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Humanities PhD

Admission Requirements

  • MA or MFA with high standing from a recognized university.
  • Portfolio (for research-creation applicants).
  • Research or research-creation proposal.
  • Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.

Additional Admission Requirements

The Humanities Program Committee reviews the required documents to determine whether a) the applicant's project is truly interdisciplinary and falls within the scope of available faculty and facilities at Concordia, and b) the applicant's record indicates that they are likely to excel in a demanding program that requires rigorous engagement in more than one discipline.

Degree Requirements

Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.

Please see the Humanities Courses page for course descriptions.

Humanities PhD (90 credits)

6

credits of Required Courses :

HUMA 888 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies I (3.00)
HUMA 889 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies II (3.00)

12

credits of Elective Courses chosen from graduate courses at the 600 level or higher offered by departments in areas relevant to the student’s program of study:

HUMA 884 Directed Studies (3.00)
HUMA 887 Advanced Seminar in Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies (3.00)

9

credits of Comprehensive Examinations:

HUMA 891 Comprehensive Examination Major Field (3.00)
HUMA 892 Comprehensive Examination Minor Field I (3.00)
HUMA 893 

6

credits:

HUMA 894

57

credits:

HUMA 895

Additional Degree Requirements

Fields of Study. Students in the Humanities PhD program identify the three fields that inform their interdisciplinary project: a major field and two minor fields. A “field” is defined as a recognizable and coherent segment of a discipline, and in some instances may itself be interdisciplinary.

Advisory Committee. Prior to admission into the program, applicants form an advisory committee composed of three faculty members – a major field supervisor and two minor field advisors – chosen from faculty members in departments that correspond to the three fields informing the student’s interdisciplinary project. In consultation with the student, the advisory committee determines the student’s program of study. Where the need for access to such resources as equipment, materials, or space arises for applicants seeking to pursue research-creation projects, they must discuss such needs with their prospective supervisor at the time of application.

Courses. Students are required to take two 3-credit core seminars in their first year: HUMA 888 and HUMA 889 . The remaining 12 elective course credits are chosen in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. The following may be used as elective courses: graduate courses at the 600 level or higher offered by departments in areas relevant to the student’s program of study; 3-credit directed study courses; may also include HUMA 887. A directed study course provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced and focused work with individual faculty members in the fields that constitute the students' program of study. Directed study courses (3 credits) are designated HUMA 884 followed by the course topic.

Language Requirement. Prior to submission of their thesis, doctoral candidates are required to demonstrate an ability to read and translate scholarly material in at least one language (other than the language of their thesis) relevant to their studies.

Academic Regulations

  1. Academic Standing. Please refer to the Academic Standing section of the Calendar for a detailed review of the Academic Regulations.
  2. Residence. The minimum residence requirement is two years (6 terms) of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
  3. Time Limit. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for further details regarding the Time Limits.
  4. Graduation Requirement. In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.

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