MA Program
The M.A. in Sociology is awarded upon successful completion of at least 24 credits of coursework and a 6-credit thesis. Students must complete:
- SOCI 500 (3 credits) Foundations of Sociological Thought
- SOCI 502 (3 credits) Research Design and Techniques (Quantitative)
- SOCI 503 (3 credits) Research Design and Techniques (Qualitative)
- SOCI 514 (3 credits) Analyzing Quantitative Data in Sociology
- SOCI 515 (3 credits) Analyzing Qualitative Data in Sociology
- SOCI Elective courses (9 credits)
- SOCI 598 Directed Studies (Optional if electives are not available, with permission from Grad chair)
Occasionally other graduate-level methods and theory courses can substitute for these required courses with permission from the Grad Chair, to be replaced with an additional elective to meet the 30-credit UBC MA requirement. At least 18 course credits should be from departmental graduate seminars; the remaining credits can be from upper-level undergraduate courses (300 or 400 level), directed studies courses and/or "external" courses offered by other departments.
The SGSC or Supervisor may recommend or require that a student take specific or additional courses. All requests for registration in undergraduate courses, directed studies courses and "external" courses must be submitted to and approved by the SGSC through the change of registration form.
Note that students are required to register for specific courses each term. Students who have finished all of their coursework must register for the thesis course (SOCI 549) in order to be considered registered full-time and to be eligible for awards.
Timeline
Total Credits: 18
Term 1 (9 credits)
- SOCI 500: Classical Sociological Theory SOCI
- SOCI 502: Quantitative Research Design SOCI
- SOCI 503: Qualitative Research Design Elective Course (3 credits)
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 2 (9 credits)
- SOCI 514: Analyzing Quantitative Data in Sociology
- SOCI Elective Course (6 credits)
- Professional Development Seminars
- Thesis proposal developed during term and through the summer
Total Credits: 12
Term 1 (6 credits)
- SOCI 515: Qualitative Data Analysis and Professional Writing Seminar (3 credits)
- Thesis (3 credits)
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 2 (6 credits)
- Elective Course (3 credits)
- Thesis (3 credits) & Defense
- Professional Development Seminars
The Professional Development (Pro-D) Seminars consist of several one-time events help each term that cover important professionalization issues. Pro-D seminars will be co-organized by graduate students and the Director of Graduate Studies, who, together, will select specific focal topics and recruit appropriate faculty panelists to participate. The dates and times of the Pro-D seminars will be announced at the start of each term.
It is expected that all graduate students attend each Pro-D seminar as well as all other departmental seminars, such as the visiting distinguished speaker series and job talks given by candidates for a department faculty hiring. Participation in these events will be one factor considered each year in evaluating each student’s standing in the program as well as in deciding teaching assistantship placements and other potential funding allocations.
PhD Program
The Ph.D. in Sociology is awarded to students who successfully complete:
- All of the M.A. course requirements or equivalent
- At least 12 additional credits of coursework (including SOCI 501)
- Two comprehensive examinations
- A dissertation proposal
- A dissertation
- A defense of the dissertation in a university examination
The first year of study is typically devoted to coursework and preparation for the comprehensive examinations. The second year combines comprehensive examinations and work on a dissertation proposal. The third and subsequent years are devoted to dissertation research and writing.
Full-time Ph.D. students are required to have completed their program within six years of registration. All course requirements and comprehensive examinations should be completed (i.e., the student should advance to candidacy) prior to registration for a fourth year of Ph.D. study.
Timeline
Total Credits: 6
Term 1 (3 credits)
- SOCI 501: Contemporary Sociological Theory
- Comprehensive Area 1 Examination
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 2 (3 credits)
- SOCI Elective Course (3 credits)
- Comprehensive Area 2 Examination
- Professional Development Seminars
Total Credits: 6
Term 1 (3 credits)
- Dissertation Prospectus
- SOCI Elective Course (3 Credits)
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 2 (3 credits)
- Prospectus Defense/Dissertation
- SOCI Elective Course (3 credits)
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 1
- Dissertation
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 2
- Dissertation
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 1
- Dissertation
- Professional Development Seminars
Term 2
- Dissertation Defense
- Professional Development Seminars
The Professional Development (Pro-D) Seminars will consist of several one-time events held each term that cover important professionalization issues. Pro-D seminars will be co-organized by graduate students and the Director of Graduate Studies, who, together, will select specific focal topics and recruit appropriate faculty panelists to participate. The dates and times of the Pro-D seminars will be announced at the start of each term.
It is expected that all graduate students attend each Pro-D seminar as well as all other departmental seminars, such as the visiting distinguished speaker series and job talks given by candidates for a department faculty hiring. Participation in these events will be one factor considered each year in evaluating each student’s standing in the program as well as in deciding teaching assistantship placements and other potential funding allocations.