Social and Legal Studies - Master of Arts (MA) at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Sociology and Legal Studies at the University of Waterloo is a stimulating and expanding department, and consists of sociologists and socio-legal scholars engaging in innovative teaching styles and research programs. Sociology is the study of social life and the social, economic, and political dynamics and dimensions of social relations and social change. Legal studies is the study of law which is central to everything we do - how we carry on business, how we treat the environment, how we shape our governments and how we deal with other people.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Department: Sociology and Legal Studies | Duration: 12 months (full-time) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (September - December); application deadlines: January 15 (for admission in September) | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Study option(s): Coursework.

Career pathways

The Master of Arts in Social and Legal Studies program is coursework-based and can be completed in one year of full-time study or on a part-time basis for maximum flexibility. You’ll take graduate courses that cover both sociological theory and the sociological implications of the law, preparing you for a career in policy development, law, research analysis, and more.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Normally an honours bachelor's degree or its equivalent in sociology with at least a 78% overall standing. A statement of academic interest (approximately a page, 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 (GRE) (optional).

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Terms run fall (September to December), winter (January to April) and spring (May to August). Programmes are currently accepting applications for fall 2027; intake terms vary by programme.

Graduate applications are made online through the Graduate Studies Application and the non-refundable application fee is $150 CAD per program, paid in the applicant portal. Deadlines are set by each programme (for example MDSAI part-time: fall January 15, winter July 1). Apply two to four weeks ahead of the programme deadline.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.apply.uwaterloo.ca/apply/

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