Ph.D. in Conflict Studies
Ottawa, Canada
PhD
DURATION
6 years
LANGUAGES
English, French
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* April 1: for International applicants. May 1: for Canadian citizens and permanent residents
Key Summary
About: Saint Paul University's Faculty of Human Sciences offers a Ph.D. in Conflict Studies, conferred jointly with the University of Ottawa under their federation agreement. Administered by the School of Conflict Studies, the doctoral programme examines social, political, and philosophical dimensions of conflict from multilevel, multidisciplinary perspectives. It accepts candidates from academic and professional backgrounds and is offered full-time. In line with Saint Paul University regulations, students may submit work, defend thesis, and answer examination questions in French or English. The programme reflects SPU's broader focus on human experience disciplines including peace studies, mediation, public ethics, transformative leadership, and human relations.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can pursue roles in academia and research, including university teaching, policy research, and think-tank work; conflict resolution and mediation with NGOs, community organisations, or restorative justice programmes; international organisations and diplomacy, such as work with the UN, regional bodies, or government foreign-service policy teams; and peacebuilding, program management, and consultancy for civil society, development agencies, and public-sector bodies. Other paths include roles in public ethics, human rights advocacy, and transformative leadership, where skills in conflict analysis, negotiation, and interdisciplinary research apply.
The Faculty of Human Sciences (FHS) at Saint Paul University offers a Ph.D. in Conflict Studies, which is conferred jointly by the senates of Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa under the terms of the federation agreement between them.
This program caters to students from both academic and professional backgrounds. In accordance with Saint Paul University regulations, students have the right to submit their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English. The program is offered on a full-time basis.
The program, administered by the School of Conflict Studies, studies various dimensions of social, political, and philosophical conflict from a multilevel and multidisciplinary perspective.
Compulsory Courses (9 units)
- Doctoral Seminar I / Séminaire de doctorat I (3u)
- Doctoral Seminar II / Séminaire de doctorat II (3u)
- Research Methodology / Méthodologie de recherche (3u)
Thesis Proposal
The Thesis Proposal must be submitted to the Thesis Advisory Committee for evaluation and approval before the end of the fifth term. In the event of failure, the proposal can be resubmitted and defended the following term at the latest. A second failure leads to withdrawal from the program. The proposal must be approved by the Research Ethics Board before undertaking data collection.
Elective Courses (6 units)
Two (2) elective courses (6 units) from the list of graduate courses from the Conflict Studies program at Saint Paul University, from other programs at Saint Paul University, or at another university. Students may also choose ECS8911 Selected Readings and Research / Lectures et recherches dirigées (3cr) as one of their two elective courses. Course selection is subject to the approval of the program director.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive exam allows students to demonstrate their mastery of the content of the courses as well as their ability to integrate and apply their knowledge to conflict situations. In the event of failure, the proposal can be resubmitted and defended the following term at the latest. A second failure leads to withdrawal from the program. The comprehensive examination, which includes a written and an oral component, must be completed within 24 months of initial registration in the program.
The procedures for the comprehensive exam are found in the Doctoral Student Guide in Conflict Studies, available under the heading “Handbooks for Students” on the FHS web page.
Thesis
A thesis advisory committee will be formed during the first term in the program, in consultation with the student based on potential thesis topics proposed in the initial application to the program. The thesis advisory committee will be composed of the supervisor and two additional professors who have agreed to offer the student support and direction throughout their doctoral studies. At least two members of the committee must be from the School of Conflict Studies. The composition of the committee is finalized at the end of the first year of the program. By the end of the third term, the student in consultation with the thesis supervisor must register the thesis topic.
Graduates of the Ph.D. program will be prepared to:
- Generate original, theoretically informed analyses based on in-depth knowledge of the various multidisciplinary dimensions in the study of conflict;
- Design and conduct research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field of Conflict Studies.
