PhD Program

PhD in Global Development Studies

Panama's Fredy Duque of the FSC Indigenous Foundation joined GDS graduate students recently.

The PhD in Global Development Studies is one of the first stand-alone interdisciplinary PhD Program in Global Development Studies in Canada. It offers a research-based program that develops leading and original research contributing to the advancement of knowledge in global development. 

The Benefits of Doing a PhD in Global Development Studies at Saint Mary’s  

• The Program boasts a faculty engaged in real-world research on complex development problems, who publish widely and enjoy working with students.
• The Program’s modest size permits greater individual student attention and supervision.
• The inter-disciplinary nature of our program provides students with the opportunity to study and engage in research not only with core Faculty, but with Faculty from a wide range of disciplines both inside and outside the program, who are members of our Programme Committee.
• You will be studying in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the Eastern seaboard, one of the most beautiful ports in Canada. Saint Mary’s is located in the heart of Halifax, Atlantic Canada's largest metropolitan centre, and benefits from its proximity to the region's four other universities, its colleges, provincial government offices, and its centres of arts and culture. 

PhD Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy in Global Development Studies Program is a minimum four-year, research-based program focused on the preparation and public defense of a dissertation which makes an original contribution to the advancement of knowledge in International Development Studies. For further information on the PhD program requirements for Global Development Studies, see the Graduate Calendar.

Apply to our doctoral program

The Graduate Programs in Global Development Studies considers applications to its PhD Program every other year, with the next admission intake occurring in September 2026. The application portal for 2026 admission will open in September 2025.