The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree program benefits students who are interested in advanced academic study leading to career opportunities in human resources management; labour-management relations; collective bargaining and dispute resolution; organization development and change; and labour market and social policy. The PhD program is a research-oriented program of study designed to provide students with a thorough knowledge of the field and strong research skills. Offered only on a full-time basis, students normally fulfil a two-year residency requirement that enables their full participation in the activities associated with the program.
Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master's degree or 2) direct entry following completion of a bachelor's degree.
PhD Program
Minimum Admission Requirements
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Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources' additional admission requirements stated below.
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Applicants require a master's degree in industrial relations, human resources, economics, sociology, public policy, political science, management, or a related field of study.
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At least a B+ standing, or equivalent, is required in the previous master's program. Academic performance in courses relevant to the applicant's area of interest, as well as performance in statistics and research methods courses are taken into consideration by the admissions committee.
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Applicants are required to submit a copy of their results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Although there is no minimum score requirement, performance on the GRE will be taken into consideration by the admissions committee. Test results more than five years old are normally not considered.
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Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The following minimum scores are acceptable:
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paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
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Internet-based TOEFL exam: 100/120 and 22/30 on both the writing and speaking sections
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IELTS exam: overall score of 7.0 (Academic), with at least 6.5 for each component.
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Applicants may be required to appear for a personal interview and/or submit copies of recent academic work.
Completion Requirements
Normally, requirements in Years 1 and 2 consist of a core course in Industrial Relations and Human Resources, elective courses, and courses in research methods and statistics.
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Students must take the equivalent of 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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The core requirement in Industrial Relations and Human Resources is met by completing:
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IRE3004H Field Seminar in Industrial Relations and Human Resources.
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The research and statistics requirements are met by completing:
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In cases where a student's prior academic background may have covered any of the courses listed above, substitutions may be permitted with approval of the PhD Coordinator.
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1.0 FCE is chosen from the elective courses set out below or from selected offerings in other departments and Faculties.
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Students must enrol in IRE3000H PhD Workshop in Industrial Relations and Human Resources for each year of their residency at the Centre.
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As part of their professional training, students are expected to participate in internal and external research seminars hosted by the Centre.
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A comprehensive examination is normally written by June 30 of Year 2. 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 six hours in length and graded as Pass/Fail.
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A student who fails the first attempt at the exam will be permitted one more attempt. Failure of the second attempt will result in a recommendation for program termination.
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Students must complete a Major Research Paper before advancing to doctoral candidacy. A faculty advisor will mentor the development and execution of this paper.
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The student's supervisor must approve a written doctoral thesis proposal before the student can advance to doctoral candidacy.
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Students will have achieved candidacy upon successful completion of the program requirements above at the end of Year 3 of study.
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Proficiency in French and/or other languages will be required when the student's supervisor deems it necessary for dissertation research or when CIRHR deems it necessary for the student's area of research.
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Thesis and a Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis.
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The program is available only on a full-time basis and normally has a two-year residency requirement, during which time the student is required to participate fully in the department's activities associated with the program.
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time
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 Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources' additional admission requirements stated below.
-
Students who hold a bachelor's degree in industrial relations or human resources may be considered for admission to the PhD if they have exceptional academic standing and have demonstrated quantitative skills and research ability. Students will be required to complete additional courses.
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Academic performance in courses relevant to the applicant's area of interest, as well as performance in statistics and research methods courses are taken into consideration by the admissions committee.
-
Applicants are required to submit a copy of their results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Although there is no minimum score requirement, performance on the GRE will be taken into consideration by the admissions committee. Test results more than five years old are normally not considered.
-
Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must write the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The following minimum scores are acceptable:
-
paper-based TOEFL exam: 600 and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE)
-
Internet-based TOEFL exam: 100/120 and 22/30 on both the writing and speaking sections
-
IELTS exam: overall score of 7.0 (Academic), with at least 6.5 for each component.
-
-
Applicants may be required to appear for a personal interview and/or submit copies of recent academic work.
Completion Requirements
-
Normally, requirements in Years 1 and 2 consist of a core course in Industrial Relations and Human Resources, elective courses, and courses in research methods and statistics.
-
Students must take up to the equivalent of 7.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
-
The core requirement in Industrial Relations and Human Resources is met by completing:
-
IRE3004H Field Seminar in Industrial Relations and Human Resources.
-
-
The research and statistics requirements are met by completing:
-
4.0 FCEs chosen in consultation with the PhD Coordinator.
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1.0 FCE is chosen from the elective courses set out below or from selected offerings in other departments and Faculties.
-
-
Students must enrol in IRE3000H PhD Workshop in Industrial Relations and Human Resources for each year of their residency at the Centre.
-
As part of their professional training, students are expected to participate in internal and external research seminars hosted by the Centre.
-
A comprehensive examination is normally written by June 30 of Year 3. 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 six hours in length and graded as Pass/Fail.
-
A student who fails the first attempt at the exam will be permitted one more attempt. Failure of the second attempt will result in a recommendation for program termination.
-
Students must complete a Major Research Paper before advancing to doctoral candidacy. A faculty advisor will mentor the development and execution of this paper.
-
The student's supervisor must approve a written doctoral thesis proposal before the student can advance to doctoral candidacy.
-
Students will have achieved candidacy upon successful completion of the program requirements above at the end of Year 4.
-
Proficiency in French and/or other languages will be required when the student's supervisor deems it necessary for dissertation research or when CIRHR deems it necessary for the student's area of research.
-
Thesis and a Doctoral Final Oral Examination on the thesis.
-
The program is available only on a full-time basis and normally has a two-year residency requirement, during which time the student is required to participate fully in the department's activities associated with the program.
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time