PhD Program
The PhD in Sociology strives to educate scholars with a breadth of knowledge of the discipline and specialized in-depth knowledge of particular fields within the discipline. This program is suitable for students who are interested in sociology and criminology.
The program requirements include:
- Four (4) courses at the 500- and/or 600-level: For a total of 12 units, with at least 9 units being completed within the Sociology Department.
- Major and Minor Comprehensive Exams: Students must complete written or oral exams in one major area and one minor area.
- Candidacy Proposal and Exam: Students must pass an oral Candidacy exam taken in the subject field of the thesis research.
- THES 909: Students must register in - and defend - a thesis by the end of their program.
Program Total: 12 units + a thesis
This is a full-time study program. Students will normally complete a minimum of three of the required 500/600 level graded courses within the first two academic terms, and all required courses should be completed by the end of year two in the program.
There are no required PhD courses. However, students who did not complete courses in social theory, qualitative methods, and quantitative methods as part of their Master’s degrees will be expected to complete these courses as part of their required PhD coursework.
After successful completion of the candidacy exam, candidates proceed to the completion of the degree, normally within two years, by conducting thesis research and orally defending their dissertation to an examination committee chosen in coordination with their supervisor. Both traditional thesis and article-based thesis formats are acceptable.
Note: Timelines for completion can vary depending on the student's individual circumstances.
All students must also complete INT D 710 + INT D 720 to fulfill the Ethics + Academic Citizenship requirement. As well, students must fulfill the IDP and PD requirement as set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (GPS).
Students in the MA and PhD programs are also expected to attend a series of Professional Skills Workshops hosted by the Department.