Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology
Ph.D.Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology
The Department of Sociology at McMaster University offers a graduate experience that fosters close mentorship with faculty members who are leading scholars in our six areas of specialty. The program emphasizes the importance of good scholarship and trains students in current developments in the field of Sociology in Canada and internationally.
The Graduate Program specializes in the following areas:
- Social Inequality
- Sociology of Gender, Sexuality and Family
- Sociology of Work and Occupations
- Social Psychology
- Sociology of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration
- Political Sociology and Social Movements
NEW Comprehensive Examination Changes for 2021-22
The required Ph.D. Comprehensive Examinations consist of examinations in two fields of sociology. Students must take one core area. For the other exam, they can either take another core area or one of the specialty areas. The specialty areas may not be offered every year depending on the availability of faculty.
Core examination areas are:
- Sociology of Gender and Sexuality,
- Social Psychology,
- Sociology of Race and Ethnicity,
- Political Sociology and Social Movements, and
- Work and Occupations.
In addition to the examinations offered in core areas, students may take a comprehensive exam in the following specialty areas:
- Crime and Law,
- Sociology of Culture,
- Education
- Indigenous Thought and Settler Colonial Studies,
- Migration
The requirements of the Ph.D. programme consist of:
- seven graduate courses beyond the M.A. These courses must:
(a) meet the methodology requirement (this includes the fulfilment of two methods requirements [quantitative and qualitative or historical]) (see C, below)
(b) meet the theory requirement (see D, below)
(c) include two quarter courses on professional development
(d) include at least two regularly scheduled 700-level courses offered by the Department in addition to those taken to meet the methodology and theory requirements
(e) optionally include no more than one Sociology supervised research course (730 or 731) (f) optionally include no more than one graduate course offered by another McMaster department or by a Sociology Department in another university
- other than Sociology 6Z03, no 600-level courses are permitted
- fulfilment of two methods requirements (quantitative and qualitative or historical)
- the completion of comprehensive examinations in two special areas
- in some cases a foreign language proficiency examination
- an approved one-page dissertation abstract
- an approved proposal for a Ph.D. dissertation; and,
- the writing and oral defense of a Ph.D. dissertation consisting of original research.
Detailed regulations for the Ph.D. are contained in the department Handbook. Others are provided in the School of Graduate Studies Calendar. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with these regulations, and are subject to all regulations which were in effect at the time they entered the programme.
Detailed information on the admissions and application process and frequently asked questions.
The Department of Sociology at McMaster University offers financial support of incoming graduate students to help them to excel at their studies and to complete their graduate programs in a timely manner. Funding for graduate study usually comprises a combination of monies from graduate scholarships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. Many current and incoming graduate students receive additional funding from external agencies (see below). Please also see awards and funding, School of Graduate Studies.
Applicants are advised to apply for federal scholarships (not applicable for international applicants).
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program Doctoral Scholarships, and SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships.
If you are currently in a Master's program, you are required to apply via your home university. Check with your current department for the internal deadline; typically it is in October.
SOCIOL 6Z03 / Introduction to Social Statistics
SOCIOL 700 / Selected Topics in Sociology I
SOCIOL 701 / Selected Topics in Sociology II
SOCIOL 702 / Selected Topics in Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology
SOCIOL 704 / Deviance and Social Problems
SOCIOL 705 / Sociology of Organizations
SOCIOL 710 / Introduction to Research Design in Sociology
SOCIOL 711 / Sociological Perspectives in Social Psychology
SOCIOL 713 / Social Inequality
SOCIOL 714 / Political Sociology
SOCIOL 716 / Sociology of Education
SOCIOL 718 / Sociology of Work and Occupations
SOCIOL 723 / Participatory and Community-Based Social Research
SOCIOL 724 / Doctoral Research and Professional Development Part 1
SOCIOL 725 / Doctoral Research and Professional Development Part 2
SOCIOL 730 / Supervised Research Course
SOCIOL 731 / Supervised Research Course in Sociological Approaches to Social Psychology
SOCIOL 740 / Statistical Methods for Social Research
SOCIOL 742 / Qualitative Methods
SOCIOL 743 / Historical Methods
SOCIOL 750 / Classical Sociological Theory
SOCIOL 751 / Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOCIOL 755 / Individual and Society
SOCIOL 758 / Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
SOCIOL 759 / Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
SOCIOL 761 / Topics in Statistical Methods for Social Research
- For more information:
-
General Graduate Studies and Admission Inquiries
Kenneth Taylor Hall (KTH), Room 627
905-525-9140 ext. 23613
socgrad@mcmaster.ca
- Length:
- 4 years (max. 6 years)
- Required Credential:
- Master of Arts in Sociology or a related field; minimum A- average
- Program Type:
- Doctoral
- Program Options:
- Full-time
- Typical Entry:
- September
- Current Deadline:
- December 15