Canada-USA : graduate studies comparison

1. Canada-USA : graduate studies comparison Gary W. Slater Associate Vice-President, International

2. 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

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5. USA Canada • 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

6. USA Canada • 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

7. USA Canada • 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

8. USA Canada • 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

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11. USA Master’s 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

12. USA PhD’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

13. USA PhD’s CanadaPhD’s • Few profesionnal PhDs • Canada has external examiners, USA do not • Ed D is an industry 2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum

14. USA PhD’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

15. USA 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

16. Conclusions • Canadian PhD • is a good deal for foreign students • is recognized around the world, including in the USA • is generally shorter than the PhD in the USA • Canadian University System • quality more uniform than in the USA • less kown than US, Germany, UK, France • third best in the world • We should • publicize our strengths • sign specific agreements with foreign countries • increase mobility and Joint degrees 2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum