Faculty of Arts & Science
Sociology

Graduate Programs

The University of Lethbridge offers two Masters level degrees. The Masters of Arts in Sociology (MA Sociology) program information can be found here. The Department also recognizes that some students will prefer an interdisciplinary degree, and because we share a commitment to interdisciplinarity, we also offer an Individualized, Multidisciplinary Master of Arts with a specialization in Sociology (IMMA Sociology).

Students taking an MA Sociology or an IMMA (Sociology) typically would be asked to take Social Sciences graduate courses in research methods, classical theory, contemporary theory and a professional seminar for social scientists, as well as directed studies relating to their thesis. The specific courses a student takes will depend on discussions with the student and supervisor, suggestions by the Sociology Graduate Admissions Committee and course availability in any given calendar year. Nevertheless, students can anticipate taking between 4 and 6 full graduate course equivalents during their MA programs.  

The central experience of our Master's program is the creation of a thesis. At the Master's level, a thesis project  involves close collaboration between supervisor and student. When applying for admission to our graduate program, students  must also closely collaborate with potential supervisors. Students interested these programs should speak with a member of the Sociology department whose research areas fit with their own prior to application for admission to the program: Sociology Faculty Research Profiles

Students admitted to a Masters program in Sociology require the following minimum qualifications:

• A 40 course Baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent, in Sociology or a related discipline from a recognized university.
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (based on a 4.00 scale) on the last 20 graded university level semester courses.
• Students who are not Canadian citizens or landed immigrants  and who are graduates of universities where English is not  the medium of instruction must also submit scores of the Test  of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum requirement  is a score of 600.
• Because the capacity of our program is limited, not all students meeting the general admission requirements can be  admitted. Selection criteria include grade point average, reference letters, the  proposed project -- its timeliness and ability of proposed  supervisor(s) to supervise it, availability of funding, availability  of resources, etc.
• Our graduate program is only available on a full-time basis, and completion is expected within a residence period of 24 months.
• Deadlines for receipt of application forms and all supporting  documentation (reference letters, official transcripts, project  proposal form filled out in consultation with prospective  supervisor, etc.) are March 1^st  or May 1^st for admission in September, and October 1^st for admission in January.
• Current information about admissions can be obtained here
• Application forms can be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies

Please note that this information was current at the time of this writing. In case of discrepancies between the information  presented here and the information presented in the most recent University of Lethbridge calendar  or on the formal application forms, the calendar and application forms will take precedence.

We hope that you will consider joining the Department of Sociology graduate programs. We are confident that our  students receive instruction and training of the highest quality,  and we are committed to providing first-rate courses, individual attention to students, and hands-on research training. If you are interested in learning more about the Sociology Programs at the University of Lethbridge,  please contact Jenny  to arrange a visit.