Offered by Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada, Arts Education: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a doctorate in Education & Teaching programme. The programme runs for 4 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 2,193 per semester (CAD 2,193 per semester for local students).
The Arts Education PhD in SFU's Faculty of Education prepares scholars to carry out significant, original research at the meeting point of arts theory, inquiry and practice, grounded in the theoretical, historical and philosophical place of the arts in society and community. Students work with arts-based methodologies including narrative, performative, poetic, autobiographical and living inquiry, and with aesthetic ways of knowing that take metaphor, imagination and Indigenous perspectives seriously. The degree combines arts education and theory seminars with a comprehensive examination graded satisfactory or unsatisfactory and a defended thesis, with a research plan presented to the supervisory committee early on. Intake is biennial, and candidates come from dance, music, theatre, visual and media arts, writing and curatorial practice.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.50 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: This program page states no field-specific admission requirements of its own beyond Simon Fraser University's Graduate General Regulations 1.3. The SFU Calendar entry for the degree adds that applicants normally hold a thesis-based MA from SFU or an equivalent from a recognized institution, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5/4.33, plus submitted evidence that they are capable of undertaking substantial original doctoral research; those who fall short may still be considered in exceptional circumstances on the basis of superior scholarly or professional achievement. At least two of the three required references must be able to comment on the applicant's academic ability and judge their likelihood of success in doctoral study. Non-native English speakers must meet the university's English-language minimum (IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band, or TOEFL iBT 90 overall with at least 20 per section; PTE Academic 65/60, CAEL 70/60, and Duolingo 125/105 also accepted). Decisions are normally released in March or early April.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, with one set of dates per applicant type rather than by citizenship. Fall 2027 entry: high-school-route applications open 1 October 2026 and close 31 January 2027, while transfer applications open 1 March 2027 and close 15 April 2027 (Education and Contemporary Arts transfer applicants may apply from 1 October 2026). Spring 2027 entry runs 1 July to 15 September 2026, and Summer 2027 entry runs 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Admission documents are generally due 28 February 2027 (Fall) and offers must be accepted by 1 May. International applicants use the same EducationPlannerBC dates and portal; SFU publishes no separate international deadline. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
