Each year, students complete an Annual Progress Report that helps us track progress and see that all students are achieving their goals. Students typically take about 6 years to complete a PhD in Sociology. There are a number of reasons why students might progress at different rates. For this reason, the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies is available to speak to students about their progress and to offer advice for meeting the milestones.
For the funded cohorts, Sociology Department Summer Fellowships and Research Grant applications are due in October and March. Deadlines for SSHRC fellowships are in October and OGS applications are due in March. You must be in good academic standing and apply to the external grants for which you are eligible to receive funding. If academic progress is in question, the Graduate Program Office will inform you before funding is affected.
In addition to the benchmarks listed below, students should remember to participate in conferences, workshops and attend departmental events like job talks throughout their graduate career. To remain in good standing, students should receive an A- or higher in all courses. In each year, students may take supplemental courses beyond the required total. Note that italicized items below are professional development activities.
Download a Summary of the PhD Program Benchmarks.
| Term | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall |
Complete courses adding up to 1.5 FCE (3 half-year courses) Complete Part I of the Pro-Seminar (required) |
Continue progress in the Research Practicum course Complete required coursework (except Practicum) Select Supervisor & identify Supervisory committee for the dissertation |
Write dissertation proposal. For guidance in developing the proposal, please see the Department's Dissertation Proposal Guidelines.
Work closely with Supervisor/committee to prepare for ethics approval
|
| Winter |
Decide on area for 1st PhD Comprehensive Exam Complete courses adding up to 1.5 FCE courses (3 half-year courses) including the required winter courses: Contemporary Theory, Intermediate Data Analysis Choose Advisor for the Research Practicum paper |
Write 2nd PhD Comprehensive Exam (early Feb.). Remember to notify the Graduate Office of the comp exam area you intend to write an exam by November 1 for the February exam and May 1 for the August exam. Submit the Comprehensive Exam Request Form no later than November 30 for the February exam and May 31 for the August exam.
Complete Research Practicum Course |
Submit and defend dissertation proposal (submit the PhD Thesis Proposal Form)
Collect data Secure ethics approval if not already achieved |
| Summer |
Begin the required Research Practicum course & work on developing research paper Write 1st PhD Comprehensive Exam (late August). Remember to notify the Graduate Office of the comp exam area you intend to write an exam by November 1 for the February exam and May 1 for the August exam. Submit the Comprehensive Exam Request Form no later than November 30 for the February exam and May 31 for the August exam. |
Write 2nd PhD Comprehensive Exam if not already completed (late August). Remember to notify the Graduate Office of the comp exam area you intend to write an exam by November 1 for the February exam and May 1 for the August exam. Submit the Comprehensive Exam Request Form no later than November 30 for the February exam and May 31 for the August exam.
Work with Supervisor/committee in developing your dissertation project
Submit practicum paper for peer review |
Submit and defend dissertation proposal, if not already completed Collect data for dissertation Submit paper(s) for peer review |
Years 4–6
- Collect data for dissertation
- Conduct dissertation data analysis
- Write chapters and/or papers
- Finalize the composition of full dissertation exam committee
- Submit paper(s) for peer review
- Take optional Teaching Sociology Grad Course
- Teach a sociology undergraduate course
- Develop web presence
- Apply for dissertation funding and awards if relevant
- Prepare post-doctoral fellowship and job application dossiers
- Prepare and practice job talk
- Submit and defend dissertation
The University of Toronto provides students with the option of taking a leave of absence for serious health or personal problems, or for parental leave. Students receiving funding from SSHRC or CIHR may take paid parental leave for up to six months and unpaid leave for up to three years for parental, medical and/or family-related responsibilities.