phd gender studies california

The four-year Gender Studies PhD program sustains our program focus on critical race, gender, and sexuality studies while offering advanced training in applications of gender studies research within work for social change.Queen’s Gender Studies MA graduates may be admitted with revised course requirements in the Gender Studies PhD program.

Professional applicants with the BAH/BA may apply to receive direct entry to the PhD program who demonstrate exceptional and relevant professional experience and achievement in an appropriate field.

PhD handbook

The PhD handbook that follows provides detailed direction and outlines expectations of doctoral students in the Gender Studies PhD program. Please note that students and supervisors are expected to familiarize themselves with the School of Graduate Studies’ general regulations, guide to graduate supervision, and degree completion requirements available through the School of Graduate Studies website.

Coursework

PhD students are required to complete at least 4 required 3.0 credit courses (GNDS 801, 802, 903, 950), 1 required 0.0 credit course (GNDS 815), and 1 elective 3.0 credit course.

The elective course may be selected from Gender Studies graduate courses, graduate courses in other departments, independently organized Directed Readings (GNDS 940/3.0, GNDS941/3.0), or a practicum (GNDS 850/3.0). Directed Readings and Practicums are subject to the availability and permission of a supervising instructor and the student’s PhD supervisor. Students should consult with their PhD supervisor on course selection prior to enrollment.

A student must submit a completed and signed Academic Change Form each time they wish to add or drop a course. This form must be signed by the supervising instructor, the student’s PhD supervisor, and the Grad Chair, prior to submission to the Gender Studies Graduate Office for processing.

Students advance to candidacy for the PhD after completing:

1. All required coursework;
2. The syllabus, which is initiated in GNDS 903, and subsequently finalized and approved by the PhD supervisor and Grad Chair;
3. The GNDS 950 PhD practicum proposal approved by the PhD supervisor and Grad Chair;
4. The GNDS 950 PhD practicum report as approved by the PhD supervisor; and
5. The successful defense of their dissertation proposal.

–Supervision and Committee

PhD Supervisor

Prior to submitting an application to the PhD program in the Department of Gender Studies, prospective PhD applicants should consult with department faculty to seek out and identify a potential PhD supervisor. Students are then assigned a confirmed PhD supervisor at the time of admission.

Working closely with a supervisor in the development of a research project is an integral part of a PhD student’s studies. Clear understanding of expectations can help maintain the productivity of this essential relationship. Queen’s offers several resources to help manage this important relationship, including handbooks and advisory services. The PhD student works with their supervisor to envision a research project that matters to the student and the field, and that reflects the form of scholarship the student wishes to pursue.¹

Both core and cross-appointed faculty in the Department of Gender Studies are eligible to serve as supervisors. Students may request or may be assigned co-supervisors (important note: when a student has co-supervisors, these two individuals count as ‘one’ on the supervisory and examining committees).

Supervisory Committee

The Supervisory Committee is comprised of three faculty members, who are determined in spring of the first year. Potential committee members may be recommended at the time of admission. Students should consult with their PhD supervisor/s to secure two additional faculty members who would be appropriate members of the committee; if the supervisor is not a core faculty member of GNDS, then one of these committee members must be a core faculty member to serve as the Head’s Delegate. The student and PhD supervisor should work together to identify potential committee members, determine the final composition of the Supervisory Committee, and decide how each potential committee member is approached and invited to join.  Committee members normally will be core or cross-appointed faculty in Gender Studies. With permission of the PhD supervisor and Graduate Chair, one committee member may be from outside the department.

The committee should be confirmed no later than June 30 of the first year of study.  The first Supervisory Committee Meeting is held by the end of the first year of study, or no later than September 30th at the start of the second year (details below).

The student’s Supervisory Committee is thus comprised of three members:

1. Supervisor/Co-supervisors
2. Committee Member
3. Committee Member

*At least one of those in place #1-3 must be a core faculty member from GNDS

The Supervisory Committee is confirmed by submission of Form P1 – Supervisory Committee Confirmation. This form should be submitted by the PhD Supervisor to the Gender Studies Graduate Office as soon as the Supervisory Committee is established and in advance of the first Supervisory Committee Meeting. The Supervisory Committee’s membership is expected to remain the same for the PhD Proposal Defense.

¹ From time to time, PhD students and supervisors may experience problems in their relationship. Resolution of an issue should first be sought through discussion between the student and supervisor and/or with the Supervisory Committee. If the issue cannot be resolved there, the student should consult the Grad Chair to seek possible resolution (or the Department Head, if necessary). If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, further assistance is available through the Associate Dean(s) of SGS. All consultations in GNDS and SGS are kept confidential and no direct action is taken without the prior consent of the student. Resolution of the issue can also be sought through the University’s Grievance Procedures. Students may wish to contact the Office of the University Ombudsperson and/or seek the advice and counsel from the SGPS Advisors.