Graduate Programs

The Department has particular strengths in the following general areas: sociology of the environment; development and sustainability; rural sociology; social justice; Canadian studies; family, gender, and women’s studies; demography; sociology of knowledge, science, and technology; political economy; Marxist and critical theory; social science methodology; and quantitative and qualitative research techniques.  As well, the Department maintains a commitment to a strong interdisciplinary social science program which can draw on resources of other departments and academic areas.

The Department offers two thesis-based graduate programs leading to the MA degree in Sociology or in Social Studies. 

The Department offers an interdisciplinary course-based graduate program leading to the MA degree in Social Studies.

The Department also offers individual PhD programs in Sociology or in Social Studies on an exceptional, case-by-case basis.  

For more information, see the Department’s Graduate Handbook.

Sociology (thesis based)

Successful applicants for admission will have a BA Honours or four year BA in Sociology with an overall GPA of 70 or higher.  All MA candidates are required to take four three credit hour graduate courses and the Sociology 800 seminar in two semesters.  Two of the four courses must be Sociology 802 (theory) and Sociology 804 (methods).  The balance of the program consists of at least 18 credit hours of thesis research.  To graduate MA candidates are expected to write and defend a thesis.  Successful applicants will be supervised in their work by a committee of faculty.

In addition to theory and methods courses, the graduate program in Sociology offers students the possibility of taking courses in three areas of concentration: environment and development; social justice; and knowledge, science and technology.  Students will be allowed to mix and match, or follow just one stream according to their interests and goals.

Social Studies (thesis and course-based)

The MA program in Social Studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides the candidate with the opportunity to develop a program bridging two or more social science disciplines.  Students from a variety of social science backgrounds might be interested in this program.  Students with a four year BA or Honours BA with a GPA of 70 or higher in any of the social sciences are eligible for admission.  However, students with professional degrees including a strong social science course component may also be eligible.  Students interested in the program should contact the Department’s Graduate Program Coordinator.

Social Studies (thesis based)

Students in the Social Studies MA program are required to take the Social Studies 800 (seminar) in two semesters.  In addition, students are required to take four approved graduate courses in two or more of the social sciences, and to register in at least 18 credit hours of thesis research.  To graduate MA candidates are expected to write and defend a thesis.  Successful applicants will be supervised in their work by a committee of faculty.

Social Studies (course-based)

The course-based MA program in Social Studies is an interdisciplinary program allowing the candidate to bridge two or more social science disciplines, or approved courses in graduate programs other than the social sciences.  The program requires the completion of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including 3 courses (9 credit hours) of required core courses.  The core includes Social Studies 801, one social science theory course, and one social science methods course.  All candidates are also required to register in the Social Studies 800 seminar in two semesters.