Women and Gender Studies: Women and Gender Studies PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Women and Gender Studies has four areas of focus:

  • gender, sexuality, and queer studies

  • feminist cultural studies

  • feminist studies of technology, science, environment, and biomedicine

  • transnational political economy and development studies.

The offerings bring feminist scholarship to the tasks of challenging and investigating colonial, postcolonial, and transnational contexts. Central themes of the program include global capitalism, nation and state formation, empire, citizenship, diaspora, and cultural flows, all of which are examined through the lenses of diverse feminist scholarship. The program welcomes applications from international students.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes:

  • following completion of an appropriate MA

  • direct entry after completing a bachelor's degree.

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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
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 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.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Women and Gender Studies