Admission to Candidacy

The Admission to Candidacy Process is one of the major milestones in a PhD student's journey.

GSE Candidacy Policy MDCH Program Candidacy Page

Requirements for Admission to Candidacy

Please note that MDCH (Community Health Sciences) students should refer to their own program's policy and timelines.

Completion of Program Requirements

- All program-specific certifications (see candidacy policy for details)
- All program specified academic course requirements 
- Research Integrity Day 
- CIHR Sex & Gender Training Module(s)

Deadlines:
Completion prior to the Field of Study Exam.

 

 

 

Thesis Proposal Evaluation (TPE)

The proposal is an academic exercise testing the student’s ability to write and defend a preliminary graduate-level research proposal. 

 

 

Deadlines:
Direct Entry PhD students - 24 months
Msc to PhD transfer students - 32 months

Field of Study (FOS) Examination

The FOS is a formal and closed oral exam. The student is expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics related to their core field of research, as well as a strong foundational knowledge in areas related to their research. 


Deadlines:
Direct Entry PhD students - 28 months
Msc to PhD transfer students - 36 months

Set Up Forms

Please note that the supervisor is responsible for scheduling the Thesis Proposal Evaluation (TPE) and the Field of Study Exam (FOS).

TPE Set Up Form

Deadline: 3 weeks before Evaluation Meeting date. Downloadable Word File Template.

TPE Set Up Form

FOS Topics List

Deadline: 3 months before estimated Field of Study Exam. Downloadable Word File Template.

Field of Study Topics List

FOS Set Up Form

Deadline: 4 weeks before Field of Study Exam. Online Qualtrics-based webform.

Field of Study Set Up Form

Accommodation Requests

The GSE Office is committed to supporting students who require accommodations in their studies, including during examinations. The first step is to connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). All accommodation requests must start with their office, and SAS and GSE will then work together with the student to put approved accommodation requests into practice. Please note that accommodations will not appear on your transcript.

Step One - Contact SAS

Students should contact SAS as soon as possible once they know they will be scheduling an examination. Since this request involves SAS and GSE, we need to have enough time for the request to be reviewed and approved by SAS, and for the GSE office to organize the recommended accommodations. 

Student Accessibility Services

Step 2 - Review and Approval

SAS will connect with the student and the program GPA about what accommodations are (or are not) approved. The GPA will take the appropriate steps to organize the accommodations, and will let the examining committee know what to expect during the exam. The GPA will only share information that is relevant to the implementation of the accommodation, and will not release personal student information. 

Step 3 - Exam Day

The GPA, and the neutral chair of the examination, will make sure that accommodations are followed on the day of the exam.

If you require an exam orientation to familiarize yourself with the room and/or technology prior to your Field of Study/Thesis Exam, please arrange the room booking by contacting gseadmin@ucalgary.ca

Indigenous Cultural Protocol Plan

Indigenous Cultural Protocol Plan

Indigenous graduate students and those who are working with Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers are encouraged to incorporate Indigenous ceremonies and/or traditions into their exams. Please contact your GPA if you have any questions.

Office of Indigenous Engagement

Student Accommodations

Student Accommodations

The GSE Office is committed to creating an accessible, equitable and supportive learning environment. Students who require accommodations should speak to Student Accessibility Services first.

Student Accessibility Services

FGS Candidacy Resources

FGS Candidacy Resources

The Faculty of Graduate Studies has information about general candidacy policies, how to prepare for candidacy examinations, and conflict of interest guidelines on their website.

FGS Candidacy Exam Page

Questions? Please contact your Graduate Program Administrator