Joint Doctoral Programs

Dalhousie's Joint Doctoral Programs (JDP) enables PhD student exchange through a jointly supervised and awarded degree. JDP are established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the participating Doctoral program at Dalhousie and the partner institution.

Students completing a JDP graduate with a single PhD degree. This degree may be recognized through parchments issued by each university with a notation to the effect that the degree was obtained through a joint doctoral program with the partner explicitly noted.

For established JDP, interested students will normally apply and be accepted into one of the universities, after which they will apply at the partner university for admission into the Joint PhD program. As part of the application process, students will normally be expected work with their supervisors/program coordinators to complete an individualized Joint PhD agreement specific to their studies which details residency and program requirements.  Once approved by the graduate studies office (or equivalent) at each participating institution, this agreement forms the basis for completion of the JDP.

The following over-arching policies apply to JDP's, and can be found in more detail within the Senate Policy for Joint Doctoral Degrees with Partner Universities.

Admission:

• Students must apply to and be admitted in the doctoral programs at both universities, meeting all of the normal admission requirements for each of the doctoral programs
• Students are encouraged to engage in discussions with their supervisor(s) early to understand the academic requirements of the Joint PHD.

Program Requirements:

• At least 50% of the normal course requirements for the Dalhousie doctoral program must be completed by the student through Dalhousie University. The remaining course requirements may be satisfied through recognition of comparable course work completed in the JDP at the partner institution, subject to the specific terms of the individualized Joint PhD agreement.
• Any examinations conducted during the JDP (e.g. qualifying examinations, comprehensive examinations) must meet the requirements of both programs participating in the JDP in order for mutual recognition to occur. This may require advanced discussion and planning to minimize instances where a student is required to complete examinations above and beyond the requirements of a single degree.

Registration Requirements and Residency:

Students must maintain continuous enrollment while participating in the Joint PhD program, with specific registration requirements depending on whether they are in residence at Dalhousie or at the partner institution in a given academic term:

• When in residency at Dalhousie: students must register in REGN 9999 and the normal courses required within their degree (including the PhD Thesis). Students are not permitted to register in JPHD 9000 when in residence at Dalhousie University. While students are normally expected to be in residency at each institution for a comparable period of time, the minimum residency requirement at Dalhousie is 12 months (3 academic terms).
• When in residency at the partner institution: students must register in REGN 9999 and JPHD 9000. They will not normally register in any other Dalhousie courses while in residency at the partner institution except as noted below when the outcome of examinations or a thesis defence needs to be recorded. Each program is expected to coordinate with the FGS Program Officer to enable registration in JPHD 9000 for off-campus JDP students.
• A student must register in their thesis course (and any comprehensive examination courses if applicable to the program) in the term where they receive a final grade for these requirements regardless of their residency during that term. This is to enable the final grade to be recorded on their academic record.

Thesis Defence and Submission Notes Specific to Joint PhD Students:

• The thesis defence process and regulations in place at the institution where the defence is expected to occur will normally apply, with the outcome of the defence mutually recognized by both universities. Whenever possible, comparable representation of Dalhousie and partner university members will be encouraged on examining committees.
• All approved Joint PHD programs will require review by at least one external, arms-length examiner as part of the defence process.
• Supervisors/programs are encouraged to communicate defence dates and, when possible, the examining committee composition in advance to the university which is not hosting the defence for information only.  This will enable comparable communications (e.g. thesis defense notices) and advising on appropriate registration to allow for recording of the defence results.
• The outcome of the defence must be communicated to both universities in a timely manner to avoid delays and to maintain an accurate academic record.
• Upon notification of a successful defence at a partner institution, FGS will provide a copy of the PhD Thesis Approval form to the committee for completion.
• The final approved thesis must typically be submitted to both Dalhousie and the partner institution, subject to all normal deadlines and thesis formatting requirements of each institution irrespective of where the defence occurred. Students are encouraged to review thesis format and submission requirements at both universities early to try to align formatting requirements as much as possible.

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