Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Special Arrangement

The School of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education offers a program leading to a PhD Students who have completed a MA or MSc and who wish to pursue further research in their area of specialization will be considered for entry. Because the program is by special arrangement, entry into the program is limited by the availability of a faculty supervisor in the student's specific area of research and the current number of students enrolled in the program. At any one time, enrollment in this program is limited to five students.

The intent of the PhD degree by Special Arrangement is to permit a few outstanding students to pursue a research oriented program of studies. The Faculty of Graduate Studies limits the number of PhD students to five within the School and no more than two per supervisor. It may be possible to recommend accepting a student when other students are about to graduate. This exception would need to be approved by Graduate Studies. There is keen competition for these spaces and the School will accept graduate students only in those specific areas where a Faculty member is actively researching

It is the applicant's responsibility to arrange the details of the program.

As a first step, obtain the support of a prospective supervisor within the faculty.

The Formal Proposal

Submit a formal proposal with an outline of a research topic. This should be approximately one page and indicate clearly the specific area of research, a defined idea of a possible study, proposed time limit to completion and should include potential costs. The proposal should be worked out in cooperation with a prospective supervisor.

Include a suggested committee to serve the student. At least four members including the academic supervisor. At least one member must be from a department with an active PhD program, and two members must have had successful experience in PhD supervision.

Finally, include a suggested list of courses (minimum 9 units). These courses should be designated in the context of the needs to complete the proposed research. There may also be an effort to build a second area for improving subsequent employment possibilities.

The proposal is approved as feasible by the prospective supervisor who is required to bring the application to the Physical Education Graduate Committee (PEGC).

The Program

The program is a research-based program consisting of:

(a) Appropriate courses (minimum 9 units).
(b) Candidacy
(c) Dissertation and Oral Defense

Currently, a student is expected by Graduate Studies to complete their Candidacy Examination within two years of enrolling in the program. The normal situation is to hold this examination from 20-24 months of entry.

The intent of the Candidacy is to show that students have the background and research skills to be capable of completing their proposed research. Normally this means a minimum time period of at least 16 months.

Before students go to Candidacy they must:

1. have completed all required courses

2. have submitted (but not necessarily accepted) two "research" papers to refereed journals. They should be in the area of intended research and must not have been a synthesis of the Master's degree thesis

3. have completed a third paper grounding the research in its particular theoretical field. This would normally be completed as part of a Directed Study within the first year of the program and not necessarily submitted for publication.

The Candidacy examination would include:

1. an oral defense of the content of the three papers (including the theoretical background and research methodology used).

2. the presentation of the formal research proposal.

3. A pass requires success in both sections:

• The oral defense of the three papers.
• Acceptance of the proposal (with possible amendments at the time of the presentation).

4. Failure to satisfy the supervisory committee would result in three options.

• Termination of the program by the Committee.
• Partial pass, i.e. success in one section and allowing a repeat of the examination in either of the components.
• In unusual circumstances, it would be possible to allow one repeat of both components of the oral.
  

The dissertation will be approved by the Supervisory Committee and eventually defended according to the regulations as outlined by Graduate Studies.