Child and Youth Studies (PhD)

Location(s): Main Campus

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Doctor of Philosophy in Child and Youth Studies

Program Website: Child and Youth Studies

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

The doctoral program reflects the growing importance of multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary perspectives and Child and Youth Studies. Students are expected to show evidence of integration across disciplines. The program provides a theoretical foundation for the study of children and youth and the application of social science research methods through the completion of a research-based dissertation. It is anticipated that graduates will pursue careers in academia, various public, NGO, and private employment opportunities.

Facilities

The department has a quiet graduate student office equipped with computers and printers intended to be used for course work, reading and writing. There are a limited number of lockers for students. The department also has video equipment, meeting room, lounge, and faculty labs that may be made available to graduate students.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a Master’s degree, or equivalent, in a relevant social sciences discipline with an average of not less than 80% (A-).

Successful completion of the following, or their equivalent, is also required:

CHYS 5P00 - Foundation I: Childhood, Youth and Society
CHYS 5P01 - Qualitative Research Methods
CHYS 5P02 - Quantitative Research Methods
CHYS 5P10 - Foundation II: Issues in Child and Youth Development
Applicants that lack these courses may potentially take them in their first year of study.

Agreement from a faculty member to supervise a student is also required for admission to the program.

In addition to the submission of transcripts, applicants will provide:

a statement outlining research interests,
an indication of research experience,
a ranking of preferred faculty member(s) supervisors and how this person is best suited to your research interests,
a recent example of written work,
two references, and,
current curriculum vitae.

An interview with potential supervisor or alternate may be required.

The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates while the department as a whole will evaluate the candidacy of all accelerated applicants.

Part-time study is not available.

Degree Requirements

Admitted students will consult the Graduate Program Director and their dissertation supervisor when planning a program of study.

Degree requirements include:

All students are also required to attend the Colloquium Speaker Series each year of the program, CHYS 7N01 and CHYS 7N02 . Additional credits may be required for candidates with insufficient pre-admission background.

Comprehensive Examinations

Continued enrolment in the doctoral program requires the successful completion of the comprehensive examinations by the end of the second year.
The comprehensive examinations include two components, each representing three to four months of work.
- The first component is a breadth component that requires students to study a topic significantly different from the dissertation topic.
- The second component emphasizes depth of study related to the student’s dissertation topic.
The specific format of each comprehensive component is determined in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee, the Graduate Program committee and/or external individuals (breadth component).
The diversity in the format and content of these examinations will ensure that students obtain the skills and knowledge required for their targeted sector of employment. For example, possible placements for students with an applied career interest versus a literature review for students with an academic career interest.
See the CHYS PhD Handbook for additional details.

Thesis

In addition to the course requirements, a research-based dissertation that demonstrates the capacity for independent work must be completed.

The dissertation committee is composed of the student’s supervisor and two other faculty members associated with the program.
The dissertation topic will be selected in consultation with the student’s supervisory committee.
A dissertation proposal will be evaluated by the student’s dissertation committee before the research may formally begin.
An open oral defence of the dissertation is required with the participation of the student’s dissertation committee as well as examiners internal and external to Brock who are both external to the department.
The dissertation will demonstrate the student’s capacity for the creation and pursuit of a novel program of high quality research.