The PhD in Rural Studies is offered through our School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) and provides opportunities for advanced studies and research on the integration of socio-cultural and bio-physical components of capacity development, design, or planning of landscape systems and rural communities.
The Rural Studies doctorate focuses on two fields: sustainable rural communities and sustainable landscape systems. Both fields contribute research to support the long-term well-being of rural communities through the integration of economic, social and environmental factors in their planning and activities.
World-class faculty
Tap into the knowledge of SEDRD faculty and other U of G departments, including Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics, Geography, Political Science, and Sociology and Anthropology.
Local and global
Focus your research on local, Canadian or global rural communities and landscapes to strengthen your credibility in the areas you wish to focus your career.
Improve lives
Investigate issues and potential responses that broadly or pointedly affect rural communities and landscapes (community development, sustainability, social enterprises, food systems and rural policy).
Unique in Canada
Add unique experience to your resume by learning in the only rural studies PhD program in Canada.
Interdisciplinary research
Integration of a multidisciplinary approach to integrate a variety of subject areas to explore a wide variety of research areas.
Virtual classes
All courses are offered virtually to enable the inclusion of students who are balancing various demands, such as family and full time employment, or are studying internationally.
The program offers Fall admission, full or part-time study, with a thesis requirement. All courses in the PhD Rural Studies are delivered virtually via Zoom or Teams.
- Sustainable Rural Systems I & II (required)
- Integrative Research Methods I & II (required)
Additional courses may be required by the student's Advisory Committee. Make-up courses may be required prior to admission to the PhD program or early in the program. All courses will normally be completed prior to the qualifying examination. All or most of the courses should be taken in the first year of study.
This is just a sample of the course options. View all Rural Studies graduate courses here.
Students conduct research that leads them to careers in Canada and internationally. They find leadership positions in federal governments, non-governmental organizations (NGO), academia, and environmental consulting. Graduates become leading specialists in addressing sustainable landscapes and issues related to rural communities. Sample careers and employers include:
- Consultant, director, researcher, senior civil servant, professor
• PhD students receive a minimum stipend of $ 24,710 per year
More details on funding your graduate studies are available on the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.
Many Rural Studies students also compete successfully for University of Guelph scholarships and awards.