Microprogram

The 9-to-18-credit microprogram provides students with the foundation required for a specialization. A first step towards a DESS (Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées, or Specialized graduate diploma) or Master's degree, it can also be used to hone professional skills.

Minimum and maximum duration: 1 session and 9 sessions respectively
Diploma: Certificate of graduate studies

Transfer to DESS or Master's Program
Students enrolled in a microprogram may be admitted to a DESS or Master's program if they meet the applicable admission requirements.

DESS (Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées — Specialized graduate diploma)

The DESS is a program of 30 credits distributed over two segments: (1) foundations of the specialization and (2) integration and application of knowledge. It is intended to meet the needs of those in the job market looking for continuing education. It can also lead to a Master's degree.

Minimum and maximum duration: 2 and 12 sessions respectively
Diploma:  DESS

Transfer to Master's Degree
Students enrolled in a DESS program may be admitted to a Master's program if they meet admission requirements.

If the transfer option is of interest to you, we encourage you to find out more about research-focused Master's degrees and professional Master's degrees.

Master’s Degree

The 45-credit Master's degree focuses on research or professional training.

Research Master’s Program

Students in the research-focused Master's program deepen their specialization and are introduced to academic research. They will be required to write a thesis under the direction of a research supervisor. The Master's program including a thesis enables the graduate to work as a research officer or pursue Ph.D./doctoral studies.

Minimum duration: 3 sessions full time
Maximum duration: 6 sessions full time or 9 sessions part time
Degree: Master's

Professional Master’s program

The professional Master's program is designed to develop the working skills and abilities and professional aptitudes of future practitioners. The program consists primarily of courses as well as an internship in a practice setting or a supervised research project.

Minimum duration: 3 sessions full time
Maximum duration: 6 sessions full time or 9 sessions part time
Degree: Master's

DES (Diplôme d’études spécialisées — Specialized diploma)

Students obtain their DES after successfully completing a program of specialization in specific healthcare sectors. These programs mainly involve internships in a clinical setting.

The required coursework varies from 3 to 8 years, depending on the program.

Ph.D./Doctorate

Research Ph.D.

This research-focused Ph.D. leads to the degree of Philosophiæ Doctor (Ph.D.).

The student must pass a comprehensive exam, write a dissertation and defend it before a jury.

The research pathway enables students to acquire methods for conducting an independent, original academic research project and to make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge.

The research-focused Ph.D. opens the way to postdoctoral training or a rewarding career as a professor, researcher or industry professional.

Number of credits: 90

Minimum duration: 6 sessions full time
Maximum duration: 15 sessions full time
Degree: Ph.D.

Professional Doctorate

This program leads to the degree of Doctor (D.). It can be the ideal pathway for anyone wishing to pursue a specialty that they have already started to develop at the Master’s level.

Students must complete an internship and present research work focused on advancing the profession or developing professional practices.

The professional doctorate contributes to the advancement of the profession or the development of professional practices.

Number of credits: normally 90

Minimum duration: 6 sessions full time
Maximum duration: 15 sessions full time
Degree: Doctorate

Direct access to doctoral studies from undergraduate studies

In many disciplines, students can progress directly from the Bachelor's to the doctoral level. To do so, they must have an outstanding academic record and the support of their research supervisor. In addition, no more than one year must have elapsed since the student obtained his or her undergraduate degree. Students admitted for direct access must take a minimum of nine additional credits in their doctoral program.

Students who enter the doctoral program directly from their Bachelor's degree are eligible for a scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria, which include having obtained their undergraduate degree from a Canadian university and not having taken any courses since obtaining that degree. The director of the student’s program of study submits the application file to GPS at the time the decision on admission is to be made.

Fast-track Transfer from Master's to Doctorate

During their third session, students enrolled in the Master's program may apply to be fast-tracked to the doctoral program without having to write a Master's thesis. To do so, they must have completed all their courses in the program of study, have earned excellent grades, and be supported by their research supervisor.

Students (from within or outside Quebec) enrolled at the Université de Montréal who are admitted to a doctoral program via fast-track transfer are eligible for a scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria. Their program director must submit their application to the Associate Vice-Rector for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the time the decision on admission is to be made.

DEPA (Diplôme d’études professionnelles approfondies — Specialized professional diploma)

The DEPA enables professionals with a graduate diploma to acquire complex problem-solving competencies by broadening and deepening the knowledge and skills needed to design or carry out scientific research projects and by analyzing the outcomes.

Number of credits: 30

Minimum duration: 2 sessions full time
Maximum duration: 5 sessions part time
Diploma: DEPA

The Associate Vice-Rector for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies manages three customized graduate programs:

• Master of Arts (M.A.)
• Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Doctorate (Ph.D.)

For more information, visit the Admission website.

• The customized program of study must not be offered in any academic unit (faculty, school, department, program of study);
• Students are assisted by an ad hoc graduate studies committee made up of three faculty members (including their research supervisor) who will determine the students’ study  path, help them choose courses, approve the direction of their research, support them throughout their studies, and name the type of customized diploma;
• Students must also find a host academic unit (usually that of their supervisor) to provide academic and administrative support (including registration);
• To enrol in a customized graduate degree program, the student must find a professor who agrees to supervise him or her.

Students opting for a customized graduate degree program must fill out a form describing their study path. Signed by all parties involved in the student's study path, this form complements the AD-1 form completed by the academic unit (faculty, school, department, program of study) at the time of the decision on admission.

Professional continuing education is designed to enhance initial training, while advanced specialized continuing education reinforces disciplinary skills acquired during undergraduate studies and broadens the range of skills through application of the latest research findings.

Graduate microprogram

The 9-to-18-credit microprogram provides students with the foundation required for a specialization. A first step towards a DESS (Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées, or Specialized graduate diploma) or Master's degree, it can also be used to hone professional skills.

Minimum and maximum duration: 1 session and 9 sessions respectively
Diploma: Certificate of graduate studies

Transfer to DESS or Master's Program
Students enrolled in a microprogram may be admitted to a DESS or Master's program if they meet the applicable admission requirements.

DESS (Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées — Specialized graduate diploma)

The DESS is a program of 30 credits distributed over two segments: (1) foundations of the specialization and (2) integration and application of knowledge. It is intended to meet the needs of those in the job market looking for continuing education. It can also lead to a Master's degree.

Minimum and maximum duration: 2 and 12 sessions respectively
Diploma:  DESS

Transfer to Master's Degree
Students enrolled in a DESS program may be admitted to the Master's program if they meet admission requirements.

Consult the list of programs of study to make an informed choice!