Argumentation Studies PhD

A complete application includes:

• Academic Transcripts: All post-secondary transcripts must be provided. Official English translations must accompany documents submitted in other languages.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two academic letters of recommendation are required.
• Curriculum Vitae: A short academic CV outlining educational background, research experience, and relevant professional experience.
• A Statement of Research Interest: Applicants must submit a statement outlining a proposed research area involving argumentation studies.
• A short sample (under 6000 words) of related scholarly writing which should be included at the end of the Research Statement.
• If English is a second language (and no recent degree completed in English):
• Recent TOEFL 250, IBT 100, or IELTS 7.0

The Statement of Research Interest should be 500-1000 words long and should include:

• A description of the proposed thesis topic or research question(s)
• Brief highlights from your relevant academic or professional experience indicating your preparation for the program
• How your interests might relate to the research programs of specific faculty members (or interdisciplinary Research Clusters).

Please note that the separate category of "Proposed Thesis" need not be complete, just the "Study Plan/Research Interest" statement.

We only admit students whose research projects are manageable given their backgrounds, the 1-2 years of training we provide in argumentation scholarship, and our available faculty; you must make that case in your application. We strongly recommend that you consider which Research Cluster most closely aligns with your research interests.  We also recommend that you contact the faculty member(s) from the Research Clusters and the Cluster Chairs to request advice in developing your statement.

Five students may be admitted each year to the whole program; and in any given year, some Research Clusters may not be admitting students.

• The Windsor PhD program in Argumentation Studies is interdisciplinary and provides a specialization in the field of argumentation studies.  At least one chapter of each dissertation will engage that scholarship and the first year or so of study will prepare you to cover that angle.
• Anyone curious about the program should do their best to attend meetings of CRRAR at Windsor.  For details about the current schedule and to join the email list for public events, contact crrar@uwindsor.ca.
• Argumentation studies as an academic field draws on argumentation theory that developed as a scholarly field in the 20thcentury, and Windsor’s historical strength in argumentation scholarship lies in the informal logic movement that emerged in the discipline of philosophy, which is addressed in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy across a number of articles: "argument and argumentation,"  “critical thinking," “informal logic,” on “fallacies,” and on "feminist perspectives on argumentation."  A comprehensive overview of argumentation theory can be found in the Leddy Library, available on-line in The Handbook of Argumentation Theory (HAT). Other traditions and newer approaches -- going far beyond what HAT covers and into different empirical fields of the social sciences, and various professional fields -- can be found in the work done by some of our faculty members.
• You should consult faculty webpages in detail as part of your application to be sure that there is good fit with your interests, and your application will benefit from writing individual researchers for guidance in developing your research statement.

Students admitted to the PhD Argumentation Studies program (both domestic and international) will be granted a minimum of $30,000 support over four years, provided they continue to meet the academic milestones and minimum program requirements (including maintaining an 85% average, as outlined on the Program Structure page).

The full funding package will be set out in the official letter of admission and may come from a combination of sources, including:

• Graduate Assistantships (GAships)
• Entrance scholarships
• SSHRC Grants
• Other University of Windsor funding sources, which may be applied towards tuition

Funding allocations may vary depending on individual circumstances and financial need.

Applicants with exceptional academic records or particularly promising research agendas may be offered additional financial support over the course of their studies. Details regarding any additional funding will be specified in the offer of admission and may be renewable in subsequent years, subject to satisfactory academic progress or other conditions set out in the offer or award letter. The number and value of additional scholarships may vary from year to year depending on programme funding availability.

While funding packages vary, they generally include the following components:

Canadian Students will typically receive a University of Windsor Entrance Scholarship which is renewable annually for four years and which covers most of the domestic tuition fees. They also typically receive Graduate Teaching Assistantships over seven teaching terms.

International students are eligible to receive the International Doctoral Entrance Scholarship (IDES) and Graduate Assistantships. These supports typically cover most but not all international tuition fees. International students should plan to secure additional financial resources for remaining tuition and living expenses. Please note that IDES awards are limited, and early application may improve the likelihood of receiving the full funding package.

All students are encouraged to pursue additional sources of funding for which they are eligible, including:

• Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) (applications typically submitted in early January for the Fall semester)
• Funding from home countries or government agencies
• Mitacs program
• SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships (applications are typically submitted in the Fall for funding beginning the following September)
• Research Assistantships connected to faculty research projects
• Other competitive research funding opportunities

The Faculty of Graduate Studies manages the online application portal and provides general information about Graduate admissions requirements and scholarships and funding opportunities.

Information about tuition fees and payment schedules is available through the University of Windsor Finance Department.

International applicants may also find helpful information on the International Student Centre website.