PhD

The PhD in Gerontology program at Simon Fraser University provides advanced research training in gerontology grounded in an interdisciplinary theoretical foundation, current and prospective substantive issues, a range of research methods and statistical techniques, and knowledge to translate research into practice and policy.

Admission Requirements

Admission requires a Master's degree in Gerontology or other discipline in which a significant amount of coursework and/or thesis/project research deals with aging or the aged. Students will be evaluated on an individual basis. Those not meeting these requirements may need to take preparatory coursework equivalent to a Masters in Gerontology or Aging Studies.

Candidates must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. There must be supervisory capacity in the department to support the candidate’s research. Students must also meet University requirements for a doctoral level program, as per Graduate General Regulations 1.3.7a.

Application Process

Application Deadlines

Spring 2025 (January Admission): July 2nd to August 31st
Fall 2025 (September Admission): December 2nd to January 31st

Note: Within reason, an extension to these deadlines may be requested by emailing gero@sfu.ca. Please provide your current SFU student ID or GA#, if you are new to SFU, and your reason for requesting the extension.

Transcripts

Applicants will upload unofficial copies (e.g. scanned copy, photocopy etc.) of all their post-secondary transcripts as part of the online process. Only if you are offered admission, will you be required to send official transcripts directly from the institution to Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

References

Three academic references are required. Referees should address the applicant’s ability to undertake advanced work in the area of interest. Non-academic references should address the candidate’s academic potential. Referees should be told that the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act allows an applicant access to the information in the letters.

Statement of Research Interest

All applicants are required to submit a Statement of Research Interest. It is important for applicants to write a clear and detailed research statement in order for proper assessment by the admissions committee. A research statement should provide a clear articulation of the PhD dissertation’s substantive focus, justification and possible research methods. It is important to contextualize and ground the above in relevant literature. The Statement should be approximately 1200 words in length. Please contact the department for a sample at (778) 782-5047 or via e-mail at gero@sfu.ca.

Statement of Work/Volunteer

This is a required document. However, if you have not had any formal work or volunteer experience with the aging population, you have probably spent time with elderly family members or those in your neighbourhood at large. Be creative! Someone has given you the reason to study Gerontology.

Writing Samples

Copies of up to three published articles may be submitted for consideration by the Admissions Committee. Writing samples should be submitted directly to the Department of Gerontology office.

Supervisor Pre-Selection

Applicants MUST identify a senior supervisor from within the Department of Gerontology based on compatability of research interests. Applicants are expected to contact their selected supervisor/s in order to discuss their research interest prior to submission of the application. The list of faculty members and their research areas can be found here.

English Language Competence

An applicant whose primary language is not English or whose previous education has been conducted in another language must demonstrate command of English sufficient to pursue graduate studies in the chosen field. See Graduate General Regulations 1.3.3 for detailed requirements.

Graduate Entrance Scholarships

Graduate Entrance Scholarships are available by Departmental nomination only. No application is required.

List of Documents to be uploaded

Three Letters of Reference
Statement of Work/Volunteer Experience
CV including scholarly work
Statement of Research Interest
Unofficial transcripts from all post secondary institutions (see above)
Writing Samples (up to three)

Apply Online

In order to use the online application system, you will need to pay an application fee of $110 CAN (students with Canadian transcripts) or $150 CAN (students with international transcripts) by credit card (MasterCard or Visa).

Start Application

Program Requirements

This program consists of three core courses, two electives, comprehensive examinations and a thesis. Students may be required to complete up to two additional courses if deemed necessary by the admissions committee. Students may substitute up to three courses from other programs with departmental approval. Students may also complete one directed studies (GERO 889).

Required Courses

GERO 803-4 Analytical Techniques for Gerontological Research
GERO 804-4 Advanced Qualitative Methods in Gerontology
GERO 806-4 Interdisciplinary Theories in Gerontology

Students who have completed equivalent courses in their graduate degree, may be permitted to substitute these courses with electives.

Students who complete all three required courses, will complete at least two courses from the electives listed below:

Elective Courses

GERO 802-4: Development and Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs for the Elderly
GERO 810-4: Community Based Housing, Health and Support Services for Older People
GERO 811-4: Institutional Living Environments
GERO 820-4: Principles and Practices of Health Promotion/Population Health
GERO 822-4: Families, Communities, and Health (can be used for either concentration)
GERO 823-4: Mental Health and Illness in Later Life
GERO 830-4: Aging in a Technological World
GERO 840-4: Special Topics

Comprehensive Examinations

After completion of all coursework, students will write two comprehensive examinations based on reading lists developed with their supervisory committee.

Thesis Proposal // Thesis Defense

When both comprehensive examinations are satisfactorily completed, the student must develop and successfully defend a thesis prospectus before being officially admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree.

For a full description of the program requirements please visit the SFU Academic Calendar

Funding

Financial Support

The Department of Gerontology provides funding to its graduate students through a combination of teaching positions (Teaching Assistant/Tutor Marker), Research Assistantships (available through individual faculty members), scholarships, Graduate Fellowships and private awards. Students must maintain full time enrollment and a minimum CGPA of 3.5 in their graduate work, to be eligible for funding. Support may be reduced or eliminated if the student has secured external financial support.

External funding is available to Gerontology graduate students of high caliber through the Government agencies SSHRC and CIHR. Application to these agencies is made in October and information can be found directly on the Graduate Studies website: https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/awards-funding/external-gov-funded.html.

Graduate students must pay tuition every semester from the funding they receive. International students pay the same rate as domestic students (https://www.sfu.ca/gradstudies/apply/tuition-and-fees/tuition-types.html ). The cost of tuition decreases after eight semesters for PhD students.

Awards

All Graduate Fellowships, President's Scholarships, Private Awards, and Travel/Research Awards are now handled by the Graduate Award, Application, and Adjudication System (GA3).

Below are brief descriptions of the main SFU merit-based scholarships/awards that are applicable only to Gerontology graduate students. For further details and the most up to date information, refer to the Terms of Reference which, as well as the application forms themselves, are available on the Graduate Award, Applicaiton, and Adjuciation System (GA3).

All scholarships/awards are contingent on the availability of funding, and the Terms of Reference may change without notice. In addition to these scholarships and awards, there are also a large number of internal and external funded awards, ranging up to approximately $10,000 in value. Please consult the graduate awards website for information on awards relevant to particular graduate programs.

Entrance Awards

Donor Awards

Financial Aid Awards

Al Eisenring Gerontology Award (available to graduate and undergraduate students)

TA/TM Positions

Three to four teaching assistant/ tutor marker positions are available each year and Gerontology students get priority. Visit SFU's Human Resources page. These positions are also circulated via email to the student list.

Research Assistant Positions

Gerontology faculty have a number of ongoing research grants and regularly hire graduate students as Research Assistants. Students enrolled in the program should speak directly to their senior supervisors and other faculty for details.

Tuition

All doctoral students are charged a 'per term fee' each term (fall, spring, and summer) of their enrollment. SFU admission and funding offers do not include a tuition waiver.

Tuition and Fees

Graduate Advisor

Sasha Gill

HC 2800
gero@sfu.ca

Drop-In Advising Hours: Mon-Wed 8AM-3PM

Please email Sasha to set up an advising appointment to discuss program planning and any questions or issues you have regarding your Gerontology classes.

Download the Gerontology PhD One Pager for an overview of the admission requirements, program requirements, and financial support opportunities.

Gerontology PhD One Pager.pdf
Last updated: September 18, 2024

Gerontology