See below for the components required to complete the PhD program. To see requirements for admission into the program, see PhD Admission Requirements.
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.
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 the equivalent of 3.5 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.
- IRE3004H Field Seminar in Industrial Relations and Human Resources.
- The research and statistics requirements are met by completing:
- 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.
- 1.0 FCE is chosen from the elective courses set out below or from selected offerings in other departments and Faculties.
- The core requirement in Industrial Relations and Human Resources is met by completing:
- 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 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.
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.
A good supervisory relationship is key to ensuring that the goals and standards of the doctoral program are met while contributing to the student’s overall positive experience in the program.
Students will have achieved candidacy upon successful completion of the program requirements above at the end of Year 3 of study. Consult the School of Graduate Studies Calendar entry for more information.
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.
Information regarding preparation of the thesis is available in the General Regulations section of the current SGS Calendar. When the student’s Supervisory Committee agrees that the thesis is ready to defend, the Supervisor will begin the process of scheduling the Final Oral Examination.
Students are required to remain in good standing in the program and to make satisfactory progress toward the completion of degree requirements.