Sociology (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Program overview
The MA in Sociology allows you to gain advanced training in a wide variety of sociological methods and theories. Our courses and materials explore the traditional foundations of sociology while also offering opportunities to consider new and emerging areas of social inquiry. You will conduct studies that address contemporary social problems and examine various cultural practices that impact individuals on personal, local and global levels. Our faculty members have connections to multiple research centres, such as the Centre for the Interdisciplinary Study of Culture and Society, the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism Studies, the Centre for Technoculture and Games (TAG), and the newly launched Milieux Institute for Arts, Culture and Technology. Well-known for encouraging students to participate in local, national and international research projects, our faculty also includes Quebec's first-ever Research Chair on Gambling.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
- Solid undergraduate preparation with a range of competence similar to that demanded of Major students at Concordia, and a minimum B average in their undergraduate studies.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
- Language Requirements. Thesis proposals which depend on special linguistic skills will be accepted only from students competent in the appropriate languages.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
Please see the Sociology and Anthropology Courses page for course descriptions.
Sociology MA (45 credits)
| 45 | credits chosen from one of the following options: MA in Sociology with Thesis - Primary Research (Option A) MA in Sociology with Thesis - Bibliographic Research (Option B) |
| Additional courses may be taken from outside the program, subject to the advice and approval of the students supervisor or the Graduate Program Director. |
MA in Sociology with Thesis - Primary Research (Option A) (45 credits)
| 18 | credits of Required Courses: |
| 6 | credits of Elective Courses chosen from the Sociology MA Selected Topics list |
| 21 | credits: |
MA in Sociology with Thesis - Bibliographic Research (Option B) (45 credits)
| 15 | credits of Required Courses: |
| 12 | credits of Elective Courses chosen from the Sociology MA Selected Topics list |
| 18 | credits: |
Sociology MA Selected Topics
| • SOCI 601 Topics in Advanced Theory (3.00) • SOCI 611 Topics in Advanced Methodology (3.00) • SOCI 620 Population and Society (3.00) • SOCI 622 Studies in Race and Ethnicity (3.00) • SOCI 625 Sociology of Culture (3.00) • SOCI 626 North American Societies (3.00) • SOCI 627 Social Movements and Social Change (3.00) • SOCI 632 Sociology of the Family (3.00) • SOCI 633 Sociology of Knowledge (3.00) • SOCI 635 Gender Studies (3.00) • SOCI 637 Development (3.00) • SOCI 638 The City (3.00) • SOCI 639 Social Problems (3.00) • SOCI 640 Community Studies (3.00) • SOCI 642 Studies in Governance (3.00) • SOCI 644 Sociology of the Body (3.00) • SOCI 645 Sociology of Men (3.00) • SOCI 646 Globalization (3.00) • SOCI 647 Democracy and Citizenship (3.00) • SOCI 648 Health, Illness and Medicine (3.00) • SOCI 649 Media and Communication (3.00) • SOCI 652 Self and Subjectivity (3.00) • SOCI 653 Intellectual Biography (3.00) • SOCI 650 Special Topic in Sociology I (3.00) • SOCI 651 Special Topic in Sociology II (3.00) |
You may choose one of two options.
- MA in Sociology with Thesis - Primary Research (Option A)
- MA in Sociology with Thesis - Bibliographic Research (Option B)
Students enrolled in option A are required to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research. A thesis proposal serves as the basis for the elaboration of the written thesis.
Option B asks students to write a research essay under the supervision of a faculty member. Essays are evaluated by two faculty members, including the supervisor, and can be either a literature review or a report on empirical research.
Consult the graduate calendar for full degree requirements.
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- Statement of Purpose (three pages double spaced plus bibliography) should include:
- Your research intentions and the methods you propose to use,
- A short presentation of relevant debates and theories with which your work will engage,
- The name of a potential supervisor whose research area is compatible with your interests with whom you would like to work. It is recommended that contact be made with a potential supervisor prior to submitting an application.
- Sample of writing (optional)
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
| Sociology | MA | Feb. 1 | Sept. 1 |
n/a |
Late applications will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis if there is space available.
Core Courses:
- Issues in Classical Sociological Theory
- Issues in Contemporary Sociological Theory
- Quantitative Research Design and Methods
- Qualitative Research Design and Methods
Elective courses typically offered:
- Democracy and Citizenship
- Gender Studies
- Globalisation
- Health, Illness and Medicine
- Media and Communication
- Self and Subjectivity
- Social Movements and Social Change
- Sociology of the Body
- Sociology of the Family
Consult the graduate calendar for a complete list of current courses.
Master’s students are eligible for a variety of scholarships and fellowships, Research assistant and Teaching assistant positions, conference travel awards and other in-course funding.
Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students. Awards that are available for Master’s students include:
- Faculty of Arts and Science Fellowships ($7,000)
- Concordia Merit Scholarships ($10,000)
- Hydro-Quebec Graduate Award ($5,000)
- Arts and Science Fellowship in Ethnic Studies and Social Diversity ($7,500)
- Mentor Awards ($5,000)
- Out-of-Province Fee Remission Awards ($6,000)
- Teaching Assistantships ($3200/term)
- Cary Boucock Memorial Award ($500)
- Susan Russell Memorial Graduate Award ($500)
We encourage students seeking admission to our program to apply for funding from external sources in the final year of their undergraduate studies (e.g. FRQSC, SSHRC).
Please consult Concordia’s graduate funding page and Financial Aid and Awards for additional information.
Faculty members are involved with research initiatives at the local, national and international levels. As world experts in a variety of emerging and established fields, their findings are well represented in a number of recent publications.
- criminalised populations
- demography
- digital and online culture
- food studies
- Gender and Sexuality
- globalisation
- journalism and popular media
- justice and social ethics
- kinship and the family
- law and society
- marginalised communities
- perception and representation
- sociology of the body
Review an inspiring list of thesis topics.
The Sociology and Anthropology Graduate Students’ Association (SAGSA) represents the collective interests and promotes the general welfare of graduate students in the department.
SAGSA also hosts an annual interdisciplinary student conference in March. Previous editions have seen students from across Quebec and Canada present their research and foster dialogue across disciplines. Keynote speakers from past conferences have included Dr. Ram Jahku, Dr. Charmaine A. Nelson, and Dr. Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier.
The Disestablishmentarian is a bi-annual peer-reviewed publication administered under the editorial direction of graduate students in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology. The journal is strongly interdisciplinary and intended for emerging scholars of social and cultural analysis.
Our alumni are highly sought after by colleges, community organizations, federal funding agencies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, social networking companies, think tanks and universities. Recent graduates are working as academic directors, consultants, educators, instructors, professors, research associates and research coordinators.
Examples of organizations and institutions our alumni are currently working for include:
- Brock University
- Canadian House of Wisdom
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
- Douglas College
- Marianopolis College
- McGill University
- Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Sexpressions
- Statistics Canada
- University of Prince Edward Island
- University of Waterloo
Many graduates also choose to continue their studies at the Doctoral level and have become faculty members in sister universities.