MEMO
Dean of
Graduate Studies
STREET ADDRESS
Maggie Benston Student Services
Centre 1100
Burnaby BC V>A iSr,
Canada
MAIUNC ADDRESS
8888 University Drive
Burnaby BC VsA iSf,
Canada
SFU
S.12-20
TO: Senate
TEL
FROM Wade Parkhouse. Dean. Graduate Studies
U3S£;£2l.
-0-9JLyT
[RE General Graduate Regulation 1.3.4
GS2011.221
cc
DATE December 8, 201 1
Motion: That Senate approve the revision of GGR 1.3.4 which outlines the criteria for
admission to a doctoral program
[GS2011.22]
Effective Date
is September 2012
Senators wishing to consult a more detailed report of curriculum revisions
may do so by going to Docushare:
https://docushare.sfu.ca/dsweb/View/Collection-12682
If you are unable to access the information, please call 778-782-3168 or email
shelley gair@sfu.ca.
Revision of GGR 1.3.4
Motion
That SGSC recommend to Senate the revision of GGR 1.3.4 which outlines the criteria for admission
to a
doctoral program.
Rationale
SGSC wanted to clarify and broaden the admission requirements for entry to a doctoral program to reflect
the proposed changes at the master's level in terms of using the last 60UD credits for determiningGPA
admissibility. SGSC also wanted to clarify that there is an expectation that admission directly from a
bachelor's program into a doctoral program still require the completion
of some course work. Further,
SGSC wished to clarify that transfers from a master's program to a doctoral program should be initiated
early in the master's program.
Existing language:
1.3.4 Admission to a Doctoral Program
The minimum University requirements for admission to a doctoral program are as follows.
a) either
i) a master'sdegree from a recognized university, or the equivalent, or
ii) a bachelor'sdegree, with a cumulative grade point average
of at least 3.5, from a recognized
university, or the equivalent, or
iii) completion of at least 75% of the course work units required for the relevant department's master's
program, with a cumulative grade point average
of at least 3.5. All graduate courses, whether completed
at this University or another university, shall be considered in the calculation.
and
b) submitted evidence that the applicant is capable of undertaking substantial original research. Normally,
such capability will be judged from letters of reference from qualified referees, and the completion of a
master's thesis or other scholarly work.
Students must satisfy any further requirements set by the graduate program committee. Students whose
native language is not English may be required to satisfy the University and the graduate program
committee as to their capability in English. (See also 1.3.12 English Langiiage Competence.")
Revised language
1.3.4 Admission to a Doctoral Program
(calendarchanges in bold with deletions struck through)
The minimum University requirements for admission to a doctoral program are as follows.
a) either;
i) a master's degree
from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution
from a recognized university, or the equivalent, or
ii) a bachelor's degree, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5/4.33
or a grade point
average of at least 3.67/4.33CA-) based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses. All graduate
work is also considered. Individual graduate programs may set a higher admission grade point
average. Students admitted directly from a bachelor'sdegree must complete at least 50% of the
course work units required for the relevant department's master's program if no course work is
required as part of the doctoral degree;
from a recognized university, or the equivalent, or
iii) completion of at least 75% of the course work units required for the relevant department's master's
program, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. All graduate courses, whether completed
at this University or another university
at an equivalent post-secondary institution,
shall be considered
in the calculation.
A student wishing to be admitted under this category (transferred to PhD) must
have completed all of these requirements and initiated the transfer request within the first 6
semesters at SFU. As per GGR 1.12.3, initial enrolment in the doctoral program will be the initial
enrolment as a master's student.
and
b) submitted evidence that the applicant is capable of undertaking substantial original research. Normally,
such capability will be judged from letters
of reference from qualified referees, and the completion of a
master'sthesis or other scholarly work.
Students must satisfy any further requirements set by the graduate program committee. Students whose
native language is not English may be required to satisfy the University and the graduate program
committee as to their capability in English. (See also 1.3.12 English Language Competence.)
Final Calendar Language
1.3.4 Admission to a Doctoral Program
The minimum University requirements for admission to a doctoral program are as follows.
a) either
i)
a
master's degree from Simon Fraser University or its equivalent from a recognized institution
ii) a bachelor's degree, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5/4.33 or a grade point average
of at least 3.67/4.33(A-) based on the last 60 credits of undergraduate courses. All graduate work is also
considered. Individual graduate programs may set a higher admission grade point average. Students
admitted directly from a bachelor'sdegree mustcomplete at least 50% of the course work units required
for the relevant department's master's program if no course work is required as part of the doctoral degree
iii) completion of at least 75% of the coursework units required for the relevant department's master's
program, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. All graduate courses, whether completed
at this University or at an equivalent post-secondary institution, shall be considered in the calculation. A
student wishing to be admitted under this category (transferred to PhD) must have completed all of these
requirements and initiated the transfer request within the first 6 semesters at SFU. As per GGR 1.12.3,
initial enrolment in the doctoral program will be the initial enrolment as a master's student
and
b) submitted evidence that the applicant is capable of undertaking substantial original research. Normally,
such capability will be judged from letters of reference from qualified referees, and the completion of a
master'sthesis or other scholarly work.
Students must satisfy any further requirements set by the graduate program committee. Students whose
native language is not English may be required to satisfy the University and the graduate program
committee as to their capability in English. (See also 1.3.12 English Language Competence.)