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Master of Arts (MA) Thesis-based in Sociology

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Completion requirement

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

18 units of courses including:

a) Competence in sociological statistics, methods of sociological research, and sociological theory demonstrated by completing course; course, course or an alternative methods course offered by the Sociology Department; and course.

b) 6 units of electives on substantive topics at the 600 or 700 level; at least 3 units of elective must be a Sociology Department offering.

c) 3 units from course and course (1.5 units each) and successful preparation and completion of a thesis prospectus.

d) Completion of the MA Thesis requirement.

Completion requirement

Advanced Credit

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.


Credit may be allowed for up to three 600- or 700-level courses (9 units).


Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Department of Sociology will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course applicable to the Sociology graduate degree; or apply any course awarded a grade of CG towards graduation requirements for the Sociology graduate degree.

Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.


Credit for Undergraduate Courses

No credit will be given for undergraduate courses.


Time Limit

Expected completion time is 20 months for the thesis-based Master of Arts. Maximum completion time is four years.

Completion requirement

Supervisory Assignments

An interim supervisor is assigned to all incoming students in the thesis-based MA programs.  Thesis-based MA students, after one term in the program, will make supervisory arrangements with a faculty member in the chosen area of research. 


Research Proposal

Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from University of Calgary Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board or the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (if applicable) before beginning data collection.

Thesis-based Master of Arts students are required to prepare a thesis proposal within nine months of the date of entry into the program.


Thesis Examinations

Thesis examinations are open. In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations for thesis examinations, the program requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

Completion requirement

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. Information on departmental funding is available in the online Graduate Student Handbook. For further information on awards, please see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for Graduate Award Competitions through the Faculty of Graduate Studies must submit their applications to the Department by January 15.

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