Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) on-campus

Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a thesis-based degree intended to prepare scholars for careers in research and teaching. This program is available in the on-campus format only.

The Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies Program seeks to support full-time students admitted to the on-campus program to receive funding for the first 2 years in program. Please see the section on Doctoral Funding (below).

Requirements

Program requirements are as follows:

(a) A minimum of one and one-half full-course equivalents, including CORE 603.01 (a half-course equivalent) unless previously taken, is required of all doctoral students during their first year of program. The remaining required full-course equivalent normally involves a second course from CRDS (chosen in consultation with the supervisor) and a course in research methods suited to the students' area of research. If a student hasn’t taken at least two graduate level research courses prior to entering the doctoral program, additional research course work should be taken in the first year to ensure the student has credit for at least three graduate-level research courses, including one half-course in qualitative research methods and one half-course in quantitative research methods.

In addition, first year doctoral students are encouraged to participate in the doctoral seminar (see next item).

(b) During the second year, in preparation for their Candidacy Exams, all doctoral students are expected to enroll in the CORE doctoral seminar.

(c)  Additional graduate courses or seminars are determined by the supervisor in consultation with the student. The number of courses required for program completion must be approved by the Director, Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies, and be finalized no later than the beginning of the second year of program.

Graduate courses from other departments, faculties, or universities may fulfill part of the degree requirements in the Division with the approval of the supervisor. If a student wishes to take courses in other departments, faculties, or universities, the unit in question should be contacted for permission to take the course and a Letter of Permission may have to be completed. The student should ensure that the CRDS office receives written confirmation.

(d) A candidacy examination demonstrating the student's competence to undertake a thesis. Consult the CRDS Guidelines for Doctoral Candidacy Exams regarding successful completion of this examination. Students must complete their candidacy requirements within 28 months. Thesis proposals must be approved prior to the candidacy examination.

(e)  A Doctoral thesis and an oral examination on the thesis.

The Doctoral thesis is the focus of the degree program. In consultation with the supervisor, the student should formulate an appropriate thesis topic as early as possible in the program because the thesis proposal affects the choice and number of courses needed in order to complete the program. The thesis proposal must be approved by the supervisory committee before continuing towards candidacy. Students conducting research involving human subjects must submit a proposal to the Joint Research Ethics Committee. No data may be gathered prior to ethics approval.

Doctoral students are normally assigned a permanent supervisor at the time of admission.

Students typically complete all program requirements within four years and are expected to complete all requirements within six registration years.

There is no formal residency requirement for this program; however, certain course requirements are only available as on-campus offerings. Students may choose to work during the tenure of their program although they are cautioned that a very high level of commitment is necessary to meet the demanding requirements of this degree. Students choosing to work during the course of their degree need to be aware that this choice will not constitute an acceptable justification for extending timelines for candidacy or other program requirements.

Examinations

Doctoral students should consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Handbook of Supervision and Examination - Part III: Doctor of Philosophy for details regarding supervision and examinations, including candidacy and thesis oral examinations.

In addition, doctoral students preparing for their Candidacy Exam, should read the CRDS Guidelines for Doctoral Candidacy Exams, which contains internal guidelines specific to doctoral students in Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies.

Fees

Students in thesis-based programs pay program fees, general fees, and continuing fees. Program fees are assessed during the first two years in program and the amounts are pro-rated over four terms per year, as follows: 4/12 in September, 4/12 in January, 2/12 in May, and 2/12 in July.

General fees, based on full-time or part-time status, are also assessed once per year on the anniversary of entrance to the program.

Continuing fees are administered annually for the remaining four years in program.

Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for further details regarding tuition and general fees.

International graduate students pay an additional differential equivalent to 100% of the tuition fee. Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for further details regarding tuition and general fees per session for international students.

Thesis-based students who are not taking courses must complete their annual registration by indicating their full or part-time status and pay the applicable general fees by the fee deadline date in their anniversary term.

Students can access their fee statements and pay their fees through the My UofC Portal.

Students can access their fee statements and pay their fees through the My UofC Portal. Students who do not pay their fees by the fee payment deadline date will be assessed a late registration fee.

Note: Fees listed on this page are subject to change without notice.

The University of Calgary Office of the Provost has announced a 3.3% tuition fee increase, effective May 1, 2007. This increase will affect all on-campus and online/distance delivery course and program tuition fees.

Admission

The minimum admission requirements for a thesis-based Doctoral degree program include:

Note: In exceptional circumstances, individuals who do not meet formal academic requirements, but who have significant life achievements, may be considered for admission to some graduate programs. The candidates must provide evidence demonstrating a potential to successfully undertake the proposed program of studies. Such candidates are advised to make early contact with the Department of Community Health Sciences, and supply additional supporting documents as part of their application package. In all these cases, the decision whether or not to admit the applicant rests with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

In Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, an official TOEFL score of at least 580 (written test) or 237 (computer-based test) or 93 (Internet-based test) or an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher is required. The test must have been taken within the last two years. Proficiency may also be met by successful completion of Level III of the Learning English for Academic Purposes (LEAP).

- thesis (if applicable)

- reports

- research grants or scholarships articles

- curriculum documents

- non-print materials, e.g. multimedia

- evidence of relevant prior learning

- personal statement documenting research and professional skills and interests

Please note that the Admission Portfolios should include a table of contents and an executive summary that outlines the contents of the Portfolio.

Admission to all graduate programs is highly competitive due to limited enrollment capacities. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

All graduate programs are governed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In the case of any conflict, regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar take precedence over material on this website. Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar for University of Calgary graduate admission requirements.

Additional Information

Doctoral Procedures Checklist

At the beginning of program:

Within 12 months:

Every 12 months:

Within 15 months:

Within 28 months:

Within 4 to 6 years:

Program Forms

There are various forms related to students' progress throughout their graduate degree. Please refer to the forms for detailed instructions on their proper completion. Students who have any questions or concerns should contact their Graduate Program Administrator. Required forms are available in the CRDS office and some can be accessed by downloading them from the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

Doctoral Funding

CRDS offers a limited amount of funding for first and second year doctoral students studying on campus. Funding for these positions comes from a variety of sources, i.e., Graduate Research Scholarships (GRS), FGS Awards, individual faculty member grants, and CRDS funds.

Doctoral students may choose:

•   Option 1 - full funding – up to a maximum of $8,500 for two terms;

•   Option 2 - partial funding – up to a maximum of $5000 for two terms; or,

•   Option 3 - waive funding.

If graduate students choose Option 1 or 2, they are expected to work in one of the following capacities:

•   as a graduate student research assistant to a maximum of 12 hours per week

•   as a Sessional Instructor. Graduate students who wish to teach must submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae so their qualifications to contribute in some capacity may be assessed.

Students may choose to waive an offer of work as a research assistant or sessional instructor without jeopardizing an offer of admission to a graduate program

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