Understanding the types of programs
Educational pathways
at the graduate level
Université de Montréal offers more than 350 graduate programs. Whether your plan is to acquire a foundation for a specialization, deepen your knowledge of your professional field, or move towards a research and teaching career, we have the program you need.
Graduate programs include 2nd and 3rd levels of study:
- The 2nd level consists of master’s degree programs, diplomas in advanced special studies (DESS) and microprograms. When a same department offers all 3 program types, these programs can be followed consecutively (known as laddering programs), allowing you to pursue advanced studies one step at a time.
- The 3rd level includes all doctorates (PhD), short graduate programs (doctorate level), and postdoctoral fellowships.
Types of programs at the 2nd level of study
The master’s program usually consists of 45 credits. They can be focused on either research or professional training. The master’s prepares students for postgraduate studies or the job market.
Research master’s degree
In the research option, students deepen their specialization and are introduced to scientific research. This training entails the writing of a thesis under the supervision of a research director.
See research master’s programs (page in French)
Professional master’s degree
The professional option seeks to develop the intervention capabilities and aptitudes of future practitioners. The program primarily includes coursework and a supervised project or an internship in a relevant environment.
See master’s programs with supervised projects (page in French)
Specialized graduate diplomas known as DESS programs usually consist of 30 credits split between 2 segments: the first focuses on the fundamentals of the specialization, while the second aims to integrate and apply the acquired skills. These objectives are consistent with prevalent perspectives on continuing education for working professionals or for those seeking short-term specializations eventually leading to a master’s degree.
Transfer to master's degree: Students enrolled in a DESS program may be admitted to a master's program if they meet admission requirements.
The microprogram is a short program of 9 to 18 credits that allows students to acquire the fundamentals of a specialization. A first step towards a DESS or master's degree, it can also be used to hone professional skills.
Transfer to DESS or master's program: Students enrolled in a short graduate program may be admitted to a DESS or master's program if they meet the applicable admission requirements.
Note: Since enrollment is usually part-time, this type of program is less accessible to international students who must be registered full-time.
Types of programs at the 3rd level of study
Doctoral programs consist of 90 credits primarily in the form of research, a comprehensive examination, the writing of a thesis, and a thesis defense before a jury.
Doctoral studies lead to the levels of Doctor (D) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), the highest level in the hierarchy of university degrees. They prepare candidates for the job market or postdoctoral studies.
Researcher PhD
This profile allows students to acquire the necessary skills to autonomously conduct original, scientific research projects. It opens the door to careers as professors or researchers and it can be followed by postdoctoral studies.
Professional PhD
This profile allows for the pursuit of a specialization begun at the graduate level. The program includes an internship in a relevant environment and a research component focused on the advancement of the profession or the evolution of practices.
See all doctoral programs (page in French)
It is also possible, at the postgraduate level, to arrange a thesis co-directorship, i.e., a partnership between Université de Montréal and a higher learning establishment abroad to jointly train and support a doctoral student. To this aim, 2 research directors, with the accord of the institutions to which they belong, design a dual training program for the student, who then undertakes their studies and work by attending, in alternation, both establishments.
Learn more about thesis co-directorship
Joint PhD program (cotutelle)
It is also possible, at the postgraduate level, to arrange a thesis co-advisorship, i.e., a partnership between Université de Montréal and a higher learning establishment abroad to jointly train and support a doctoral student. To this aim, 2 research directors, with the accord of the institutions to which they belong, design a dual training program for the student, who then undertakes their studies and work by attending, in alternation, both establishments.
Specialized professional diplomas known as DEPA programs allow 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.
Would you like to further develop your research specialization or explore a complimentary focus? Register for postdoctoral training at Université de Montréal. Considered one of the most important institutions in North American, Université de Montréal is the ideal place to refine high-level, specialized competencies.
Every year, we host hundreds of postdoctoral fellows in the humanities, arts and letters, social sciences, fundamental and applied sciences, and health sciences.
