Admission Requirements

With the recommendation of the unit, direct entry Ph.D. admission is available to exceptionally strong students, who show great promise in terms of academic accomplishments and potential for research.

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
  • a cumulative weighted average of at least 80% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of undergraduate study (i.e. 60 credit units of course work)
  • a four‐year degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study

For more information on language proficiency requirements, see the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.

Degree Requirements

Students must maintain continuous registration in the 996 course.

  • GPS 960.0
  • GPS 961.0, if research involves human subjects
  • GPS 962.0, if research involves animal subjects
  • At least 9 credit units of course work at the graduate level must be successfully
    completed in the first year of the program.
  • Write and successfully defend a dissertation based on original investigation.
  • doctoral candidacy assessment
  • residency requirement: Ph.D. students are required to live locally until core program
    requirements have been met, including advisory committee approval of pre-proposal,
    completion of required courses, and completion of the candidacy assessment

A minimum of 21 credit units including:

  • 9 credit units from the Community and Population Health Sciences M.Sc. program
  • CHEP 817.3
  • CHEP 990.0
  • CHEP 996.0
  • An advanced research methods course, i.e. quantitative (e.g. CHEP 801, 806, 808 or
    equivalent) or qualitative (CHEP 818 or equivalent). Approval by Graduate Program
    Chair is required for other research course selections.
  • 6 credit units of electives chosen to support the student’s research are approved by the
    student’s advisory committee