Doctor of Philosophy
Intake
Program components
Coursework
Comprehensive Examination
Thesis
Registration options
Full-time
Description
The PhD program is thesis-based and offered in a number of areas of study. Depending on the academic background, students may be required to take up to six courses in their area of study; the number and details of the courses are determined in consultation with the supervisor at the time of admission to the program.
Students are required to secure a potential supervisor prior to submitting an application for this program. For further information please visit our Search Supervisors page.
The thesis forms the central requirement of the program which involves close collaboration between the supervisor and student; as a result it is important for students to be on campus to conduct research with their supervisor. Our Ph.D. programs are delivered on the Lethbridge campus only.
Admission information
Applicants to all majors except Education and Cultural, Social, and Political Thought will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- Hold a master's degree from a recognized degree-granting institution in the discipline of interest or in a related discipline
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00, on a 4.00 scale on all graded master's-level courses OR calculated on the most recently completed PhD if the applicant is applying for another PhD in a closely related discipline
- Evidence of scholarly competence
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for graduate student
- Secure a potential supervisor
Applicants to the PhD Cultural, Social, and Political Thought will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- Hold a master's degree from a recognized degree-granting institution in the discipline of interest or in a related discipline
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, on a 4.00 scale on all graded master's-level courses OR calculated on the most recently completed PhD if the applicant is applying for another PhD in a closely related discipline
- Evidence of scholarly competence
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for graduate student
- Secure a potential supervisor
Applicants to the PhD Education will meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission:
- Hold a master's degree from a recognized degree-granting institution in the discipline of interest or in a related discipline. Applicants typically must hold a Master of Education or a Master of Arts in Education.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, on a 4.00 scale on all graded master's-level courses OR calculated on the most recently completed PhD if the applicant is applying for another PhD in a closely related discipline
- Evidence of success as professional educators or counsellors with at least two years of experience (applicants from other education-related contexts may be considered).
- Evidence to demonstrate research skills, in the form of a Master's Thesis, an outstanding Research Project, or peer-reviewed journal publications.
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for graduate student
- Secure a potential supervisor
Step 1: Prepare Supporting Documents
Please see the Supporting Documents for the Doctor of Philosophy program below. If additional documents are required, the School of Graduate Studies will contact you.
Step 2: Find a Supervisor
To find a potential supervisor, you will need to contact a uLethbridge faculty member with expertise in your research area. Please visit Search Supervisors page to find a potential supervisor.
Step 3: Submit Online Application by Deadline
Submit your complete application by midnight (MST/MDT) on the deadline date.
Step 4: Arrange for Official Documents
Official documents (e.g., transcripts, ELP test scores) are required prior to registration.
Note: Applicants who have attended or are currently attending an institution participating in ApplyAlberta do not need to arrange for official transcripts to be sent to uLethbridge from the issuing institution. A list of participating institutions is available at www.applyalberta.ca.
Step 5: Admission Decision Process
The departmental committee reviews your application and makes a recommendation on admission to the program committee. You will be notified of your official admission status by the Registrar’s Office no later than April 1 (February 1 deadline), July 1 (May 1 deadline) or December 1 (October 1 deadline).
Note: Students who are graduates of non-Canadian universities must provide notarized English translations of all documents not in the English language.
For more details please see the Graduate Studies Calendar and Course Catalogue.
Note: Under exceptional circumstances, academically superior students who are currently enrolled in a master’s program at uLethbridge (excluding MEd and MA in Education programs) and have demonstrated outstanding academic and research performance may be considered for a Doctor of Philosophy transfer from a uLethbridge master's program.
Supporting documents
Unofficial Transcripts
You will need to upload and submit your unofficial transcripts, including proof of graduation for your completed degree(s) and transcripts of all post-baccalaureate work, if any, via the online application system.
Official Transcripts
You will also need to arrange for your official transcripts to be sent to the Registrar’s Office. Your official transcripts are required to be received prior to course registration.
Applicants who have attended or are currently attending institutions NOT participating in ApplyAlberta must arrange to have official transcripts sent directly from the issuing institution to the Admissions Office. A list of participating institutions is available at applyalberta.ca.
Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to:
Registrar’s Office
University of Lethbridge
4401 University Drive West
Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4
Canada
Your transcripts are required to display your up-to-date coursework, including grades/marks received for completed coursework.
Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy (Education) major are required to submit two (2) academic and one (1) professional reference letters. You should have studied with at least two of your references.
Applicants to the Doctor of Philosophy program (all other majors) are required to submit three (3) academic reference letters. You should have studied with at least two of your references.
The School of Graduate Studies is not able to:
- Accept Letters of Reference submitted via email or regular mail
- Re-use a Letter of Reference submitted in support of a previous application
- Edit/change your referees or send them reminders to submit their Letter of Reference
- Accept Letters of reference from a friend or family member
Your CV is a comprehensive document with a formal structure and academic focus. It should include your background, work experience, awards, scholarships, publications, and other achievements. If you are a current or former University of Lethbridge student, contact Career and Employment Services for additional information on the content and structure of a CV.
Your Letter of Intent for the Doctor of Philosophy (Cultural, Social, and Political Thought) major must contain:
- Description of the proposed research topic including:
- the research question, methodology, the relationship of the proposed project to existing research and potential contribution to knowledge;
- discussion of sources and evidence to be analyzed;
- the rationale for choosing the interdisciplinary Cultural, Social, and Political Thought major and the proposed supervisor(s).
- The purpose of the letter is to provide the admission committee with information on your proposed research.
- You should address your letter to the Doctoral Programs Committee.
Your Letter of Intent for the Doctor of Philosophy program for all other majors must contain:
- Your goals or objectives for seeking a graduate degree in the chosen discipline; maximum length is one page.
- You should address your letter to the Doctoral Programs Committee.
Things to Note:
Your Letter of Intent is your opportunity to show us your passion for your proposed research. Explain how dedicated and invested you are to your proposed graduate program, and provide specific examples of key accomplishments. Be concise and include only important information – reviewers have many graduate applications to review; your Letter of Intent should generally be no more than one page in length unless otherwise stated.
English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Lethbridge. Prior to registration, all applicants to the School of Graduate Studies must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, research, and participation in tutorials and discussions. Please see the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for graduate students for detailed information.