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Winter 2015
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School of Planning

Programs

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Admission Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is awarded by the Faculty of Environmental Studies to candidates for conducting independent and original research and reporting thereon in a thesis.

Admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Planning) program is normally in September and is open to students who have:

  • a master's degree with excellent standing (minimum 80%) from a recognized university. Evidence of ability to pursue independent research is essential;
  • three letters of reference, at least two of which must be from academic sources;
  • two official academic transcript from each post-secondary institution;
  • a 1/2 page statement of interest in the graduate program which describes the aspects of planning offered in our School in which you are particularly interested;
  • a Supplementary Information Form for the research you wish to undertake;
  • at least one substantial example of work completed during the last two years of academic study.  Students with professional experience may submit a professional report of which they were sole or senior author.
  • proof of English Language Competency: Applicants who have not completed three or more years of post-secondary work at a Canadian institution or at an institution at which English was the primary language of instruction, or have not been employed for a similar period of time in a position in which English was the primary language of business will be required to provide certification of English language proficiency.

    TOEFL: minimum score of 100, with minimum skill scores of 26 in each of speaking and writing;

    Paper-based TOEFL - minimum of 600 overall is required and 4.0 on the TWE and 50 in the TSE.

    Computer-based TOEFL - minimum of 250 overall, 50 in the TSE and 5.0 in the essay.

    Other tests of English language proficiency accepted include:

    IELTS (International English Language Testing System ) - minimum score of 7.5;

    MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) - minimum score of 90, and

    CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment ) - minimum score of 70 is required with 70 in writing and 70 in speaking 

EFAS (English for Academic Success [Renison University College, University of Waterloo] -  80% overall in level 400

These tests are offered in Canada, the United States and many other countries.

Degree Requirements 

Degree Program Degree Requirements Program Duration

PhD

  • two 700-level obligatory one-term courses: 700, 710 for a total of 1.0 units
  • two 800-level elective one-term courses: 801, 802 for a total of 1.0 units
  • student's advisory committee may require up to two additional one-term graduate level courses if necessary for research area
  • thesis (2.0 unit weight)
  • In addition, students must complete two  program milestones:
    • comprehensive examination
    • research plan - oral presentation April of 2nd year

4 years - 12 terms of full-time enrollment

6 years - 18 terms part-time

The comprehensive exam is normally taken between the 13th and 16th month of the program. The examination focuses on three issues:

  1. knowledge of fundamental concepts and theories of planning and of the specific research topic area;
  2. broad knowledge of relevant research methods; and
  3. the capacity to generate an important research question and to apply appropriate theories and methods to it. 

Further information regarding university regulations see Minimum Requirements for the PhD Degree.


Graduate Studies Office
Needles Hall, Room 2201
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
519 888 4567 x35411

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