Doctorate in Philosophy Spanish Specialization in Canadian Studies

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers the degrees of Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Spanish.

The objective of the program is to provide advanced training in the literatures and cultures of Spain and Latin America, as well as in Hispanic linguistics, benefiting from the theoretical and comparative research interests of the professors of the department.

For more information, visit the website of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.

The Department participates in a collaborative program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the MA level and in a collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. For more information on this program, see .

Because of its strength in relevant areas, its bilingual character and its location in the national capital, the University of Ottawa is uniquely positioned to offer a collaborative program leading to a specialization in Canadian Studies at the doctoral level. The program is especially designed for doctoral students in selected programs in the humanities and the social sciences who wish to enrich their training in a particular discipline by including an interdisciplinary component.

The programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Applicants must have an MA in Spanish or equivalent degree, with an average of at least 75 per cent (B+). Applicants are required to submit a short description of their proposed doctoral research project outlining their areas of interest as well as a sample of their graduate written work. Wherever possible, candidates for admission to the program should be interviewed by a professor or professors in the program.

All inquiries should be addressed to the director of graduate studies in Spanish.

Language Requirements

In addition to an excellent knowledge of Spanish, all students must meet one of the following requirements:

• Proficiency in English with a good passive knowledge of French.
  OR
• Proficiency in French with a good passive knowledge of English.

Moreover, students need a passive knowledge of any other languages necessary for completion of their thesis research.

Transfer from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Spanish at the University of Ottawa who have obtained excellent results may, exceptionally, be admitted into the doctoral program without having completed a master's thesis. To take advantage of this option, they must:

• Obtain an average of at least 80 per cent (A-) in the five courses of the master's with thesis option.
  AND
• Obtain the approval of the graduate studies committee. Similar arrangements may be made for students enrolled in a master of arts in Spanish at another university.

The transfer must take place within sixteen months of initial enrollment in the master's. Following the transfer, all the requirements of the doctoral program must be met.

Collaborative Program

The Spanish section of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures is a participating unit in the collaborative program in Canadian Studies at the PhD level. This program has been established for students wishing to enrich their training in Spanish by including an interdisciplinary component in Canadian Studies. The seminar (CDN 6520 or CDN 6910) counts for units towards the PhD in Spanish such that students in the collaborative program are not required to complete an additional course.

To be admitted to the program, students must be enrolled in or have successfully completed at least one graduate course in Spanish with Canadian content. The mention will be added to the diploma of students who pass the seminar (CDN 6520 or CDN 6910) and successfully defend a thesis on a Canadian topic in Spanish.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
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