PhD Students
PhD Management – Requirements
PhD Program Requirements & Milestones
Fall 2025 & Winter 2026
PhD Student Events
Oct 27
Building a Competent AI Ethics Workforce: Opportunities and Challenges to Define, Teach, Measure, and Build
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11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
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Hybrid Event
Oct 28
Link & Launch: Sprott Community Net Night
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5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
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Cours Bayview Yards , Ottawa , ON
Nov 27
Lending and Environmental Disclosure. Do Banks Practice What They Preach?
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3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
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Virtual Event
Comprehensive
All PhD candidates are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination before the PhD proposal defence is scheduled. The comprehensive examination will take place over a period of two to three weeks and will consist of a written and an oral part.
Proposal
All students are required to successfully defend a proposal. Copies of the proposal must be submitted to all committee members at least 2 weeks prior to the examination date.
Thesis
All PhD candidates are required to successfully defend a thesis at an oral examination. The examination copy of the thesis must be uploaded at least 4 weeks prior to the examination date.
Additional Requirements
Teaching Education and Experience
In either their second or third year of the program, students must participate in one of two teaching certificate programs:
- Preparing to Teach: a 10-week, blended certificate course with weekly 2-3 hour face-to-face meetings, online modules, readings, and assignments (pass/fail). Recommended for students who intend to pursue a career in academia.
- Sprott Certificate Program: a 1-term, blended program with two full-day face-to-face sessions, 4 online modules, and assignments (pass/fail). Recommended for students who do not intend to pursue a career in academia.
Students must also demonstrate classroom experience by teaching a course or leading a class lecture. Students intending to pursue the former option should enroll in Preparing to Teach; students intending to pursue the latter option should enroll in the Sprott Certificate Program.
Research Seminar Participation
As part of the degree requirements, students are required to engage in research-related events, including seminars, workshops, and professional development activities hosted by the Sprott School of Business, the University, and the wider academic community.
Active participation in research-related events is a key component of graduate training at Sprott. To support your development as a researcher, students are expected to engage in a minimum of 15 research engagement activities. These may include seminars, workshops, conferences, or other relevant academic events. Participation may be in person or virtual, and students are encouraged to select opportunities that align with their research interests and professional goals.
The Sprott Research Seminar Series serves as the primary foundation for meeting this requirement. Students may also count the following (or similar) activities toward the engagement minimum:
- Guest lectures or research talks hosted by other Carleton faculties/departments or other external institutions
- Research roundtables, brown bag sessions, or journal clubs
- Conferences, symposiums, or academic colloquia (attending or presenting)
- Professional development workshops (e.g., writing, publishing, data analysis, research ethics)
- Webinars or virtual events hosted by academic associations or research networks
- Participation in grant writing or research proposal workshops
- Submission of a graduate funding application (e.g., OGS or SSHRC)
- Research showcase or poster sessions at Carleton or external institutions
The eligibility of activities outside of the Sprott Research Seminar Series is subject to final approval by the Academic Director.
Students are responsible for tracking their research engagement activities.
Regulations for BUSI 6900
A student may, with the approval of his or her thesis supervisor, take up to two directed readings courses. These courses should relate directly to the student’s thesis work, but the work submitted for a directed study may not also appear in the thesis or proposal.
Time Limits
Full-time: 18 terms – 6 years from initial registration
Part-time: 27 terms – 9 years from initial registration
Apply to Graduate
You must apply to graduate online at Carleton Central by:
- April 1 for Spring Convocation (June)
- September 1 for Fall Convocation (November)
- December for Winter Convocation (February – no ceremony)
Forms and Resources
| PhD Forms | Description |
|---|---|
| Graduate Student Forms | Change of Status: Students who have valid reasons for changing status from full-time to part-time prior to registration for a term may apply for permission accompanied by a statement from the PhD Director (and the thesis supervisor, if there is one) in support of their request. It is understood that such a status change will be granted only in exceptional cases (e.g., for medical or other special reasons.) |
| Extension | Graduate Studies requires a letter from the student giving the reasons for the requested extension and it must be attached to the request. This letter must also indicate when the thesis proposal was accepted. Also required is a letter from the thesis supervisor supporting the request for an extension, with a realistic time schedule to complete the remaining research activities. This time schedule must be approved by all members of the thesis committee. Letters or email messages from committee members indicating their approval of the proposed schedule must also be attached to the service request. |
| Leave of Absence (LOA): | For an administration charge, students with exceptional circumstances may apply for an exemption from registration for 1 term. The program completion time limit with be extended by the duration of the leave taken. Students on leave do not pay fees; as a result, they cannot access university services or awards. If you are a Teaching Assistant, you must also complete a TA Leave from Duties form in Carleton Central. |
| Audit a Course | It is possible to audit a course with approval from the Professor and the PhD Director. Students may audit up to 1.0 credit during their program. Complete the form and obtain all signatures before submitting to Graduate Studies. |
| Directed Study: Supervisor Agreement Form | Must be submitted and approved prior to work on project commencing. |
| Comprehensives Approval and Procedures | Refer to this document prior to starting your Comprehensives. |
| Proposal Defence Approval and Procedures | Refer to this document prior to submitting your proposal. |
| Thesis Defence Approval and Procedures | Refer to this document prior to submitting your thesis. |
| Travel/Research Bursary | Application for travel funds from Graduate Studies for conference-related travel is now done online. To apply, go to Carleton Central, look under Awards and Financial Assistance and then click on Graduate Online Application Forms. Applications must be submitted at least one month prior to travel. |
| PhD Student Annual Progress Report | All PhD students are required to complete an Annual Progress Report in consultation with their thesis supervisor. The PhD Program Office will request this report at the beginning of the Summer term (May). |
| PhD Student profile form | Please fill out this form annually so we can update the PhD/MSc Student directory. |
| PhD Resources | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Grad Students | Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs homepage for current graduate students |
| Graduate Calendar | General regulations and guidelines |
| Learning Goals and Objectives for the PhD Program | The Learning Goals and Objectives for the PhD program |
| Graduate Students Association | The GSA provides many services to graduate students. Please visit their website for more information. |
| Maxwell MacOdrum Library | Journal articles and books can be accessed through the online library catalogue. Registered students can access the database off-campus. Visit library.carleton.ca/services/off-campus-database-access for login instructions. Matthew Gertler is the Business & Government Information Librarian and can be reached at 613-520-2600 ext. 8240 or matthew.gertler@carleton.ca if you need any research help. |
| Dates & Deadlines: | Academic Financial |
| National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) | Carleton University is an institutional member and the fees are covered for grad students. The NCFDD offers a number of resources including an online program called The Dissertation Success Curriculum. Once you’ve signed up and confirmed your membership, you can access the links to the Dissertation Success Curriculum: https://www.facultydiversity.org/dsweek00 |
Graduate Professional Development
As a graduate student at Carleton, you have access to a variety of professional development resources. These include skill workshops, one-on-one career and writing consultations, career-oriented events, and even structured programs. Challenge yourself by acquiring new skills that can help you boost your employability.
To learn more, visit the Graduate Professional Development website at carleton.ca/gradpd.
SONA Research Management
Researchers often encounter challenges in data collection and accessing qualified participants. The Sprott participant pool offers a solution to overcome these obstacles. Learn more about the Sprott SONA Research Management pool.
Contact Us
PhD Administrator: phd_info@sprott.carleton.ca