Master of Arts (MA) in Sociology

The program information below was valid for the winter 2023 term (January 1, 2023 - April 30, 2023). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Master's
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis
  • Master's Research Paper

• Minimum requirements 
  • Normally an Honours Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Sociology with at least a 78% overall standing.
  • A statement of academic interest (approximately a page, outlining areas of interest and reasons for choosing to study at the University of Waterloo).
  • Results from the General Section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (optional).
• Application materials 
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
    • From all other post-secondary institutions.
  • Writing sample
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Students are admitted to a Master’s study option (Thesis or Master’s Research Paper). Thereafter, the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Affairs, is necessary in order to change an option. In the case of the Thesis or Master’s Research Paper options, the Departmental Advisor will also assist the student in the identification of a potential supervisor. Students should keep in mind that it is strongly advised that they complete three courses in their first term.

Note: Coursework beyond these minima may be required at the discretion of the Associate Chair, Graduate Affairs. If additional coursework is required, the student will be notified in writing at the time of entry into the program. Additional coursework may be required by those who in the estimation of the Associate Chair, Graduate Affairs, do not possess the equivalent of an Honours Bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Waterloo.

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following courses:
  • Theory: 1 of SOC 700 Sociological Theory or SOC 708 Contemporary Sociological Theory
  • Methods: SOC 712 Elements of Social Research
  • Statistics: SOC 710 Intermediate Social Statistics
  • At least 1 other graduate course with a minimum 0.50 unit weight. These courses must also require a substantial piece of research (project or essay).
  • Students may take a maximum of 1 reading course from University of Waterloo Sociology and Legal Studies Faculty or adjuncts.
• In order to complete a course satisfactorily, students must complete all course requirements as specified by the instructor and receive a minimum grade of 75%.

Link(s) to courses

• Sociology (SOC) courses

Master’s Thesis

• Students must write and orally defend a thesis proposal and a thesis.
• A thesis proposal, approved by a supervisor and two readers, must be completed by the end of the second term (typically the end of April). The thesis should be completed and defended by the end of the sixth term.
• A Master's thesis is considered to involve an amount of work equivalent to 4 one-term courses (2.00 units, approximately 100 to 150 pages in length).

Master's Research Paper option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must complete the following courses:
  • Theory: 1 of SOC 700 Sociological Theory or SOC 708 Contemporary Sociological Theory
  • Methods: SOC 712 Elements of Social Research
  • Statistics: SOC 710 Intermediate Social Statistics
  • At least 3 other graduate courses with a minimum 0.50 unit weight each. These courses must also require a substantial piece of research (project or essay).
  • Students may take a maximum of 1 reading course from University of Waterloo Sociology and Legal Studies Faculty or adjuncts.
• In order to complete a course satisfactorily, students must complete all course requirements as specified by the instructor and receive a minimum grade of 75%.

Link(s) to courses

• Sociology (SOC) courses

Master’s Research Paper

• Students must prepare a research paper proposal and write and orally defend a research paper.
• A research paper proposal must be completed and approved by a supervisor and one reader/examiner by the middle of the third term (typically the end of June). The research paper must be defended by the end of the fourth term (typically, the end of December).
• A research paper is considered to involve an amount of work equivalent to 2 one-term courses (1.00 unit, approximately 50 to 70 pages in length). As a guideline, the focus of a Master’s Research Paper (MRP) can be on the research question, theory and methodology, and possibly some exploratory research on the state of the research but it is up to the supervisor, reader/examiner and student to set the direction for the MRP.