Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Religious Studies

PhD Language Requirements

Before the written candidacy examination, doctoral students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least two languages other than English. At the discretion of the Department and upon recommendation of the Graduate Director, competency in additional languages may be required. The foreign language requirement may be satisfied in two ways:

a) Successful completion (final grade of "B" or higher) at some stage of the student’s university program of at least 12 units in a first language other than English, and 6 units in a second language; or

b) Successful completion (grade of "B" or higher) of a language examination administered by the Department of Classics and Religion or by another department on behalf of the Department of Classics and Religion. When the test is administered by another department, it will consist of a passage or passages selected by the supervisor and/or any requirements that the other department may deem necessary; the test will be graded by the examiner(s) of the other department. When members of the Department of Classics and Religion administer the test, the examination questions will be determined, administered, and graded by two members of the Department (one of whom normally will be the supervisor) who have expertise in the language under consideration. In the event that a second person with expertise in the required language is not available, the Department Head may seek an expert from outside the department.

Advanced Credit

Any requests for advanced credit must be made when applying for admission. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. Graduate course work completed before admission and not counted toward satisfying undergraduate degree requirements will be assessed by the Departmental Graduate Committee to determine course requirements.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Religious Studies program in the department Of Classics and Religion will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Religious Studies program.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Credit for undergraduate courses will be given only upon approval of the Departmental Graduate Committee.

Time Limit

Expected completion time for full-time students is four years in the PhD program. Maximum completion time is six years in the doctoral program.

Supervisory Assignments

The Departmental Graduate Committee assigns an advisor (interim supervisor) when an applicant is recommended for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies. A regular supervisor must be assigned by the beginning of the second registration year.

Required Examinations

Candidacy

Doctoral students must complete language requirements, a written thesis proposal, and Field of Study examinations: two written and one oral. For complete details of the candidacy requirements, see clare.ucalgary.ca/graduate/phd-candidacy-policies.

Thesis Examination

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Final thesis oral examinations are open.

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner must be external to the home program.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar or inquire of the Department.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department by February 1.