Description of the Program
Admission requirements
Admission requirements Applicants may apply on-line at:
https://welcome.concordia.ca/concordia/preference.jsp
Incoming Students are expected to have an M.A. in Film Studies (or cognate field) and a minimum B+ average or GPA of 3.3. Applicants will be assessed by the School of Cinema’s doctoral program sub-committee on the basis of a writing sample (an academic essay or article), 3 letters of recommendation outlining the applicant's research abilities, a letter of intent (4 - 5 pages) outlining research interests, and 1 official copy of their transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), all to be submitted with their application. Prior to final acceptance, the student should have identified and contacted a potential supervisor. Final decision regarding supervision will be made by mutual agreement between the student, the doctoral program sub-committee, and the potential supervisor. Feasibility of proposed research and availability of a faculty member to supervise will also be considered. In certain instances students may be asked to complete qualifying graduate coursework.
See below for language requirements and TOEFL scores.
Application Deadlines
Completed applications and all supporting documents, including applications for financial assistance, should be submitted by December 15. For applicants not applying for financial assistance, the deadline is February 1. International Students applying for International Fee Remission need apply by December 15 (international students not applying for fee remission can apply by February 1). All applications are made for September admission and students will usually be accepted for full-time study. Prior to final acceptance, the student should have identified and contacted a potential supervisor. Final decision regarding supervision will be made by mutual agreement between the student, the doctoral program sub-committee, and the potential supervisor. In certain instances students may be asked to complete qualifying graduate coursework.
Fellowships and Assistantships
The program hopes to offer incoming students financial assistance during their two years of residency, through fellowships ($16,000 over two years), as well as teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Please note that the availability of funding is subject to budget confirmation in January 2009. Applicants should consult the program for updates. Additional funding may also be available through faculty research funds.
Degree Requirements
1. Credits
A fully qualified candidate is required to fulfill 90 credits. The requirements are: 18 credits of coursework, 6 credits in the form of one comprehensive examination and one synthesis examination (3 credits each), 6 credits of thesis proposal, and 60 credits of research and thesis.
2. Residence
The minimum required residence requirement is six consecutive terms full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
3. Language
International students whose first language is not English must meet a minimal score of 550 for TOEFL (computer-based score 213; IBTOEFL score of 75) in English to be admitted to the program. While English is the dominant language for activities in the School of Cinema, applicants must demonstrate a level of competence that would allow them to read technical material in French (or another pertinent language with regards to their research). Students may write reports, examinations, and theses in English or French, as they choose.
4. Examinations
The synthesis examination (3 credits) consists of an essay in which the candidate situates his/her work within the context of fields pertinent to training received in the School of Cinema. The essay is evaluated by three faculty members, including the student's supervisor. The written comprehensive examination (3 credits) pertains to the candidate's major field of research and is based on a reading list (along with an appropriate and relevant filmography) prepared by the student with the assistance of his/her supervisor. The reading list (and filmography) will be approved by the doctoral program sub-committee who may suggest some changes. The reading list will fall within one of these headings:
Film and Moving Image History
Film and Moving Image Aesthetics
Film and Moving Image Theory
Film, Moving Image and Cultural Theory
5. Thesis proposal
Once the examinations are completed students are eligible to submit their thesis proposal (it must be submitted no later that the second week of September of the third year into the program). The thesis proposal consists of a 40 to 60 page document outlining the object of study of the thesis, its objectives, the research hypothesis and the methodology that will be used or developed. A detailed bibliography will accompany the document as well as a preliminary table of contents. The thesis proposal must be defended orally before a jury consisting of the student's supervisor and two faculty members.
6. Research and Thesis
A major portion of the doctoral program is the planning and execution of innovative and original research under the direction of a supervisor. The student's research will be presented in a written thesis (length: average of 300 pages) and defended orally in conformity with the regulations outlined in Concordia University's Graduate Calendar. The candidate will submit his/her doctoral thesis to an examining committee consisting of at least five faculty members: the candidate's supervisor, two faculty members from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, a faculty member from another department within Concordia (external-to-program examiner), and an external-to-University faculty member.
Academic Regulations
1. Academic standing
The academic progress of students is monitored on a periodic basis. To be permitted to continue in the program, students must obtain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 based on a minimum of 12 credits. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 are considered to be on academic probation during the following review period. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 for two consecutive review periods are withdrawn from the program.
2. C Rule
Students who receive more than one C during the course of their Ph.D. studies will be required to withdraw from the program. Students may appeal for re-admission. Students who receive another C after re-admission will be required to withdraw from the program and will not be considered for readmission.
3. F Rule
Students who receive a failing grade in the course of their Ph.D. studies will be withdrawn from the program. Students may apply for readmission. Students who receive another failing grade, or a C grade, after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program.
4. Time Limit
All work for a doctoral degree must be completed within eighteen terms (six years) of full-time study from the time of initial registration in the program.
5. Graduation Requirement
In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
Admission requirements Applicants may apply on-line at:
https://welcome.concordia.ca/concordia/preference.jsp
Incoming Students are expected to have an M.A. in Film Studies (or cognate field) and a minimum B+ average or GPA of 3.3. Applicants will be assessed by the School of Cinema’s doctoral program sub-committee on the basis of a writing sample (an academic essay or article), 3 letters of recommendation outlining the applicant's research abilities, a letter of intent (4 - 5 pages) outlining research interests, and 1 official copy of their transcripts (undergraduate and graduate), all to be submitted with their application. Prior to final acceptance, the student should have identified and contacted a potential supervisor. Final decision regarding supervision will be made by mutual agreement between the student, the doctoral program sub-committee, and the potential supervisor. Feasibility of proposed research and availability of a faculty member to supervise will also be considered. In certain instances students may be asked to complete qualifying graduate coursework.
See below for language requirements and TOEFL scores.
Application Deadlines
Completed applications and all supporting documents, including applications for financial assistance, should be submitted by December 15. For applicants not applying for financial assistance, the deadline is February 1. International Students applying for International Fee Remission need apply by December 15 (international students not applying for fee remission can apply by February 1). All applications are made for September admission and students will usually be accepted for full-time study. Prior to final acceptance, the student should have identified and contacted a potential supervisor. Final decision regarding supervision will be made by mutual agreement between the student, the doctoral program sub-committee, and the potential supervisor. In certain instances students may be asked to complete qualifying graduate coursework.
Fellowships and Assistantships
The program hopes to offer incoming students financial assistance during their two years of residency, through fellowships ($16,000 over two years), as well as teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Please note that the availability of funding is subject to budget confirmation in January 2009. Applicants should consult the program for updates. Additional funding may also be available through faculty research funds.
Degree Requirements
1. Credits
A fully qualified candidate is required to fulfill 90 credits. The requirements are: 18 credits of coursework, 6 credits in the form of one comprehensive examination and one synthesis examination (3 credits each), 6 credits of thesis proposal, and 60 credits of research and thesis.
2. Residence
The minimum required residence requirement is six consecutive terms full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
3. Language
International students whose first language is not English must meet a minimal score of 550 for TOEFL (computer-based score 213; IBTOEFL score of 75) in English to be admitted to the program. While English is the dominant language for activities in the School of Cinema, applicants must demonstrate a level of competence that would allow them to read technical material in French (or another pertinent language with regards to their research). Students may write reports, examinations, and theses in English or French, as they choose.
4. Examinations
The synthesis examination (3 credits) consists of an essay in which the candidate situates his/her work within the context of fields pertinent to training received in the School of Cinema. The essay is evaluated by three faculty members, including the student's supervisor. The written comprehensive examination (3 credits) pertains to the candidate's major field of research and is based on a reading list (along with an appropriate and relevant filmography) prepared by the student with the assistance of his/her supervisor. The reading list (and filmography) will be approved by the doctoral program sub-committee who may suggest some changes. The reading list will fall within one of these headings:
Film and Moving Image History
Film and Moving Image Aesthetics
Film and Moving Image Theory
Film, Moving Image and Cultural Theory
5. Thesis proposal
Once the examinations are completed students are eligible to submit their thesis proposal (it must be submitted no later that the second week of September of the third year into the program). The thesis proposal consists of a 40 to 60 page document outlining the object of study of the thesis, its objectives, the research hypothesis and the methodology that will be used or developed. A detailed bibliography will accompany the document as well as a preliminary table of contents. The thesis proposal must be defended orally before a jury consisting of the student's supervisor and two faculty members.
6. Research and Thesis
A major portion of the doctoral program is the planning and execution of innovative and original research under the direction of a supervisor. The student's research will be presented in a written thesis (length: average of 300 pages) and defended orally in conformity with the regulations outlined in Concordia University's Graduate Calendar. The candidate will submit his/her doctoral thesis to an examining committee consisting of at least five faculty members: the candidate's supervisor, two faculty members from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, a faculty member from another department within Concordia (external-to-program examiner), and an external-to-University faculty member.
Academic Regulations
1. Academic standing
The academic progress of students is monitored on a periodic basis. To be permitted to continue in the program, students must obtain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 based on a minimum of 12 credits. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 are considered to be on academic probation during the following review period. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 for two consecutive review periods are withdrawn from the program.
2. C Rule
Students who receive more than one C during the course of their Ph.D. studies will be required to withdraw from the program. Students may appeal for re-admission. Students who receive another C after re-admission will be required to withdraw from the program and will not be considered for readmission.
3. F Rule
Students who receive a failing grade in the course of their Ph.D. studies will be withdrawn from the program. Students may apply for readmission. Students who receive another failing grade, or a C grade, after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program.
4. Time Limit
All work for a doctoral degree must be completed within eighteen terms (six years) of full-time study from the time of initial registration in the program.
5. Graduation Requirement
In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.