PhD dissertation milestones
Your PhD dissertation is the main focus of your PhD program. It should be 250-350 pages (not including abstract, notes, bibliography, or appendices) and guided by your supervisory committee.
It’s reviewed by an external academic and should show strong original scholarly work.
Finish your courses & refine your proposal
Revise and expand your initial PhD proposal during your first months, with input from your supervisory committee and alongside your coursework. Submit the supervisory committee structure approval form.
Apply for Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) approval
If your research involves human participants, you must get HREB approval in advance. Apply early, as approval can take up to 6 weeks. Work on your application with your supervisory committee.
Candidacy examination
In your second year, you must pass your candidacy exam—a structured defence of your research and any completed dissertation work.
This exam is reviewed by at least 2 members (and, if possible, all members) of your supervisory committee, plus a member who is external to that committee.
Start preparing during your third term, using resources such as the PhD candidacy examination student procedures and guidelines.
Research & write
Field work usually happens after your candidacy exam.
Once you begin writing your dissertation, set a review schedule with your committee. Allow 6 months for your committee to review drafts.
Follow these formatting guides:
Use one consistent citation style. Law students typically follow the latest , but other styles are fine if used consistently.
Avoid all forms of academic dishonesty.
Start the dissertation examination process
Once your committee agrees your dissertation is near-exam-ready, begin the submission process.
Allow 6 months for your committee to review drafts and complete the oral exam. Stay in close contact with them about availability and deadlines.
Your final dissertation must be defended in an oral exam. With your committee, choose 3 external examiner nominees. Submit their names, contact info, your dissertation title and abstract along with at least 3 date/time options to the graduate program coordinator.
If approved with only minor changes and submitted by the deadline, you won’t need to pay for another term. Major revisions will require re-registration and fees.
Final revisions & submission
After your dissertation is reviewed and corrected, submit the final version.
Check the dissertation submission process and ask the graduate coordinator if you have questions.
Strict deadlines apply if you want to avoid extra fees or graduate at a specific convocation.