Transfer Requirements:
Students may be eligible to transfer from a master’s program into a related doctoral program if they meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree, and have completed a minimum of one year of study in the master's program with 9 credits at the 500-level or above and of first class standing (80% or better).
- Students entering the doctoral program after partial completion of the master’s degree must, during the first two years of study at the graduate level, complete a total of 12 credits with a first-class average (of which at least 9 credits must be at the 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first-class standing) to maintain registration as a doctoral student. This means that if you're transferring in your second year, you must have completed a total of 12 credits rather than the 9 credits in #1 (which is for if you're transferring in your first year)
- Show clear evidence of research ability or potential.
Transfer directly into a doctoral program is normally accomplished after completion of the first year of study at the master's level and will not be permitted after completion of the second year. Transfers may not be retroactive.
After completion of the required course-work, and within 24 months of starting date, the MSc supervisory committee (minimum three members) must recommend in writing to the Graduate Advisor that the student be transferred to the PhD program. The committee should discuss whether the student has the capacity to complete a PhD and if they have a proposed outline of a potential project suitable for a PhD. In addition, the committee should suggest who to add to the committee (four total members required for a PhD committee). The Department will then make a recommendation to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for this transfer.
Note that the Proposal Defence and the Comprehensive Exam must be completed within 6 months after transferring into the PhD program.