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Sociology

Programs

Master of Arts
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Admission Requirements

Students may apply to complete some or all of the MA degree requirements on a part-time basis. Part-time students are not eligible for teaching assistantships or scholarship support, therefore applicants for part-time status will need to demonstrate to the admissions committee that they can complete the degree in a timely fashion while relying exclusively on outside sources of financial support and meeting their non-university obligations.

Admission requirements for students seeking admission to the MA program are as follows:

  • normally an Honours Bachelor's degree or its equivalent in Sociology with at least a B+ overall standing (78%);
  • three letters of reference from academic sources;
  • official transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions;
  • a sample of written work;
  • a curriculum vitae;
  • a statement of interest (approximately a page and a half, 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 (optional);
  • proof of competency in English (if applicable). A score of at least 600 is required in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). See Academic Regulations - English Language Proficiency Certification for other acceptable tests of English.

Note: The deadline for applications is February 1 for Fall admission. Applications received after this deadline will be considered only if positions are available.

Degree Requirements

There are four program options: the thesis option, the research paper option, the community research methodology option, and the courses-only option.

Note: Upon entering the MA program in Sociology, the default will indicate the research paper option. If a student wishes to be included in the thesis stream, it is normally expected during the first term that the student complete three graduate level courses, selects a supervisor and two other committee members, and prepares a thesis proposal by the end of the first term (typically Fall). During the second term (typically Winter) a thesis proposal defense date should be arranged with the supervisor and committee, and normally, defended by the end of the second month of the second term (typically February).

Master's Thesis Option

Master's students who choose this option must:

  • complete four graduate-level one-term courses (with a unit weight of .50 each);
  • maintain at least a B average (75%);
  • demonstrate proficiency in theory, methods, and statistics; this is usually accomplished through coursework, specifically, by obtaining passing marks (understood to be B-, 72% or better) in the following courses: 

            Theory: one of SOC 700 or 704 
            Methods: SOC 712
            Statistics: SOC 710

  • write and orally defend a thesis.*

Note: Students who choose the co-op option for the MA program will be required to submit a work report upon completion of the work terms.

*A Master's thesis is considered to involve an amount of work equivalent to four one-term courses (2.00 units).

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 if the student's undergraduate preparation is not the equivalent of that required for an Honours Bachelor's degree in Sociology at the University of Waterloo.

The student must obtain at least a B (75%) average in courses presented in fulfillment of the MA requirements. Student progress is reviewed each year. The student is notified in writing in the event that there is a problem with his or her academic standing.

Master's Research Paper Option

Master's students who choose this option must:

  • complete six graduate-level one-term courses (with a unit weight of 0.50 each);
  • maintain at least a B average (75%);
  • demonstrate proficiency in theory and methods and statistics; this is usually accomplished through coursework, specifically, by obtaining passing marks (understood to be B-, 72% or better) in the following courses:

            Theory: one of SOC 700 or 704
            Methods: SOC 712
            Statistics: SOC 710

  • write and orally defend a research paper.*

Note: Students who choose the co-op option for the MA program will be required to submit a work report upon completion of the work terms.

*A research paper is considered to involve an amount of work equivalent to two one-term courses (1 unit).

Sub-Specialization in Survey Methodology

Any student admitted to the UW Sociology Master's program will be eligible to take the Survey Methodology Sub-Specialization.

Completion of the course of study shall be designated by the line "Sub-Specialization in Survey Methodology" on the Master's degree, and will certify that the degree holder has acquired an ensemble of skills qualifying him or her to design, administer, analyze and interpret social science fieldwork research and surveys.

Structure of the Sub-Specialization

The Sub-Specialization is a sequence of six courses (with unit weights equal to 0.50 each) plus a research paper. The Sub-Specialization in Survey Methodology comprises:

Core Master's Degree in Sociology (Research Paper Stream)

Courses:

  • SOC 700 or 704 (Theory)
  • SOC 712 (1st course in Methodology)
  • SOC 710 (Statistics)
  • SOC 714 or 716 or 717 (Qualitative Methods)

Any other Sociology course of the student's choice, other than the courses listed below. This normally will be a course in a substantive area of Sociology.

Courses Unique to Survey Methodology Sub-Specialization Students: 
  • Either SOC 697( Surveys) and STATS 890 (Sampling) or SOC 766 (Participatory Action Research) and SOC 768 (Community Engagement & Social Development)
  • 4-month field practicum
  • Research Paper in an area of surveys or community based research

All students in the Survey Methodology Sub-Specialization will share the core curriculum: Theory, Statistics, Methods, and Qualitative Methods, a four-month fieldwork practicum and a research paper. Students will choose an area of focus either in surveys or in fieldwork while being required to complete both Soc 697 and Stats 890 or Soc 766 and Soc 768. The fieldwork practicum will be at a site appropriate to the student's research focus. The research paper will be in an area of either survey methodology or community based research.

Master's Course Work-only option:

  • Theory: one of SOC 700 or 704
  • Statistics: SOC 710
  • Methods: SOC 712
  • At least five other graduate courses with a minimum weight of 0.5 unit each.  These courses must also require a substantial piece of research (project or essay).
  • Candidates must obtain a minimum overall average of 75% in the courses presented in fulfillment of the degree requirements.


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