The MSc Program
Structure of the MSc Program
The time required to complete the MSc will vary with the individual candidate, but the normal period is about two years to both complete the coursework (1st year), the research training (1st and 2nd years) and complete a final draft of the thesis document. The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MSc program as set by Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) is four years.
Academic Year 1
- First semester:
- Research
- Coursework
- Seminar
- PD activities
- (Emphasis here) Complete Ethics (INT D 710)
- Second Semester:
- Research
- Seminar
- Progress Report
- NRD
- The following three items are in a box together:
- Complete coursework
- Complete IDP
- Supervisory committee appointment and first meeting (six months)
- Spring/Summer:
- Research
- PD activities
Academic Year 2
- First semester:
- Research
- Seminar
- PD activities
- The following two items are in a box together:
- Option to transfer to PhD
- PhD thesis proposal
- Can skip to step, “Change of category to provisional PhD,” in the second semester
- Second semester:
- Research
- Seminar
- (Emphasis here) Complete PD
- Supervisory committee meeting
- Progress report
- (Emphasis here) Prepare thesis
- Can skip to step, “MSc Final Examination” in the Spring/Summer semester
- NRD
- (Emphasis here) Change of category to provisional PhD (if transferring to PhD)
- Spring/Summer:
- MSc final examination
- Degree awarded
Academic Years 3-4
- Time period reserved to allow for completion of the MSc program and graduation under special circumstances