Ph.D. Program Requirements
The Ph.D. Program is only offered full-time. The program is not offered on a part-time basis. The normal program length is 4 years (full-time Ph.D.) or 5 years (full-time, direct-entry Ph.D.). Please refer to Ph.D. time-lines for an overview of coursework, comprehensive examination, and dissertation timing.
Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the SGS regulations and program requirements as specified in the SGS calendar and WGSI handbook.
Program requirements are designed to ensure that Ph.D. students receive a shared, advanced overview of crucial questions in interdisciplinary feminist studies and develop a rigorous and in-depth background in the theories, methods and themes chosen by the individual student. The program requirements include:
- coursework
- comprehensive exams
- a dissertation proposal
- a dissertation & final oral exam
- active participation in WGS Research Seminar Series.
Each student’s program of study must be approved by the graduate coordinator. No more than 1.0 full course equivalent (FCE) in courses in which undergraduates are also enrolled may be applied towards graduate degree requirements.
Coursework
Coursework requirements for the Ph.D. program vary depending on the student’s previous education. Please refer to the appropriate coursework requirement guidelines below.
For students admitted from a Master’s degree:
Students admitted to the program from an M.A. must complete a total of 3.0 full course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
| FCEs | Course | Session |
|---|---|---|
| C/NR | WGS Research Seminar (Meets once per month) – Students enroll in WGS2000H (0.0 FCE, Credit/No Credit) 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 encouraged to attend this seminar regularly, as a crucial part of their graduate education. – All WGSI Ph.D. and collaborative specialization Ph.D. students are required to present their dissertation research in this seminar series, after they have achieved candidacy and before graduation. This milestone is captured by WGS2001H (0.0FCE, Credit/ No Credit). Students will enroll in WGS2001H during the session in which they plan to present. | Fall through Winter |
| .5 FCE | WGS5000H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements I – Students who have already taken WGS5000H will be required to enroll in alternate course selections, with WGSI approval. | Fall (1Y) |
| .5 FCE | WGS5001H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements II | Winter (1Y) |
| .5 FCE | Elective (one half-year course) in Women and Gender Studies | Fall or Winter (1Y) |
| 1.5 FCEs | Electives in Women and Gender Studies or in other departments, chosen in consultation with your faculty advisor | Fall and/or Winter (1Y) |
All coursework should normally be completed in the first year of Ph.D. study. Students may repeat a failed course once. Failure to successfully complete the required courses on the second attempt will ordinarily result in a request for withdrawal from the program.
For students admitted from a Bachelor’s degree (“direct-entry” students):
Students admitted to the program from a Bachelor’s degree must complete a total of 5.0 full course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
| FCEs | Course | Session |
|---|---|---|
| C/NR | WGS Research Seminar (Meets once per month) – Students enroll in WGS2000H (0.0 FCE, Credit/No Credit) 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 encouraged to attend this seminar regularly, as a crucial part of their graduate education. – All WGSI Ph.D. and collaborative specialization Ph.D. students are required to present their dissertation research in this seminar series, after they have achieved candidacy and before graduation. This milestone is captured by WGS2001H (0.0FCE, Credit/ No Credit). Students will enroll in WGS2001H during the session in which they plan to present. | Fall through Winter |
| .5 FCE | WGS5000H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements I – Students who have already taken WGS5000H will be required to enroll in alternate course selections, with WGSI approval. | Fall (1Y) |
| .5 FCE | WGS5001H Feminist Theories, Histories, Movements II | Winter (1Y) |
| 2.0 FCEs | Elective courses in Women and Gender Studies | Fall and/or Winter (1Y/2Y) |
| 2.0 FCEs | Electives in Women and Gender Studies or in other departments, chosen in consultation with your faculty advisor | Fall and/or Winter (1Y/2Y) |
All coursework should be completed by the end of the second year of Ph.D. study. Students may repeat a failed course once. Failure to successfully complete the required courses on the second attempt will ordinarily result in a request for withdrawal from the program.