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 = 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

Canada Master’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 USA Master’s

Canada PhD’s 4-5 yrs 2-6 courses, comprehensive Research Degree Prof. Dev. Programs Low Tuition fees 5-8 years 10+ courses, comprehensive exam Idem Very high fees 2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum USA PhD’s

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

Canada PhD’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 USA PhD’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

Conclusions 1)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 System a)quality more uniform than in the USA b)less kown than US, Germany, UK, France c)third best in the world 3)We should a)publicize our strengths b)sign specific agreements with foreign countries c)increase mobility and Joint degrees 2012 = August = Chengdu = Canada-China 2nd Forum