Mar 14, 2025  
University of Alberta Calendar 2025-2026 
    
University of Alberta Calendar 2025-2026

Doctor of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies (Native Studies)


Program Requirements


Students are required to complete a minimum of 9 units in coursework and a thesis.

Thesis


  • Registration in 900-level THES. Over the second and third years of the program, students will conduct research, engage in scholarly activities, and write a dissertation. The dissertation will be defended at an oral examination.

Candidacy exam


Following the completion of coursework, students will prepare a written exam and a dissertation proposal for oral examination.

This oral examination will contain two parts: (1) students will respond to an exam question from an assigned reading list; (2) followed by a dissertation proposal.

Language Requirement


Proficiency in a language other than English (including an Indigenous language) is recommended in accordance with the thesis topic.

Residence Requirement


The residency requirement is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta (where an academic year is defined as the eight-month period from September through April).

Length of Program


Full-time PhD students will normally be expected to complete the program in three years. Candidates must complete their degree program within six years of the time they first register.

The maximum time to complete the PhD program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.