Sociology - Master of Arts (MA) at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Combine research with classical theory and analyze the most pressing issues confronting societies today in the supportive, friendly and intellectually vibrant environment of Sociology at the University of Waterloo. You’ll gain a strong understanding of social, political, economic, and cultural relations through sociological theory and methods, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary research training, preparing you for a career in policy development, law, research analysis, or academia. The Master of Arts in Sociology program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis with the option of a thesis or major research paper, allowing you to customize your degree to fit your needs.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Department: Sociology and Legal Studies | Duration: 16 months (full-time; thesis option), 12 months (full-time; master's research paper option) | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall (September - December); application deadlines: January 15 (for admission in September) | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

Research fields: Crime, Law, and Security, Knowledge, Education, and Digital Culture, Migration, Borders, and Transnationalism, Social Inequality and Public Policy. Study option(s): Thesis, Master's Research Paper.

Career pathways

You’ll gain a strong understanding of social, political, economic, and cultural relations through sociological theory and methods, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary research training, preparing you for a career in policy development, law, research analysis, or academia.

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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