Doctor of Philosophy in Adult Education & Community Development

Except for the time to completion, requirements for both the full-time and flexible-time programs are the same. 

Coursework

Students are required to complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs), including:

• Doctoral Thesis Seminar (LHA3102H, 0.5 FCE)
  • Designed for first or second year students, this seminar explores key elements of the doctoral studies journey: crafting a research topic, developing a thesis proposal, choosing a committee, planning for comprehensive, fostering effective writing strategies, and planning for publication.
• At least 1.5 FCEs of the total of 3.0 FCEs must be from the Adult Education and Community Development program. Additional courses may be required of some students.
• At least 1 half-course (0.5 FCE) in research methods.
   

Comprehensive Requirement

Normally, a major paper between 5,000 and 7,000 words in length (including tables, figures, and references). It consists of a comprehensive discussion of one or more literatures and/or debates of significance to adult education and community development.
 

Thesis

PhD (full-time) Faculty Admissions Questions

Applicants are to answer each question in an essay format (bullet points are not acceptable). Not only will the content of your responses be used in the assessment of the application, but also the quality and clarity of your writing.

If you are interested in a collaborative specialization, please address this in your responses.

• Describe your overall background including any employment and/or community engagement/leadership experiences you have had, and explain briefly how they relate to the field of adult education and community development (200 words max)
• Describe your academic experiences/training and how they relate to the program. Why is this program a good fit for you? Why are you a good fit for the program? Our strongest candidates speak to specific academic experiences and long-term goals and interests, rather than a love of education and learning more broadly. (200 words max)
• Describe how equity and social justice inform your learning interests. (200 words max)
• Discuss your prior research experiences (if any), as well as any other related skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for this research-stream degree. Discuss any prior experience with academic presentations, conferences and/or publications. Our strongest candidates for this research-stream degree can point to a demonstrable experience in conducting research. (200 words max)
• Describe your specific thesis research interests and/or explain the research question or project you wish to investigate and how. You should highlight the synergy between one or more of the program’s thematic streams and your proposed research. (500 words max).
• Please take time to review descriptions of the program’s faculty members and indicate the specific faculty member(s) you hope to work with in the program and why. How will the expertise of the faculty member(s) support your proposed research? Note: you do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying (i.e., there is no need to contact faculty members). (200 words max)
• If you will have funding from your home government, international organization or funding agencies, please provide details (Name of funding agency, value and duration). If this does not apply to you, please leave blank.
• Is there any additional information you want to share with the Admissions Committee that will inform their review of your application? (500 words max)

PhD-flex Faculty Admissions Questions

Applicants are to answer each question in an essay format (bullet points are not acceptable). Not only will the content of your responses be used in the assessment of the application, but also the quality and clarity of your writing.

If you are interested in a collaborative specialization, please address this in your responses.

• Describe your overall background including any employment and/or community engagement/leadership experiences you have had, and explain briefly how they relate to the field of adult education and community development (200 words max)
• Describe your academic experiences/training and how they relate to the program. Why is this program a good fit for you? Why are you a good fit for the program? Our strongest candidates speak to specific academic experiences and long-term goals and interests, rather than a love of education and learning more broadly. (200 words max)
• Describe how equity and social justice inform your learning interests. (200 words max)
• Discuss your prior research experiences (if any), as well as any other related skills or experiences that make you a strong candidate for this research-stream degree. Discuss any prior experience with academic presentations, conferences and/or publications. Our strongest candidates for this research-stream degree can point to a demonstrable experience in conducting research. (200 words max)
• Describe your specific thesis research interests and/or explain the research question or project you wish to investigate and how. You should highlight the synergy between one or more of the program’s thematic streams and your proposed research. (500 words max).
• Please take time to review descriptions of the program’s faculty members and indicate the specific faculty member(s) you hope to work with in the program and why. How will the expertise of the faculty member(s) support your proposed research? Note: you do not need to secure a supervisor prior to applying (i.e., there is no need to contact faculty members). (200 words max)
• The University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies requires that all flexible-time PhD students be “practicing professionals” as defined in the SGS calendar and that students must visit the University of Toronto campus regularly. Explain how you plan to continue your professional work while pursuing this flexible-time PhD program, and how your work will inform your research.

Collaborative specializations provide graduate students enrolled in participating degree programs with an additional multidisciplinary experience as they complete their home degree program. 

Learn more about the collaborative specializations offered to students in this program:

• Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course
• Comparative, International and Development Education
• Environment and Health
• Environmental Studies
• Sexual Diversity Studies
• Women and Gender Studies
• Workplace Learning and Social Change 

Faculty in the AECD program have multi-disciplinary teaching and research expertise in a wide range of fields. 

Our faculty's expertise includes, but is not limited to: 

• Community organizing and development
• Workplace and organizational learning for social change
• Social movement learning and the social economy
• Comparative international education and development
• Popular education
• Indigenous education
• Education for sustainability
• Community healing and peacebuilding
• Adult literacy
• Feminism, anti-racism and migration

Timelines for doctoral studies differ between students. Consult with your advisor or supervisor regarding the timeline for your doctoral studies. 

Information on scholarships available to OISE students.

The Bonnie Burstow Scholarship is specific to the Adult Education & Community Development program.

The Bonnie Burstow Scholarship for Research into Violence Against Indigenous Women: In Memory of Helen Betty Osborne

This scholarship is to be awarded to an outstanding OISE graduate student whose thesis focuses on the violence itself, or the history underpinning it. Approaches to addressing the aftermath of violence can also be considered only if they are vested exclusively in Indigenous approaches. For the purposes of this Scholarship, violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Indigenous and Two-Spirit/Trans people is defined broadly. It includes not only what is conventionally seen as violence, such as murdered and missing, battery and rape, it also includes such international  violence as imprisonment, psychiatrization, and interference by child welfare. 

If in any given year, there is an applicant to the MA or PhD program in Adult Education at OISE whose intended thesis fits the criteria and is deemed worthy by the University, the Scholarship may be offered to the applicant as part of the admissions package. Otherwise, after a competition in which any current OISE student may apply, the Scholarship will be offered to an OISE student, irrespective of program or department, whose thesis centrally involves research in this area. Preference will be given to Indigenous women students and Indigenous students who identity as Two-Spirit.

There is no automatic application process for this scholarship, but rather as part of the admissions process all new applicants to thesis programs in Adult Education & Community Development, will automatically be considered for the award; nonetheless, prospective students are free to draw attention to their suitability for this award in their Statement of Intent.  In the event that no one is given the award during the admissions process, applications for from students who are already in the program will open in the Spring.

At this time, the Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education admits one (1) funded international applicant to its full-time Ph.D. programs each year – rotating between the programs of Adult Education & Community Development (AECD), Education Leadership & Policy (ELP), and Higher Education (HE).  

In doing so, HE will admit one international student in 2023, AECD will admit one international Ph.D. student in 2024, and ELP will admit one international student in 2025, and onwards in the order of HE, AECD, ELP.  

However, the Department may consider applications from international applicants where home governments, international organizations or funding agencies can provide them with funding. The funding must minimally have the value and duration of the graduate funding package that is offered and should be indicated on the application. Please review the Graduate Funding Package website.