Master of Arts Sociology

The School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies offers the following programs: Master of Arts (MA) and PhD in sociology; Master of Arts (MA) in anthropology. In addition, the School participates in the following collaborative programs: women's studies (master's level) and Canadian studies (doctoral level).

The MA in sociology is offered as a full-time and a part-time program, in French and in English. In English, the maximum number of annual admissions is fixed according to the procedure explained in the "Admission Requirements" section. In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students may write their assignments, research papers, theses and examinations in either English or French.

Five options are available for the master's program: the MA with thesis and the MA with research paper, to which admissible students may add the co-op option and a course-based option in which students can add a French immersion stream component. Two microprograms are also offered: Advanced Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Data; Methodology Applied to the Professional Environment. Students in the thesis or research paper option are also eligible for admission to the collaborative program in feminist and gender studies. For more information, see the section "Apply for Admission".

Professors in the School of Sociological and Anthropological Studies conduct research in a number of areas. For a more complete understanding of the breadth of research being undertaken at the School, students are encouraged to consult the list of professors and their areas of interest, which extend well beyond the fields of research mentioned above.

The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

Students who have a BA with honours or major in sociology or in another equivalent discipline, with a minimum average of 70% (B) calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines, may be admitted to the MA program.

In the case of the master’s with thesis or with major research paper options, students who have an honours BA in another discipline with a minimum average of 70 per cent (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines, but without sufficient background, may be accepted into a qualifying program, requiring them to complete a maximum of eight courses.

In the case of the course-based professional option and microprograms Advanced analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and Methodology applied to the professional environment, students with an honours BA in sociology or equivalent field with a minimum average of 70 % (B) or if the students do not have a BA in these related fields, applicants can be considered if they have a BA in another field as well as relevant work experience.

In the case of the thesis, Major Research Paper course-based options, and the microprograms, students must be able to understand, speak, and write in either French or English depending on the language of their program. Students whose first language is neither French nor English must supply evidence of competence in one of the two official languages. In the case of the course-based option with immersion all students must demonstrate competence in French.

The maximum number of students admitted annually in the MA in sociology in English is limited to the average of admissions to the French version in the previous three years. The maximum number of admissions for the current year is available from the secretariat of the School of Anthropological and Sociological Studies.