HÂþ»­

 
 

Classics MA, PhD

Why do your PhD in Classics at Dal?

Graduate funding

Apply for funding

The Department of Classics has on file a detailed description on the regulations for the PhD degree. All students should obtain a copy from the departmental office.

The Classics PhD degree consists essentially of

  • work in the advanced seminars of the department in the candidate’s main field (the number and extent to be determined by the Supervisory Committee in consultation with the candidate);
  • work in the seminars of the department in the minor field (the number and extent to be determined by the Supervisory Committee in consultation with the candidate); and
  • a substantial and original thesis of value in the judgment of the department.

Examinations

At the conclusion of his or her first academic year, each candidate’s record shall be reviewed by the department to determine his or her fitness to proceed with further studies.

Comprehensive (preliminary) examination

At least one year before the candidate presents himself or herself for the PhD degree he or she shall pass a comprehensive (preliminary) examination, which will be a written and oral examination in subjects relevant to the candidate’s thesis area and minor fields of study.

Program details

Doctor of Philosophy in Classics (PhD)

Program structure

Year One:

  • Establish supervisory committee and determine reading list for comprehensive exams.
  • Begin course work.
  • Begin preparation for comprehensive oral exams.
  • Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for an undergraduate class.
  • Work on ancient and modern languages.

Year two:

  • Complete course work.
  • Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for an undergraduate class.
  • Upon completion of course work, write comprehensive exams.

Year Three:

  • Continue your research.
  • Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) for undergraduate class.
  • Meet with a supervisor and supervisory committee before the year’s end.

Year Four:

  • Continue and complete research.
  • Submit your PhD thesis and pass the oral examination.

Class requirements

Each doctoral student must take a certain number of graduate seminars in his or her main field and in his or her minor field. The number and extent of these seminars is to be determined by the Supervisory Committee in consultation with the candidate.

PhD defence

A PhD defence is open to the public and the Faculty of Graduate Studies arranges and publicizes the PhD defence in consultation with the supervisor and the student.

The PhD candidate makes a 20-minute oral presentation of the work, and then the members of the Examination Committee question the candidate. The external examiner, the members of the supervisory committee and the supervisor vote on the outcome of the thesis defence.

Important dates

Application timeline

September

  • Start working on the SSHRC application. Ask for guidance from the graduate advisor, who can show you examples of recent successful proposals and provide feedback on your application.

October 31

  • Application deadline for January admission* for Canadian applicants not needing to be considered for external or HÂþ»­ funding.

November 1

  • Deadline to submit complete HÂþ»­ application, to be considered for external funding (SSHRC and Killam scholarships).
  • Submit a final draft of your SSHRC application, if applying, to the graduate advisor for review.

March 1

  • Deadline to submit complete HÂþ»­ application, to be considered for HÂþ»­ Graduate Studies funding.

April 1

  • Deadline to submit complete HÂþ»­ application for non-Canadian applicants not needing to be considered for external or HÂþ»­ funding.

June 1

  • Deadline to submit complete HÂþ»­ application for Canadian applicants not needing to be considered for external or HÂþ»­ funding.

August 31

  • Application deadline for January admission* for non-Canadian applicants not needing to be considered for external or HÂþ»­ funding.

For a list of other internal HÂþ»­ scholarships and fellowships, please visit

* Please note: Most students start in September (fall term). If for some reason this is not possible for you, please consult the graduate advisor about the possibility of starting in January (winter term).

Ìý

Ìý

View graduate course offering