Years One and Two
Coursework
Students complete the required coursework worth 4.0 FCEs. As the majority of graduate level courses are worth 0.5 FCE, this generally equates to 8 graduate level courses. At least 2FCEs must be courses offered in East Asian Studies.
An average grade of A- must be maintained in order to remain in good academic standing.
Students should choose their courses in consultation with their supervisor. Some students may not have decided upon a final supervisor during the first year, in which case they should choose their courses in consultation with the Associate Chair, Graduate.
Language Preparation
At the beginning of their program, students should discuss their linguistic abilities with their supervisors in order to decide what further language study (if any) is required for their future research. Students must pass a language proficiency exam (or its equivalent) in at least one language (other than English) relevant to the student’s dissertation research before they can be admitted to candidacy.
Supervisory Committee
By the end of the fall session in year two, students should have constituted their supervisory committee in preparation for the Comprehensive Examination. The supervisory committee is comprised of three graduate faculty members of which at least two are members of the EAS Department (some exceptions may be allowed in consultation with the Associate Chair, Graduate).
Year Three
The Comprehensive Examination
Students must successfully pass their Comprehensive Examination by the end of November in their third year.
Dissertation Prospectus
Students must successfully submit their dissertation prospectus within one to three months of successfully passing their Comprehensive Examination by the end of their third year, at the very latest. At this point, they will be formally admitted to candidacy.
Years Four to Six
The Dissertation
Students will work on their dissertations in close consultation with their Dissertation Supervisory Committee. This committee is often the same as the Comprehensive Examination Committee but does not have to be.
Students must meet with all members of their Supervisory Committee at least once a year until graduation and submit the completed 
Supervisory Committee Meeting Form (PDF) to the department.
The Final Oral Examination
When the Supervisory Committee deems the dissertation worthy of defense, the student will, with the help of the supervisor, arrange for the Final Oral Examination.
The Final Oral Examination must follow the School of Graduate Studies' (SGS) rules.
It is important to remember that an external appraiser must be recruited and must receive the final version of the dissertation at least six weeks prior to the date of the examination.
In order to avoid paying tuition fees for the following year, the revised and final dissertation must be submitted to SGS by early September (the exact date is available on the SGS website each year).
Teaching Assistant Work
All doctoral students will be provided with Teaching Assistant positions from the beginning of their programs. The department will provide appropriate training workshops and will try to provide students with a range of Teaching Assistant positions in order to better prepare them for entering the job market.
In addition, before final graduation the department will, resources permitting, try to provide each student with an opportunity to teach their own course as an instructor (most likely during the summer session). This would be towards the end of the program.
For full information on Teaching Assistant obligations, students should refer to their incoming letter of offer.
Find more information and resources on working as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto on the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation's website.