Ph.D. Sociology

  • About the Program
  • Academic Regulations
  • Admission Requirements
  • Program Requirements

    • About the Program

    The principal focus of the graduate programs in sociology is the organization and development of contemporary societies in comparative context and with particular reference to Canadian society. The programs specialize in four fields: theory and methodology, stratification and power, cultural studies, and applied social research. See the department website for detailed descriptions of the fields and the variety of sub-fields sub-subsumed under these four areas.

    The substantive focus of the Ph.D. program is the organization and development of contemporary societies, both in a comparative context and with particular reference to Canadian society.

    The Ph.D. program in sociology normally will be undertaken on a full-time basis; however in exceptional cases the department will consider admission on a part-time basis.

Academic Regulations

  • See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
  • Candidates must obtain a grade of B- or better in each credit, and Satisfactory on the comprehensive examinations, the Ph.D. thesis and its oral defence.
Top of page

Admission Requirements

  • The minimum requirement for admission into the Ph.D. program is a master's degree (or the equivalent) in sociology, normally with a minimum average of B+ in courses (including the thesis where applicable), and with no grade below B
  • Applicants who have deficiencies in certain areas may be admitted to the Ph.D. program, but will normally be required to complete additional course work.
Top of page

Program Requirements

  • 10.0 credits including SOCI 6000, and a thesis equivalent to a maximum of 7.0 credits or a minimum of 5.0 credits;
  • Written and oral comprehensive examinations in two areas of specialization;
  • Presentation of a thesis proposal;
  • Language requirements as stated below; and
  • An oral defence of the thesis.

Comprehensive Examinations

Each Ph.D. candidate is required to write comprehensive examinations in two of the following areas:

  • Theory and Methodology
  • Stratification and Power
  • Cultural Studies
  • Applied Social Research

Subjects of instruction and research subsumed under these four areas are:

Theory and Methodology

  • Logic of Social Scientific Inquiry
  • Classical Social Theories
  • Contemporary Social Theories
  • Feminist Theories
  • Research Methods (Historical, Qualitative, and Quantitative)

Stratification and Power

  • Occupations, Organizations, and the Labour Process
  • Class Analysis and Social Stratification
  • Political Sociology
  • Race and Ethnic Relations
  • Gender Relations
  • Political Economy
  • Canadian Society
  • Social and Economic Development
  • Citizenship Studies
  • Governance, Regulation, and Law

Cultural Studies

  • Communication and Popular Cultures
  • Ethnographic Analysis
  • Discourse Analysis
  • Social Anthropology
  • Social and Virtual Spaces

Applied Social Research

  • Criminal Justice
  • Health and Illness Policy
  • Population Studies
  • Sociology of Language
  • Built Environments
  • Education Policy

Upon petition to the sociology graduate program's coordinator, an approved field in sociology or a related discipline may be substituted for one of the options above. The subjects of instruction and research subsumed under each of the areas are indicative, and may be subsumed under more than one area, depending on the analytic approach adopted.

The comprehensive examinations are to be completed after course requirements for the Ph.D. have been completed. Comprehensive examinations must be completed no later than two years or six terms after initial full-time registration, and four years or twelve terms after initial part-time registration.

The thesis proposal is to be presented after comprehensive requirements have been completed. Normally the thesis proposal must be presented no later than two and one-half years or seven terms after initial full-time registration and five years or fifteen terms after initial part-time registration.

Language Requirement
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology requires each Ph.D. candidate to demonstrate an understanding of a language other than English. Although French is the preferred second language, students may be permitted to substitute another language if it is demonstrably relevant to their professional interests. It is strongly advised, however, that all English-speaking candidates be proficient in French. The language requirements may be satisfied by a demonstration of reasonable understanding, on sight, of material contained in selected samples of sociological literature in that language. Students may find it necessary or advisable to take a course in the required language before undertaking the departmental language examination.

Collaborative Ph.D. with a Specialization in Political Economy

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology and the Institute of Political Economy offer a Collaborative Program in Political Economy at the Ph.D. level. For further details, see the Institute of Political Economy's Collaborative Ph.D. with a Specialization in Political Economy section of this Calendar.

top