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PhD Students

PhD Management – Requirements

PhD Program Requirements & Milestones

Fall 2024 & Winter 2025

PhD Student Events

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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

All students must attend at least 15 seminars on current business issues in the Sprott School of Business’ research seminar series. It is the student’s responsibility to track their attendance.

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:

Forms and Resources

PhD FormsDescription
Graduate Student FormsChange 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.)
ExtensionPhD Students:
FGPA 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 CourseIt 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 FGPA.
Directed Study: Supervisor Agreement FormMust 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 ProceduresRefer to this document prior to submitting your thesis.
Travel/Research BursaryApplication for travel funds from FGPA 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.
Research Seminar Participation FormBring to each research seminar that you attend and have a faculty member sign off. Once you have attended all 15 seminars, please submit the completed form to the PhD Administrator.
PhD Student Annual Progress Report
word document
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 each calendar year.
Phd Student profile form Please fill out this form so we can update the PhD/MSc Student directory.
PhD ResourcesDescription
Current Grad StudentsFaculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs homepage for current graduate students
Graduate CalendarGeneral regulations and guidelines
Learning Goals and Objectives for the PhD Program The Learning Goals and Objectives for the PhD program
Graduate Students AssociationThe GSA provides many services to graduate students. Please visit their website for more information.
Maxwell MacOdrum LibraryJournal 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 Administratorphd_info@sprott.carleton.ca