Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Sustainability Management

The program information below was valid for the spring 2023 term (May 1, 2023 - August 31, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Doctoral
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • A Master’s degree with distinction (typically an overall average of at least 80%, or equivalent).
  • Facility with research methods is expected, whether through the presentation of specific graduate courses or original research at the graduate level.
• Application materials 
  • Résumé
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    academic references are required unless a professional reference is specified.

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following courses:
  • SUSM 701 Advanced theories
  • SUSM 702 Research design and methods
  • 2 elective courses
• Students may request permission from the SEED Graduate Advisor to enrol in elective courses in other graduate programs that will complement their program of study.

Link(s) to courses

• Sustainability Management (SUSM) courses

PhD Professional Development Seminar I and PhD Professional Development Seminar II

• PhD professional development seminars allow students to gain skills suitable to knowledge mobilization and careers outside of academia.
• Students are required to complete two professional development seminars.
• Normally seminars should be completed before the PhD qualifying examination.

PhD Qualifying Examination

• Students are required to meet the University-level PhD Qualifying Examination minimum requirements outlined in the “Minimum requirements for the PhD degree” section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC).
• The qualifying examination should be completed before the end of the second year (6th term) of the program.
• Further details are available from the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) website.

PhD Thesis Proposal

• Students are required to develop a written PhD thesis proposal by the end of the term following completion of the qualifying examination.
• Students must present and defend their thesis proposal in an oral examination by the student's PhD advisory committee.
• The examination, including any oral presentation associated with the examination, will be open to members of the University community.
• The thesis proposal must be approved by the advisory committee and constitutes an agreement with the student regarding their plan of doctoral research.
• Further details are available from the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) website.

PhD Thesis

• The PhD thesis presents original research written either as a monograph or as a paper-based thesis.
• University requirements for the PhD thesis examination are outlined in the “Minimum requirements for the PhD degree” section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC).
• Further details are available from the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) website.