Sociology, M.A.

Requirements

Normally candidates for admission to the M.A. program are expected to have completed an Honours degree in Sociology or related social scientific discipline. A candidate for the M.A. degree in Sociology may follow either of three programs. Regardless of which M.A. program option is chosen, all students must pass one 700-level theory course, namely one of:

SOCIOL 750 / Classical Sociological Theory
SOCIOL 751 / Contemporary Sociological Theory
All M.A. students also must pass one 700-level methods course, namely one of:
SOCIOL 740 / Statistical Methods for Social Research
SOCIOL 742 / Qualitative Methods
SOCIOL 743 / Historical Methods

A. Thesis Option

A candidate must pass a minimum of four half courses and must complete and defend a satisfactory thesis based on research. No 600 level courses are permitted. Students may petition the Department Graduate Committee on a case-by-case basis to take a supervised research course (SOCIOL 730 , SOCIOL 731 ), or a half course in another department, provided it is not a supervised research course. In the first term, the candidate must enrol in three half courses and by the end of the term, present a thesis proposal to the Department. If the proposal is approved, the candidate may then prepare a thesis. If the proposal is not approved, the student must complete the course work option.

B. Course Work Option

A candidate must pass a minimum of eight half courses. Of these, at least one half course must be a course in Sociological Theory and another half course in Sociological Methods. Other than SOCIOL 6Z03, no other 600 level courses are permitted. Students are limited to one supervised research course (SOCIOL 730 , SOCIOL 731 ), or one half course in another department provided it is not a supervised research course. Students may petition the Department Graduate Committee on a case-by-case basis for greater flexibility. All courses will normally be completed by the end of the summer term.

C. Major Research Option

A candidate must pass a minimum of six half courses and complete a satisfactory major research paper (MRP). Of the six half courses, at least one must be in a course in Sociological Theory and another in Sociological Methods. Other than SOCIOL 6Z03, no other 600-level courses are permitted. Students may take one course in another department. No supervised research course (SOCIOL 730 , SOCIOL 731 , or in another department) may be used to complete the course requirements. Students may petition the Department Graduate Committee on a case-by-case basis for greater flexibility. In the first term, the candidate must enrol in three half courses and by the end of the term, present a proposal for the MRP to the Department. If the proposal is approved, the candidate may then prepare a MRP. If the proposal is not approved, the student must complete the course work option. Courses will be completed through September-April, while the MRP will be completed through the summer.

B. (1) Course Work Option - stream in Social Psychology

A candidate must pass a minimum of eight half courses. Of these, at least one half course must be a course in Sociological Theory and another half course in Sociological Methods. In addition, students must complete two courses relating to social psychology (702 , 704 , 711 , 718 , 726 , 755 , 758 ). Other than SOCIOL 6Z03, no other 600-level courses are permitted. Students are limited to one supervised research course (SOCIOL 730 , 731 ), or one half course in another department. Students may petition the Department Graduate Committee on a case-by-case basis for greater flexibility. All courses will normally be completed by the end of the summer term.