Please note:
To view the Summer 2026 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2026/summer.html.
Education
Doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees signify the acquisition of advanced knowledge in a field of specialization and advanced competence in conducting significant and original research. This program is for those interested in becoming scholars and leaders in any branch or subfield of education, through supervised study and inquiry grounded in rigorous and constructive dialogue between research and practice.
While there are no restrictions on thesis topic or research methodology, the Faculty of Education offers a small number of optional research focus areas in which a group of faculty members collaborates on supervision. Focus areas include arts education, educational psychology, educational technology and learning design, educational theory and practice: curriculum and pedagogy, educational theory and practice: philosophy of education, languages, cultures and literacies, langues, cultures et littéracies (en français), mathematics education. Details of these research focus areas are available on the Faculty of Education website. Applications are welcome that focus on research areas outside this list, as long as one or more potential supervisors are identified by the applicant. Explicit support from a prospective supervisor is an important consideration for admission.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the 51社区黑料Calendar. In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet these requirements may be considered if superior scholarly or professional achievement is demonstrated.
Program Requirements
This program consists of a minimum of 12 units of course work, a qualifying examination (three units), and a thesis (18 units) for a minimum of 33 units.
Students must complete
The Doctoral Seminar A initiates students in the development of an ongoing writing portfolio, writing SSHRC applications, ethics protocols and theses proposals. This provides a forum for second year students to present their theses proposals. Portfolios will be presented during the term. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
In Doctoral Seminar B the goal is to continue to build a scholarly writing portfolio, including preparation for comprehensive examinations, writing conference proposals, participating in local, national and international graduate student collaborations, and preparing conference presentations. Portfolios will be presented during the term. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
and
an additional six units of graduate course work chosen in consultation with the academic supervisory committee*
and
The Qualifying Examination will follow completion of degree course work. An open oral qualifying examination given by the supervisory committee. The examination consists of a defence of the proposed thesis topic by the student and their responses to supervisory committee questions about related proposed research topics. The examination follows submission of a written PhD research proposal. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students who fail will either successfully complete a second examination within six months or withdraw from the program.
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and a thesis
* It is expected that most students who choose to pursue empirical rather than theoretically oriented scholarship will complete one or more research methods courses (e.g. EDUC 863 or EDUC 866), unless they have completed similar courses previously.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements within 18 terms.
Other Information
Course Work
The minimum course work is selected in consultation with the academic supervisory committee and academic supervisor based on the student’s planned dissertation research and their intended career path. Certain course selections may be aligned with specific research focus areas. The academic supervisory committee may require the student to take additional course work beyond the additional six units listed in the program requirements.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.