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Sociology

Program Overview

The Master of Arts program helps students develop their theoretical perspectives and research skills. It provides a strong foundation in sociological training for those who plan to pursue a doctoral degree in sociology. The program provides solid basic training in honing research skills for the public and private sectors.

The Doctor of Philosophy program prepares students for careers in teaching and research. The program trains students to conduct theoretically informed and methodologically sophisticated state-of-the-art sociological research. Graduates will be able to conduct independent research and to communicate their research in a variety of contexts. Therefore, the program is designed to provide both a broad knowledge of the discipline and training in basic research.

Students are expected to acquire autonomy in conducting research, preparing scholarly publications, and participating in professional conferences. These objectives are achieved through a combination of coursework, participation in seminars, preparation of comprehensive examinations, paid work as research and teaching assistants, preparing papers for conference presentation, and supervised dissertation research.


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MA, PhD:

Fall 2024 entry

01-Dec-2023

 

 

MA, PhD:

Fall 2024 entry

01-Dec-2023

 

 

Minimum admission average MA:

an overall B+ average in each of the last two years of post-secondary education

PhD:

A-

MA:

an overall B+ average in each of the last two years of post-secondary education

PhD:

A-

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

Yes

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? PhD:

After

PhD:

After

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? PhD:

No

PhD:

No

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? PhD:

Applicant

PhD:

Applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MA, PhD:

N/A

MA, PhD:

N/A


Master of Arts

Program Description

The MA program trains students in the theoretical approaches, research designs, and analytical skills central to the field of Sociology. It provides extensive background and knowledge valuable for a number of rewarding careers in the public and private sectors. The program also builds a strong foundation in sociological training for those who plan to pursue a doctoral degree in Sociology.

Students have the option of completing the master's degree in one of two ways:

  • Coursework (the preferred option for those proceeding to the PhD).

  • Coursework plus research paper.

Students can take the program on a part-time or full-time basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Sociology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree with 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in sociology, with an overall B+ average in each of the last two years of post-secondary education. Those with excellent grades but whose preparation is insufficient will be required to take additional courses.

  • Applicants are also expected to have acquired basic research and statistical skills.

  • Admission decisions are based on grades and indications of superior qualifications such as letters of recommendation and a sample of the applicant's work.

  • In addition to the School of Graduate Studies' online application form, applicants must submit:

    • Two letters of reference from instructors or research supervisors.

    • A paper, including summary, which the student feels represents his or her best work.

    • A one-page, single-spaced typed statement of interest indicating research interests, research experience, and reasons for applying to study sociology at the University of Toronto.

  • Proficiency in the English language, demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. See General Regulations section 4.3 English-Language Proficiency for minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language and TWE (Test of Written English) scores required.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework Option: the preferred option for those proceeding to the PhD

    • 4.0 FCEs or eight half courses including:

      • SOC6001H Classical Sociological Theory I

      • SOC6302H Statistics for Sociologists

      • SOC6712H Qualitative Methods I.

  • Coursework Plus Research Paper Option

    • 3.0 FCEs or six half courses including:

      • SOC6001H Classical Sociological Theory I

      • SOC6302H Statistics for Sociologists

      • SOC6712H Qualitative Methods I.

    • A research paper.

  • Regardless of option, the MA program is completed in 12 months.

  • The choice of courses in all programs must be approved by the department.

  • A maximum of 0.5 FCE in reading courses may be counted towards the degree requirements.

  • A maximum of 0.5 FCE in elective courses taken outside the department may be counted towards the degree requirements unless approval of the Graduate Coordinator is obtained.

  • Students must maintain a B average to be recommended for the MA degree.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
15 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program provides training in conducting theoretically rich and methodologically sophisticated sociological research. Through the program, students design and carry out research projects, present their work at professional conferences, and author scholarly publications. The program is designed to provide both a broad knowledge of the discipline and specialized methodological and subject matter expertise.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate MA or 2) direct entry after completing a bachelor’s degree.

 

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Sociology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • The normal requirement is completion of the University of Toronto MA, with at least an A– standing. All students must demonstrate that their master's degree program included coursework equivalent to Classical Social Theory, Social Statistics, and Qualitative Methods I. Some students may be required to take prescribed additional courses.

  • Admission decisions are based on grades and indications of superior qualifications such as letters of recommendation and a sample of the applicant's work.

  • In addition to the School of Graduate Studies' online application form, applicants must submit:

    • Two letters of reference from instructors or research supervisors.

    • A paper, including summary, which the student feels represents his or her best work.

    • A one-page, single-spaced typed statement of interest indicating research interests, research experience, and reasons for applying to study sociology at the University of Toronto.

    • Proficiency in the English language, demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. See General Regulations section 4.3 English-Language Proficiency for minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language and TWE (Test of Written English) scores required.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

    • SOC6101H Contemporary Sociological Theory

    • SOC6707H Intermediate Data Analysis

    • SOC6511H Professional Development Seminar I

    • SOC6711Y Research Practicum

    • If a student has already taken these courses at the graduate level, other courses will be substituted to obtain the 4.5 FCEs total.

    • A maximum of 0.5 FCE in reading courses may be counted towards the degree requirements.

    • A maximum of 0.5 FCE in elective courses taken outside the department may be counted towards the degree requirements unless approval of the Graduate Coordinator is obtained.

  • An average of at least B+ is required in order to be eligible to continue in the following year of any program. Failure in any course (that is, less than a B–) will require a review of the student's total program by the department.

  • Doctoral students must complete SOC6511H Professional Development Seminar I (Credit/No Credit). This seminar consists of a series of workshops designed to guide students in their graduate school career and beyond. SOC6511H must be completed in the Fall session of Year 1.

  • Two comprehensive examinations, which must be completed by the end of Year 2.

    • Comprehensive exams are offered in each of the 12 areas of study: Computational and Quantitative Methods; Gender; Global Migration; Health and Mental Health; Political Sociology; Qualitative Methods; Race, Ethnicity, Indigeneity; Social Networks; Sociology of Crime and Law; Sociology of Culture; Theory; and Work, Stratification, and Markets.

    • If a student fails a comprehensive exam, the student has one attempt to rewrite the exam. The rewrite must occur in the next available exam session.

  • Submission of a written thesis proposal and its successful oral defence before a supervisory committee consisting of three faculty members. If a student should fail, the student is permitted one additional opportunity to defend a revised thesis proposal.

  • University policy requires that students complete all their non-thesis requirements (coursework, comprehensive examinations, thesis proposal, and language requirement if applicable) by the end of Year 3.

  • Preparation of an original PhD thesis, which must be defended at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

  • Candidates must have an adequate knowledge of a language other than English if an additional language is deemed essential for satisfactory completion of research for the thesis.

  • Two years of residence, whereby students must be on campus and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Sociology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • The department may recommend admission directly after completion of an appropriate bachelor's degree. Direct entry of this kind will only be recommended for outstanding students who have provided a clear and detailed plan for thesis research.

  • Admission decisions are based on grades and indications of superior qualifications such as letters of recommendation and a sample of the applicant's work.

  • In addition to the School of Graduate Studies' online application form, applicants must submit:

    • Two letters of reference from instructors or research supervisors.

    • A paper, including summary, which the student feels represents his or her best work.

    • A one-page, single-spaced typed statement of interest indicating research interests, research experience, and reasons for applying to study sociology at the University of Toronto.

    • Proficiency in the English language, demonstrated by all applicants educated outside Canada whose primary language is not English. See General Regulations section 4.3 English-Language Proficiency for minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language and TWE (Test of Written English) scores required.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

    • SOC6001H Classical Sociological Theory I

    • SOC6101H Contemporary Sociological Theory

    • SOC6302H Statistics for Sociologists

    • SOC6511H Professional Development Seminar I

    • SOC6707H Intermediate Data Analysis

    • SOC6711Y Research Practicum

    • SOC6712H Qualitative Methods I.

    • A maximum of 0.5 FCE in reading courses and 0.5 FCE in elective courses taken outside the department may be counted towards the degree requirements.

  • An average of at least B+ is required in order to be eligible to continue in the following year of any program. Failure in any course (that is, less than a B–) will require a review of the student's total program by the department.

  • Doctoral students must complete SOC6511H Professional Development Seminar I (Credit/No Credit). This seminar consists of a series of workshops designed to guide students in their graduate school career and beyond. SOC6511H must be completed in the Fall session of Year 1.

  • Two comprehensive examinations, which must be completed by the end of Year 2.

    • Comprehensive exams are offered in each of the 12 areas of study: Computational and Quantitative Methods; Gender; Global Migration; Health and Mental Health; Political Sociology; Qualitative Methods; Race, Ethnicity, Indigeneity; Social Networks; Sociology of Crime and Law; Sociology of Culture; Theory; and Work, Stratification, and Markets.

    • If a student fails a comprehensive exam, the student has one attempt to rewrite the exam. The rewrite must occur in the next available exam session.

  • Submission of a written thesis proposal and its successful oral defence before a supervisory committee consisting of three faculty members. If a student should fail, the student is permitted one additional opportunity to defend a revised thesis proposal.

  • University policy requires that students complete all their non-thesis requirements (coursework, comprehensive examinations, thesis proposal, and language requirement if applicable) by the end of Year 3.

  • Preparation of an original PhD thesis, which must be defended at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

  • Candidates must have an adequate knowledge of a language other than English if an additional language is deemed essential for satisfactory completion of research for the thesis.

  • Two years of residence, whereby students must be on campus and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years