Academic Policies

Full-Time and Part-Time Studies

To foster full participation and immersion in graduate education, full-time study is preferred in nursing graduate programs. At the PhD level, full-time enrolment is required. At the master’s level, part-time enrolment is permitted if space is available in the program. Preference may be given to full-time applicants.

Student who are admitted for part-time master’s study may enrol in a maximum of three half courses (1.5 FCE’s) per academic year and will pay part-time fees. Enrolment which exceeds this level is considered full-time study and full-time fees will apply. Except under exceptional circumstances, students who are admitted to full-time study will not be permitted to change their status to part-time.  

PhD Proposal Defense:

Prior to defending their dissertation proposal, doctoral students must successfully complete all required coursework:

  • N9680: Doctoral Seminar
  • N9681: Philosophy of Nursing Science
  • At least one of:
    • N9683: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
    • N9684: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods

Doctoral students may continue to take elective courses after the proposal defense.

Graduate Seminar Participation

Critical reflection, dialogue, mutual discovery and critique are foundational elements of graduate education in nursing. Each student has a responsibility to fully engage in class discussion, both to promote his/her own learning and discovery and to support the development of peers.

Students are expected to:

  • Attend all seminars
  • Prepare for each through in-depth reading and reflection
  • Actively contribute to class discussion in a way that promotes analysis, invites debate and enhances the depth of the group analysis

If a student is unable to attend a seminar, he/she must discuss this absence with the course professor in advance. The course professor may require the student to complete additional reading and/or assignments in lieu of the learning experiences that were missed. Repeat absences or lateness will be discussed with the student and may result in loss of marks and/or withdrawal from the course until a time when the student is ready and able to participate. Decisions about the consequences of repeated absences will be made by the course professor, in consultation with the Graduate Programs Chair.

Additional Policies