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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

1 – Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination is an essential step in the doctoral journey at Campus Saint-Jean. It evaluates the doctoral student’s ability to master the theoretical, methodological, and conceptual foundations of their field of research, with the goal of pursuing their dissertation project with rigor and independence.

Objectives of the Examination
The examination aims to:

• verify the breadth, depth, and integration of the student’s knowledge in their field;

• assess their capacity for critical reflection, analysis, and positioning within the theoretical debates of their discipline;

• confirm that they are ready to begin the doctoral dissertation writing phase.

Supervision and Independence
The organization of the examination is the responsibility of the student’s supervisory committee. At Campus Saint-Jean, there is no external committee nor a formal defense for this examination. It is designed as a flexible yet structured exercise, adapted to the specificities of the field and the individual progress of the student.

The process generally unfolds as follows:

• Preparation: the supervisory committee identifies expectations, key readings, main areas of analysis, theoretical frameworks to be mastered, and develops a list of potential questions.

• Independent writing: once the plan has been approved, the student writes their answers independently, without assistance. The exam is an individual exercise and evaluated as such.

• Evaluation: the responses are submitted to the supervisor, who is responsible for the evaluation.

Important note: The comprehensive examination is not a preliminary version of the dissertation. It is a rigorous demonstration of the student’s knowledge, analytical skills, and conceptual mastery. While the content may later inform the dissertation, it does not replace the doctoral research phase.

Format and Content
The expected submission must be substantial and well-referenced, demonstrating a high level of preparation.

Timeline
Doctoral students have a maximum of two years from the start of their program to successfully complete the comprehensive examination. Campus Saint-Jean allows some flexibility in the timeline, provided the student’s progress is justified and validated by the supervisor and/or supervisory committee.

Submission of Results
Once the examination is completed, the supervisor must submit for success to the Office of Graduate Studies.

⚠️ Please make a copy of the letter and do not fill it out directly. This official documentation ensures proper academic and administrative follow-up of the student’s file.

2 – Candidacy Examination

Students must present an oral synthesis in accordance with the regulations of the  Please consult the link for more details on the candidacy process and regulations.

The candidacy examination determines whether the student has an in-depth knowledge of the overall field of their dissertation, as well as the ability to pursue and complete original research at an advanced level.

In other words, the purpose is to evaluate the candidate’s research proposal to determine whether the proposed work can lead to a dissertation that meets the expected standards of quality in the field.

This is not an examination of completed research.

An integral component of the candidacy examination is the dissertation proposal, which must be distributed to members of the examining committee at least four weeks before the examination.

Timeline
The candidacy examination must take place after the student has completed all required coursework and the comprehensive examination, and at least six months prior to the doctoral dissertation defense. The examination must be completed no later than three years after admission to the doctoral program.

Committee Structure
Please read carefully the

Conduct of the Candicacy Examination
Please read carefully the

3 – Thesis Defense

The date of the defense must be approved by the supervisor and the supervisory committee, and must follow the regulations of the

For more information regarding faculty regulations on supervision, thesis formatting, and defense, please consult the following link:

Committee Membership Checklist (pdf) Forms Cabinet