Admission to Candidacy
Source: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse/current-students/milestones-requirements/Admission%20to%20Candidacy%20Process Parent: https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse
The Admission to Candidacy Process is one of the major milestones in a PhD student's journey.
GSE Candidacy Policy MDCH Program Candidacy Page
Requirements for Admission to Candidacy
Please note that MDCH (Community Health Sciences) students should refer to their own program's policy and timelines.
Completion of Program Requirements
- All program-specific certifications (see candidacy policy for details)\
- All program specified academic course requirements \
- Research Integrity Day \
- CIHR Sex & Gender Training Module(s)
Deadlines:\ Completion prior to the Field of Study Exam.
Thesis Proposal Evaluation (TPE)
The proposal is an academic exercise testing the student’s ability to write and defend a preliminary graduate-level research proposal.
Deadlines:\ Direct Entry PhD students - 24 months\ Msc to PhD transfer students - 32 months
Field of Study (FOS) Examination
The FOS is a formal and closed oral exam. The student is expected to have an in-depth understanding of the topics related to their core field of research, as well as a strong foundational knowledge in areas related to their research.
\ Deadlines:\ Direct Entry PhD students - 28 months\ Msc to PhD transfer students - 36 months
Set Up Forms
Please note that the supervisor is responsible for scheduling the Thesis Proposal Evaluation (TPE) and the Field of Study Exam (FOS).
TPE Set Up Form
Deadline: 3 weeks before Evaluation Meeting date. Downloadable Word File Template.
FOS Topics List
Deadline: 3 months before estimated Field of Study Exam. Downloadable Word File Template.
FOS Set Up Form
Deadline: 4 weeks before Field of Study Exam. Online Qualtrics-based webform.
Room Bookings
(Field of Study and Defense Only) Supervisors are no longer responsible for booking the exam room. Your program GPA will attempt to book the GSE Boardroom (HSC G344) and if it is unavailable they will book a different room (prioritizing HSC G382, HSC G384, HSC 1405A, or HSC 1405B).
GSE Exam Limit Per Day
(Field of Study and Defense only) The GSE office may ask for an exam to be rescheduled if there are already 3 examinations running on the same day. This would be done before the exam is confirmed and approved by the GPD and FGS. We want to ensure that there is staff availability to cover all exams, and to make sure that there is an Associate Dean available if needed.
Standard Examination Hours
Please note that all examinations need to take place during Monday-Friday and can not take place during a University closure or stat holiday. We also ask that you schedule exams with a start time between 9am-4:30pm (the most common start times are 9am or 1pm). Any requests to start an exam outside of this time period requires GSE approval.
Accommodation Requests
The GSE Office is committed to supporting students who require accommodations in their studies, including during examinations. The first step is to connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). All accommodation requests must start with their office, and SAS and GSE will then work together with the student to put approved accommodation requests into practice. Please note that accommodations will not appear on your transcript.
Step One - Contact SAS
Students should contact SAS as soon as possible once they know they will be scheduling an examination. Since this request involves SAS and GSE, we need to have enough time for the request to be reviewed and approved by SAS, and for the GSE office to organize the recommended accommodations.
Student Accessibility Services
Step 2 - Review and Approval
SAS will connect with the student and the program GPA about what accommodations are (or are not) approved. The GPA will take the appropriate steps to organize the accommodations, and will let the examining committee know what to expect during the exam. The GPA will only share information that is relevant to the implementation of the accommodation, and will not release personal student information.
Step 3 - Exam Day
The GPA, and the neutral chair of the examination, will make sure that accommodations are followed on the day of the exam.
If you require an exam orientation to familiarize yourself with the room and/or technology prior to your Field of Study/Thesis Exam, please arrange the room booking by contacting gseadmin@ucalgary.ca
Indigenous Cultural Protocol Plan
Indigenous Cultural Protocol Plan
Indigenous graduate students and those who are working with Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers are encouraged to incorporate Indigenous ceremonies and/or traditions into their exams. Please contact your GPA if you have any questions.
Office of Indigenous Engagement
Student Accommodations
Student Accommodations
The GSE Office is committed to creating an accessible, equitable and supportive learning environment. Students who require accommodations should speak to Student Accessibility Services first.
Student Accessibility Services
FGS Candidacy Resources
FGS Candidacy Resources
The Faculty of Graduate Studies has information about general candidacy policies, how to prepare for candidacy examinations, and conflict of interest guidelines on their website.
Questions? Please contact your Graduate Program Administrator