Resources for graduate students

Considering a transfer from your master’s (M.Sc.) program to the PhD program in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba? This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you understand each requirement and deadline along the way.

Step 1: Review eligibility criteria

• Ensure you have made excellent progress in your master’s program during the first 12 months.
• Confirm that you are within 14 months of entering the master’s program to submit your transfer request.

Step 2: Prepare required documentation

• Write a progress and justification letter:
  • Outline your progress in the program.
  • Provide justification for wanting to transfer.
  • Include supporting evidence of your research ability and productivity.
• Obtain your academic transcript:
  • Ensure it confirms completion of at least 6 credit hours of graduate coursework (excluding PHRM 7160 - Pharmacy Seminar 1 MSc).
  • Verify that your GPA is ≥ 3.75.
• Request an advisor’s support letter:
  • Ask your advisor to write a letter indicating their approval and that of the Advisory Committee for your transfer.
  • Ensure the letter confirms an increase in your stipend to an amount equivalent to a PhD University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship.

Step 3: Address special cases (if applicable)

• If you have a previously completed master’s degree:
  • Ensure your previously completed degree is sufficient for PhD admission.
  • Complete at least 12 credit hours of coursework in the current program.
  • Have your advisor include a statement of support confirming the sufficiency of your previous master’s degree.

Step 4: Submit your transfer request

• Compile all documentation:
  • Progress and justification letter
  • Academic transcript
  • Advisor’s support letter (and any additional documentation for special cases)
• Submit to the PGSC chair:
  • Ensure all documents are complete and adhere to any deadlines listed in the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) and College of Pharmacy regulations.
  • Send the complete package to the Graduate Studies Coordinator.

Step 5: Monitor your tuition fees

• Post-transfer fee monitoring:
  • After transferring, closely monitor your UM student fees to ensure they reflect the correct amount for a PhD student.

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

If you need assistance with any part of the process, email Pharmacy.GradStudies@umanitoba.ca.

For a smooth submission process, here's what you need to know:

• Who must submit: If you are a graduate student who has been in the program for at least one semester, you are required to submit a progress report. This applies to both full-time and part-time students, including those starting in the winter term.
• Exemptions: You do not need to submit a progress report if you are on a leave of absence or if you have already submitted for May convocation.
• Report preparation: Your report should be typewritten, double-spaced, and between 2-5 pages long, not including references and figures. Make sure to send the report to each of your committee members at least seven days before your scheduled review meeting. The dean’s office will send a reminder email about the mid-May deadline, so be sure to watch for it and plan accordingly.

Organizing and working with your advisory committee is essential for a successful progress report:

• Initiate discussions: Start by having a conversation with your advisor to set up your advisory committee. This committee plays a crucial role in reviewing and discussing your progress.
• Responsibilities: Both you and your advisor are responsible for ensuring that the progress report form is filled out correctly and signed by all required parties. Once completed, submit the form to the graduate coordinator by the deadline to ensure everything is processed on time. Proper organization and timely submission help avoid any delays in your progress evaluation.

Your progress report will be evaluated based on several important criteria:

• Academic performance:
  • Cumulative GPA: Your overall GPA, reflecting your performance across all semesters.
  • Degree GPA: Your GPA for courses that count towards your degree.
  • Grades: Ensure all your grades are C+ or higher and check for any IP (In Progress) or CO (Completed) grades that need attention.
• Program timeline: Assess whether you are progressing according to the timeline set for your program. Delays or deviations may need to be addressed.
• Objectives:
  • Previous objectives: Review if you have met the goals set in previous progress reports.
  • Advisor’s objectives: Evaluate whether you have achieved the objectives outlined by your advisor.
  • Advisory committee’s objectives: Check if you are meeting the goals set by your advisory committee, if applicable.
• Program requirements: Verify that you are meeting all program requirements, including candidacy, thesis proposal, research, and coursework.

To ensure your progress report is effective and informative:

• Detail and realism: Make sure Part C of your report is thorough and realistic. Include detailed descriptions of your achievements and goals.
• Specific goals: Set clear, actionable goals. For example, instead of saying "do research," specify "secure ethics approval within the year and complete patient interviews."
• Student rating: Carefully consider your rating on the report. If you are rated as ‘in need of improvement,’ provide detailed information about what needs to be improved and outline specific steps and deadlines for achieving these improvements.
• Avoid repetitive goals: Avoid listing the same goals year after year without showing progress. This helps keep the report relevant and focused.
• Wellness comments: Refrain from including comments about the student’s personal wellness unless they are directly related to academic progress.
• Negative comments: Any negative feedback should be supported by evidence and include suggested solutions for improvement. This helps in addressing concerns constructively.

If you disagree with any part of the report, you are not obligated to sign it. Instead, you can append your comments and submit the report as is. Make sure you are familiar with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and College of Pharmacy regulations to ensure you meet all requirements and expectations for a successful progress report.

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.