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PhD Program in Philosophy

McMaster’s PhD Program in Philosophy enables students to develop their own research while building a foundation of comprehensive knowledge. The program culminates in the preparation and defence of a doctoral dissertation: an original piece of research prepared under the guidance of a supervisory committee. See below for information about the program.

I found the passion amongst individual professors for their discipline and area of study the most beneficial to me.

Brandon Coombs '15

Honours Philosophy and Art History Double Major

About the Program

The PhD Program is designed to be completed in four years. It begins with coursework and culminates in a dissertation: an original piece of research prepared under the guidance of a supervisory committee. Students are encouraged to participate in the life of the department by attending talks, meetings, conferences, workshops, reading groups, and social events. We regularly offer workshops on such topics as: publishing, presentations, the academic job market, careers beyond academia, developing as a teacher, writing a thesis, and work-life balance. Students have access to the resources of McMaster’s MacPherson Institute for Teaching and Learning and can teach their own course as a PhD Teaching Fellow. A Placement Coordinator supports students in their pursuit of both academic and non-academic careers.

Further information can be found below and in our Program Handbook (available below).

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD program requires an MA in Philosophy or an equivalent degree. An equivalent degree here normally means an MA or other graduate degree in a related subject and at least some background in Philosophy.

There is a possibility for students enrolled in McMaster’s MA program in Philosophy to be accepted into the PhD program without completing the MA degree, subject to their satisfying certain conditions for excellent progress in their first year.

Selection is made by the PhD Program Committee of the Department of Philosophy, and any student admitted comes under the general regulations of McMaster University.

Any applicant whose first language is not English and who has not completed a degree within an accredited university in a program whose primary language of instruction is English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. Please see  https://gs.mcmaster.ca/academic-services/how-apply  under the Language Requirements tab for an enumeration of the exams and minimum scores that constitute sufficient evidence.

Application Process

Deadline: February 1, 2024, if you wish to receive full consideration for all applicable funding opportunities.

If you encounter any difficulties with your application, please contact us at  [email protected] .

To complete an online application to our PhD program, please go  here . If you have questions regarding our program, please feel free to email the department’s  PhD Advisor .

A completed application will include the following documents. Please ensure that you upload all of your documents to the online portal before finalizing your application submission.

• If the final transcript does not show that all degree requirements have been met or the degree is conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required.
• Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified literal translation.
• If your application is accepted for admission to the program, you will be required to submit original transcripts in order to remain enrolled in the program
• Two Letters of Reference  from instructors most familiar with your academic work. Your referees will automatically be sent an e-Reference request on your behalf, once you enter their email address through the online application.
• English Language Proficiency:  For applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree from a program whose language of instruction was English, you will be required to provide an official record of your proficiency in English. Please see https://gs.mcmaster.ca/how-to-apply/ under the Language Requirements tab for an enumeration of the exams and minimum scores that constitute sufficient evidence.
• Statement of Interest:  A brief statement (1-2 pages) explaining your research interests, how your background prepares you for the program, and your reasons for seeking to pursue your research interests as a graduate student with the McMaster University Philosophy Program.
• Sample of Work : Please submit a sample of your philosophical writing in English to the  online application system . Your writing sample should be indicative of your ability to engage in advanced philosophical research. It need not fall within the area of your proposed research. To ensure full consideration, your writing sample should not exceed 7000 words.
• C.V.:  Please include on your CV any research, publications, academic awards, teaching, or work experience relevant to philosophy.

Application Fee

You will require a valid credit card or Interac card (domestic applicants) for the application fee ($110 CAD) and a valid email address. Your application will not be considered for admission until your application fee has been received and you submit your application.

Please note that there are no admission fee waivers at the present time.

Program Timelines

The PhD Program is designed to be completed in four years. We summarize here the structure of the program and normal progression through it. For a more detailed timeline, please see the Program Handbook (available below).

In year 1 , students typically complete five graduate courses, and, in consultation with the Department’s PhD Advisor, form their supervisory committee (consisting of a supervisor and two other faculty members). They also apply for any external scholarships for which they are eligible.

In year 2 , students complete the PhD Seminar (a full year course required for all second-year PhD students, and open only to them) and prepare their thesis proposal. In May of year 2, they complete their qualifying exam, which consists of an oral defence of a written thesis proposal. Students whose research requires competence in logic or a language other than English must demonstrate that competence (typically by an exam) before taking the qualifying exam.

In years 3 and 4 , students work on their thesis in collaboration with their supervisor and committee. They also have opportunities to teach their own course as a PhD Teaching Fellow.

Throughout the program, students are encouraged to engage with the life of the department, university, profession, and broader community. This includes giving talks and guest lectures, helping organize events, and submitting their work to conferences and for publication.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PhD students take six graduate courses in total: five regular (usually single-semester) courses, plus the PhD Seminar in year 2. With permission of the PhD Advisor, one of the five regular graduate courses may be taken outside Philosophy. Students’ coursework must also satisfy the department’s area requirements (for details, see the Program Handbook, available below). The minimum grade for passing a graduate course at McMaster is B-. Graduate students may also select from Philosophy graduate courses at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Guelph.

Learn more about specific courses by reading our graduate course descriptions. Archived descriptions from previous years are also available. Graduate course descriptions

Archived course descriptions

The Qualifying Exam (QE) is an oral examination based on a written thesis proposal. It is normally completed in May of year 2. It can be retaken, but, absent an extension, must be passed before the end of the student’s 24th month in the program (normally the end of August in year 2). The purpose of the QE is to ensure the candidate has a viable thesis proposal and the background to carry it through successfully. To be eligible to take the QE, the student must have achieved (by the end of the 20th month in the program) a GPA on courses taken towards the PhD of at least 9.5. Students whose research requires competence in logic or a language other than English must also demonstrate that competence (typically by an exam) before taking the QE.

Doctoral students prepare their thesis in consultation with their supervisor and other members of their supervisory committee. With the approval of the supervisory committee, the finished work is submitted to an external examiner. Upon approval by the external examiner, the thesis is defended before members of the supervisory committee and the external examiner. General information about the doctoral thesis and thesis defence process at McMaster can be found here .

All students in the PhD Program are guaranteed funding for four years. This funding takes two main forms: a Teaching Assistantship (TA) and a graduate scholarship. Funding of both kinds may be possible beyond the end of year 4, but is not guaranteed.

Teaching Assistantships

The value of the TA is fixed by the Collective Agreement between the University and Local 3906, Unit 1 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. In 2023-24, the stipend for a full-year TA is $12,906.32. To hold a TA, students must be enrolled full-time and have paid full-time fees. Under the agreement between Local 3906 and the University, the position of TA requires an average of 10 working hours of work per week over a full academic session (Fall and Winter only), for a maximum of 266 hours a year, or 133 hours each academic term.

Typical duties for a Teaching Assistant include conducting two tutorials each week when classes are in session, with up to 20 students in each; grading student work; and consultation with students. Teaching Assistants carry out their duties under the supervision of the instructor in charge of the relevant course.

Graduate Scholarships

In addition to the TA, all PhD students who do not have an external scholarship receive a McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) for four years. The value of the scholarship will be specified in the offer of admission. If a student wins an external award such as an OGS or SSHRC award, their initial offer of an MGS is rescinded and replaced by this external scholarship, assuming it is of higher value. Limited MGS support may be possible beyond year 4, but is not guaranteed.

PhD students are expected to apply for all external awards for which they are eligible. The Department makes its students aware of all funding opportunities and guides them in their applications.

The Department adheres to the Faculty of Humanities guidelines on scholarship adjustments for students winning major, merit-based internal or external awards. These can be found here.

Academic Travel Support

Any graduate student who has a paper accepted at a peer-reviewed philosophy conference is eligible for funding up to $750, once a year, to enable attendance. To apply for this funding, students should complete the  Department of Philosophy Travel Funds application , including confirmation of their paper’s acceptance and an estimate of anticipated expenses.

Limited funds for conference travel purposes may also be available to eligible students who apply to the  Graduate Students Association .

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Department Life

The McMaster department regularly hosts conferences and workshops. Graduate students are heavily involved in these events, as both presenters and organizers. There is also a weekly visiting speaker series during the teaching term. The speaker series is preceded and followed by social events, in which the whole department community can come together. There are always reading groups in progress. For further information, see “ Our Community ” and “ Events .”

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Health, Aging & Society

PhD in Health & Society

Phd in health & society.

The PhD in Health & Society is an interdisciplinary study of social, cultural, political, and environmental aspects of health. The program allows students to take a critical, interdisciplinary, and social science perspective in the study of health, illness, and health care.

Areas of research include: social-cultural dimensions of health, environments and health inequalities, systems, services and policy and global health.

The PhD program in Health & Society applies an interdisciplinary, comparative, and critical lens to analyzing and understanding health as a social and cultural process, construct, and outcome. It is the combination of these three perspectives, the ways that they interact with and build on one another, and a focus on both the social structural and cultural dimensions of health that makes the program distinctive in its area.

Our program differs from many doctoral programs in this area in as it allows students to develop and pursue broader research interests that may be outside the typical focus on public health, demography and service management. Students completing the PhD in Health & Society will have theoretical and methodological expertise in integrating knowledge and critical approaches to research from a broad range of disciplines in the social sciences.

Apply to the PhD in Health & Society

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines, requirements.

Students will be required to complete five (5) half courses, which include:

• HLTH AGE 716 Quantitative Research Methods in Studies of Health and Aging, and HLTH AGE 714 Qualitative and Historical Methods in Studies of Health and Aging
• HLTH AGE 715 Critical Perspectives in Health & Society
• Two elective courses offered by Health, Aging & Society (HLTH AGE 701, 713, or any other 700-level HLTH AGE course) OR by another department or academic unit (provided that permission has been obtained from those departments or academic units).

Additional Information

• Students entering the PhD program who have already taken any of the following courses: HLTH AGE 714, 715, and 716, or their graduate level equivalent from another program/university, can apply for exemption through the Department of Health, Aging & Society.
• Students who have been granted exemption for ALL THREE required courses stated above (or their graduate level equivalent) must complete a minimum of 3 half courses to fulfill the course requirements of the program. One of the three courses must be a HLTH AGE course. The other two courses may be HLTH AGE courses or courses from a department or academic unit other than Health, Aging & Society (provided that permission has been obtained from those departments or academic units). Course selection should be discussed with the supervisor.
• Students who have been granted exemption for LESS THAN 3 required HLTH AGE courses (or their graduate level equivalent) must complete a minimum of 5 half courses to fulfill the course requirements of the program. One of the exempted courses must be replaced with a HLTH AGE course. Additional exempted courses may be replaced with other HLTH AGE courses or courses from a department or academic unit other than Health, Aging & Society (provided that permission has been obtained from those departments or academic units). Course selection should be discussed with the supervisor.
• All doctoral students will be required to participate in a non-credit research and professional development seminar over the course of two academic years. Participation in the seminar will normally take place in the first and second year of the program.

Comprehensive Examination

Students will take a comprehensive exam in their area of concentration in Health & Society. The purpose of the exam is to ensure that the student has sufficient knowledge of the relevant scholarly literature in their area of research interest and that they are able to synthesize and communicate this literature in a critically insightful way. The comprehensive exam will consist of a written examination, an oral examination, and a research proposal (which is also evaluated during the oral examination).

Candidates for the PhD degree will present a thesis which shows competence in original research and will be required to defend it during a final oral examination.

Admissions and Applications

Admission requirements.

• Master’s degree with an average of at least B+ in a related health and/or social sciences discipline
• Demonstrated interest and experience in critical approaches to health
• Admission to the PhD program will normally be on a full-time basis only

Applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications and how well their interests align with the research interests and availability of faculty.

Only COMPLETE applications will be reviewed by the Department.

NOTE: During the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department regarding potential PhD supervision as well as the PhD program.

Required Application Documents

Graduate studies online application.

• Each applicant is required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens in October each year.
• In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below.
• NOTE: Some required application documents must be submitted through your online application (see below for details).

Official Academic Transcripts

• Academic transcripts for ALL post-secondary studies completed or in progress at the time of application
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of Student Exchange Programs must also be included
• Transcripts should be electronic (or scanned) copies and uploaded through your online application
• Screenshots of student record of grades will not be accepted. Applicants must submit a transcript. Check with your post-secondary institution for confirmation on how to obtain a copy of your transcript.
• Official transcripts (hard copy or electronic) sent directly by the issuing institution will be required only if an applicant is offered successful admission.

Academic References

• Two (2) confidential reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work
• McMaster University uses an Electronic Referencing System (e-Reference). By entering the email address of your reference through your online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf
• If, for some reason, you are unable to use the Electronic Referencing System, you can download the Reference Form and send to your references for completion. Downloaded reference forms must be sent by the reference DIRECTLY to Miranda MacDougall by e-mail: [email protected] .

Statement of Interest

• Must be uploaded as a PDF document through your online application
• Maximum 3-4 pages, double-spaced
• References page(s) should be single-spaced and do not count towards the maximum 3-4-page limit
• Your Statement of Interest should clearly communicate:
• Your specific research interests and focus
• The relevance of your specific research to health & society
• The approach/methods used to tackle your research problem

Sample of Writing

• Written only by the applicant. Co-authored work will not be accepted.
• Examples of writing samples may be (but are not limited to): major papers/essays written for past courses; a chapter of your thesis/dissertation; published manuscripts

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• If English is not your first language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Applicants whose university studies were completed at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (transcript notation or official letter from the institution is required)
• The English Language Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date
• The most common English Language Proficiency exams:
• TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based), minimum of 20 per band. Please use TOEFL department code 080 (Other Social Sciences).
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section
• Other English Language Proficiency exams may be accepted. Please contact Miranda MacDougall ( [email protected] ) if you have questions.
• Submit English Language Proficiency exam results as a scanned document uploaded through your online application.

How to Apply

Each applicant is required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens in October each year and submit the required application documents listed above to complete the application.

Mailing address for all hard copy supporting documents:

Department of Health, Aging & Society c/o Miranda MacDougall Kenneth Taylor Hall 226 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, ON L8S 4M4 Canada

Application Deadline: January 14

Financial information, scholarships and awards.

The majority of Health, Aging & Society graduate students at McMaster receive competitive funding packages that may include financial support such as teaching assistantships, university graduate scholarships, as well as external scholarships and bursaries.

For information about major scholarships and awards competitions, please visit School of Graduate Studies: Awards & Funding.

The awards listed below are open to CURRENT McMaster University graduate students who meet the eligibility requirements. Eligible students should apply through Mosaic and submit the required documents specified in the application. Note the application deadline indicated on Mosaic each academic year.

The Ronald Bayne Gerontology Award

The Ronald Bayne Gerontology Award was established in 1999 by Barbara Bayne to honor Dr. Ronald Bayne’s valuable contribution to the study of Gerontology at McMaster University. This scholarship is to be awarded to any GRADUATE STUDENT in the FACULTIES OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES conducting RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF AGING.

The E.B. Ryan Scholarship

The E.B. Ryan Scholarship was established in 1997 using funds raised by a performance of the play “Letter from Wingfield Farm”. This scholarship is to be awarded to in-course GRADUATE STUDENTS from the FACULTIES OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HEALTH SCIENCES conducting RESEARCH ON AGING.

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PhD in Economics

McMaster’s community of scholars includes faculty, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants, and graduate students. Through this program, students will become independent, professional economists using state-of-the-art methods to analyze economic phenomena. Areas of specialization include Econometrics, Growth and Monetary, Health, International, Labour, Population, and Public Economics.

We admit 5-8 PhD students each year, which results in small classes and intensive interaction between students and faculty. PhD students may choose a co-op option (formally called Work Integrated Learning) associated with this program after passing the comprehensive exams.

A Pathway to Success

Graduates of the PhD program in economics become professional and independent economists able to analyze economic phenomena using state-of-the-art techniques. Graduates primarily pursue one of two career tracks. One is to become an economics professor. We regularly place our graduates in academic positions, both in departments of economics and in interdisciplinary settings with a strong economics focus, such as schools of public policy.

A second option is a career in the public or private sector. We place our graduates in high-quality research positions within government ministries and agencies, such as the Department of Finance and the Bank of Canada, in international organizations, and, less frequently, in the private sector. Faculty members of the department are affiliated with or lead a number of research facilities and centers at McMaster. These centers and facilities support economics research by graduate students.

Secure Empirical Analysis Lab (SEAL) houses a wide range of confidential micro-data that can be used to conduct research in the areas of education, charities, and public services, with data holding expanding on a continuous basis.

Statistics Canada Research Data Centre (RDC) (Mike Veall, Director), houses the master files of a large variety of Statistics Canada survey data plus an increasing array of public-sector administrative microdata (e.g., census data, vital statistics, employment data, justice system data) that support economic research.

McMaster Decision Science Laboratory (McDSL) , Canada’s first computer-mediated experimental economics laboratory, provides the capability for conducting controlled economic experiments across a wide range of economic fields (Bradley Ruffle, Director). The Faculty of Social Science is committed to developing state-of-the-art facilities for empirical research, including expanded microdata analysis and economic experiments in the L.R. Wilson Hall.

Apply to the PhD in Economics

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines.

The first phase is passing the comprehensive macroeconomic and microeconomic theory exams. To accomplish this, students must complete the following coursework:

• two microeconomics theory courses (ECON 721** and ECON 722)
• two macroeconomic theory courses (ECON 723** and ECON 724)
• two econometrics courses (ECON 761* and ECON 762)
• ECON 765 (as it is a required course)
• elective courses must be passed prior to writing comprehensive examinations in any area (see phase 2)

Students entering the PhD program from our MA in Economics program will already have completed the required courses and two electives; these students would require approximately six more electives. The Economics waiver exam may allow PhD students who enter the PhD program from another university to receive credit for ECON 761. Electives must be chosen so that the student satisfies the coursework requirements of his or her chosen fields for comprehensive exams (see the list below). Most electives are taken from courses offered by the economics department, but a student may also take up to two courses from other departments, with the approval of the graduate chair (economics) and the course instructor. Students in recent years, for example, have taken finance courses offered by the DeGroote School of Business, health-related courses offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences, and statistics courses offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

After the successful completion of the first year of coursework, comprehensive exams in micro and macro theory are typically given in May or June.

The second phase involves passing comprehensive exams in two areas of specialization and writing a research paper. The field examination committee may require that candidates complete specific courses before taking these exams. Below are the typical areas of specialization and the typical courses required for each. A graduate chair may, however, permit additional specializations in areas where the department has a research strength provided they are based on courses offered by the department.

The fields currently available are:

• Econometrics
• Experimental Economics
• Growth and Monetary Economics
• Health Economics
• International Economics
• Labour Economics
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Population Economics
• Public Economics

Field exams are normally written after the second year of coursework has been successfully completed. Candidates have two chances to pass each comprehensive exam. Within 18 months of starting the program, students must pass the micro and macro theory comprehensive exams. The exams must be completed within 24 months of beginning the program. Within 27 months of entering the doctoral program, the student must complete a research paper. The research paper will be presented in the Fall term during the PhD workshop discussed below. The research paper must be accepted by the supervisory committee.

The thesis is the third phase. At this point, students may choose to enroll in additional courses if they are relevant to their proposed research. With the approval of the Graduate Chair, up to four half courses may be taken outside of the department. In addition to writing a thesis and taking courses, students must achieve the Active Researcher Milestone which involves participating in the department’s research activities (for example, by attending seminars, PhD workshops and meeting with visiting speakers) and regularly presenting their research. The Active Researcher Milestone must be achieved annually until graduation.

At this stage, students are required to complete the following seminar courses. Students who have passed all their comprehensive examinations should register for ECON 798 in the Fall term that immediately follows and present the research paper. Doctoral students typically take a total of 12-14 graduate courses at this university.

ECON 798: Workshops in Economics I

ECON 799: Workshops in Economics II

Co-op Option

Students in the PhD program who have successfully completed the comprehensive examinations may apply for the co-op option associated with this degree program. The number of students who will be accepted will be small and will depend on available placements. To complete the PhD co-op option, the student must work a total of eight months in either one or two placements and successfully complete both ECON 796 Economics Co-op Work Term I and ECON 797 Economics Co-op Work Term II.

*A student who has a particularly strong background in econometrics can elect to write the econometrics waiver exam. Students who pass the waiver exam are allowed to replace ECON 761 (term 1 of econometrics) with an elective course. These students take ECON 762 in term 2 and complete the econometrics project. Credit for ECON 761 will appear on their transcripts.

**All students registering in ECON 721 (Micro Theory 1) or ECON 723 (Macro Theory 1) are encouraged to take the mathematics preparation course ECON 765, an intensive ten-day refresher course in mathematics (MATH CAMP). Math camp is given in August, prior to the start of regular graduate courses for the fall term. After the completion of this course, students are tested regarding their mathematics preparation. The course has two parts. Part I covers topics related to ECON 721-Micro Theory I and part II covers topics related to ECON 723-Macro Theory I and matrix algebra. Each part has its own final exam. Students registered in ECON 721(ECON 723) must write the exam related to part I (part II). A student’s score on the part I (part II) exam counts as 10% of the student’s final grade in ECON 721-Micro Theory I (ECON 723-Macro Theory I).

***Incoming students are strongly encouraged to enroll in ECON 4T03 so they are well prepared for first term micro.

Admissions and Applications

The application portal opens on november 15th and closes on january 14th..

Learn more about the graduate studies application process and how to apply.

As a minimum, a standard Canadian entrant into our PhD program will have a Master’s degree in economics from a recognized university and will have maintained B+ average in their master’s study. We emphasize that these are minimum standards; those admitted typically have stronger academic records.

Students from foreign universities are expected to have equivalent backgrounds. Although equivalency is difficult to determine, here are some guidelines for a few countries from which we commonly receive inquiries:

• India: First-class standing for the Bachelor’s degree and upper-second-class standing for the Master’s degree.
• Bangladesh and Pakistan: First-class standing in both the bachelors and master’s degrees.
• China: A four-year degree with an average of at least 85%. The subject area must be ECONOMICS, not business. Strong skills in mathematics and statistics/econometrics are expected.

A student whose native language is not English, and who has not completed an English-language degree in a predominantly English-speaking country, must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for the Dept of Economics is 580 (237 on the computerized exam; 92 iBT); the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.5 . Please note, the minimum requirement for the Dept of Economics is higher than the School of Graduate Studies minimum of 6.5.

If you have any questions email them to [email protected] . Please be patient all emails will be answered.

**If your transcript states the medium of instruction was English or you submit a letter with your application from the University stating your medium of instruction was English then that will waive your ELP requirement and a test result will not be required**

Please note if you submit a score lower than 7.5, your application will not be reviewed. It is imperative that you meet the testing requirements noted above.

Required Document Checklist

• Application Form and Fee
• Two letters of reference
• Academic transcripts
• Statement of interest
• Writing Sample (Paper or Essay – there is no minimum words and it must be single author)

As reference links are sent after your application is submitted, it is highly recommended that you apply at least one week before the January 15th deadline, as this will allow for references and other documents be received in time.

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

Information on Graduate Program fees can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.

Financial Aid

Students to whom we offer admission are automatically considered for financial assistance – no special forms need be filled out. Funding is awarded on academic excellence and the availability of funds. Funding is open to all domestic and international students.

All students admitted to the PhD program are offered two forms of financial assistance. The first is a Teaching Assistant (TA) position, which normally requires the student to perform 130 hours of marking or tutoring in each of the fall and winter terms. The second is scholarship support. In addition, many upper-year PhD students receive support in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) in lieu of a TA, in which they work on a research project with a faculty member.

The minimum annual financial assistance provided to a PhD student is $17,500 during each of first four years of doctoral study. If a student’s study extends beyond four years, financial assistance as a TA or RA may be available, but it is not guaranteed.

Finally, in addition to the financial assistance provided in a letter of offer, students are eligible for TA and RA positions during the spring and summer terms, which provides support above that available during the Fall and Winter terms.

Trudeau Scholarship: Students in the 1st or 2nd year of the doctoral program or those applying to the doctoral program are eligible. View more information regarding eligibility and the application process.

Additional information on external scholarship support can be found at the following sites:

• Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
• SSHRC Doctoral Scholarships and Fellowships
• School of Graduate Studies Scholarship Information
• Commonwealth Scholarships

More Questions? Check out our FAQ

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Graduate Supervisors Learn More

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Research in Economics Learn More

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Cynthia Zhao Graduate Administrative Assistant Email: [email protected]

Office Location

Department of Economics Kenneth Taylor Hall , 426 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4

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PhD Program in History

The programs offered by the Department of History emphasize the modern world in a global framework. A range of approaches to history, from political and cultural through social and intellectual, to environment and medicine, find representation in our program.

Humanities degrees help empower people who want to make a difference in this world.

Emily Lackie '11

Combined Honours in History and English

The Humanities are versatile. We are masters of communication, analysis and finding the information needle in a haystack.

Katilyn Laslo '18

Honours History, Philosophy minor

The humanities teach a breadth of soft skills that graduates need to succeed in the job market.

Katarina Todić '15

Bachelor of Arts Honours French and History

About the Program

The History PhD program involves the completion of 2 minor fields by course work and one major field of readings by September 15th of the second year of doctoral study. Thereafter candidates will devote their full time to research and writing their doctoral thesis.

The Department offers full and part-time PhD degrees to candidates.

Areas of Research offered include:

• Animal History
• Atlantic World
• Britain 1688-2000
• Canada 1791-2000
• Environmental History
• Medieval Europe
• Modern Europe
• Science & Technology
• Urban History
• War and Society

Admission Requirements

The Department supervises doctoral research in a variety of areas of specialization. Prospective applicants are directed to consult the Department’s website which details research specializations. Candidates must contact individual faculty for guidance on appropriate thesis topics.

Application Process

Completed applications consisting of the following:

• How to Apply
• Departmental Application Form   (This is equivalent to the required study plan). Once you’ve completed your Departmental Application Form, save it as a PDF and upload as an attachment to your online application. You can also send it as an attachment via email to: [email protected]
• Two Confidential Reports from referees most familiar with your academic studies (These can be found on McMaster University Graduate Studies Online Application – the online application process).
• Transcripts from all post-secondary academic institutions attended (When applying online your transcripts are listed under “Academic History Checklist”).
• Writing Sample.
• The above should be submitted by 1 February for consideration by our graduate studies committee for admission and funding (September admission only). Transcripts and confidential report forms should be sent directly to the Department under separate cover.  We may still consider applications after the February 1 deadline.

Program Timelines

When admission to PhD work has been granted, a candidate will, in consultation with his or her prospective supervisor and the Graduate Studies Chair of the Department, select two Minor Fields and one Major Specialization. Minor Fields and Major Specialization will cover the principal literature in the areas of concentration.

Minor fields normally consist of two half-year 700‐level graduate reading seminars in each of which a major historiographical essay is required. The grade for a minor field will consist of the grades for the in- course requirements and the historiographical essay, in combination as indicated by the minor field supervisor. One minor field course will be taken in the fall term, the second in the winter term. Instructors may opt to set a written exam.

While some overlap may be deemed beneficial, the Minor Fields should not duplicate Major Specialization reading. All doctoral candidates must have a minimum of three, and usually four, instructors supervising the combination of their Minor Fields and Major Specialization.

Major Specialization preparation begins in September and takes the form of a reading course that will run normally until the following May. The reading for the course will be determined by the course instructors with oversight from the department’s Graduate Studies Committee to ensure appropriate breadth and depth of the reading list. As part of the reading course, candidates will complete a significant historiographical paper or papers. Instructors may opt to set a written exam.

Successful completion of 6 units of Minor‐Field coursework and 6 units of Major Specialization coursework, fulfill the course requirements of the School of Graduate Studies for doctoral candidates. Satisfactory performance in doctoral Minor Field and Major Specialization courses is a minimum grade of B‐. A single grade of F on any course in the PhD program, or two B- grades, entails automatic withdrawal from the program.

Finally, all History PhD candidates will write a dissertation research proposal by the end of their first year in the PhD programme.  Each candidate’s proposal, of 10-15 pages in length, is defended on a Pass/Fail basis with the candidate’s PhD committee no later than the third week of September. This defence will constitute the required PhD comprehensive examination (written and oral). In order to attain a passing mark, the dissertation proposal and its oral defense must satisfactorily demonstrate breadth of knowledge and the integration of key ideas and methods related to the student’s thesis area. Successful passage of the comprehensive examination along with successful completion of the coursework is required before a candidate may proceed in programme.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is tuition?

For the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition fees are as follows:

Please note, these costs are exclusive of supplementary fees and are subject to change on an annual basis.

When is tuition due?

Tuition is usually due in mid-September.  Dates will change on an annual basis and will be communicated via departmental communication channels.

What does the course load look like for an MA student?

MA students in the Department of History are required to take 3 level-700 courses in the fall and winter terms.  Each class is approximately 3 hours in length based on course offerings and student interest.  Courses are offered one day per week.   Unless otherwise specified, courses are offered in-person and students are expected to be present in class on campus.  Course scheduling and registration takes place in the spring/summer.

Does the Department require scholarly work?

Both the MA and the PhD require completion of the supplemental application, which can be found on the respective application websites.  The PhD application requires a writing sample.

How is graduate funding decided?  Is it guaranteed?

Within the Department of History, there is a graduate committee which is composed of History faculty members.  For MA students, each individual faculty member reviews the applications and ranks the students.  Each student receives an average ranking.  The student’s GPA is then used as a further ranking tool to determine graduate scholarships.  The application and the student’s GPA has equal weighting in determining their final rank.  Top students are likely, but not guaranteed, to receive scholarship funding.  In addition to scholarship funding, there are multiple teaching assistant positions which offer students an opportunity to study and work. No funding is guaranteed and is subject to change on an annual basis.

For PhD students, minimum funding is guaranteed.  As of September 1, 2023, all full-time PhD students admitted to the program are guaranteed a minimum of $17,500 which may be composed of multiple different sources of funding.  This is guaranteed for 4 years.

Does the department offer any scholarships?

The department offers the following internal scholarships for graduate students:

Is it necessary to consult a potential supervisor?

For an MA student, you will connect with a potential supervisor by the end of your first term.

For a PhD student, it is highly recommended that you consult with a potential supervisor before applying into the program.  Supervision requires a heavy commitment from faculty members, and some faculty members may not be able to provide the necessary support required.  The department cannot guarantee a supervisor for incoming PhD students.

Can the application fee be waived?

No, the fee is mandatory to apply into the program.

How are my international grades calculated?

The university uses the Ontario University Registrars’ Association guides to calculating international grades.  These vary from country to country.  If you are interested, you may reach out to [email protected] for clarification.

What testing is required if English is not my first language?  What is the minimum score required?

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A minimum TOEFL score of 92 (iBT), 580 on the regular test and a score of 237 on the computerized test are required. If you are submitting the IELTS test, a minimum score of 7 is required.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

Apply to the PhD Program in History

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Research your passion in History with supervision from our world-class faculty.

SEE OUR CURRENT AND FORMER GRAD STUDENTS

Supplemental information.

2024-2025 Graduate Courses Term 1 Seminars (September – December 2024)

HISTORY 725 Canadian Environmental History HISTORY 728 American Foreign Relations HISTORY 741 Historiography HISTORY 770 Sex, Health, Gender Colonial HISTORY 790 MA Independent Study HISTORY 798A Phd Spec Reading Course

Term 2 Seminars (January – April 2025)

HISTORY 742 Applied History HISTORY 745 Canada’s Racial State HISTORY 754 Social and Environmental History of Modern America HISTORY 767 War and Society in East Asian History HISTORY 790 MA Independent Study HISTORY 798B Phd Spec Reading Course

Winter – Summer 2025 (January – August 2025)

• History 798 PhD Major Specialization

Summer 2025 (May – August 2025)

• History 797 MA Research Paper

2023-2024 Graduate Courses Term 1 Seminars (September – December 2023)

• History 702 War and American Society since 1898| Dr. Stephen Streeter
• History 741 Historiography | Dr. Tracy McDonald
• History 756 The World Wars| Dr. Martin Horn
• History 767 War and Society in East Asian History| Dr. Jaeyoon Song

Term 2 Seminars (January – April 2024)

• History 717 Topics in Early Modern European History| Dr. Megan Armstrong
• History 721 Modern British History| Dr. Stephen Heathorn
• History 725 Canadian Environmental History| Dr. Ken Cruikshank
• History 757 The British Empire and Global Integration, 1815-1960| Dr. John Weaver
• History 776 History of Sexualities in the Western World, 1750 to the present| Dr. Michael Gauvreau

Winter – Summer 2024 (January – August 2024)

Summer 2024 (May – August 2024)

2022-2023 Graduate Courses Term 1 Seminars (September – December 2022)

• History 708 Research in European International Relations 1890-1956 | Dr. Martin Horn
• History 741 Historiography | Dr. Michael Gauvreau
• History 754 Social and Environmental History of Modern America | Dr. Ken Cruikshank
• History 767 War and Society in East Asian History | Dr. Jaeyoon Song

Term 2 Seminars (January – April 2023)

• History 743 Topics in Soviet History | Dr. Tracy McDonald
• History 757 The British Empire and Global Integration, 1815-1960 | Dr. John Weaver
• History 766 Comparative Perspectives on Health and Medicine in the Colonial World | Dr. Juanita De Barros
• History 776 History of Sexualities in the Western World, 1750 to the present | Dr. Michael Gauvreau
• History 777 Decolonizing Indigenous History | Dr. Allan Downey

2021-2022 Graduate Courses Term 1 Seminars (September – December 2021) In- Person

• History 728 American Foreign Relations | Dr. S. Streeter | Tuesday 9:30 – 12:20
• History 741 Historiography (required for MA’s) | Dr. T. McDonald | Thursday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 766 Comparative Perspectives on Health and Medicine in the Colonial World | Dr. J. De Barros | Wednesday 14:30 – 17:20
• History 775 The Canadian Left in the Twentieth Century | Dr. I. McKay | Monday 9:00 – 12:00

Term 2 Seminars (January – April 2022)

• History 757 The British Empire and Global Integration, 1815-1960 | Dr. J. Weaver | Wednesday 13:30 – 16:20
• History 764 Global Power, Local Cultures: Comparative Colonialisms in Africa | Dr. B. Ibhawoh | Tuesday 12:30 – 15:30
• History 767 War and Society in East Asian History | Dr. J. Song | Thursday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 776 History of Sexualities in the Western World 1750 to the present | Dr. M. Gauvreau | Friday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 780 Historical Perspectives on Women and Biography | Dr. A. McQueen | Monday 9:00 – 12:00

Winter – Summer 2022 (January – August 2022)

Summer 2022 (May – August 2022)

2020-2021 Graduate Courses

Term 1 Seminars (September – December 2020) (Virtual)

• History 717 Topics in Early Modern European History | Megan Armstrong | Friday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 741 Historiography | Michael Gauvreau | Thursday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 766 Comparative Perspectives on Health and Medicine in the Colonial World | Juanita De Barros | Wednesday 13:00 – 16:00
• History 769 Historical Representations of Cities | Alison McQueen | Tuesday 9:30 – 12:30
• History 775 The Canadian Left in the Twentieth Century | Ian McKay | Monday 13:00 – 16:00

Term 2 Seminars (January – April 2021) 

• History 725 Environmental History: Canada in International Perspective | Ken Cruikshank | Wednesday 13:00 – 16:00
• History 756 The World Wars | Martin Horn | Wednesday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 765 Canadian Sport History | Nancy Bouchier | Monday 9:30 – 12:30
• History 767 War and Society in East Asian History | Jaeyoon Song | Thursday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 776 History of Sexualities in the Western World, 1750 to the Present | Michael Gauvreau | Friday 9:00 – 12:00
• History 779 History of Indigenous Manifestos | Allan Downey | Tuesday 13:00 – 16:00

Winter – Summer 2021 (January – August 2021) 

Summer 2021 (May – August 2021) 

2019-2020 Graduate Courses

Term 1 Seminars (September – December 2019)

• History 702 War and American Society in 1898 – Stephen Streeter
• History 741 Historiography – Tracy McDonald
• History 772 State & Civil Society in Canada, 1948-2000 – Ian McKay
• History 775 The Canadian Left in the Twentieth Century- Ian McKay
• History 790 MA Independent Study

Term 2 Seminars (January – April 2020)

• History 717 Topics in Early Modern History- Megan Armstrong
• History 743 Topics in Soviet History –  Tracy McDonald
• History 757 ( Cross-listed as GLOBALST 757 ) The British Empire and Global Integration, 1815-1960 – John Weaver
• History 776 History of Sexualities in the Western World, 1750 to the present- Michael Gauvreau
• History 779 History of Indigenous Manifestos – Allan Downey

Summer 2020 (May – August 2020)

Winter 2020 – Summer 2020 (January – August 2020)

Funding is available through a large number of available scholarships. McMaster’s School of Graduate Studies maintains a list of available scholarships available as well as details on how to apply.

In addition to McMaster scholarships, the School of Graduate Studies also maintains a list of external scholarships.

• Program Handbook
• Thesis Defence
• Graduate Calendar
• School of Graduate Studies Graduate Resources
• Graduate Associations
• Where to find jobs

Department Life

Graduate students are fully incorporated into the intellectual and social life of the Department.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Graduate History Society

Our graduate students have their own organization

Thursday Speaker Series

See out past and future guest speakers

Find a Humanities Expert

Research-focused and student-centered. Humanities researchers promote interdisciplinary approaches to local and global leadership. Learn more about our researchers by searching by name or keyword.

Program Requirements

The PhD program requires that students complete between 6 and 12 one-term courses. The exact number and mix of courses depends on your background and research interests, as assessed by your supervisor.

Students can sometimes receive exemptions from courses, when otherwise qualified. You can also take additional courses as long as you do not exceed 12 degree requirement courses.

Normally, course work is finished within the first two years of the program. This is followed by a comprehensive examination, tailored to your field of study.

All students in the program take a common seminar course, and otherwise follow the course requirements for their particular field of study.

Fields of Study

DeGroote PhD students choose a specialization and focus their studies and research in a particular field.

This gives you the opportunity to interact with experts in your field of study from DeGroote’s distinguished faculty and the student community.

DeGroote offers the following fields of study at the doctoral level:

• Health Policy and Management
• Human Resources and Management
• Information Systems
• Management Science
• Strategic Management

Helpful Resources

Application.

We have set the September 2025 application dates.

Check the status of your preferred field of study.

Check the Application Procedure page for the Key Dates and steps to apply.

Key Dates & Steps

Graduate Studies

This program is designed to train the next generation of clinician-scientists, individuals who will pursue research as a major career priority and be at the forefront of medical research and innovation. It has a unique and integrated form during which students will complete both the undergraduate medical education (i.e., MD) curriculum and PhD requirements.

Faculty of Health Sciences

Program Contact

Degree Options

Md/phd (md/phd), participating programs include:.

• Biochemistry and Biochemical Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Sciences
• Neuroscience
• Chemical Biology
• Health Policy
• Health Research Methodology

Alyssa Vito Scholarship in Cancer Research $

Established in 2022 by Dr. Alyssa Vito, survivor of triple negative breast cancer and MSc/PhD McMaster alumna. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Graduate Associate Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, to a graduate student who conducts cancer research with a component of their activities devoted to leadership, community outreach, and patient engagement. Preference will be given to students pursuing research in breast cancer.

Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) Varied values

Varied values

ACUNS established its scholarship program, the Canadian Northern Studies Trust (CNST) in 1982 to advance knowledge and understanding of Canada’s North. The purpose of the CNST is to develop a cadre of scholars and scientists with northern experience and, at the same time, to enhance the educational opportunities available for northern residents.

For a list of scholarships and funding available, as well as eligibility criteria, award values, application details, and deadlines, visit the ACUNS website.

Autism Scholars Award $$$

Deadline Date:

December 1, 2023

With the support of the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, a scholar awards program in autism has been established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent scholars. The community of autism scholars fostered by this awards program will excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge concerning child autism, and its translation into improved health for children, more effective services and products for children with autism, and increase the province’s capacity in diagnosis and assessment of autism and a strengthened treatment system.

One one-year award at the master’s level and up to two one-year awards at the doctoral level will be made by the COU:

• Master’s Award: $18,000 ($6,000 per term beginning September 2024)
• Doctoral Award: $20,000 ($6,666 per term beginning September 2024)

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements $$

September 19, 2024

The CGS-MSFSS supports high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian and foreign institutions.

Please review eligibility and criteria for more information about this travel award.

If you wish to apply, please contact your department graduate administrator.

Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program

The bi-national program is an educational exchange, with a mandate to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Canada and the people of the United States of America. Available to graduate students, faculty, professionals and independent researchers, successful applicants conduct research, lecture, or enroll in formal academic programs in the United States. Fulbright Canada offers various scholarship awards within this program, with further information on the various award opportunities made available through the Canada-US Fulbright Program website.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the Fulbright website.

CIBC Graduate Bursaries in Breast Cancer $$

The CIBC Graduate Bursaries in Breast Cancer was established in 2004 by CIBC under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund II initiative in support of CIBC’s belief that all students should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. To be granted first to students enrolled in a graduate program in the Faculty of Health Sciences who demonstrate financial need and are conducting thesis research in the field of breast cancer and alternatively to students who are conducting thesis research in the field of women’s health, obstetrics, gynecology or medical oncology. Preference will be given to full-time graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence.

CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship $$$$

September 25, 2024

Postdoctoral research opportunities funded through CIHR. E-Approval done through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

Fellowships provide support for highly qualified applicants in all areas of health research at the post-PhD degree or post-health professional degree stages to add to their experience by engaging in health research either in Canada or abroad.

Valued at up to $60,000 per annum for up to five years.

Dr. J. A. Campbell Young Investigator Award $$

April 30, 2023

The Dr. J. A. Campbell Young Investigator Award of $5,000 for any kind of research into celiac disease and / or gluten sensitivity is available to students and those who have recently completed degrees.

Eligibility criteria, application details and deadlines available on the Canadian Celiac Association website.

Dr. John Thomas Memorial Bursary $

Dr. John Thomas Memorial Bursary was established in 1996 in memory of Dr. John Thomas by family, friends and colleagues. The bursary fund will assist graduate students enrolled in the department of philosophy or the Faculty of Health Sciences who demonstrate financial need. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies with preference given to students studying medical or applied ethics.

E.B. Eastburn Fellowship $$$$

March 3, 2025

Under the terms of a bequest to Hamilton Community Foundation by the late Eugene B. Eastburn, a two-year Fellowship will be awarded for full-time postdoctoral studies in engineering or sciences (Natural or Physical sciences, including Health Sciences).

The fellowship will be awarded for 24 months for a total value of $90,000.

Note: The 2025 competition will be announced in late fall 2024.

Fulbright canada student awards $ – $$$.

November 15, 2023

Traditional Fulbright Canada Student awards are intended for Canadian citizens who are graduate students, prospective graduate students, or promising young professionals who wish to study and/or conduct research in the United States. Awards may be held at any university, research centre, think tank, or government agency in the United States.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the Fulbright Canada website.

GSA Travel Award $

The GSA Travel Assistance Grants are funded from the proceeds of the Graduate Students Association Development Fund, which receives contributions from graduate students and the University. The GSA Travel Assistance Grants fund is administered through the School of Graduate Studies. The GSA Travel Assistance Grants are designed to enable graduate students to travel to undertake research or present at conferences relevant to their field of study. There are a fluctuating number of awards available each semester.

The successful recipients will be determined randomly by selecting one recipient from each faculty (Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business) and the balance of the awards left in a given period will be randomly selected from a list of the remaining applicants from all faculties combined.

Application dates:

• Fall competition for September to December travel: Opens September 1, 2023 and closes October 2, 2023
• Winter competition for January to April travel: Opens January 2, 2024 and closes February 5, 2024
• Summer competition for May to August travel: Opens May 1, 2024 and closes June 3, 2024

H.G. Hilton Master’s Scholarship $$

The H.G. Hilton Master’s Scholarships were established by the income from a bequest in the estate of Hugh G. Hilton, at one time Chief Executive Officer of Stelco and member of the McMaster Board of Governors support a Master’s scholarship. The scholarship is tenable for one year, and is awarded annually to incoming Canadian citizens, permanent residents or, international students from departments which offer full-time Master’s graduate studies. Priority will be given to students intending research in Canadian industry or industrial problems. Other things being equal, preference will be given to deserving children of employees or former employees of Stelco Ltd.

Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship $$-$$$

March 14, 2024

The Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship for First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Students was established in 2009 in honour of Harvey E. Longboat, and in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to McMaster University and to the broader community. The School of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Indigenous Studies program and the Indigenous Education Council, will award the scholarship annually to a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis student(s) who has demonstrated high academic achievement and exceptional promise.

The scholarship is tenable for one year, although previous award winners may re-apply.

Incoming students are eligible to apply.

Health Research Postdoctoral Opportunities

A comprehensive list of funding sources and agencies for postdoctoral fellows in the Faculty of Health Sciences and those doing health-related research can be found in McMaster’s funding database.. On the site, you will find a variety of filters to help you in your search.

Health Sciences Graduate Scholarship for Indigenous Scholars $$

All incoming Indigenous graduate students who are studying in a graduate program located within the Faculty of Health Sciences, are eligible to apply for this award.

Applicants who are completing a FIAP application for a facilitated graduate program, will be automatically considered for this award.

For full eligibility criteria, application details and deadlines, visit the Faculty of Health Sciences website. (Link below.)

Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship $

Established in honour of McMaster Faculty of Engineering PhD students Iman Aghabali and Mehdi Eshaghian, and a former Faculty of Health Science Post-Doctoral Fellow, who lost their lives on the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Associate Deans responsible for graduate studies, to international graduate students from Iran who demonstrate academic excellence.

John Charles Polanyi Prize $$$

In honour of the achievement of John Charles Polanyi, recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Government of the Province of Ontario has established a fund to provide annually up to five prizes to outstanding researchers in the early stages of their career who are continuing to postdoctoral studies or have recently started a faculty appointment at an Ontario university.

Lyle Makosky Values and Ethics in Sport Fund $

April 30, 2024

This award is through the True Sport Foundation of Canada. Open to applicants who are

• high-performance athletes enrolled at a Canadian university, community college or other post-secondary educational institution.
• post-secondary students active in sport at a non-high-performance level.
• sport practitioners active/working in sport as an official, administrator or high-performance coach.
• educators working in a sport, sports sciences, sport management/administration or other applicable discipline.

All questions should be directed to the True Sport Foundation of Canada.

Visit their website for all details and contact information.

MacDATA Graduate Fellowship $$

March 15, 2021

The advent of large collection of data and ensuing development in data analysis techniques has made collaboration between data scientists and content experts necessary for cutting-edge research. Furthermore, there is a need for trainees to be exposed to both aspects of such research, namely for data science trainees to learn about real life practical projects and for content expert trainees to gain experience in data analysis and management. The aims of the MacDATA Graduate Fellowship Program are:

• To provide trainees with an opportunity to acquire practical and theoretical skills in data science.
• To facilitate exchange of expertise and knowledge in data science across faculties.

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships $$-$$$

February 1, 2024

The Mackenzie King Scholarships were set up under the will of the Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King (1874-1950), who was Prime Minister of Canada 1921-26, 1926-30, and 1935-48.

Two types of the Mackenzie King Scholarship are available to graduates of Canadian universities: the Open Scholarship and the Travelling Scholarship . Both are to support graduate study.

Manulife Life Lessons Scholarship Program $$

March 31, 2023

Manulife has introduced the first Life Lessons Scholarship Program in Canada, for students who’ve experienced the death of a parent or guardian with little to no life insurance. The Scholarship Program helps combat the financial burden of paying for post-secondary education during an emotional time and recognizes the perseverance that so many youth show in such adversity.

The next application call for this scholarship opens on February 1, 2024. Visit the Manulife website for details on that date.

Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security $$$

February 23, 2024

Four scholarships open to master’s and PhD students who are conducting research on determinants, impacts, and policy or program interventions into food insecurity in Canada.

Visit Maple Leaf Centre for Food Insecurity to learn more and apply.

Questions can be directed to [email protected] .

Mary Buzzell Graduate Scholarship for Resilient Aging $

December 1, 2024

The Mary Buzzell Graduate Scholarship for Resilient Aging will be awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in any Master’s Degree program at McMaster University who is preparing for a career in the multidisciplinary field of Aging. This award is sponsored by Hamilton Aging in Community.

About Mary Buzzell

Mary Buzzell, a McMaster University faculty member in Nursing, was recognized by McMaster with an honorary doctorate as a pioneer in resilient aging, especially through innovative educational and community programs.

McMaster Graduate General Bursary $

What is a bursary.

A bursary is based solely on financial need. In most cases, information from your OSAP application is used to determine your financial need (some students who don’t receive OSAP can still apply for a bursary).

The McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program application opens mid-August in AwardSpring. Funding is paid out in mid-February.

Who can apply?

Graduate students who demonstrate financial need can apply for the McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program.

Please note: The McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program is not open to international students enrolled in graduate studies, MBA, medicine or physician assistant programs.

Bursary eligibility requirements:

• Be enrolled at McMaster
• Submit a completed application by the bursary deadline
• OSAP students who receive an income update request must complete it by the income update deadline
• Continue to demonstrate financial need throughout the study period
• Indigenous students
• students with OSAP government aid restrictions include:
• academic progress restriction
• income verification restriction
• provincial and/or federal default restriction
• credit check restriction
• students with a disability taking a reduced course load
• students with out-of-province student aid
• part-time students
• students receiving social assistance

McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) Postdoctoral Fellowship $$$$

July 15, 2020

Prospective postdoctoral fellows are invited to submit a research plan that focuses on interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches in the study of optimal aging through one or more of the following research areas:

• the impact of exercise on mobility;
• the interrelationship between psychological function and social function;
• causes and consequences of multimorbidity, frailty, and polypharmacy;
• the role of caregiving, equity, economics and transportation in optimal aging;
• the understanding of the biological mechanisms of diseases of aging;
• evaluating approaches to knowledge translation to improve optimal aging; and
• the use of technology to promote optimal aging and aging in place.

The applicant and principal supervisor are expected to involve at least two other researchers from two different McMaster faculties (outside of the principal supervisor’s faculty) as mentors in the development of an interdisciplinary research plan.

Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Awards $$$$

November 1, 2019

The DeGroote Fellowship Awards are offered in TWO categories:

• The Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Award in Basic Biomedical Science. Candidates conducting basic science research will be eligible for the Basic Biomedical Science Fellowship Award
• The Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Award in Clinical Research. Candidates pursuing clinical research will be eligible for the Clinical Research Fellowship Award.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the DeGroote Fellowship Awards web page.

MIRA and Labarge Scholarships in Aging Research $$$

February 28, 2002

The MIRA and Labarge Scholarship program offers awards at the master’s and PhD level in two distinct streams. The Labarge Mobility Scholarship supports applicants whose research on aging includes a focus on mobility. The MIRA Scholarship in Aging Research supports interdisciplinary aging research in one of MIRA’s identified areas of focus.

The scholarships are open to master’s students beginning a new McMaster graduate degree in the 2022/2023 school year and PhD students entering year one or two of their studies. Interested candidates must develop and submit a research proposal in collaboration with a MIRA supervisor and an interdisciplinary mentor from outside the primary supervisor’s Faculty. MIRA requires confirmation that the supervisor and/or program will commit to matching the minimum level of support for the recipient for the duration of the graduate degree. See call for proposals and application form for more information.

MIRA Graduate Student Travel Awards $

March 15, 2020

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging funds up to 10 graduate student travel awards per year – five in each round – valued at $500 each for students working with MIRA researchers.  Graduate students travelling to an academic conference to present an accepted abstract in aging research are eligible for up to $500 in travel funding.

For details about this and other funding opportunities, visit MIRA .

Deadlines for 2020: March 15 and September 15

OGS for Indigenous Graduate Students $$$

Two OGS-I scholarships are awarded to Indigenous graduate students at McMaster University who face significant financial hardship, with particular priority given to women with family responsibilities.

This criteria has been established in consultation with the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and is adjudicated by a committee chaired through the Indigenous Studies Program.

Ontario Graduate Fellowships $$$

Ontario Graduate Fellowships (OGF) provide funding to full-time students in graduate studies at the masters and doctoral level. It’s a merit-based scholarship for students with an A- or above.

Value: $12,000 ($4,000 per term)

Duration: 1 year

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) $$$

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs provide funding to full-time students at the master’s and doctoral levels. They are merit-based scholarships for students with an A- or above average.

Psychology Foundation of Canada Varied values

Various grants and travel supports available. Visit the Psychology Foundation of Canada for all details.

Rainbow Fund $

To be granted to graduate students enrolled in any program who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ students and demonstrate financial need.

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty of the Future Value varies

Value varies

This fellow is awarded to female students who are citizens of a developing country or emerging economy. Applicants should be preparing for doctoral or postdoctoral research in the in the physical sciences, engineering, technology and related disciplines.

Deadline is usually during the Fall months. For all details – eligibility, value, deadlines, etc. – go to the Schlumberger Foundation website.

Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada Graduate Student Award of Merit $$

At least three awards, each in the amount of $4000, will be awarded annually to the women graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the university or general community while maintaining exemplary academic records.

Women registered in master’s or PhD programs within a designated region. Regions and number of awards rotate each year. SWAAC has designated Ontario as the region for this 2023 competition. There are five awards available for this competition. Each university may nominate one person for the award.

Read about McMaster PhD student Liza-Anastasia DiCecco, who received the 2023 SWAAC Award of Merit .

The Barkleys of Avonmore Scholarship $

The Barkley’s of Avonmore Scholarship was established in 1977 through the generosity of Fred Barkley to assist a student from a developing country to pursue advanced studies at McMaster University.  Each year the Dean of Graduate Studies will identify a worthy graduate student from one of the developing countries to receive the award.

The Diane and Colin Wood Bursary in Respiratory Health $$

The Diane and Colin Wood Bursary in Respiratory Health was established in 2008 by Diane Wood and Colin Wood, BComm (Class of ’78). To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, to a graduate student who demonstrates financial need and is conducting research in the area of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Preference will be given to students studying emphysema.

The Doris Noftall Award in Food Allergy Research $$

To be awarded to a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences who has demonstrated an interest in the area of food allergy research. To be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of Dr. Manel Jordana and Dr. Susan Waserman, until such time that they retire or their faculty appointments end. Once both Dr. Jordana and Dr. Waserman’s faculty appointments end, responsibility for recommendations will transfer to the lead faculty in the area of food allergy research within the McMaster Immunology Research Centre.

The Dr. Colin Webber Graduate Scholarship $$

Established in 2013 to honour the memory of Dr. Colin Webber, McMaster University professor, physicist, radiation safety expert, teacher, mentor, and leader in the field of bone research. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to master’s or doctoral students. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate interest in bone research.

Value: Minimum $1,600

The Dr. Jordan Page Harshman Bursary $

The Dr. Jordan Page Harsham Bursary was established in 2011 by the Harshman Fellowships Society to honour Dr. Jordon Page Harshman, past president of the society. To be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies, based on the recommendation of the Associate Dean, Health Sciences (Graduate), to a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences who is engaged in medical research and who demonstrates financial need as well as good citizenship, good social responsibility, and leadership in society. Preference will be given to students in the following three areas in descending order: The Michael G. DeGroote institute for Infectious Disease Research, the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute and the department of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics. Recipients will be provided with a certificate from the Faculty of Health Sciences detailing the purpose and history of this award at McMaster University. Students who are recipients of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship are not eligible for this Bursary.

The E.B. Ryan Scholarship $

The E.B. Ryan Scholarship was established in 1997 using funds raised by a performance of the play Letter from Wingfield Farm, this scholarship is to be awarded to in-course graduate students from the faculties of Social Sciences and Health Sciences conducting research on aging. This award, valued at a maximum of $2,000, is awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of a committee comprised of at least the director and the co-ordinator of the Office of Gerontological Studies.

The Edna Howard Bursary $

Established in 2022 by the family of Edna Howard, this bursary honours the support Edna offered graduate students through her work as a cook at The Phoenix Bar and Grill, owned and operated by the Graduate Students Association. Her food warmed the hearts of the McMaster campus community for many years until her retirement. To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies to full-time students in any program who demonstrate financial need.

The EJ Irvine Annual Graduate Student Award $

The EJ Irvine Annual Graduate Student Award Established in 2022 by the Estate of Daniel Connelly Irvine in memory of the late Dr. Elizabeth Irvine, MSc. (Class of ’86). To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Director of the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute and the Director, Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine. To be awarded to graduate students who demonstrate the best progress in research after year 1 in the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute.

The Graduate Students Association Bursary $

The Graduate Students Association Bursary was established in 1999 by the Graduate Students Association at McMaster University under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund initiative. To be granted to a full-time or part-time graduate student in one of the following faculties: Engineering, Health Sciences, and Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, or the PhD program in Business. The bursary will be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Graduate Students Association.

The H. Vincent Elliott Memorial Travel Bursary $

The H.Vincent Elliott Memorial Travel Bursary was established in 2010 by Dr. Susan J.Elliott (MA `97 and PhD`92), esteemed former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, professor of Geography and Earth Sciences, and senior research fellow at the United Nations Institute on Water (UNU-IWEH), Environment and Health, in memory of her father, H.Vincent Elliott. To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation on the program director of ‘Water Without Borders’ to students registered in a Master’s or PhD program will be given to students in financial need.

The Howard P. Whidden Graduate Scholarship $$

The Howard P. Whidden Graduate Scholarship was established in 1987, and is open to non-Canadian students from countries of the British Commonwealth. This prestigious award is open to students who qualify for admission into any graduate program that extends to the doctorate, although the student’s initial registration may be at the Master’s level. The award is once renewable contingent upon satisfactory academic performance. It will be awarded at the discretion of the School of Graduate Studies.

The James F. Harvey and Helen S. Harvey Travel Scholarships $

Established in 1995 with funds from the estate of Helen S. Harvey.  James F. Harvey was a member of the first McMaster graduating class in Hamilton in 1935.  This travel scholarship will enable students to engage in research requiring travel.  To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence.

The Jan’s Graduate Scholarship In Stem Cell Research $$$-$$$$

Established in 2012 by the John and Ellie Voortman Charitable Foundation in loving memory of Jan VanBarneveld. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Director of the McMaster Centre for Discovery in Cancer Research, to a graduate student who demonstrates research excellence in stem cell and cancer research.

The Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada Graduate Award

Established in 2022 by the Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to a graduate student who is currently enrolled in their first year of any program who identifies as a member of the queer, trans community and is Black, racialized, or Indigenous.

The Lorne F. Lambier, Q.C., Scholarship $

The Lorne F. Lambier, QC Scholarship was established in 1984. The scholarship is tenable for one year. The scholarship is awarded annually to current Canadian citizens, permanent residents or international students registered in a master’s or doctoral graduate program in Faculties of Health Science and Science whose research is directed toward the understanding and/or cure of cancer.

The Louis Minden Scholarship in Health Sciences $$

Established in 1995 with funds from the estate of Mr. Louis Minden. To be awarded to a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Graduate Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. This award is once renewable, and preference will be given to a graduate student pursuing research in preventative medicine.

The McMaster Immunology Research Centre Faculty Scholarship $

Established in 2011 by faculty members within the McMaster Immunology Research Centre to support graduate students. To be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies, to an outstanding full time M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidate. First preference will be given to a candidate supervised by a graduate faculty supervisor from the McMaster Immunology Research Centre. Second preference will be given to an applicant in the infection and immunity field.      

The Myra Baillie Academic Grant $

Established in 2005 by the Surgical Associates in memory of Myra Baillie. To be granted to a graduate student in any degree program who attains and “A” average and demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to a female graduate student.

Award Value: 2 awards of $1,000 each

The School of Graduate Studies Grant in Aid for Research Travel $-$$

March 8, 2024

The SGS Grant is intended to be a grant in aid of research; students should not expect the grants to cover the full cost of travel or field work.

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Grant is not intended for conference or course work travel .

It is not meant to replace sources of funding already available from the tri-agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC), other external granting sources, or internal scholarships and bursaries.

It is not intended to fund the research itself, but the travel to do the research.

Application Date

The application will open in Mosaic on January 8, 2024, and close on March 8, 2024.

The W.E. Rawls Memorial Scholarship $

Established in 1990 by family and friends to honour the valuable contribution of Dr. Rawls made to cancer research; as Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, founder and coordinator of the McMaster Cancer Research Group, Director of the Molecular Virology and Immunology Programme and Past President of the National Cancer Institute. Eligible students are from the Medical Sciences Graduate Program currently supervised by a faculty member who is associated with the McMaster Immunology Research Centre (MIRC). The award will be made by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Assistant Dean of the Medical Sciences Graduate Program.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral $$$$

September 4, 2024

The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students to establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.

It is valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.

Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and foreign citizens are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Wilson Leadership Scholar Award $$-$$$

March 28, 2022

The Wilson Leader Scholarship Award for graduate students is different. Valued at $12,000 in direct funding and up to $2,000 for experiential funding, it’s a leadership development and career launcher program that builds on your studies. It involves about 15 hours/month, including time for synchronous group events between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET.

Awarded to up to three graduate students annually.

Yates Scholarship $

The Yates Scholarship Fund (up to $500) was established in 1963 by the bequest of William Henry Yates. This fund support upper-level doctoral students with research activities and conference travel when a paper is being delivered. Applicants must have completed their comprehensive exam.

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FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

Communication studies & media arts.

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PhD Program in Communication, New Media & Cultural Studies

The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies (CNMCS) is an innovative transdisciplinary joint program between the Departments of Communication Studies and Media Arts (CSMA) and the Department of English and Cultural Studies (ECS).

The “soft skills” we learn from a Humanities degree are incredibly versatile, and while we may not be specialized in one domain, we can adapt our knowledge to the job market.

Coralie Zaza '17

Communications and New Media

Through my Multimedia major, I learned technical skills that have made me invaluable in the workplace.

Kaitlynn Jong '16

Combined Honours Communication Studies and Multimedia

The benefit of a Humanities degree is that it truly prepares you for the working world

Cassandra D’Ambrosio '15

About the Program

The challenges we face today—social and environmental injustice, climate change, precarious work, surveillance and a shrinking public sphere—are complex and multifaceted. Among their many other dimensions, they are questions of communication and culture, which demand urgent engagement. The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies (CNMCS) is for creative students who embrace complexity, love difficult questions and believe that the problems we face today are, fundamentally, problems of communication and culture. Learning to read , critique and create culture, media and communication is critical to seeing things, and doing things, in new ways.

The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies (CNMCS) is a joint program between the Departments of Communication Studies and Media Arts (CSMA) and the Department of English and Cultural Studies (ECS) . Our many complementary strengths are in areas including new media arts, performance, policy, visual culture, digital culture, music/sound, gender and sexuality, critical race studies, Indigenous studies, postcolonial and diasporic studies, transnational culture and international communications, critical environmental studies, political economy, professional communication, and media analysis and strategy. The program draws faculty members from CSMA and ECS as well as other departments in the Humanities to act as supervisors of CNMCS doctoral students.

Admission Requirements

The PhD Degree Program normally entails four years of study. The admission requirement is a completed MA, MSc, MFA or Master of Communication Management (MCM.) degree in a relevant field (e.g. Communication Studies, Cultural Studies, New Media, etc.). We also welcome applications from students with a Master’s degree in a related field (e.g. Music, Digital Humanities, Visual Culture, Visual and Fine Arts, Sociology, Anthropology, Women’s and Gender Studies, English, Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Studies, etc.) who have focused on research germane to the program and can demonstrate, in their letters of application, how their graduate work to date has prepared them for a PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies. While students must have expertise in at least one of New Media, Communication or Cultural Studies, the committee will look particularly favourably on students who have demonstrated fluency in two or more program areas. A successful applicant from an MA program with a coursework component will have grades of at least A- in two-thirds of their courses. Students whose training has not included graded coursework are encouraged to submit a dossier of work completed during their Master’s program.

Language Requirements

For applicants who do not hold a post-secondary degree from a program whose language of instruction was English, you will be required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computerized test, and 100 on the Internet-based test is required. If you are submitting the IELTS test, a score of 7 is required.

Application Process

The deadline for submission of completed applications (including supporting documentation) for September entry into the PhD program is January 14th. The online application system will open on November 15th for September admission. Application fees are not refundable.

Only completed applications (including supporting documentation) will be reviewed. Your application materials and supporting documents must be uploaded to the application system. Supporting documents can also be sent directly to the Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts via email to the Graduate Administrator at [email protected] .  If sending supporting documentation directly to the Department, please send them as PDF files in one email per the instructions listed below with the subject line “Last Name, First Name: Supporting Documents” (your name should be listed as it appears in your online application).  Alternatively, you may mail your application materials to the following address (DO NOT USE STAPLES):

Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts

c/o Graduate Administrative Assistant

Togo Salmon Hall 332

McMaster University

1280 Main Street West

Hamilton, ON  L8S 4M2

Documents Required:

• A completed Online Application
• Application Fee (submitted during the online application process). This fee is non-refundable and must be paid in Canadian dollars by means of a credit or debit card payment.
• Two (2) academic recommendations from instructors most familiar with your work . Recommendations may be submitted directly via email from the referees to [email protected] , or provided via the online application system. If submitting the references by postal mail or in person, please ensure that referees have signed across the seal of the envelope. NOTE: THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM WILL PROMPT YOUR REFEREES TO SUBMIT REFERENCES. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE YOUR REFERENCES ARE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE, AND TO REQUEST THOSE LETTERS PERSONALLY, IN TIME FOR LETTERS TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEADLINE.  PLEASE REQUEST ALL LETTERS WELL BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
• One ( 1 ) official transcript of all academic work completed to date (including undergraduate and graduate if applicable). Upload a scan of your transcript to the application system, and arrange to have an official transcript sent directly to the Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts from the issuing institution.  If you have had the transcripts mailed to you, or you picked them up yourself from the issuing institution, they must come in a sealed envelope with the  original university seal .  If the final transcript does not show that a completed degree has been conferred, an official copy of your diploma is also required.  Please submit your official sealed transcripts by mail to the address listed above, or by secure e-transcript from the issuing institution to [email protected]. 
• A 500-word (two pages, double-spaced) statement of interest. The statement of interest plays an important role in our assessment of your application.  It is an opportunity to outline the thesis you propose to undertake and to present your theoretical interests, areas of critical or creative engagement, and your particular fields of emerging expertise. Your statement of interest should include the following:
• The thesis model you propose to produce;
• A traditional thesis , which will normally be between 200 and 250 pages (not including bibliography);
• A research-creation or project-based thesis , which will consist of a body of work and written commentary on that work of between 100 and 150 pages; such a thesis may involve arts based research, or it may involve the creation of such things as tool kits, social interventions, learning platforms, databases, new media archives, documentary films or podcasts; or
• A sandwich thesis , which, in accordance with McMaster’s Thesis Preparation Guide, must consist of a minimum of three scholarly works on a unified theme, either previously published or exhibited, submitted for peer-review, or prepared for publication/exhibition but not yet submitted (in CNMCS, these works may include journal articles submitted for peer review, or art/media/performance pieces submitted for peer-adjudication); these works must be accompanied by substantial introductory and concluding chapters, addressing the methodologies, theories and approaches that unify and inform the research. If the sandwich thesis is used for a series of research creation projects, the student will present an explanatory narrative that connects the projects and argues for their significance. The typical length of a sandwich thesis will be about 200 pages, plus bibliography.
• The objectives of your critical or creative research, including the question, problem, or issue you are interested in addressing;
• The critical debates, theoretical frameworks, creative models, artistic concepts, primary works and/or methodological approaches that will inform your thesis;
• One or more faculty members who you think might be suitable supervisors for your thesis;
• A brief reflection upon activities or experiences relevant to your research and to contributing to an engaged and engaging PhD program (i.e. community engagement activities, knowledge mobilization activities, previous experience as a research assistant or teaching assistant);
• Your motivations to pursue this program.
• Important: please list the names of your two referees and their email addresses at the end of your statement. Please submit your statement of interest to the online application system. You may also send your statement of interest as a PDF file via email to [email protected] .
• A sample of your academic writing. You should submit a copy of an academic essay that you’ve written for a graduate course; the essay should demonstrate your writing abilities and your ideas. Ideally, it should be no longer than 20 pages double-spaced. Please submit your sample of writing to the online application system. You may also submit your sample of writing as a PDF file via email to [email protected] .
• A sample (or samples) of your multimedia work (if applicable). Students with a Media Arts background are strongly encouraged to submit a sample of their creative work. P lease upload your sample or work or links to your sample of work to the application system. You may also submit links to your samples of work in one PDF file to [email protected] . 
• A current Curriculum Vitae (CV), preferably no longer than 2 pages.
• Evidence of competency in English: Applicants whose native language is not English will be required to provide an official record of the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computerized test, and 100 on the Internet-based test is required. If you are submitting the IELTS test, a score of 7.0 is required. Please upload your unofficial result to the application system and arrange to have your official score report sent by mail to the address listed above.

For any additional information about the application process, contact us at [email protected] .

Program Timelines & Milestones

Students of the program must complete 18 units of approved coursework by the end of the second year, including: 4 courses, for a total of 12 units, to be completed in year 1; and two 3-unit doctoral seminars, taken in year 1 and year 2. As part of the 4 courses to be completed in year 1, students must take at least one of either CULTR ST 732 or CMST&MM 700 (unless they have taken either course or a direct equivalent during a previous degree program). With the permission of the CNMCS Ph.D. Advisory Committee, students may take 3 units of electives from graduate courses offered by programs other than CNMCS.

Comprehensive Examination

Students in the program will be required to take the Comprehensive Examination in the area of their intended thesis research. This will involve writing two papers, a Field Survey and a Topic Paper, and defending both in an oral examination. The Field Survey should show broad expertise in the wider field of knowledge the candidate’s research will engage, i.e. one or more of the fields of Communication Studies, Cultural Studies or New Media/Media Arts. The Topic Paper describes how the candidate’s thesis intervenes in the chosen field(s) and the particular contribution it will make. Both papers are to be researched and written concurrently by the candidate, are to be between 25 and 30 double-spaced pages in length, and are due in February of the second year of study. The Oral Examination of both papers will follow within 10 days of submission. The candidate’s mark in the Comprehensive Examination will be calculated on the average of the grades for the Field Survey, the Topic Paper and the Oral Examination.

Qualifying Dossier

Over the course of their graduate study, students in the program will develop a qualifying dossier in consultation with their supervisory committee. Possible components of the qualifying dossier, of which the student will complete at least six, include:

• a grant application;
• presentation of a conference paper or artist talk;
• a revision and submission of an article or artistic piece for peer-reviewed publication or juried exhibition;
• a research ethics proposal;
• a syllabus and a teaching philosophy statement;
• an op-ed or other knowledge translation project (e.g., a blog, performance, artwork, website, new media project, etc.)
• Education 751 (offered by McMaster’s MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation and Excellence in Teaching)
• participation in four professionalization workshops (academic or non-academic), offered by ECS, CSMA, or the Faculty of Humanities
• a published book review/exhibition review in a scholarly journal
• a community-engagement project
• a guest lecture
• participation in conference organizing

Work completed as part of course requirements may be included in the dossier at the discretion of the supervisory committee.

The candidate will complete a thesis in one of the following forms:

• A traditional thesis , which will normally be between 200 and 250 pages (not including bibliography).
• A research-creation or project-based thesis , which will consist of a body of work and written commentary on that work of between 100 and 150 pages; such a thesis may involve arts-based research, or it may involve the creation of such things as tool kits, social interventions, learning platforms, databases, new media archives, documentary films, or podcasts;
• By March 1 of year 1 of the program, students will submit a short proposal (1000 words plus bibliography) for the thesis, identifying the area of their intended thesis research, for the approval of the Admissions and Review Committee. 
• With the guidance of their supervisory committee and their peers in the year 2 doctoral seminar, students will develop a long proposal (10-15 pages plus bibliography), to be submitted for approval by August 31 of year 2.  
• Years 3 and 4 of the degree will be dedicated to the completion of the thesis, which must be defended in an oral examination.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Research your passion in Communication and New Media with supervision from our world-class faculty.

SEE OUR CURRENT AND FORMER GRAD STUDENTS

Learn about our PhD program students.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PhD Course Listings

The following is a list of all courses included as potential offerings in CNMCS. Aside from the required courses, course offerings change regularly from one academic year to the next.

• CNMCS 700 / Doctoral Seminar in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies 1 (required)
• CNMCS 701 / Doctoral Seminar in Communication, New Media, and Cultural Studies 2 (required)
• CMST&MM 702 / Media and Social Issues
• CMST&MM 703 / New Media Studio Topics
• CMST&MM 705 / Digital Media and Cultural Exchange
• CMST&MM 706 / Technologies of Communication
• CMST&MM 707 / Theoretical Issues in Media, Culture and Communication
• CMST&MM 708 / Selected Topics in Communication and New Media
• CMST&MM 710 / International Communication
• CMST&MM 714 / Feminism, Technology and Science
• CMST&MM 715 / Cultural Memory, the Media, and “Us”
• CMST&MM 716 / Critical Perspectives on Documentary
• CMST&MM 717 / Youth, New Media and Culture
• CMST&MM 718 / Critical Approaches to Communication Policy & Law
• CMST&MM 719 / Media and Mimesis: Installation and Performance Media
• CMST&MM 720 / Data Cultures
• CMST&MM 721 / Alternative Media Forms in Africa
• CMST&MM 722 / Beyoncé Studies: Creativity, Celebrity, and Activism
• CMST&MM 723 / Islam, Feminisms and Global Media
• CMST&MM 724 / Visions of Extinction: What the End Looks Like From Here
• CMST&MM 725 / Theory, Race, and Power
• CMST&MM 726 / Media, Sustainability, and Climate Justice
• CMST&MM 727 / Cultural Production and the Environment
• CMST&MM 728 / Critical Hope in Times of Protracted Crises
• CMST&MM 731 / Crisis Management and Communication
• CULTR ST 708 / Selfie/Culture
• CULTR ST 710 / Decolonial, Anti-Racist, and Anti-Oppressive Pedagogies: Teaching and Learning Otherwise
• CULTR ST 711 / Celebrity/Culture
• CULTR ST 712 / Queer, Two-Spirit, & Trans- Indigenous Writings
• CULTR ST 716 / Bob Dylan and American Culture: Memory, Consciousness and Meaning
• CULTR ST 717 / Global Sex
• CULTR ST 721 / Writing, Land, and Place
• CULTR ST 725 / Romanticism, War, and Peace
• CULTR ST 729 / Cultural Studies and the Politics of Cultural Pedagogy
• CULTR ST 730 / Indigenous Literature of North America
• CULTR ST 731 / Anxiety Disorders: The Cultural Politics of Risk
• CULTR ST 734 / Appropriation and Canadian Literature: History, Theory, Controversies
• CULTR ST 742 / Mapping South Asian Masculinities
• CULTR ST 743 / Reimagining Nature: Science and Empire in the Long Eighteenth Century
• CULTR ST 746 / American Counterculture Literature, 1950-1990: Beat, Hippie, Punk
• CULTR ST 747 / Discourses of Empire 1700-1820
• CULTR ST 748 / Last Things: Life and Death in the Anthropocenes
• CULTR ST 749 / Getting and Spending: The Birth of Consumer Culture
• CULTR ST 750 / Gothic, Sensation and Victorian Discourses of the Body
• CULTR ST 752 / Trans-Atlantic Indigeneity: Indigenous Literary Presence in Europe
• CULTR ST 755 / Neoliberalism and the Limits of the Social
• CULTR ST 756 / The Secret Life of Things in the Eighteenth Century
• CULTR ST 757 / Gender, Civility, and Courtliness in Early Modern Europe
• CULTR ST 758 / Literature as Witness
• CULTR ST 759 / Victorian Natures
• CULTR ST 761 / Framing CanLit
• CULTR ST 762 / Queer Historicisms and British Cultural Memory
• CULTR ST 765 / Biopolitics: An Introduction
• CULTR ST 767 / Regarding Animals: Theories of Non-Human Life
• CULTR ST 770 / Queer Caribbean Writing: Sex, Gender, Politics
• CULTR ST 773 / “Revolt and Remember”: Resilience in the Postcolonial Environmental Humanities
• CULTR ST 775 / Topics in South Asian Literature and Culture
• CULTR ST 776 / Community Engaged Narrative Arts
• CULTR ST 779 / The Times We Live In
• CULTR ST 780 / Engendering the (Queer, Trans, Non-Binary) Transnational Early Modern Stage: Then and Now
• CULTR ST 781 / Public Mourning in Canada: What Makes a Life Grievable?
• CULTR ST 782 / Seed Stories of Black and Indigenous Survivance
• CULTR ST 785 / Migratory Routes: Indian Diasporic Fiction and Film
• CULTR ST 791 / Rethinking Politics: Thinking Past War, Democracy, and Terror

Course Outlines

Graduate course outlines will be posted at the beginning of the semester, where possible. In cases where current outlines are not available, outlines from previous offerings have been posted. Please note that the content and format of a course may vary significantly from one semester to another. Course offerings rotate regularly and therefore some elective courses may not have recent course outlines available.

Graduate Course Timetables

The timetables for graduate courses in the Department of Communication Studies and Media Arts are generally finalized over the summer, in order to accommodate teaching assistant schedules and other logistical requirements. Please note that the schedule may be subject to change, particularly in the case of instructors who are teaching virtual courses.

Students admitted to the MA and PhD Programs in Communication and New Media generally receive an entrance scholarship and a Teaching Assistantship, or funding-in-lieu of the TAship. Entrance scholarship amounts vary and are normally determined by the MA or PhD Graduate Committee at the time of admission.

The university also has various bursaries and scholarships. Graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Graduate students wishing to travel to research, exhibit, perform, or present at academic conferences may be eligible for financial support from the the Graduate Students Association (GSA), Communication Studies and Media Arts department, their supervisor, and/or other travel funds, awards, bursaries, and scholarships, subject to the availability of funds. For more information, contact your supervisor and [email protected] .  Also, visit the School of Graduate Studies Scholarship information page and click on ‘travel’ for a list of available resources

Students considering graduate school are encouraged to research scholarships well in advance because some external scholarship applications are due even before the student has been accepted to graduate school. Depending on a student’s area of interest, grades and overall profile, external scholarships may be available through a variety of sources, including government agencies and the private sector. The scholarships listed below are the ones most commonly held by MA and PhD students in Ontario. 

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Note that applications must be submitted directly to the institution(s) where you plan to pursue graduate studies. The deadline is normally in the fall, before the application deadline for graduate school in Canada.

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program

Graduate Scholarship – As with OGS, applications for the Canada Graduate Scholarship must be submitted through an eligible institution. The deadline is usually December 1, before the application deadline for graduate school.

McMaster Graduate Studies Scholarship Information

The School of Graduate Studies provides funding to our graduate students so they can devote their time and energy to the successful completion of their studies.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship

The deadline for SSHRC applications is usually in the fall. Applications can be made directly to SSHRC or through your institution.

• Program Handbook
• Thesis Defence
• Graduate Calendar
• School of Graduate Studies Graduate Resources
• Faculty of Humanities Adjustments Guidelines

All students admitted to the MA in Communication and New Media and PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies are awarded a teaching assistantship or a financially-equivalent award (e.g. a research assistantship). The teaching assistantship is not only a significant part of the funding package for our students but also an important opportunity for professionalization. There are training sessions for TAs at the start of the academic year, and both TAs and RAs gain ongoing mentorship from their faculty supervisors. 

Students are usually assigned two TAships: one in the fall term and the other in the winter term. Each TAship is 130 hours (averaging 10 hours per week). Assignments are based on students’ interests and experience (as communicated in a questionnaire distributed over the summer), and the department’s teaching needs. Faculty supervisors are responsible for the design and delivery of the course; the responsibilities of TAs include leading tutorials, meeting with students, and participating in assessment. Some TAs have a “marker” role; markers do not lead tutorials but, rather, assist with other aspects of content delivery and evaluation. 

A research assistantship is an excellent way for students to enhance their learning about the research process and to work closely with a faculty mentor.

There are two kinds of research assistantships for MA and PhD students. The first is an RA-in-lieu, which is given in place of a TAship. RA-in-lieu positions are for the same number of hours as a TAship (130 hours per semester in the fall and winter terms) and paid at the same rate as a TAship.

The second type of research assistantship is supplemental to a student’s main TAship or RAship. Students may be hired for a supplemental RAship on an ad hoc basis, usually to assist with faculty research. These supplemental RAships are sometimes offered to incoming students or are advertised to current students. The rate of pay and duties are set out in a contract, and RAs must submit hours of work forms on a bi-weekly basis. One final note: the number of hours that graduate students may work per year is capped at 505 hours; the hours worked for both the standard TAship/RA-in-lieu and any supplemental RAship count toward this number.

The PhD Teaching Fellowships are an exciting opportunity for PhD students in the Humanities to develop and teach their own undergraduate course. Teaching Fellows also participate in mentoring at both the faculty and departmental level.

PhD students become eligible for a teaching fellowship after they successfully submit their long thesis proposal. Usually, they are able to apply at the end of their third year to teach a course in their fourth year.

Near the end of winter term, available courses are shared with eligible students. Applications should include a cover letter explaining their experience and abilities for teaching the course; a maximum two-page explanation of their approach to teaching the course and a CV.

Teaching assistants are key partners in the classroom who benefit from, and contribute to, ongoing training in pedagogy. In recognition of the fact that the learning environment is constantly changing, our Instructional Committee maintains a course shell on Avenue that contains information regarding resources on campus, rights and responsibilities of TAs as well as supervisors, diversity and inclusion, approaches to managing questions and challenges in the classroom, grading and more. Current teaching assistants all have access to this course shell. An initial orientation is also held before classes commence.

McMaster is home to a vibrant student body, including highly engaged graduate students. The Graduate Students Association serves and represents graduate students across campus, providing a number of resources and services. Graduate students are encouraged to get involved with the GSA and to participate in the many events they organize throughout the year.

Many scholarly associations also have special committees or student groups that organize events, offer discounted fees or provide conference funding specifically for graduate students. One example is the  Canadian Communication Association  but there are many others, nationally and internationally.

The PhD in Communication, New Media and Cultural Studies equips students with skills that are crucial for our digital, knowledge-based economy. These include advanced research skills appropriate for work in the policy, not-for-profit and education sectors; high-level cultural, social and digital literacies; knowledge of and ability to innovate in modes and methods of communication; and the capacity for analyzing and engaging complex systems and problems.

CNMCS can prepare students for work in a wide range of sectors not only including education, but also the public service, the arts and the private sector. Since our founding in 2016, each cohort has been diverse in terms of background and interests, and accordingly, we expect that our graduates will follow very different paths.

PAST PhD THESIS PROJECTS

Stay tuned for when our first cohort of PhD students will graduate!

Department Life

Our program benefits from the close interaction between faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students. Graduate students participate in many aspects of departmental life, as teaching assistants and sometimes as assistants in research initiatives headed by faculty members. Graduate students are encouraged to attend events by visiting speakers across the university and are given opportunities, where possible, to perform and deliver guest lectures, and attend invited talks.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Graduate Certificates and Diplomas

Students in our doctoral program are eligible to participate in the Gender Studies and Feminist Research Graduate Diploma. Application for the Graduate Diploma (PhD) in Gender and Social Justice is normally made after the first year of doctoral study for entry into the program during the student’s second year of the PhD Program. Occasionally, students may be allowed to begin the Graduate Diploma in their third year of the PhD, but no later.

Available Gender Studies and Feminist Research Graduate Diploma

Students in our doctoral program are eligible to participate in the Graduate Diploma (PhD) in Gender and Social Justice. Application for the Graduate Diploma is normally made after the first year of doctoral study for entry into the program during the student’s second year of the PhD Program.  Occasionally, students may be allowed to begin the Graduate Diploma in their third year of the PhD, but no later.

Find a Humanities Expert

Research-focused and student-centered. Humanities researchers promote interdisciplinary approaches to local and global leadership. Learn more about our researchers by searching by name or keyword.

Political Science

PhD Political Science (Comparative Politics)

Comparative Politics is the systematic study and comparison of diverse political systems, processes, and patterns in the world. Comparativists compare to draw attention to the similarities and differences to explain big political changes and developments. The focus on methodology is unique amongst other Political Science subfields.

Our faculty is committed to teaching and research excellence. We are capable of supervising students interested in democratization, authoritarianism, gender, human rights, ethnic minority representation, digital technology, parties and elections in regions such as Asia, Latin America and North America.

Our program prepares the graduates for working in Canadian and overseas universities, international organizations, non-governmental organizations and public services.

Research Opportunities

Several faculty members in the department have funded research programs that provide potential opportunities for collaboration or research assistant positions for PhD students enrolled in political science. Potential PhD students with research interests or preparation that align with one of the projects below should contact the relevant faculty member(s) as they prepare their applications for admission to the PhD program.

Faculty Specializing in Comparative Politics:

Karen Bird: Diversity & Political Representation, Comparative Electoral Systems, Political Behaviour & Election Studies

Nibaldo Galleguillos : Globalization, Human Rights, Military Intervention

Netina Tan : Sources of Authoritarian Resilience, Political Representation of Women & Ethnic Minorities in Asia & Globally

In addition, several other faculty members have an interest in Comparative Politics:

Katherine Boothe : Health & Social Policy, Evidence & Policy Decision-making, Public Engagement

Michelle Dion : Comparative Politics, Gender & Politics, Globalization, Public Policy, Social & Health Policy

Peter Graefe : Political Economy, Social Policy, Quebec Politics, Federalism & Intergovernmental Relations

Ahmed Shafiqul Huque : Public Policy & Public Administration in the Global South

Clifton van der Linden : Political Behaviour & Election Studies, Digital Policy & Technology, Quantitative Methods & Computational Social Science

Apply to PhD Political Science (Comparative Politics)

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines.

Students are required to complete 18 units (6 half courses) of course work beyond the M.A. level.

They then prepare to write comprehensive examinations in their two fields – Comparative Politics and a second field drawn from one of Canadian Politics, Comparative Public Policy, International Relations or Political Theory. Exams are written in August of their first year and December of their second year.

Students also fulfill a language requirement to demonstrate their competency in a language other than English which is relevant to their research. This is normally done before the approval of the thesis proposal.

The remainder of the program involves preparing a thesis proposal, and then completing and defending the dissertation.

A thesis proposal will normally be submitted in April of the student’s second year. The thesis should normally be no more than 60,000 words long, and it is expected that the thesis will be finished about two years after the proposal is approved. Overall, then, full-time students are expected to take about four years to complete the program. Part-time students may take up to eight years to complete the degree but are encouraged to finish in less time.

Admissions and Applications

Admission to the PhD program will normally require a Master’s degree in political science with an average of at least an A– (A minus).

Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department of Political Science regarding potential supervision.

Required Application Documents:

Graduate studies online application.

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Applicatio n which opens October 1st each year. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Most required documents must be submitted through the online application.

Statement of Interest

• An electronic statement of interest (approximately 500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page ).
• The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment only through the online application system.
• Your statement of interest is a crucial element of the application process. Canadian Politics applicants should describe the analytical problem or question about the Canadian political system that their dissertation will pursue. Comparative Politics applicants should emphasize the comparative elements of their project compared. Comparative Public Policy applicants should highlight the comparative nature of their research and policy area which concerns them. International Relations applicants should identify the international, transnational or global elements of their research projects. Political Theory applicants should identify the philosophical traditions, concepts, or figures that they wish to study at the doctoral level.
• All applicants would benefit from indicating particular faculty members that overlap with their projects.

CV/Personal Resume

• An electronic copy of your CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.

Official Academic Transcripts

• Upload a scan of ALL official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/legend or scale from the transcript.
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
• If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.
• DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record prints.
• If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.

Academic Reference

• Three (3) confidential e-reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
• All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
• You will be required to include contact information and an email address for each referee.
• The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application. Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).
• The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.
• This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.
• The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.

NOTE: International students wishing to enter Canada on a study permit should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Application Fee

The system will charge a non-refundable application fee. Please have a valid credit card ready to pay the application fee. The fee will not be refunded or waived.

ANY LATE OR MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION AND NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMISSION COMMITTEE.

Application Deadline

January 14, 2024 (for September 2024 admission) We do not offer a Winter (January) or Spring (May) start date.

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

The ellen louks fairclough scholarship in political science.

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship in Political Science was established in 2004 to commemorate the life of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, P.C., C.C., F.CA., L.L.D., F.R.C.G.S., D.H., U.E., Canada’s first female federal cabinet minister and lifelong advocate for women’s rights. To be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate program in Political Science who holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Preference will be given to a student with an interest in Canadian public policy.

The Political Science Travel Grant

To support research and professional development by assisting graduate students with costs related to doing field-work or attending academic conferences. This grant is open to both MA (thesis option) and PhD students. There are two rounds of applications each year with the deadlines being October 15th and January 30th.

The William Coleman Fund

The William Coleman Fund was established in 2011 by Dr. William Coleman. To support Ph.D. students in the Department of Political Science who are conducting field research.

To see additional information regarding awards and funding, please visit our Awards & Funding page.

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Quick Links

Graduate Supervisors Learn More

Find a graduate supervisor in your area of interest.

Research in Political Science Learn More

Learn more about our recent and ongoing research projects.

Graduate Courses Learn More

View our graduate courses and course descriptions.

Graduate Administrative Assistant Manuela Dozzi Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH) 527 Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 24742 Email: [email protected]

Office Location

Department of Political Science Kenneth Taylor Hall, 527 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4

Campus Map & Driving Directions

Office Hours

Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

closed daily 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

If possible, please send any inquiries via email. Voicemails will be reviewed occasionally.  

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

Linguistics & languages.

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PhD Program in Cognitive Science of Language

Join our world-class Languages & Linguistics Department to continue your study of language structure, language processing and the neural basis of language in the Cognitive Science of Language PhD Program.

Our courses are so hands-on and application based that you end up developing a unique and valuable skillset, which ends up leading into a variety of career paths that would otherwise have been difficult to grow accustomed to.

Meliha Horzum '20

Honours Cognitive Science of Language

About the Program

Based in the Department of Linguistics and Languages, the PhD program in Cognitive Science of Language is interdisciplinary and includes faculty from Humanities, Science, and Health Sciences. The program has a strong research orientation with expertise in cognitive science, corpus linguistics, neurolinguistics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and theoretical linguistics. The program introduces students to the issues in those fields that form the nexus of linguistics, cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience, and trains students in the research methods employed to study them.

Admission Requirements

A MSc in the Cognitive Science of Language or an equivalent Master’s degree is required for entrance into the PhD program. Some applicants may require additional courses in core areas (e.g. linguistics or cognitive science) in order to be eligible for admission. Each application will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Language Requirement

In order to ensure language diversity and breadth, the Department has a second-language requirement for the PhD degree, in addition to the general Graduate School requirement of English proficiency. Candidates should have, as a minimum, intermediate knowledge of a language other than English, defined as having passed the equivalent of two (2) full year courses. Candidates admitted without this requirement will be expected to pass the equivalent of two (2) full year courses or to pass a Qualifying Exam. The Department will evaluate each student’s language preparation at the Admission stage.

Application Process

The official electronic transcripts should be sent from the issuing institution directly to our department’s email: [email protected]

The online application portal for our graduate program in Cognitive Science of Language unlocks November 1st each year for September admission only. 

THOSE WHO SUBMIT  THEIR  COMPLETED APPLICATIONS (BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL) BY THE JANUARY 31ST DEADLINE WILL HAVE FIRST CONSIDERATION.

• Complete the online application -> McMaster University Application  
• Statement of Interest (identify the faculty member you wish to work with)
• Writing Sample (any type of academic writing i.e. term paper, thesis chapter)
• Two academic references (McMaster University uses an Electronic Referencing System. By entering the email address of your referee through the online application, the system will automatically send an e-Reference request on your behalf)
• English Language Proficiency (if English is not your native language)
• Official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work completed to date (transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution to our Department, please include English translation if applicable)
• Official copy of your TOEFL or IELTS scores or any other evidence of English proficiency (TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based), minimum of 20 per band; for the Faculty of Engineering a minimum score of 88 (internet based) or 213 on the (computer based) or 550 (paper based)  IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section)
• **NOTE** Applicants from outside of Canada should begin the application process as early as possible to allow time to obtain all necessary documents.

Program Timelines

Students entering with a MSc in the Cognitive Science of Language are required to complete three half courses plus one pass/fail module. If the following courses were not completed in the MSc program, they must be included in the PhD program of study:

• COGSCIL 730 / Language Analysis Methods: Phonology and Morphology
• COGSCIL 731 / Language Analysis Methods: Syntax and Semantics
• COGSCIL 726 / The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series must be completed in Year 1 of the PhD program
• Plus additional courses approved by the student’s supervisory committee to total three half courses

Students entering with a Master’s degree but not an MSc in the Cognitive Science of Language are required to complete seven half courses plus one pass/fail lecture series module as listed below. The Lecture series must be completed in year one of the program.  

Required courses:

• COGSCIL 721 / Fundamentals of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• COGSCIL 722 / Contemporary Issues in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• COGSCIL 726 / The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series  
• Plus additional courses approved by the student’s supervisory committee to total seven half courses

The Comprehensive Examination is intended to ensure that the student develops competence in a subfield of Cognitive Science of Language beyond the focus of the thesis. In consultation with the supervisory committee, the student will identify a topic for the Comprehensive that is distinct from the thesis topic.

In most cases, the Director of the Comprehensive will not be the thesis supervisor. The student and the Comprehensive Director agree in writing on the nature of the deliverable for the Comprehensive and on interim and final deadlines. At a minimum, the Comprehensive consists of a written paper and oral examination of the topic of the paper. The paper may consist of a literature review, proposal for a research project, report of a research project or report of a teaching project. The scope of the project should be such that it can reasonably be completed within one semester. The paper will usually be 20-30 pages long.

The Comprehensive Director identifies at least one other faculty member; together, the Director and these other faculty members constitute the Comprehensive Exam Committee. (Comprehensive Directors are encouraged to recruit Comprehensive Examiners from beyond the Department of Linguistics & Languages.) The Comprehensive Director advises the student on the preparation of the paper. The Comprehensive Exam Committee determines whether the paper is ready for an oral defense, and conducts the oral examination. The oral examination consists of a brief presentation by the student regarding the content of the paper followed by questions from the Committee. The Comprehensive Exam must be successfully completed within 20 months of entering the PhD program.

All students are expected to attend the talks in the Cognitive Science of Language Lecture Series, where scholars from around the world in the fields of Linguistics, Psychology, and Cognitive Neuroscience discuss their research.

Tuition & Program Fees

Visit Graduate Studies to learn more about tuition, supplementary fees and everything you need to know about being paid as a Teaching or Research Assistant. Tuition fees are assessed on a term by term basis, depending on the number of courses a student takes or if they are paying by term.

Faculty Scholarship Adjustments Guidelines

The McMaster Graduate Scholarship (MGS) is the most common form of scholarship support available to graduate students in our program. The MGS ensures that students receive a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship support. Adjustments to the MGS will depend on other available scholarships.

The Faculty of Humanities Adjustments guidelines policy is available for review.

REVIEW THE POLICY

Apply to an PhD Program in Linguistics & Languages

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GRADUATE SUPERVISORS

Research your passion in Linguistics & Languages with supervision from our world-class faculty.

SEE OUR CURRENT AND FORMER PhD STUDENTS

Supplemental information.

Graduate Courses in Linguistics and Languages

Course outlines 2024-2025

• Cogscil 6D03 – Computers and Linguistic Analysis
• Cogscil 6XX3 – Topics in Linguistic Theory
• Cogscil 712 – Reading Course (Linguistics)
• Cogscil 713 – Reading Course (Cognitive Science)
• Cogscil 726A – The Cognitive Science of Language M.Sc. Lecture Series
• Cogscil 749 – Lab Visual Language

Winter 2025 (the outlines will be added by the beginning of the winter term)

• Cogscil 6EL3 – Experimental Lab in Cognitive Science of Language
• Cogscil 6G03- Language, Sex and Gender
• Cogscil 6LC3 – Advanced Morphology and Syntax
• Cogscil 713 –  Reading Course (Cognitive Science)
• Cogscil 721 – Fundamentals of the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• Cogscil 726B– The Cognitive Science of Language M.Sc. Lecture Series
• Cogscil 730 – Language Analysis Methods: Phonology and Morphology

Course outlines 2023-2024

• Cogscil 6LB3 – Advanced Phonetics and Phonology
• Cogscil 722 – Contemporary Issues in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Language
• Cogscil 726A – The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series

Winter 2024

• Cogscil 6NN3 – Cognitive Neurolinguistics Lab
• Cogscil 726B– The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series
• Cogscil 731 – Language Analysis Methods: Syntax and Semantics
• Cogscil 734 – Issues in Syntax

Course outlines 2022-2023

Winter 2023

• Cogscil 6AS3 – Topics in Advanced Semantics
• Cogscil 726B – The Cognitive Science of Language Ph.D. Lecture Series

Domestic MSc students usually receive a funding package consisting of a teaching assistantship and scholarship. The total value of the funding package ranges from $16,000 to $19,000 per year.

Currently all domestic PhD students receive a funding package of $23,500 per year, usually including a teaching assistantship of 260 hours plus a scholarship.

McMaster Graduate Studies Scholarship Information

The School of Graduate Studies provides funding to our graduate students so they can devote their time and energy to the successful completion of their studies.

External Graduate Scholarships

All eligible students are also strongly encouraged to apply for external scholarships such as the Ontario Graduate Scholarship and Canada Graduate Scholarships.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

Note that applications must be submitted directly to the institution(s) where you plan to pursue graduate studies. The deadline is normally in the fall, before the application deadline for graduate school. 

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s Program

Graduate Scholarship – As with OGS, applications for the Canada Graduate Scholarship must be submitted through an eligible institution. The deadline is usually December 1, before the application deadline for graduate school.

All applicants and current students will be considered for funding support from McMaster, including TAships.

• Thesis Defence
• Program Handbook
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PAST MAJOR RESEARCH PROJECTS

Department life.

The Department of Linguistics & Languages welcomes scholars from around the world to participate in the Cognitive Science of Language Lecture Series. The lecture series is a forum where all are welcome to attend talks by established researchers on recent innovations and current trends in Language and Cognition.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Find a Humanities Expert

Research-focused and student-centered. Humanities researchers promote interdisciplinary approaches to local and global leadership. Learn more about our researchers by searching by name or keyword.

Political Science

PhD Political Science (Political Theory)

Political theory is the study of the philosophical foundations of political ideas, norms, practices, and institutions. It examines the nature of such concepts as power, the state, justice, equality, government, and civil society, and considers – from a critical standpoint – the ethical grounds of contemporary social and political life.

Our faculty have particular expertise in critical theory, decolonial, postcolonial and anticolonial political thought, theories of nationalism and collective identity, political founding and constituent power, political theories of race, gender and empire, and critical theories of cosmopolitanism and international relations. We are happy to supervise doctoral projects in these and related areas.

We provide students with a strong foundation in historical and contemporary scholarship in political theory and focus on the development of core skills (critical thinking, analytical reasoning, writing, oral expression) and academic professionalization. We encourage collaboration with other subfields within and beyond Political Science and are supportive of interdisciplinary projects.

Research Opportunities

Several faculty members in the department have funded research programs that provide potential opportunities for collaboration or research assistant positions for PhD students enrolled in political science. Potential PhD students with research interests or preparation that align with one of the projects below should contact the relevant faculty member(s) as they prepare their applications for admission to the PhD program.

Faculty Specializing in Political Theory:

Catherine Frost : Representation, Communication Theory, Political Origins, Collective Identity, Law & Constitutionalism, Critiques of Rationalism

James Ingram : Critical Theory; Democratic Theory, Radical & Revolutionary Politics; Marxism; Anarchism; Postcolonialism; Poststructuralism; Posthumanism; Political Ontology

Inder S. Marwah : Modern Political Theory; Imperialism & Colonialism; Anticolonial, Decolonial & Postcolonial Theory; Comparative Political Theory; Non-Western Political Theory; Race; Darwinism

In addition, several other faculty members have an interest in Political Theory:

Marshall Beier : Critical Approaches to Security, Militarization of Childhood, Indigeneity & International Relations, International Relations Theory

Peter Nyers : Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration

Robert O’Brien : Global Political Economy, Labour Internationalism, Global Civil Society, Climate Change, Global Governance

Tony Porter : Global Governance & Standard Setting, International Finance

Alina Sajed : Post-colonial International Relations, Political Violence & Revolution, Global South

Apply to the PhD Political Science (Political Theory)

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines.

Students are required to complete 18 units (6 half courses) of course work beyond the MA level.

They then prepare to write comprehensive examinations in their two fields – Political Theory and a second field drawn from one of Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Comparative Public Policy or International Relations. Exams are written in August of their first year and December of their second year.

Students also fulfill a language requirement to demonstrate their competency in a language other than English which is relevant to their research. This is normally done before the approval of the thesis proposal.

The remainder of the program involves preparing a thesis proposal, and then completing and defending the dissertation.

A thesis proposal will normally be submitted in April of the student’s second year. The thesis should normally be no more than 60,000 words long, and it is expected that the thesis will be finished about two years after the proposal is approved. Overall, then, full-time students are expected to take about four years to complete the program. Part-time students may take up to eight years to complete the degree but are encouraged to finish in less time.

Admissions and Applications

Admission to the PhD program will normally require a Master’s degree in political science with an average of at least an A– (A minus).

Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department of Political Science regarding potential supervision.

Required Application Documents

Graduate studies online application.

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application  which opens October 1st each year. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Most required documents must be submitted through the online application.

Statement of Interest

• An electronic statement of interest (approximately 500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page ).
• The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment only through the online application system.
• Your statement of interest is a crucial element of the application process. Canadian Politics applicants should describe the analytical problem or question about the Canadian political system that their dissertation will pursue. Comparative Politics applicants should emphasize the comparative elements of their project compared. Comparative Public Policy applicants should highlight the comparative nature of their research and policy area which concerns them. International Relations applicants should identify the international, transnational or global elements of their research projects. Political Theory applicants should identify the philosophical traditions, concepts, or figures that they wish to study at the doctoral level.
• All applicants would benefit from indicating particular faculty members that overlap with their projects.

CV/Personal Resume

• An electronic copy of your CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.

Official Academic Transcripts

• Upload a scan of ALL official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/legend or scale from the transcript.
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
• If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.
• DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record prints.
• If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.

Academic Reference

• Three (3) confidential e-reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work.
• All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
• You will be required to include contact information and an email address for each referee.
• The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application. Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).
• The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.
• This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.
• The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.

NOTE: International students wishing to enter Canada on a study permit should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Application Fee

The system will charge a non-refundable application fee. Please have a valid credit card ready to pay the application fee. The fee will not be refunded or waived.

ANY LATE OR MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION AND NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMISSION COMMITTEE.

Application Deadline

January 14, 2024 (for September 2024 admission) We do not offer a Winter (January) or Spring (May) start date.

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

The political science travel grant.

To support research and professional development by assisting graduate students with costs related to doing field-work or attending academic conferences. This grant is open to both MA (thesis option) and PhD students. There are two rounds of applications each year with the deadlines being October 15th and January 30th.

The William Coleman Fund

The William Coleman Fund was established in 2011 by Dr. William Coleman. To support Ph.D. students in the Department of Political Science who are conducting field research.

To see additional information regarding awards and funding, please visit our Awards & Funding page.

• Career & Professional Development
• Graduate Calendar
• Graduate Students Association
• Mental Health Resources
• Graduate Studies Program Information
• Graduate Handbook
• School of Graduate Studies Graduate Resources
• Black Student Success Centre
• Indigenous Student Services
• Thesis Defence

Quick Links

Graduate Supervisors Learn More

Find a graduate supervisor in your area of interest.

Research in Political Science Learn More

Learn more about our recent and ongoing research projects.

Graduate Courses Learn More

View our graduate courses and course descriptions.

Graduate Administrative Assistant Manuela Dozzi Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH) 527 Phone: (905) 525-9140 ext. 24742 Email: [email protected]

Office Location

Department of Political Science Kenneth Taylor Hall, 527 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4

Campus Map & Driving Directions

Office Hours

Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

closed daily 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

If possible, please send any inquiries via email. Voicemails will be reviewed occasionally.

Anthropology

PhD Anthropology

At mcmaster, our faculty, post-doctoral fellows, research assistants, and graduate students think and act as a community of scholars..

Admission to the doctoral program is very competitive and is based on a consideration of demonstrated scholarly excellence, suitability of research interests, availability of appropriate supervision, and availability of openings. Most successful applicants have sufficient background in their area of specialization within anthropology to benefit from advanced training in the field.

Anthropologists work in a wide array of areas, from government to large corporations, to NGOs and education.

Apply to the PhD Program in Anthropology

Ready to join us? Submit your application today!

Program Information

Requirements and timelines.

• Four graduate-level courses
• Participation in the professionalization workshop in first year of program
• Comprehensive examination
• Thesis with defense

Admissions and Applications

Admission requirements for phd degree.

For applicants who hold a Master’s degree, the primary requirements are distinction in their previous graduate work (equivalent to at least a McMaster B+), and strong letters of reference.

Normally a student will have completed the requirements for an MA degree in anthropology before their admission into the doctoral program. Since application for the program is usually made before completion of the MA degree, a student may be accepted conditionally on completion of the MA degree.

For purposes of admission, an MA in anthropology from any other university is considered equivalent to that awarded by McMaster. Equivalence also is recognized between an MA degree achieved by examination, by course work alone, by thesis, or by major research paper. It should be noted, however, that students who have major gaps in their anthropological background will be required to undertake additional work after admission into the program.

A student who is already registered in the MA program at McMaster may apply for the department’s PhD program. Registration in the MA program does not guarantee admission into the PhD program.

In some circumstances, exceptionally qualified students holding an Honours BA in Anthropology may be offered direct entry into the PhD program.

Admission to the doctoral program is very competitive and is based on a consideration of demonstrated scholarly excellence, suitability of research interests, availability of appropriate supervision, and availability of openings. Most successful applicants have sufficient background in their area of specialization within anthropology to benefit from advanced training in the field. Completion of the minimum requirements for acceptance into the doctoral program does not guarantee acceptance. It should also be understood that all applicants for the doctoral program for a given year, whether already enrolled at McMaster or not, normally will have been considered together during the second term of the preceding year. A discussion of required application materials and procedures can be found in this handbook.

Only under exceptional circumstances will the department consider for admission any student who has taken two prior degrees in anthropology at McMaster.

Important: If English is not your native language

Applicants are required to submit evidence of their proficiency in the English language as part of their application. The most common evidence is a score on one of the following exams:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based)
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section
• MELAB: minimum score of 90

Applicants who have completed an academic ESL program through Canadian academic institutions may petition to have this considered in lieu of TOEFL

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

Students to whom we offer admission are automatically considered for financial assistance from funds available to the Anthropology Department – no special forms need be filled out. Funding is awarded on academic excellence and the availability of funds (amounts vary from year to year.) Funding is open to all domestic students. This fall, 62% of our returning MA & PhD students and incoming MA & PhD students have earned a major external scholarship. The total of these major external scholarships is just under $550,000

The Harry Lyman Hooker Senior Scholarship : These awards are given to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents who are entering the first year of a Master’s or Doctoral program at McMaster in those Humanities or Social Sciences disciplines or fields of study that receive funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (or its successor).

All applicants should also review the McMaster Ontario Graduate Scholarship process.

• There is no guaranteed minimum level of funding for students in the Masters program, but students offered a place in the Thesis program are typically offered funding for two years.
• Applicants should apply for the SSHRC CGS masters if they meet the eligibility requirements. Deadline: Early December each year. Please choose McMaster as one of your three choices for University.

Travel Scholarships

• Department of Anthropology Fieldwork and Conference Funds. There are two rounds typically October and March. Funding for conference attendance is open to all full-time graduate students in the department. Fieldwork funding is open to all full-time students in the PhD program.
• The Schmid Family Travel Fund: Open to Masters or PhD enrolled full time at McMaster. The funds are to be used to support travel to present at conferences or undertake field research relevant to anthropology. Number available varies.
• The Edith M Wightman Travel Scholarships: The award is available to students registered in or, admitted to a McMaster graduate program in ancient history or, archaeology, to help support travel costs associated with thesis research or sponsored archaeological projects in Europe and the Mediterranean. Number available varies.
• SGS Grant in Aid for Research Travel and Field Work: The School of Graduate Studies Research Travel and Field Work Fund (SGS Grant) is designed to support highly meritorious students whose Ph.D. research and scholarly activity requires travel to, and extended stay at, locations more than 200 km from McMaster. The fund is intended to support projects that are critical for completion of the PhD thesis and that normally would not be possible through other means.

There are some funds available for bursaries, awarded on the basis of financial need. Students should apply directly to Student Financial Aid.

GSA/SGS Bursary: Bursaries are set at a current value of $500.

Applications may be submitted at any time. A maximum of three bursaries will be awarded each academic year. Please note that graduate students are only eligible to receive one GSA bursary per academic year.

Alternatively, students in health-related research (social psychology) may want to apply to the Canadian Institute of Health Research Doctoral Research Awards.

All applicants should also review the McMaster Ontario Graduate Scholarship process

• Career & Professional Development
• Graduate Calendar
• Graduate Students Association
• Mental Health Resources
• Graduate Studies Program Information
• Graduate Handbook
• School of Graduate Studies Graduate Resources
• Black Student Success Centre
• Indigenous Student Services
• Thesis Defence

Quick Links

Graduate Supervisors Find Supervisors

Find a graduate supervisor in your area of interest.

Research in Anthropology Learn More

Learn more about our recent and ongoing research projects.

Graduate Courses Learn More

View our graduate courses and course descriptions.

Graduate Fields of Study

Departmental faculty and graduate students fit into one or more research programs (sub-fields).

Archaeology Learn More

Biological Anthropology Learn More

Sociocultural Anthropology Learn More

Anthropology of Health Learn More

Research clusters.

While the department covers four main Research Programs (sub-fields) in Anthropology, we also integrate our Research Programs in the below six key areas of expertise and investigation.

Art and New Materialisms Learn More

Ecologies, Resilience, and Change Learn More

Embodiment, Health and Wellbeing Learn More

Foodways, Diet, and Nutrition Learn More

Heritage, History, and Memory Learn More

Migrations, Displacements and Violence Learn More

Anthropology Graduate Studies Email: [email protected] Phone: 905-525-9140 ext. 24423

Office Location

Department of Anthropology Kenneth Taylor Hall, 524 1280 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4M4 Campus Map & Driving Directions

Office of the Provost & Vice-President (Academic)

Academic excellence, support for indigenous initiatives at mcmaster.

Each year, McMaster University supports a number of key strategic programs and projects. In the 2023-24 financial year, more than $6.2 million was committed to support research, education, Indigenous Student experience, leadership and governance, and various other priorities identified in the Indigenous Strategic Directions.

Below is a summary of the financial support provided for Indigenous initiatives in the 2023-24 financial year and budgeted funding for 2024-25.

Information Box Group

Indigenous education council (iec) iec.

Committee responsible for promoting and advocating for the advancement of Indigenous education at McMaster, championing the needs of Indigenous students, staff and faculty members, and providing advice and support to the University on all Indigenous matters.

Funded by the Office of the Provost and administered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Indigenous Studies Department (ISD) ISD

The Indigenous Studies Department is home to the Indigenous Studies undergraduate program, a graduate program, and research and community-focused activities. The Indigenous Studies undergraduate program, one of the longest-standing programs of its kind in Canada, incorporates a very unique teaching structure of Indigenous knowledge that involves many Indigenous peoples and Elders.

Funded by tuition, grant and annual contributions from the University Fund, administered by the Faculty of Social Sciences.

STEER/R Hires - Indigenous Professors STEER/R

McMaster’s Strategic Excellence and Equity in Recruitment and Retention (STEER/R) Program provides funding for up to five years to support hiring of faculty from diverse and/or under represented groups. Six Indigenous faculty members were included in this program in FY 2024 and 10 in FY 2025.

Indigenous Research Hub Renovations Research Hub

A project to renovate the current Dean’s Office to create an Indigenous Research hub and expand the space available to Indigenous Student Services and the Indigenous Studies Department.

Indigenous Research Hub

Walls to Bridges (W2B) National Hub W2B

Walls to Bridges (W2B) is an innovative educational program that brings together incarcerated (“Inside”) and non-incarcerated (“Outside”) students to study post-secondary courses in jails and prisons across Canada. The National Hub for the program is based out of the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI) at McMaster University, in partnership with Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener.

Funded by the Office of the Provost, administered by the Faculty of Social Sciences and coordinated by MIRI. The Director of MIRI is also the Director of the National Hub.

McMaster Prison Education Program Prison Education

McMaster Indigenous Research Institute’s Prison Education Project increases access to post-secondary education for incarcerated Indigenous peoples.

Prison Education

Repatriation/Rematriation of Ancestral remains Repatriation/Rematriation

Project to plan for the return of ancestral remains currently at McMaster.

Repatriation/Rematriation

Funded by McMaster’s Strategic Alignment Funds, which are overseen by the Office of the Provost and administered by the Sustainable Archaeology Lab.

Indigenous Scholarships Indigenous Scholar Award

Provides the opportunity for research collaborations with Indigenous communities, partners, and organizations to produce and mobilize knowledge in ways that are mutually beneficial.

Indigenous Scholar in the Community Award

Funded by the Office of the Provost and Faculty of Social Sciences.

BIPOC Curatorial Mentorship Program Mentorship Program

Mentored three Indigenous and three Black cultural workers. The program provided paid work terms of between five to 12 months, professional development and research travel opportunities, as well as tangible outputs relevant to exhibition and education programs at the Museum.

Mentees who have completed the program have subsequently gone on to their first fulltime jobs in Canadian Cultural institutions, to important contract work in the sector, and have received awards for their work.

Mentorship Program

Funded by the Office of the Provost with a matching grant from the Department Of Canadian Heritage.

Indigenous Studies Steady State Steady State

Scholarships for Indigenous students.

Steady State

Funded by the Office of the Provost and administered through Student Financial Services and Awards.

Indigenous Student Services Student Services

Delivers in person and online support to Indigenous students.

Student Services

Funded by the Office of the Provost and administered through Student Affairs.

McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI) MIRI

MIRI facilitates and promotes increased visibility of Indigenous Knowledge and methodologies, creating space for dialogue between western research approaches and Indigenous research collaborations.

Funded by the Office of the Vice-President, Research, the Office of the Provost, the Faculty of Humanities, FEAST, and donors.

Indigenous Priority Fund Indigenous Priority

Established in 2022, priorities may include, but are not limited to, research, education, Indigenous Student experience, and leadership and governance as identified in the Indigenous Strategic Directions.

Indigenous Priority

Funded by donors and from the Estate of Eva Elizabeth May and Lloyd Edward May, to support key strategic projects, programs, and priorities as identified annually by the Provost with direction from the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and the Joint Indigenous Administration Consultation Group (JIACG).

Indigenous Health Learning Lodge | Indigenous Health Initiative Health Education

Indigenous Health Education: Forging culturally safe pathways from undergraduate to graduate level education within the Faculty of Health Science.

Health Education

Funded by McMaster’s Strategic Alignment Funds, which are overseen by the Office of the Provost.

Arts & Science Program

Dr. mary crea-arsenio.

Dr. Mary Crea-Arsenio is an Assistant Professor, Global Health and a member of the Division of Education & Innovation, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences. She is a health geographer and health system analyst who is making significant contributions to the wider discourse on immigration and health. She holds a PhD in Health Geography from McMaster University and an MSc in Family Relations and Applied Nutrition from the University of Guelph. Her program of research focuses on human migration, at-risk populations and health system improvement locally and globally by examining the vital link between immigration policy and employment as a social determinant of health among newcomers to Canada. Her current publications and research focus on the impact of immigration on small and mid-sized cities and how local systems create barriers to newcomer integration. Her forthcoming book, co-edited with Dr. Bruce Newbold is an edited collection of papers entitled, A research agenda for immigration settlement and adjustment (Edward Elgar Publishing).

Dr. Crea-Arsenio will be teaching the inquiry-based course, ARTSSCI 4ST3 – Global Health Inquiry in Winter 2025.

Faculty of Social Sciences

Scholar-in-community award, mcmaster faculty of social sciences global scholar-in-community fellowship, {link label}.

The Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for the two-stream 2023 Global Scholar-in-Community Fellowship. The Global Scholar-in-Community Fellowship provides the opportunity for research collaborations with local/regional or international organizations to produce and mobilize knowledge in ways that are mutually beneficial.

The program will fund:

• 3-units of course release for one Social Sciences faculty member to work with an existing research partner on a mutually defined research project, to be co-designed and co-governed over the course of the project ($7500.00). Timing of course release to be negotiated with Chair/Director.
• Funding ($7500.00) to support the collaboration between the researcher and the partner organization to help facilitate the collaboration. A budget outlining the proposed use of the funds will accompany the application and is subject to approval.

Project duration should be between 18 and 24 months. It is required that recipients of the Fellowship apply for external funding within 12 months of completing the Global-Scholar-in-Community project.

Stream A: Local/Regional

The goal of Stream A of the Scholar-in-Community Fellowship is to support and recognize social science research collaborations with community organizations locally/regionally.

The program’s objectives are to:

• Strengthen and support existing (or initiated) collaborations between Faculty of Social Science researchers and local/regionalcommunity partners
• Conduct research and/or knowledge mobilization activities that demonstrably provide direct interaction and value to the partner organization
• Build the foundation for development of partnered research proposals.

Stream B: International

The goal of Stream B of the Scholar-in-Community Fellowship is to support and recognize social science research collaborations with community organizations internationally.

• Strengthen and support existing (or initiated) collaborations between Faculty of Social Science researchers and international community partners
• Conduct research and/or knowledge mobilization activities that demonstrably provide direct value to the partner organization
• Build the foundation for development of partnered research proposals

The Faculty of Social Sciences will fund one collaborative local/regional or international community-engaged project per year, to a total value of $15,000.00.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Global Scholar-in-Community Fellowship an applicant must be a member of McMaster University’s Faculty of Social Sciences with a teaching, tenured or tenure-stream appointment working with a community organization internationally.

Local/Regional Scholar-in-Community Fellowship Winner

Dr. geraldina polanco.

Congratulations to  Dr. Geraldina Polanco  of the Department of Sociology,  who is the  recipient of the 2024 Faculty of Social Sciences Local/Regional Scholar-in-Community Fellowship (Stream A). Dr. Polanco will be working with global community researcher partner CIMITRA in El Salvador.

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Past winners.

2023 –  Dr. Karen Robson,  Department of Sociology 2022 –  Dr. Netina Tan , Department of Political Science 2021 –  Dr. Phillipa Chong , Department of Sociology 2020 –  Dr. Tara La Rose , School of Social Work 2019 –  Dr. Meridith Griffin , Department of Health, Aging & Society 2018 –  Dr. Tina Fetner , Department of Sociology 2017 –  Dr. Ameil Joseph , School of Social Work 2016 –  Dr. Tina Moffat , Department of Anthropology 2015 –  Dr. Mirna Carranza , School of Social Work

Notice of Intent: Monday March 3, 2025.  Please send an email to Christine Hollins at  [email protected]  by 4:00pm that includes the name of the nominee.

Full Proposal: Monday March 31, 2025

Please provide a CV in any format, a project description of up to 3-pages, project title and a brief statement of support from the collaborating organization (email accepted). Send the documents in a single email to Christine Hollins at [email protected]  by 4:00PM.

The full proposal will include:  

• Objectives  
• Relevant experience of applicant and community organization lead and description of existing partnership  
• Activities and timeline (including responsibilities)  
• Knowledge mobilization plan
• Expected outcomes and benefits to partner organization  
• Plan to seek external funding  

Results to be announced: May 2025 

The Statement of Support will include:  

The name and contact details of the interested partner and an acknowledgement that the organization is willing to release staff for the research related activities stated in the application.  

Funded projects will be expected to apply for an external research grant within 12 months of completion.

Evaluation Criteria

• Clarity, focus and feasibility of the research objectives, research plan, and knowledge mobilization plan;  
• Significance of research project to partner organization  
• Contribution to building and sustaining a long term research relationship  
• Overall contribution of the research to the candidate’s long-range research plan;  
• Feasibility of plan to secure external funding;  
• Applicant’s scholarly and community-engagement contributions relative to the stage of career (e.g., publications, conference presentations over the last five years; community-oriented or co-created reports, presentations, workshops).

Adjudication

This fellowship will be adjudicated by a Scholar-in-Community selection committee constituted by the Dean of Social Sciences and Associate Dean Research .  

If you have any questions, please contact Christine Hollins: [email protected]