Develop Advanced Skills and Knowledge for a Complex Social World
Our graduate students complete advanced coursework and hands-on research, developing expertise in the latest social theory and methods, and across the domains of digital sociology, criminology and the law, power, inequalities, and social justice. Our students work with faculty experts in a supportive and collegial environment, with many opportunities to engage in faculty-led research projects.
Method of Completion
The Master of Sociology offers three (3) pathways to completion:
- Pattern I (Thesis): Students complete six courses and write a thesis of 25,000 words and defend it before a committee of examiners (12-24 months).
- Pattern II (A) (Essay): Students complete six courses and write an extended essay of 10,000-12,000 words (12 months).
- Pattern II (B) (Experiential): Students complete four courses, 72 hours of experiential learning in a community-based setting, and a report of 10,000-12,000 words (12 months).
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 supervision.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology program is completed in a minimum of four years.
Year 1: Coursework. Students complete four courses and a course in professional and pedagogical skills
Year 2: Qualifying Exam. Students complete a 2-part qualifying examination (written and oral)
Year 3: Research and Thesis. Students complete their research and begin writing a draft of their thesis.
Year 4: Thesis and Defence. Students complete their thesis, which can be in either a traditional or manuscript format, and defend their work before a committee of examiners.
Graduate Student Resources
Graduate Courses
We offer graduate courses on social theory and methods, as well as our faculty's specializations in digital sociology, criminology and the law, policing, power, inequalities, and social justice.
All courses are generally completed during the first year of study: two or three in the Fall Term and two or three in the Winter Term.
MA students complete six courses. PhD students complete four courses and a course in professional and pedagogical skills. All graduate students must take SOCY 901: Sociological Theory and SOCY 902: Sociological Methodology.
With the approval of the Graduate Coordinator, students can choose to take elective courses from other departments that offer courses jointly with Sociology or arrange to take graduate level courses outside of the department. Graduate students may also choose to complete a Directed Reading Course, under the supervision of a faculty member.
Graduate CoursesSociology Research Clusters
Media, Information and Surveillance
This cluster develops sociologies of the digital including critical studies of the latest media, data, information technologies, and networks. AI, social media, infrastructure, visual media, ‘smart’ technologies and digital data traces are all research topics in this group.
Criminology and Law
Scholars in this cluster explore a wide range of questions regarding the nature of crime, law and criminal justice. More specifically, faculty in this research cluster examine youth in conflict with the law, crime and homelessness, criminal victimization, gender and crime, juvenile justice, policing, drug markets, situational crime prevention, program evaluation, courts and sentencing, bail and pretrial detention, punishment and social control, and the professions of law.
Power, Inequalities and Social Justice
This cluster encompasses research in global inequalities, theories of power, capitalism and social theory, social movements and resistance, race and racialization, anti-racism, disability, the cultural and economic dimensions of globalization, post-colonialism and de-colonization, the lived experience of inequalities and social justice movements.
Questions?
Contact the Graduate Program Advising Coordinator:
Celina Caswell
Email: socygrad@queensu.ca
Phone: (613) 533-6000 ext. 77452
Office: Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Room B411
Contact the Graduate Coordinator:
Dr. Nicole Myers
Email: nicole.myers@queensu.ca
Phone: (613) 533-2167
Office: Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Room D524