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. No 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. No 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.