The Department offers a program of study leading to the Master of Arts degree. Students can take between 12 months and 24 months to complete the program, depending on which pathway they take.   

The M.A. program offers three (3) pathways to completion:

1. Pattern I (Thesis): SOCY 901 and SOCY 902 and four term-length graduate courses normally to be taken in the first two terms of the program, and a thesis (SOCY 899) of approximately 25,000 words which must be successfully defended before a committee of examiners (18-24 months). 
    
2. Pattern II (A) (Essay): SOCY 901 and SOCY 902 and four term-length graduate courses normally to be taken in the first two terms of the program, and an extended essay of between 10,000-12,000 words (12 months). The essay is assessed by the supervisor and a second reader.     
    
3. Pattern II (B) (Experiential): SOCY 901 and SOCY 902 and two term-length graduate courses normally to be taken in the first two terms of the program, 72 hours of experiential learning in a community-based setting, and a report of 10,000-12,000 words (12 months). The report is assessed by the supervisor and a second reader.        

Incoming Masters students are registered in Pattern II (A) (Essay). At the end of the Fall Term, students may remain in the Essay pathway, or apply to pursue Pattern I or Pattern II (B). Entry to these is dependent on academic progress, a successful proposal, and agreed supervision.