THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE
SOCIOLOGY
SOCIOLOGY

25.2.2 THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE

Admission Requirements

1) Applicants with a four-year degree in Sociology or a related field may be admitted into a minimum one-year Master's program provided they have an adequate background in social theory and methodology. Students will be expected to comply with the general University requirements for the Master's degree (see 1.6.2).

2) Applicants with a three-year degree in Sociology or a related discipline may be admitted into a two-year Master's program. Besides meeting all the requirements of the minimum one-year Master's program in their second or further years, students will be expected to comply with the general University requirements (see 1.6.2).

Program Requirements

Course selections and course changes must be made in consultation with a faculty advisor designated by the area committee in which the student is planning to specialize, and receive the approval of the Graduate Committee.

1) Students in the two-year program are required to take the following courses in their first year: 48-210 or 48-310, two courses from 48-403 to 48-406, 48-408 or 48-415, and six other courses at the 300 or 400 level, two of which may be outside the program. At least an overall B average must be maintained.

2) Students with a four-year degree in Anthropology must take 02-250, 48-302, 48-308, and two courses from 48-403 to 48-406, and 48-408, or the equivalent. Students with a four-year degree in Criminology must take 48-202, two courses from 48-403 to 48-406, 48-408, and 48-415, or the equivalent. Students with a four-year degree in Family and Social Relations must take two courses from 48-403 to 48-406, and 48-415, or the equivalent.

MASTER OF ARTS - THESIS OPTION

The essential components of the Master of Arts degree (thesis option) in sociology are course work and a thesis. Well-organized students can complete the program in one year but two years is more common.

Graduate students in the M.A. program will be expected to specialize in one of the four areas: Criminology; Family, Sex, and Gender; International Development; or Work. Course selections and course changes must be made in consultation with a temporary faculty advisor.

Students accepted directly into the candidate year will proceed towards the degree by completing six courses, achieving at least a B average. The required courses are: 48-500 (Sociology Theory), 48-505 (Methodology), and 48-590 (thesis proposal). The three other courses must include at least one in the student’s area of specialization and two others providing breadth in the discipline as a whole. Faculty advisors may recommend particular courses to develop the skills necessary for thesis work. After completion of the courses, the focus shifts to the thesis which is an independent research project conducted in consultation with an advisor and thesis committee.

MASTER OF ARTS - COURSE STREAM OPTION

The essential components of the Master of Arts degree (course stream option) in soci-
ology involve course work. Well-organized students can complete the program in one year.

Graduate students in the M.A. program will be expected to specialize in one of the four areas: Criminology; Family, Sex, and Gender; International Development; or Work. Course selections and course changes must be made in consultation with a temporary faculty advisor.

Students accepted directly into the candidate year will proceed towards the degree by completing a total of eight courses, achieving at least a B average. The two required courses are: 48-500 (Sociological Theory) and 48-505 (Methodology). Six additional graduate courses in Sociology are required including at least one course in a declared area of specialization. Courses from other graduate programs may be substituted with permission of the Graduate Committee.

Notes:

1) Students not having a sufficient background in statistics and/or social theory may be required to take 02-250 and 48-308 and/or 48-202 and 48-302.

2) Seminar classes require active class participation. Instructors may therefore take into account class participation in grading students, in accordance with Senate regulations.

3) To change from one program to the other requires approval of the Graduate Committee.