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The minimum 18 credits required for the program include two compulsory courses (totalling 6 credits) and the dissertation research credits. It is possible for students to take up to 4 elective courses (optional - not compulsory), however these do not count towards the 18-credit minimum requirement.

2 Compulsory courses 

DET 600: Transdisciplinary Research Seminar

Overview of different approaches, considerations, and challenges in research. Students will explore the tools and develop the skills necessary to understand research language, evaluate published research, identify the types of methods best suited to investigate different types of problems and questions, develop research questions based on a critical evaluation of existing research, and design a research proposal and begin initial preparations for a research project.

DET 605: Advanced Topics in Transdisciplinary Studies

In-depth study of different methodological approaches to empirical research in the basic, human, and social sciences. Students will be exposed to the theoretical foundations of interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity as methods of analysis and research. The major themes and theoretical concepts addressed will provide an opportunity for in-depth discussion and prepare students to define their own research problem. In this seminar, students will be invited to define their research problem and to illustrate their choice with examples drawn from society, using an inter- or transdisciplinary approach.

Elective courses:

Directed Studies (1 to 1 with the supervisor) may be part of the elective courses.

• DET 609: Guided Research/Guided Study

* Students may choose up to 4 elective courses if necessary, which will be decided by the committee and the supervisor in collaboration with the student.
supervisor in collaboration with the student, depending on their background and research theme.

The program will be delivered in various formats:

• online
• face-to-face (both physically in class and virtually)
• hybrid

The 6 graduating attributes are as follows:

• Level and depth of knowledge
• Research skills and scholarship
• Ability to apply knowledge
• Communication skills
• Professional capacity and autonomy
• Leadership and collaboration

Additionally, the program will address specific linguistic learning outcomes as well as global learning outcomes to create a unique learning environment. The following goals will be addressed.

• Prepare future researchers with a unique set of transversal, cross-disciplinary skills that will help to develop community leadership qualities and support the application of foundational knowledge in disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary research.
• Focus on the Francophone and linguistic minority perspectives by creating a deeper understanding of, and response to, broad societal needs.
• Fulfill the requirement of the provincial and federal governments in matters pertaining to French as an official language.
• Establish new collaborations with potential for a higher-education network, as well as fostering effective relationships with bilingual and Francophone institutions in Canada, and around the world.

Admission requires the completion of a master’s degree recognized by the º£½ÇÉçÇø, with a minimum admission GPA of 3.0 on the 4-point scale, calculated on the last 60 credits of university coursework. This calculation is completed by the specialized team in charge of GPA assessment (AGPA), only once the application has been submitted.

Applications with an admission GPA below 3.0 will not be considered, and an email will be sent to the applicants concerned after their file has been evaluated.

An electronic copy of all official postsecondary transcripts, with a print date of less than one year for studies completed in Canada only. A recent print date is not required for international transcripts.

Please do not include in your application:
Secondary school studies (high school/lycée)
Non-credit postsecondary studies or courses taken for interest
Professional training or development programs
Professional designations
Continuing education courses

Here is the list of documents to be uploaded on the platform:

1. An electronic copy of all postsecondary degree certificates obtained

2. Two references

3. A current CV

4. A one-page statement of intent explaining why you wish to pursue a master’s degree

5. A research proposal: a letter outlining the research direction you wish to pursue in the doctoral program, including the themes or topics you intend to explore

6. A letter from your supervisor confirming that they have reviewed your CV and your academic and professional background, and that they agree to supervise you

7. A financial support letter: download and complete the Statement of Support (to be signed by you and your supervisor). Please use the template corresponding to your situation, available as pdfs (for Working Professional or Non-Working Professional). Only one signed form is required

Admission to the doctoral program requires that a candidate have a designated supervisor before submitting their application. To do so, please consult the list of our faculty researchers here: profiles by research area , and contact them to obtain their agreement to supervise you in your research and thesis writing.

We recommend that you review the research profiles and target faculty members whose areas align with your project. Then, send them a professional email in which you:
briefly introduce yourself,
explain your research intentions,
attach your statement of intent and current CV,
indicate what specifically interested you in their profile,
and request, if possible, a meeting (virtual or in person) to discuss further.

Applicants must demonstrate adequate proficiency in French. Please note that for students who do not hold a previous university degree in French, the following document is required:
A TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) showing a C1 level, or a French language diploma/certificate with the score included when you submit your application.

Applicants to programs offered at Campus Saint-Jean are not required to take an English language test, nor to translate their documents into English as part of their admission application.

If all your documents are in French, an English translation is not required.

For more information, please contact csjsup@ualberta.ca

Comprehensive Examination

Students must pass a comprehensive examination in the targeted discipline, at the end of the first year of the doctoral program.

A form should be submitted after the completion of the comprehensive exam to csjsup@ualberta.ca by the supervisor.

Candidacy Exam

At the end of the second year, students are required to submit a research proposal, followed by an oral candidacy/synthesis examination. Due to the transdisciplinary nature of the programme, the synthesis process may take different forms. An orientation session to go through the program requirements will be held at the end of June/beginning of July to go through the program requirements.

Thesis Defence

The date of the defence must be approved by the supervisor and the supervisory committee, and are governed by the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate &
Postdoctoral Studies.

For more information on the Faculty's regulations in terms of supervision, thesis formatting and defence, please consult the following links:

• Supervision, Oral Examinations, and Program Completion
• FGSR Minimum Thesis Formatting Requirements

Committee Membership Checklist (pdf) Forms Cabinet