievement of candidacy, students must:

• Complete other courses appropriate for the student's research.

• Pass a qualifying exam.

• Present and defend a thesis research proposal.

• Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Be regularly registered in the School of Graduate Studies during each year of the program.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Flexible-Time Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

Admissions have been administratively suspended.

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Information's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Average of at least A– in an appropriate master's degree program, or equivalent. Equivalency is normally determined by the number of courses and/or credits taken. Applicants holding an MLS or other master's degree earned in two or three sessions, or by completing 5.0 to 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs), will normally be required to take additional courses in the MI program.

• Admission is limited to graduates of high intellectual ability who have an interest in research. Evaluation of applicants is based on academic records, a statement of research interest, and three academic letters of reference. A personal interview may be requested.

• All incoming graduate students must have a good command of English. All applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This requirement is a condition of admission and must be met before an offer of admission is made. The English language requirement may be satisfied using one of the following tests. Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with the following minimum scores:

    • Paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 with 5.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)

    • Internet-based TOEFL exam: 107/120 with 24/30 on the speaking section and 27/30 on the writing section.

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): a minimum required score of 7.5 overall with 7.5 on the writing section and 7.0 on the speaking section.

  • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): a minimum required score of 95 overall with 41 on the writing component, 27 on the reading component, and 27 on the listening component.

  • English Language Program, U of T School of Continuing Studies with an overall score of A in Academic English Level 60.

• Admission procedures are described in the General Regulations section of this calendar.

• Doctoral students are admitted in September.

• Meeting the minimum requirements of the Faculty of Information and the School of Graduate Studies does not guarantee admission.

Completion Requirements

To achieve candidacy, students must fulfil the following:

• Complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • INF3001H Research Colloquium.

  • A methods course: INF3003H Research in Information: Frameworks and Design or a specific methods course to be determined in consultation with the student's research advisor.

  • INF3006Y Major Area Reading Course or two additional electives to be determined in consultation with the research advisor (1.0 FCE).

  • 2.0 elective FCEs.

• Other courses appropriate for the student's research may also be required.

• Pass a qualifying exam.

• Present and defend a thesis research proposal.

• Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• Ensure that they have adequate time on campus to attend classes and to fulfil the academic requirements for an advanced research degree. Students must spend at least two full-time sessions on campus.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 8 years full-time