What it takes to succeed

For those with intellectual curiosity and the ability to work independently, an academic career offers the extraordinary opportunity to explore in-depth issues that interest you. Publications are your channel for sharing research results with the wider community. An academic's professional life also offers rich opportunities for teaching subjects of one's choosing and sharing research questions and findings with students who will be leaders in their own fields. In addition, academic researchers enjoy immense opportunities to advise leaders and organizations on key issues in the private, public and non-profit sectors.

Academic ability is a necessary but not sufficient trait for success in a doctoral program. PhD students need strong analytical, research, and writing skills. In addition, those pursuing an academic research and teaching career must possess a strong intellectual curiosity and an equally strong ability to work independently. It is intellectual curiosity that motivates the researcher and helps her/him identify interesting questions to research. The ability to work on one's own is essential for managing one's doctoral program, which at times can be a solitary endeavour.

Undertaking a doctoral program requires a substantial time commitment of four years or more. It also requires a substantial supervisory commitment on the part of our faculty. We therefore require that applicants commit themselves to a full-time doctoral program. In return, our program offers opportunities for close collaboration between faculty and students. You will also find that half of what you learn is from interaction with your fellow students. Completing a PhD requires autonomy and hard work, but is not a monastic existence – there should be time for friends, sports activities, and the enjoyment of Montreal's cosmopolitan diversity.