Fast-Tracking to the PhD in Oral Health Sciences Program

Students currently enrolled in the MSc Dental Sciences (Thesis) program with a strong academic record (CGPA of 3.5 or higher) and who engage in promising research may, with the support of the supervisor and Advisory Committee (AC), apply to fast-track to the PhD program. Applicants must have completed a minimum of 2 full-time terms in the Master's program, up to a maximum of 4 full-time terms. Given course offerings for the PhD program, the best time to fast track is so that students begin the PhD program in the Fall.

Please speak to your supervisor about this possibility.

Students who have fast-tracked from a Master’s to PhD program in our Faculty may not apply for re-admission to the Master’s program. However, these students may be eligible for admission in a different graduate program following normal admissions processes.

All fast-track candidates must begin their application by creating a user profile on the Admissions Platform. Once their profile has been created and they have been issued with an applicant ID number, they must communicate this to their Student Affairs Coordinator and request that a fast-track application be opened in their name. The application deadline is March 15.

Applications must include the following documents:

1. An official academic transcript indicating the CGPA during the first year of the Master’s program is 3.5 or higher.
2. A personal statement indicating the applicant’s motivation for fast-tracking to the PhD program and their career aspirations.
3. CV.
4. A letter of support from the supervisor that details the student’s research progress and recommends the student’s acceptance into the PhD program.

The student will also need a signed Progress Tracking Report indicating that the student’s AC approves fast-tracking to the PhD program. This should be uploaded to MyProgress. The student should inform their committee of their intention to fast-track to the PhD program prior to their annual meeting. The AC members will assess the student’s potential to complete the PhD (e.g., based on student’s progress in their research training and likelihood of timely completion of a PhD thesis).