Resources for graduate students

The College of Pharmacy provides a checklist which highlights the main action points that students must consider and complete prior to sending their transition request to the Graduate Studies Coordinator. Contact us to receive a copy.

Submit your request to the pharmacy graduate studies chair within 14 months after entry into the master’s program.

Transferring to the PhD program will have an impact on your tuition. Transfer students should monitor their UM student fees closely once they have transferred to ensure they are paying the correct fees.

Required documents to transfer from a master's to a PhD program include:

A letter including:

• Your progress and justification for the transfer
• Supporting evidence of your research ability and productivity

A copy of your academic transcript confirming:

• A GPA higher than 3.75 in your current program
• Completion of at least 6 credit hours of graduate coursework. This should not include PHRM 7160 (Pharmacy Seminar 1 MSc)

A letter from your advisor confirming:

• Support for the transfer
• Support from the advisory committee
• An increase in your stipend equivalent to that of a University of Manitoba PhD fellowship
• If your application is based on a previously completed master’s degree, your advisor must state that the initial master’s is sufficient for entrance to the PhD program.

Progress reports are completed jointly by the student, advisor and advisory committee.

All graduate students (full-time and part-time) who have been in the program at least one semester must submit a progress report, including starting in winter term.

You do not need to submit a progress report if:

• You are on a leave of absence and will not return to your studies in time to submit a progress report
• You have submitted for May convocation

Progress reports process:

1. Reminder email: The dean's office will send a reminder email to graduate students and advisors about the upcoming mid-May deadline for progress reports.

2. Advisory committee organization:

   • Students should initiate discussions with their advisors and committees to establish an advisory committee.

3. Report submission requirements:

   • Each student must prepare a typewritten, double-spaced progress report of 2-5 pages (excluding references and figures).
   • Submission to each committee member is required at least seven days before the review meeting.

4. Responsibilities:

   • Both students and advisors are accountable for ensuring the form is fully completed and signed by all necessary individuals.
   • Completed forms must be returned to the graduate coordinator by the specified deadline.

Stay informed and adhere to these steps for a smooth progress reports process.

Areas for evaluation:

• Cumulative GPA
• Degree GPA
• Are all grades C+ or higher?
• Are there any IP or CO grades?
• Is the student on track time-wise in his/her program, i.e., is the student running out of time?
• Has the student met the objectives stated on previous progress reports?
• Has the student met the objectives stated by the academic advisor?
• Has the student met the objectives stated by the advisory committee (if applicable)?
• Is the student meeting the program requirements, including candidacy, thesis proposal, research, and courses?

Progress report guidelines:

Part C of the report is where the advisor and committee will want to ensure that documentation is complete, detailed, and realistic.

• Specific goals:

  • Goals should be specific. For example, "will get ethics approval within the year, and finish conducting patient interviews" is better than "do research."

• Student rating:

  • Student rating is crucial and should be carefully considered. If 'need of improvement' is selected, detailed information should accompany it, indicating the areas of concern.

• Additional information:

  • Further details should include timelines for student and committee goals, along with requirements for future improvement.
  • Progress report forms may also be used for confirming remediation plans or student appeals.

Things to avoid:

• Repetitive goals:

  • Listing the same goals over multiple years despite satisfactory progress.

• Concerns about wellness:

  • Comments of a concerned nature, such as remarks on the student’s wellness, should be avoided.

• Negative comments without evidence or solutions:

  • Negative comments about the student’s progress should be supported by evidence or accompanied by solutions for improvement.

In need of improvement:

• If a student is rated as 'in need of improvement,' the progress report should include:
  • An outline of measurable improvements.
  • Set deadlines for related tasks.
• Subsequent consecutive 'in need of improvement' assessments may lead to withdrawal from the program.

Ensure adherence to these guidelines for effective progress reporting.

Progress report general information:

• Meeting attendance:

  • Be aware that a report meeting can still happen, even if you don't respond to requests to join the meeting.

• Signing obligation:

  • You aren't obligated to sign the progress report if you do not agree with what is recorded. The progress can still be submitted, and you can then append information indicating what parts of the progress report you don't agree with.

• Regulations familiarity:

  • All students and advisors should be familiar with Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations and College of Pharmacy supplemental regulations.

Get an introduction to Grad Studies, including how to write at the graduate level, work with an advisor, apply for a scholarship, network and more. Learn more about graduate student orientation.

You must have an advisor willing to accept you as a student to pursue graduate studies in pharmacy.

Graduate students may choose to receive their mail at the dean’s office during their studies. Student mail is managed by front desk administration.

Full-time graduate students are assigned a spot in a shared workspace, including a lockable filing cabinet. See the graduate administrator for details.

Lockers are available through the dean's office on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost for a locker.

Your access code lets you make copies in the dean’s office and use the printers located throughout the Apotex building. Contact the IST service desk for your code.