Collaborative Specializations

Collaborative Specialization in Migration and Ethnic Relations and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies

The Collaborative Graduate Specialization in Migration and Ethnic Relations (MER) at Western brings together graduate students and faculty to study questions of migration, ethnic relations, cultural diversity, conflict, acculturation and the integration of migrants, from the perspective of various social science disciplines.

For further information please see the MER webpage at: http://migration.uwo.ca

1. Admission Process

Entry into the collaborative specialization in Migration and Ethnic Relations is a two step process. First, the student must be accepted into the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSWS) Graduate Program. Then the student applies to the Director of MER for final approval of admission to the collaborative specialization. This is normally dependent on whether the research area of the student fits within the MER program. Application for admission to the MER collaborative specialization may be made at the time of entry to GSWS, or within the first term of study.

2. Course Requirements

Normal requirements for the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Graduate Program will be fulfilled. The course requirements for the collaborative specialization are as follows:

MA

  • Colloquium Series in Migration and Ethnic Relations. Non-credit requirement.
  • Two half courses in the area (see list provided by the program), including, if possible, one from GSWS from MER’s specified list of courses and one in a program other than GSWS from MER’s specified list of courses.
  • An Independent Research Project (IRP) and four additional GSWS half courses

PhD

  • Colloquium Series in Migration and Ethnic Relations. Non-credit requirement.
  • Two half courses in the area (see list provided by the program), including, if possible, one from GSWS from MER’s specified list of courses and one in a program other than GSWS from MER’s specified list of courses.
  • Four additional half courses chosen in consultation with the GSWS Graduate Chair/Faculty Advisor.

3. PhD Comprehensive Examination

Students must fulfill the comprehensive examination requirements of the GSWS Program. The comprehensive examination requirement for MER may be satisfied through the development of a course outline in the area of Migration and Ethnic Relations. This course outline shall meet the objectives of the standard comprehensive requirement of the department. At least two of the members of the examination committee need to be associated with the collaborative specialization.

4. Thesis, Advisory and Examination Committees

MA

The Independent Research Project must be in the area of Migration and Ethnic Relations. The advisor must be associated with the MER program, as well as being a departmental or affiliated member of GSWS.

Ph.D

The thesis must be in the area of Migration and Ethnic Relations. At least one member of the thesis advisory committee and the university examiner must be from the list of faculty associated with the collaborative specialization. The thesis advisor must be associated with the MER program, as well as being a departmental or affiliated member of GSWS.

5. Financial and Technical Resources

GSWS students in the collaborative specialization in MER will be treated the same as students registered solely in the Graduate Program in GSWS with respect to financial support (including stipends, scholarships, teaching assistantships and travel grants) and access to departmental research resources.

6. Degree

At the conclusion of the program, students will receive a joint degree in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and Migration and Ethnic Relations.

Collaborative Specialization in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies and Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction

The Collaborative Graduate Specialization in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction (TJ) at Western takes as its fundamental premise that issues of conflict and subjugation are profound. Understanding the transformation of these situations is critical. The program seeks to explore aspects of transition relating to development, democracy, the environment, the economy, human rights, politics, peace agreements and justice before, at the time of, and post-transition. For further information please see the TJ webpage at: http://tjcentre.uwo.ca

1. Admission Process

Entry into the Collaborative Graduate Specialization in Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction is a two step process. First, the student must be accepted into the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSWS) Graduate Program. Then the student applies to the Director of TJ for final approval of admission to the collaborative specialization. This is normally dependent on whether the research area of the student fits within the TJ program. Application for admission to the TJ collaborative specialization may be made at the time of entry to GSWS, or within the first term of study.

2. Course Requirements

Normal requirements for the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Graduate Program will be fulfilled. The course requirements for the collaborative specialization are as follows:

MA

  • Core course in TJ (half course requirement).
  • One half course in the area of Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction (see list provided by the program).
  • An Independent Research Project (IRP) and four additional GSWS half courses

PhD

  • Core course in TJ (half course requirement).
  • Two half courses in the area of Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction (see list provided by the program).
  • Three additional half courses chosen in consultation with the GSWS Graduate Chair/Faculty Advisor.

3. PhD Comprehensive Examination

Students must fulfill the comprehensive examination requirements of the GSWS Program. The comprehensive examination requirement for TJ may be satisfied through the development of a course outline in the area of Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. This course outline shall meet the objectives of the standard comprehensive requirement of the department. At least two of the members of the examination committee need to be associated with the collaborative specialization.

4. Thesis, Advisory and Examination Committees

MA

The Independent Research Project must be in the area of TJ. The advisor must be associated with the TJ program, as well as being a departmental or affiliated member of GSWS. Ph.D The thesis must be in the area of Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction. At least one member of the thesis advisory committee and the university examiner must be from the list of faculty associated with the collaborative specialization. The thesis advisor must be associated with the TJ program, as well as being a departmental or affiliated member of GSWS.

5. Financial and Technical Resources.

GSWS students in the collaborative specialization in TJ will be treated the same as students registered solely in the Graduate Program in GSWS with respect to financial support (including stipends, scholarships, teaching assistantships and travel grants) and access to departmental research resources.

6. Degree

At the conclusion of the specialization, students will receive a joint degree in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction.

Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability

The Collaborative Specialization in Environment and Sustainability (EnvrSust) at Western is an interdisciplinary enrichment program designed for current graduate students (MSc/MA/MESc or PhD) who wish to become specialists in specific aspects of environment and sustainability, and who also wish to gain an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problems and solutions.  The student earns a degree in the home department plus credit for participation in the collaborative specialization.   

For further information please see the EnvrSust webpage at: https://www.uwo.ca/enviro/graduate/collaborative_specialization/index.html

1. Admission Process

The Specialization in Environment and Sustainability is not a direct entry program. Graduate students in research programs may apply following admission to and registration in a home department, where the student will have a research supervisor, complete a research thesis and earn a graduate degree in a specific discipline.  

2. Course Requirements

Normal requirements for the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Graduate Program will be fulfilled. The course requirements for the collaborative specialization are as follows:

MA

PhD

3. Advisors

Identification and selection of the Advisor must occur within the first term of study in the program and the first meeting within the student's first year in the program. Eligibility for annual program awards is dependent upon the selection of an Advisor and documentation of advisory meetings within awarding timeframes. For more information on this requirement, please see https://www.uwo.ca/enviro/graduate/collaborative_specialization/advisors/index.html 

4. Required Forms

https://www.uwo.ca/enviro/graduate/collaborative_specialization/forms.html 

5. Program Info Sessions 

For next information session, check update here: https://www.uwo.ca/enviro/graduate/collaborative_specialization/program_info_sessions.html 

Individual ZOOM appointments with the Program Coordinator are available upon request to hsanders@uwo.ca. Please provide your name, degree program, home department and home program start date (September, January or May) in your email.

6. Degree

Please contact the program for more information.