Canada-USA : graduate studies

comparison

Gary W. Slater Associate Vice-President, International

Many countries consider that the US graduate system is the gold standard, in spite of its enormous cost.

But why is it that average US universities often attract more and better international students than higher ranked universities in

Canada and the rest of the world?

I will briefly examine the differences between the Canadian and US graduate school systems that are generally overlooked by

students.

In particular, I will discuss the role of the master’s degrees, the structure of the PhD programs (focusing on student supervision

and course loads), the growing importance of the professional doctoral degree in the US, and finally the sometimes conflicting

contributions of quality control and reputation in the choices made by students and institutions.

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

• All public(few minor exceptions)

• Quality Assurance in place

• Research Grants do not include overhead

• Mix of public, private and for-profit

• Quality Assurance still chaotic

• Research Grant overheads = huge source of revenues

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

Canada USA

• Quality is rather uniform

• International Students = minor source of $

• Science & Eng = Immigrants and Foreign Students

• Quality is very variable

• International Students = critical source of $

• Idem

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

Canada USA

• Foreign degrees seen as a plus in CV

• Degrees recognized in USA

• 20+% born outside the country

• Foreign degrees = little benefit

• Vice-Versa

• Probably 15%

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

Canada USA

• Safe and clean country

• Health System affordable

• Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal & Ottawa among best cities in the world

• Much higher crime rate

• $

• Few US cities rank among the best in the world

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

Canada USA

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

CanadaMaster’s

• Normally required before PhD

• Is a well-recognized degree

• Most are research degrees with thesis

• Not required; often a consolation prize

• Still looking for a purpose in many cases

• Many different formats (including the new PSM)

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

USAMaster’s

CanadaPhD’s• 4-5 yrs

• 2-6 courses, comprehensive

• Research Degree

• Prof. Dev. Programs

• Low Tuition fees

• 5-8 years

• 10+ courses, comprehensive exam

• Idem

• Idem

• Very high fees

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

USAPhD’s

CanadaPhD’s

• Few profesionnal PhDs

• Canada has external examiners, USA do not

• Ed D is an industry

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USAPhD’s

CanadaPhD’s

• In 2004, after 10 years of doctoral studies:

– 75 % of PhD students in the life sciences had earned a PhD in Canada, 62% in the U.S.A.

– physical and applied sciences: 71% vs 64%

• Probably due to the Master’s

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

USAPhD’s

Canada• New credentials are

appearing

• Joint PhDs becoming common

• PDF common in the STEM

• Friendly supervisors!

• Variable

• Some Joint PhDs

• Idem

• Supervisor = Parent?

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

USA

Conclusions1) Canadian PhD

a) is a good deal for foreign students

b) is recognized around the world, including in the USA

c) is generally shorter than the PhD in the USA

2) Canadian University Systema) quality more uniform than in the USA

b) less kown than US, Germany, UK, France

c) third best in the world

3) We shoulda) publicize our strengths

b) sign specific agreements with foreign countries

c) increase mobility and Joint degrees

2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum