Program overview
Master of Arts students will gain a world-class education that lays the foundation for further study at the doctoral level or professional employment. The 12-month program provides training in sociological theory, research methods, statistics, as well as substantive courses of interest. Students benefit from a professor/student ratio that guarantees access to support and feedback.
Students in the course-based program will complete course requirements in the Fall and Winter terms, and a major research paper in a 6-unit capstone course in the spring and summer terms. Themes and options for the major research paper will be established by the capstone course instructor(s), in consultation with students during their first two terms of study.
Completing this program
- Core courses: Students take courses in social statistics, research methods, theory and training in professional sociology.
- Additional courses: topics may include health and illness, ethnicity and racialization, gender, urban sociology, indigenous issues, deviance and social control, and more.
- Major research paper, completed over spring and summer terms.
Outcomes
Health sector, education, government, non-profit, researcher, analyst, program evaluation, clinician.
A course-based master’s degree in sociology will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.
Course-based program
6 courses plus major research paper
Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
12 months
Supervisor
No supervisor is required.
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
GPA
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
Demonstrated competence, normally through course work, in classical and contemporary sociological theory, social research methods, and social statistics.
Work samples
A sample of written work.
Documents
A written statement of intent.
Reference letters
Two.
Test scores
None.
English language proficiency (ELP)
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 86 with no section lower than 20.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 with no section lower than 6.0 (academic version).
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (with no lower than 60).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of B+ in each course.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: December 15 application deadline
- International students: December 15 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Department of Sociology
Social Sciences Building, Room 956A
618 Campus Place NW
Calgary, ABT2N 1N4
403.220.6501
Email: socigrad@ucalgary.ca
Visit the Department of Sociology website
Faculty of Arts
University of Calgary
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Visit the Faculty of Arts website
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