Degree overview

Please consult the Graduate Calendar for the PhD in Sustainability Management (SUSM) degree requirements

The PhD program in Sustainability Management requires the completion of 4 courses plus program milestones: professional development seminars, the qualifying examination, the PhD thesis proposal, and the thesis examination. The expected time to completion for a full-time student is 4 years. A student is expected to be in residence until the time they have completed the thesis proposal (end of fifth term).

Elective courses should be selected in consultation with the supervisor. Reading courses may be used as electives but should be discussed with the supervisor. A student is required to maintain an overall average of 75% in the course phase to remain in good standing in the program.

If interested in applying, please reach out first to one or more approved doctoral supervisors in SEED to discuss areas of faculty research interest, alignment with a supervisors research and student funding.

At a glance:

  • Research-based
  • On-campus
  • Full or part-time
  • 4 years
  • 4 courses
  • Qualifying exam
  • PhD thesis

Program Schedule (full-time student)

PhD Milestone chart
  Courses & Milestones Research
Year 1
Fall

SUSM 701

Elective 1

Professional Development Seminar 1*

Literature Review & Research Question

Winter

SUSM 702

Elective 2

Professional Development Seminar 2*

Year 2
Fall Qualifying Examination

Methods & Data

Winter Thesis Proposal & Oral Defence
Year 3
    Data & Analysis
Year 4
  Thesis Defence Results & Writing

*Timing of professional development seminars is flexible. Normally these should be completed before the qualifying examination.

Contact:
Anastasiya Saparaliyeva
Graduate Program Administrator
PhD in Sustainability Management