University of Toronto Faculty of Information
PhD in Information
Toronto, Canada
PhD
DURATION
6 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* December 15 – all other supporting documents must be submitted (transcripts, CV/resume, writing sample, academic letters of reference, English proficiency, if applicable
Key Summary
About: The Faculty of Information is a Tier One iSchool member educating researchers and practitioners. The PhD in Information prepares you for leadership in information and knowledge environments, including academia. The doctorate focuses on theoretical research in information studies and on professional practice in research, systems analysis and design, and administration. Concentrations span archives, information policy, cultural heritage, systems and design, knowledge and information management, library science, media and culture, and philosophy of information.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as academic faculty, researcher, information scientist, knowledge manager, archivist, records manager, digital curator, policy analyst, systems designer, information architect, or consultant.
Be equipped to take on leadership roles in information and knowledge-based environments, including academia. The doctorate program features advanced scholarly research on the theoretical basis of information studies. In private and public institutions, apply the PhD to professional practice functions such as research, systems analysis and design, and administration.
Concentrations
Students in the PhD program at the Faculty of Information engage in highly diverse concentrations including:
- Archives & Records Management
- Critical Information Policy Studies
- Cultural Heritage
- Information Systems and Design
- Knowledge Management & Information Management
- Library & Information Science
- Media, Technology and Culture
- Philosophy of Information
Degree Requirements
FCE = Full Course Equivalent
To achieve candidacy, students must fulfill the following
- Complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCE) as follows:
- INF 3001H Research in Information: Foundations (0.5 FCE)
- INF 3003H Research in Information: Frameworks and Design (0.5 FCE)
- INF 3006Y Major Area Reading Course (1.0 FCE)
- 2.0 FCE in elective courses (see Procedures to enroll in elective courses within the Doctoral Program).
- Other courses appropriate for the student’s research may also be required.
- Pass a qualifying exam.
- Present and defend a thesis research proposal.
- Complete a thesis and pass a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.
Ph.D. students must be regularly registered in the School of Graduate Studies during each year of their program.
Full-time Ph.D. program
- All requirements must be completed within six (6) years from the first enrolment in the program.
- The customary program length for full-time doctoral study is 4 years.
Time For Completion
Ph.D. students must be regularly registered in the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) during each year of their program.
In order to stay on track for satisfactory progress, a student must:
- Complete the core course requirements by the end of Year 1.
- Complete all 3 (1.5 FCE) required electives prior to the Qualifying Examination.
- Pass the Qualifying Examination during the 2nd session of INF3006, which is a three-session course.
- Successfully defend her/his thesis proposal by the fall session of Year 3*.
- Successfully defend his/her thesis by the end of Year 6 (maximum time limit for full-time students).
- In compliance with the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies, candidacy must be achieved by the end of Year 3.
Full-Time Sample Timetable
By the end of Requirements Completed
Year 1
- INF3001, INF3003
- One or more of the 3 required electives (1.5 FCE)
Year 2
- INF3006 (three-session course)
- Required electives completed
- Qualifying Examination
Year 3
- Thesis Proposal Examination
- Candidacy achieved
Year 4
- Thesis researched, written and defended
